Photo by the Heisman Trust
The Heisman Watch
Only one full week of college football has been played but already we’ve seen some record-setting performances in the race for the Heisman Trophy!
Standouts from Week One
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Boise State is banking on Jeanty to not only get to New York for the Heisman but to carry them in the playoffs. With the playoff expanded, they may have the best chance of the G5 teams to get in. Jeanty carried the ball 20 times for 267 yards and six touchdowns in the Bronco’s win over Georgia Southern. He set school records in yards and touchdowns.
Cam Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior.
Cam Ward and Mario Cristobal have gotten off to a good start to having The U ‘back.’ It gets said too often and too early. But winning in dominant fashion on the road, against a rival, in the SEC is a good start. They’ll fly or falter with Cam Ward’s Heisman campaign. Ward was 26 of 35 for 385 yards and three touchdowns in the win over Florida.
Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Senior, and Travis Hunter, Wide Receiver/Cornerback, Junior.
I know they got a lot of haters (I don’t really understand why) and those haters are quick to point out they played an FCS team in their opener. But it was an FCS powerhouse in North Dakota State. It was the perfect opponent for Coach Prime, Shedeur Sanders, and Travis Hunter to open against. Tough enough to test yourself and get the year to a good start. Next at, rival and fellow resurgent program, Nebraska. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter carried the Buffalos against the Bison (which in itself is awesome). Sanders was 26 of 34 for 445 yards and four touchdowns while Hunter caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns.
Arizona’s Noah Fifita, Quarterback, Redshirt Sophomore, and Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Junior.
Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan will battle Sanders and Hunter for the best quarterback and wide receiver tandems in the nation. They too got off to a great start. Fifita was 19 of 31 for 422 yards and four touchdowns and McMill caught ten of those for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
A problem that Sanders and Hunter at Colorado and Fifita and McMillan at Arizona have as far as the Heisman goes is their opposite in their elite tandems getting attention like them.
Contenders We Will Hear from Before 2024 Ends
Quinn Ewers the redshirt junior quarterback of the Texas Longhorns opened against Colorado State going 20 of 27 for 260 yards and three touchdowns. He has the chance for a Heisman moment as he leads America’s team of the week in the cheater’s den.
Carson Beck the quarterback out of Georgia is another to watch. The redshirt junior went 23 of 33 for 278 yards and two touchdowns against Clemson. He just seems to improve with every game. Being the best player on the best team always helps a Heisman campaign.
Jalen Milroe another redshirt junior quarterback from the SEC got it done through the air and on the ground. He was seven of nine for 200 yards and three touchdowns passing with 10 carries for 79 yards and a couple of touchdowns. That’s a good way to start off the Kalen DeBoer Era at Alabama.
Jeremiah Smith picked up where Marvin Harrison Jr. left off with six catches for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Ohio State. Not bad for a true freshman’s college debut.
Cam Rising of the Utah Utes was 10 of 15 for 254 yards and five touchdowns as he and the Utes look to win in their new conference. The Big 12 is the wild, wild west, and Rising and the Utes look to dominate it.
