Photo by the Heisman Trust
Heisman Watch
The Heisman Race is down to six young men. Ashton Jeanty, Cameron Ward, and Travis Hunter are your big three in the lead. Unless something crazy happens, one of these six leaders will hoist the most prestigious individual award in all of sports in December in New York.
Standouts of the Week
Jaxson Dart and Jordan Watkins lit up Arkansas on behalf of the Ole Miss Rebels. Dart was 25 of 31 for 515 yards and six touchdown passes! Eight of those completions were caught by Jordan Watkins for 254 yards and five of Dart’s six touchdown passes. Ole Miss slaughtered the Razorbacks 63-31.
Cam Skattebo did it all for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Skattebo had 25 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown rushing the football and caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns receiving. The do-it-all back had 29 touches for 274 total yards and three touchdowns for ASU.
Omarion Hampton of the North Carolina Tar Heels helped Mack Brown finally beat his alma matter. Hampton had 32 carries for 173 yards and four touchdowns on the ground with three catches for 93 yards and a touchdown receiving through the air.
Heisman Leaders
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior
Like he was last week and has been all year, Jeanty is at the front of the pack. Jeanty didn’t have astronomical numbers in the Broncos win over San Diego State and his early pace to break Barry Sanders’ records is cooling. But Jeanty is still just plugging away and fighting for Boise State. Probably more importantly to Jeanty, his team’s playoff hopes are alive and well. As long as Boise State and Oregon keep winning and Jeanty keeps passing the century mark and scoring every week, the Bronco’s hopes for the Heisman and playoffs remain alive. On the season he has 190 carries for 1,525 yards and 21 total touchdowns.
2. Cameron Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior
By far, the best quarterback in college football in 2024. He had casual 400 yards passing and five touchdowns in the Canes victory over Duke. This season he is 216 of 321 for 3,146 yards and 33 total touchdowns. The next closest is Dillon Gabriel of the top-ranked Oregon Ducks who has about 2,600 yards passing and 25 total touchdowns.
3. Travis Hunter, Colorado, Wide Receiver/ Cornerback, Junior
He has 60 catches for 757 yards and eight touchdowns as a wide receiver. He has 20 tackles, seven passes defended, one forced fumble (that won a game in overtime), and two interceptions as a defensive back. The Buffs had this week off but Hunter’s versatility and unique play is enough to keep him in the top three right now.
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, Running Back, Junior
Johnson is having the best year of any running back in the Big Ten. He added to that on Saturday with 24 carries for 135 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa’s 42-10 victory over Wisconsin. The junior from Butler County, Ohio has 170 carries for 1,279 yards and 20 total touchdowns through nine games in 2024.
5. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, Running Back, Junior
Sampson had a great game against Kentucky for Tennessee. He had 27 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Sampson has the most rushing touchdowns of any running back in SEC history through their first eight games of a season with 19. He has 171 carries for 980 yards and those record 19 touchdowns on the year.
6. Bryson Daily, Army, Quarterback, Senior
Daily was out of Army’s 20-3 victory over rival Air Force today. His rushing on the year keeps him in the Heisman race with one missed game but he can’t afford anymore to stay in it. His incredible stats remain 138 carries for 909 yards to go with those 19 touchdowns. He also is 27 of 47 for 629 yards and seven passing touchdowns.
