By Dorrington Myers
The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually since 1935, recognizes the nation’s most outstanding player. Even better, part of the voting panel consists of former Heisman Trophy winners themselves, ensuring a more authentic outcome with minimal bias..
This year’s finalists have been nothing short of spectacular, excelling both on the field and in the classroom while guiding their respective teams. Your finalists are Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, Travis Hunter from Colorado, Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, and Cam Ward from Miami.
Quarterback spotlight:
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon Ducks
Mr. Consistent—what can I say? Every season, except for one, Gabriel has thrown for more than 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. This season, he recorded 3,558 yards, 28 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He’s second in QBR with an impressive 86.5 and has also added seven rushing touchdowns.
Gabriel defies the height expectations that have long been the norm for pro quarterbacks, proving you don’t have to be super tall to be productive at the position. This season, he became the NCAA’s all-time leader in total touchdowns with an incredible 179. Gabriel is battle-tested, a winner, and, most importantly, a great teammate.
Skillset-wise, there isn’t a throw he can’t make. Gabriel isn’t afraid to take calculated shots downfield, and excels at them. His ability to be impactful both through the air and on the ground is truly remarkable.
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Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes
The magician himself, Ward, is fun to watch. He plays with so much passion and drive that it’s contagious to his teammates. Ward is purely a team player and embraces it. Skillset-wise, he can do whatever he wants on the field.
An interesting fact: he leads the nation in QBR with an impressive 88.0. All the stars align to indicate that Ward can produce at a high level. He has recorded 4,123 yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, along with four rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown.
His most exciting attribute is his ability to improvise. Ward set several new records along the way, breaking Bernie Kosar’s 40-year-old record for single-season passing yards. He also shattered the Miami single-season record for completions with 268—six more than Kosar’s 1984 mark of 262. Additionally, Ward broke Steve Walsh’s program-record 29 touchdown passes, a milestone set in 1988.
Dynamic Running Back:
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Quarterbacks often dominate the Heisman Trophy conversation, but Ashton Jeanty is here to remind everyone just how vital the ground game is to a well-rounded offense. Jeanty has been the ultimate workhorse for the Broncos, carrying the ball 344 times for an astounding 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per carry.
What sets Jeanty apart is his vision, patience, and home-run-hitting ability—traits that are second to none. Watching him run evokes memories of Alvin Kamara, with his smooth yet explosive style. Few players in history have possessed the skill set necessary to challenge Barry Sanders’ legendary rushing record, but Jeanty appears to be one of the rare exceptions.
His running style isn’t just effective; it’s pure artwork. Every carry showcases a masterful blend of power, agility, and finesse. Jeanty has proven that elite running backs still have a place in the Heisman conversation, and his performance this season has been nothing short of historic.
Swiss Army knife:
Travis Hunter, Colorado Buffaloes
Hunter proves that other positions are capable of competing for the Heisman Trophy. What you see is what you get with him—his impact is monumental. As a receiver, he has amassed 92 receptions, 1,152 yards, 14 touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. On defense, from his cornerback position, he recorded 31 total tackles, 11 pass deflections, one forced fumble, and four interceptions.
The most amazing part is that he plays both sides of the ball, never appearing fatigued. The number of snaps he has played is in the thousands, which is almost unheard of in today’s game. Although there is no exact category for snap count, Hunter’s skill set is truly generational.
Final remarks:
Who is college football’s most outstanding player? Most would say it’s a toss-up between Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter. While both are undeniably impactful, each Heisman candidate brings unique value to their team.
Gabriel and Ward serve as the linchpins of their offenses; without them, the game plan would lack both direction and cohesion. Meanwhile, Hunter and Jeanty are the focal points of their teams’ weekly strategies, their individual strengths so vital that the ball has to be in their hands.. When a play needs to be made, they’re the ones who deliver. If the Heisman Trophy stays true to its roots, I believe Travis Hunter will win the 2024 award.
