Ranking Heisman Trophy Finalists from Least to Most Deserving

by Eric Fulton

​The Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. (CST) on ESPN, is celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2024. Four finalists are looking to etch their name in history as the winner of the most coveted individual award in college football.

Here’s how I would rank the Heisman finalist from least to most deserving of the honor:

​4. Cam Ward, Quarterback, Miami (FL)
Season statistics: 4,123 passing yards, 40 combined touchdowns (36 passing/4 rushing), 67.4% completion percentage

Ward, a transfer from Washington State, is the first Miami Hurricane named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy since Ken Dorsey in 2001. He would become the third Hurricane to win the Heisman Trophy (Vinny Testaverde won in 1986 and Gino Torretta won in 1992). He led Miami to 10 wins this season, but Ward’s chances of winning the Heisman Trophy might take a hit with the Hurricanes not playing in the College Football Playoff.

3. Dillion Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon

Season statistics: 3,558 passing yards, 35 combined touchdowns (28 passing/7 rushing), 73.2% completion percentage

Dillion Gabriel may not have as many passing yards and total touchdowns as Cam Ward, but he has done something Ward did not do in 2024 by leading his team to the College Football Playoffs. Gabriel led the Ducks to the Big Ten Championship in Oregon’s first year in their new conference and finished the regular season undefeated and number one heading into the playoffs. He needs three more passing touchdowns to become college football’s all-time passing touchdowns leader. Gabriel would become the second Oregon Ducks player to win the Heisman Trophy (Marcus Mariota, 2014). If he finishes in the top three in the final voting, he will become the fifth Ducks player to achieve the mark.

2. Travis Hunter, Cornerback and Wide Receiver, Colorado

Season statistics: 92 catches, 1,152 yards, 15 combined touchdowns (14 receiving/1 rushing), 31 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble

Having the ability to be a game-changer on both offense and defense is rare these days in football. Travis Hunter shows people that football players can still excel playing both ways. Michigan’s Charles Woodson was the last defensive player to win the Heisman in 1997. Alabama’s DeVonta Smith was the last wide receiver to win the Heisman in 2020. Hunter is a legit contender to win because of Colorado’s win total. The Buffaloes went 4-8 in Deion Sanders’ first year in 2023. This year, they went 9-3 and finished the regular season in the top 25. Hunter has been the biggest reason why Colorado is back on the college football map. Hunter would be the second Colorado player to win the Heisman (Rashaan Salaam, 1994) if chosen.

1. Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise State

Season statistics: 344 carries, 2,497 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 20 catches, 116 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdowns
 
The Boise State Broncos have been college football’s biggest underdogs for the past two decades. They have had decent players during that time. Quarterback Kellen Moore was the first and only Heisman finalist (2010) until Jeanty came into the picture in 2024.  Jeanty would be the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Alabama’s Derrick Henry won it in 2015. His 2,497 rushing yards in the regular season trail only Barry Sanders’ 2,628 yards in 1988 for most in a college football season.
Jeanty is my pick to win the Heisman because of his yardage and the fact that he is doing it at Boise State, not a school from a major conference. However, I would not be surprised if Hunter wins the Heisman because he has been great on both offense and defense.