Heisman Watch

By ELLIOT AVE-LALLEMANT and CIAN McKEOWN

As the college football season approaches its end, the candidates for the prestigious Heisman Trophy are starting to become clearer. Quarterbacks have dominated the award in the past decade or so, but this year we have a couple of players who have broken the mold of what a Heisman contender looks like. Here are the top candidates for College Football’s highest honor at this point in the year: 

Travis Hunter, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver, Colorado Buffaloes 

Hunter is one of the most versatile players in College Football and the sort of swiss army knife we haven’t seen in a long while. With nothing short of an explosive ability in the receiving game, and three interceptions on defense this year, Hunter appears to be a unicorn in the College Football world. It’s not just a novelty, however, as Hunter has helped the Buffaloes go on an impressive run and a top twenty-five College Football Playoff Ranking.

Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State Broncos 

Jeanty continues to impress fans with his multi-touchdown games. Rushing for over 2,000 yards this season, Jeanty has become a crucial part of the Broncos’ offense. After the recent game against the Wyoming Cowboys, it’s clear that Jeanty has a very good chance of winning the Heisman, rushing for 169 yards, and scoring a 69-yard touchdown.

Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami Hurricanes

The U’s nonchalant dreadhead has put on strong performances throughout the season, most recently dropping 42 points on Wake Forest, passing for 280 yards and two touchdowns. This game also saw Ward break the Hurricanes’ record for passing yards. 

Jalen Milroe, Quarterback, Alabama Crimson Tide

Despite the Tide’s recent 3-24 loss to Oklahoma, Jalen Milroe has had a pretty decent season, passing for over 2,000 yards and 15 total touchdowns. Despite a career-high in interceptions, Milroe is still a key part of Alabama’s offense. 

Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon Ducks 

Gabriel is just behind Case Keenum currently for the all-time record for FBS passing yards and has led the Oregon Ducks to an 11-0 record so far this season as they sit at the top of the Big Ten Conference. Gabriel has taken advantage of the transfer portal and took his talents to Eugene from Oklahoma this past offseason. It’ll be up to Gabriel if the Ducks stay as the top team in College Football. 

Elliot’s prediction: Since there aren’t any Maryland players here, my favorite pick is that I really want Ashton Jeanty to win it, considering that he is having such a phenomenal season and playing such a key role in Boise State’s offense. However, if I were to talk realistically, the Heisman would probably go to Travis Hunter, because he plays both sides of the ball, making him key to Colorado’s offense AND defense. 

Cian’s prediction: As a Oregon Ducks die-hard, I am biased heavily in favor of Dillon Gabriel, but if I’m being honest Travis Hunter is still the favorite, we haven’t seen a player quite like him in modern College Football. I sense Travis Hunter is having the type of one-of-a-kind season that Rod Woodson had, the last two-way player to win the trophy, although Hunter is on another level of offensive ability.