Photo by the Heisman Trust
Ashton Jeanty once again shined. Of the Heisman leaders, only Jeanty and Bryson Daily played on conference championship weekend and they both thrived and led their teams to victory.
My Heisman Ballot
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior
I’ve said it early and I’ve said it often. Ashton Jeanty is Mr. Heisman 2024. Jeanty had another night being an absolute tank for Boise State. He had 32 carries for 209 yards and a touchdown that he got on a 75-yard run. Jeanty’s history-making as a player and in getting his team to be the first Group of Five to the playoff is why he’s my Heisman winner. That’s the edge between him and another history maker in Travis Hunter.
He has 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 30 total touchdowns. If he gets 132 yards in the postseason, he will surpass Barry Sanders for the most rushing yards in a regular season (though in Barry’s day they didn’t count the bowl games). He would need 10 touchdowns in the playoff to match Sanders and Montee Ball for the most touchdowns from scrimmage in a season. That one seems only possible if the Broncos play for a national championship.
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado, Wide Receiver/ Cornerback, Junior
It’s doubtful that we will see Travis Hunter in a Colorado uniform on the field ever again. We may never see a player do what he did this year ever again either. He’s played at an all-American level at two positions and had his team in playoff and conference championship contention. I’ve been firmly on team Jeanty and still am, but you can’t go wrong between him and Travis Hunter. It’s a shame they played in the same year because they both deserve the Heisman.
This year Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 15 total touchdowns on offense. He had 31 tackles, 11 passes defended, one forced fumble (that won a game in overtime), and four interceptions on defense.
3. Bryson Daily, Army, Quarterback, Senior
Daily and Army deserve more love and recognition nationally than they’re getting. Daily had 26 carries for 126 yards and four touchdowns on Friday night against Tulane as Army won the American Athletic Conference Championship and got to 11-1.
Daily has 265 carries for 1,480 yards and 29 touchdowns running the ball for Army and is 45 of 78 for 877 yards and eight touchdowns passing. This is in only 12 games. Daily will have the handicap of all the Heisman voting being done by the time his 13th game goes final on December 14th. He belongs in New York City right after the Army-Navy Game.
4. Cameron Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior
Cam Ward was the best quarterback in the country in 2024. Things didn’t go the way he and the Hurricanes wanted them to. Missing out on a playoff berth and an ACC Championship. Ward also missed out on a Heisman trophy but still had an elite season. But Cam Ward carried Miami to double-digit wins and was rightfully the ACC Player of the Year. If Mario Cristobal and Miami use 2024 to turn a corner as a program they’ll look back and appreciate Cam Ward and the 2024 Canes.
Cam Ward is 293 of 435 for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns passing. He has another 196 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He has 41 total touchdowns this season.
5. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, Running Back, Junior
Sampson would be closer to the front of the race if he and his Vols had played in the SEC Championship. He also would have had been further if 2024 hadn’t been such a massive year for running the football. Ashton Jeanty, Bryson Daily, Dylan Sampson, Kaleb Johnson of Iowa, Omarion Hampton of North Carolina, RJ Harvey of UCF, and Tahj Brooks of Texas Tech, and Cam Skattebo of Arizona State have dominated toting the rock. Jalen Milroe of Alabama and Devon Dampier of New Mexico have joined Daily with quarterbacks who can hurt you on the ground as well.
In 2024 he has toted the rock 256 times for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s been Tennessee’s biggest offensive weapon, and his success is the biggest reason Tennessee is in the CFP
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