A Look at the Top 5 2024 Heisman Contenders

We’re past the midpoint of college football season, which means everyone’s speculating about the next Heisman Trophy winner. 

Check out these five frontrunners and what they bring to the table.

1. Travis Hunter

Due to his versatility, the Colorado dual-threat has been making Heisman headlines since the beginning of the season. Hunter boasts impressive speed and agility on offense as a wide receiver and on the other side as a cornerback. 

The Colorado Buffaloes X account recently shared a video of Travis Hunter campaigning for the Heisman.

“My mindset on the field is ‘Nobody can beat me. I’m the best on the field. Continue to work and dominate whoever’s in front of me,’” Hunter says.

Hunter is undoubtedly a frontrunner in the race.

2. Cam Ward

Ward has made quite the impression in the past few weeks. Before the season’s beginning, the UMiami quarterback (QB) was looking like a late first-round pick. However, he’s led his team to an impressive winning record, which has pushed him significantly higher on draft boards.

Ward has already logged over 3,400 passing yards this season. He also just broke Miami’s single-season passing touchdown record of 29 which was held by former Hurricanes’ QB Steve Walsh. 

There’s no doubt Ward’s head is in the game. Despite continued chatter of his Heisman hype, he says that team success is more important than individual victories. 

3. Ashton Jeanty

Jeanty is the only running back (RB) on the list and seems to be the only RB in the running this year. So far this season, Jeanty has logged over 1,800 rushing yards, and 26 touchdowns, and is averaging over 7 yards per carry.

Jeanty is the leading rusher in the nation, with the next contender more than 400 yards behind him. He even has a chance to break the single-season NCAA rushing records of 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns held by Pro Football Hall of Fame RB Barry Sanders.

“Ashton Jeanty, he’s the best player in the country,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson recently said, according to Broncos on SI. “We’re getting everything thrown at us to stop the run, and he continues to wear out defenses and continues to lead this team.” 

4. Kurtis Rourke

Although he hasn’t received the same attention that Hunter or Ward have, the Indiana QB is having the season of his life. 

As of Week 12, he has led his team to an undefeated season and boasts the second-highest QBR in college football.

In addition, Rourke went without a single interception in the first four games of the season, and in nine games, he has only logged four.

5. Dillon Gabriel

Gabriel is playing with a specific goal in mind this season: to become the second Hawaiian football player to win the Heisman. The first was former Ducks’ QB Marcus Mariota, who Gabriel says he has looked up to for years.

“Growing up, we’ve always watched Marcus Mariota playing football at the University of Oregon. He was kind of a trailblazer for the Hawaii quarterback and crew and, you know, a guy who did it on a big stage and continued to represent himself in the right way and what a role model to look up to,” Gabriel said.

Like Rourke, Gabriel has led his team to a perfect season to date. Although their most recent win over Wisconsin was only by three points, the Ducks remain undefeated, an accomplishment only three teams hold as we enter Week 13.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by the activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.