Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Boise State working again Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward had been introduced Monday because the finalists for the Heisman Trophy.
The award can be handed out Saturday in New York and it’ll seemingly be one of many uncommon occasions lately the place the winner performs a place aside from quarterback, with Hunter and Jeanty being the favorites.
Congratulations to the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists, @oregonfootball QB Dillon Gabriel, @CUBuffsFootball CB/WR Travis Hunter, @BroncoSportsFB RB Ashton Jeanty and @CanesFootball QB Cam Ward! #HeismanTrophy #MoreThanATrophy pic.twitter.com/ESmBdLSxWX
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) December 9, 2024
The Heisman has gone to a quarterback 20 occasions since Chris Weinke of Florida State received it in 2000.
Seven of the final eight winners have been quarterbacks, 5 of which have been transfers, together with LSU’s Jayden Daniels final yr. The lone non-QB over that span was Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020.
Jeanty is attempting to grow to be the primary working again to win the Heisman since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015. The one different working backs to win it this century had been USC’s Reggie Bush in 2005 and Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009.
Jeanty is having a historic season, closing in on Barry Sanders’ official NCAA dashing file of two,628 yards. Remarkably, Sanders did that in 11 video games throughout his 1988 Heisman-winning season for Oklahoma State. He had one other 222 yards in a bowl sport that doesn’t formally depend towards the file.
Jeanty heads into the School Soccer Playoff with 2,497 yards dashing and 30 touchdowns for the Mountain West champion Broncos (12-1), who obtained the No. 3 seed and a bye into the quarterfinals.
Hunter is the favourite, in response to BetMGM, at -2500, and one of the uncommon contenders in latest Heisman historical past.
The previous five-star recruit has been a real two-way participant for coach Deion Sanders, getting first-team reps at broad receiver and cornerback.
On the offensive aspect, Hunter is fifth within the nation in receptions with 92, sixth in yards receiving at 1,152 and second in landing receptions with 14 for the No. 20 Buffaloes (9-3). Defensively, his 4 interceptions rank tied for seventeenth nationally, three behind the chief, and 11 passes defended is tied for eighth-most.
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Heisman Trophy odds: Travis Hunter takes management heading into last stretch
The newest comparability to Hunter as a Heisman winner is Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997. The Wolverines defensive again was a part-timer on offense, catching 11 passes for 231 yards and two scores. He additionally ran for a landing and made an affect as a returner, with a memorable punt returned for a 77-yard landing in opposition to Ohio State.
Ward gave the impression to be the quarterback almost certainly to win the Heisman for a lot of the season. The Washington State switch had No. 12 Miami in rivalry for a Playoff berth and ACC title all season. He has 4,123 yards passing, 36 touchdowns and 7 interceptions for the No. 1 offense within the nation, however the Hurricanes misplaced two of their last three to take among the steam from Ward’s candidacy.
Gabriel is a two-time switch in his sixth yr at his third college (UCF and Oklahoma) who’s approaching the FBS file profession file for passing yards. He has 3,558 yards passing and 28 TD passes and 7 dashing touchdowns this season. He has additionally performed his finest in opposition to among the top-ranked Geese’ finest opponents, throwing for 918 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions in victories in opposition to Ohio State, at Michigan and versus Penn State within the Massive Ten title sport.
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(Picture: Ed Zurga / Getty Pictures)
