Photo by the Heisman Trust
After another great week of college football, the pursuit of the Heisman stays the same. Ashton Jeanty is your leader, and the rest of the candidates remain the same in the top 5.
Heisman Leaders
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior
Even when Boise struggles, Jeanty shows up and is critical in victory. That was certainly the case after their 17-13 victory over 2-9 Wyoming. That’s the signature of a Heisman winner. Jeanty had 19 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown in the Broncos victory over the Cowboys.
His game against Wyoming put Jeanty in rare company as he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards on the season. He has 275 carries for 2,062 yards and 28 total touchdowns, and with the season finale, the Mountain West Championship and a likely playoff berth can still catch Barry Sanders with an epic run to close out 2024.
2. Travis Hunter, Colorado, Wide Receiver/ Cornerback, Junior
Hunter had eight catches for 125 yards and two touchdowns on offense with seven tackles and one pass defended on defense. But it wasn’t enough for Colorado to get the win as Kansas upset the leader in the Big 12 for the second week in a row. Hunter needs the Buffs to win the Big 12 if he hopes to win the Heisman.
This year he has 82 catches for 1,036 yards and 12 total touchdowns on offense. He has 30 tackles, nine passes defended, one forced fumble (that won a game in overtime), and three interceptions on defense. While he needs his team to win to win the Heisman, he should be a finalist regardless of their record, he’s that good.
3. Cameron Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior
Ward and the Canes bounced back with a win over Wake Forest. Ward was 27 of 38 for 280 yards and three touchdowns (2 passing 1 rushing). He’s still having the best season of any quarterback in college football and with his team still in contention for the ACC crown and playoffs he can play his way up this list.
Cam Ward is 271 of 399 for 3,774 yards and has 39 total touchdowns. Like his team’s destiny, his Heisman candidacy and destiny are in his own hands.
4. Bryson Daily, Army, Quarterback, Senior
Daily was four of eight for 26 yards passing and had 39 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns against Notre Dame. But the Irish destroyed Army 49-14 and to have a realistic shot of winning the Heisman, he needed to pull off the upset. Still, he should be a Heisman finalist regardless since he’s accounted for 30 touchdowns for Army this year. He has 213 carries for 1,201 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also is 33 of 59 for 670 yards and seven passing touchdowns.
5. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee, Running Back, Junior
Sampson was used sparingly by the Vols in their crushing of UTEP. He only had 11 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. To help his candidacy Tennessee needed to pad his stats against the smaller teams like LSU did with Jayden Daniels last year. They chose to preserve him for their rivalry game against Vanderbilt and the post season. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Being team first is always admirable. And if Tennessee makes the playoffs, they’ll want Dylan Sampson healthy and fresh if they are to make a run. In 2024 he has 231 carries for 1,307 yards and 22 touchdowns.
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