Photo by the Heisman Trust
Heisman Watch
Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel, and Kaleb Johnson lead the way with their performances as most teams get half of their season finished. Jeanty is the clear favorite for the Heisman.
Standouts from Week 7
Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty had 34 touches for 237 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos 28-7 victory over Hawaii. Jeanty is having big games every week and runs further away with the Heisman after every one of them. He also continues to carry Boise State up the rankings toward the playoffs.
Dillon Gabriel
Gabriel had a great game against Ohio State. He was 23 of 34 for 341 yards and two touchdowns passing along with four carries for 32 yards and another touchdown rushing. Maybe even bigger than his 370 total yards and three total touchdowns, was that he had no interceptions, no fumbles, and took no sacks. This was the single biggest quarterback performance of the season and has put Gabriel in the Heisman conversation for the moment.
Tyler Warren
The Penn State tight end is unlikely to win the Heisman but he had a heck of game against USC. He’d been having a solid season for #3 Penn State but had a career game against the Trojans. And Penn State needed every bit of it. Warren had 17 catches for 224 yards and a touchdown in the 33-30 overtime win.
Heisman Leaders
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior
Jeanty has 126 carries for 1,248 yards and 18 total touchdowns in only five games. He has played in six games but has been pulled at halftime in two games. He’s on pace for 252 carries for 2,496 yards and 36 total touchdowns and that’s only in the regular season.
2. Cameron Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior
Ward is the best quarterback in college football this season. He is 148 of 214 for a nation-leading 2,219 yards and 23 total touchdowns.
3. Travis Hunter, Colorado, Wide Receiver/ Cornerback, Junior
Hunter’s injury against Kansas State is a significant blow to his Heisman chances, particularly with Colorado being a 4-2 team. If he is back for Colorado next week his chances will still be strong. Hunter has 49 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns on offense and 16 tackles, three passes defended, a forced fumble, and two interceptions on defense.
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, Running Back, Junior
The biggest hurdle to Kaleb Johnson’s Heisman candidacy is Ashton Jeanty. In another year without Jeanty at the front by so much, Johnson is in the top two. He had a great game against Washington with 21 carries for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 22 yards and another touchdown. For the season he has 118 carries for 937 yards and 13 total touchdowns. He may not win the Heisman but he’s likely the Big Ten Player of the Year.
5. Bryson Daily, Army, Quarterback, Senior
Having Army undefeated and at 6-0 is Daily’s best statistic. His running game isn’t far off though. His 107 carries for 738 yards and 14 touchdowns have him at seventh nationally in rushing yards. He also is 20 of 37 for 482 yards and six touchdowns in passing for AAC-leading Army Black Knights.
In the Race
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, Quarterback, Senior
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Freshman
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior
A special shout out Nohl Williams a defensive back from Cal who is having a phenomenal season. He’s got six interceptions, averaging one per game this year. That makes a strong case for being the defensive player of the year.
