Six weeks into the college football season (yes, Week 0 counts as a week), and we’ve already seen more mesmerizing plays than you can imagine. Some players are putting on performances that are unequivocally better than anyone else. But who are the current frontrunners to land the Heisman Trophy after Week 5?
Who Are the Leading Heisman Trophy Contenders in 2024?
- Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
- Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
- Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
- Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
- Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
- Alonza Barnett III, QB, James Madison
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
It might only be Week 6 of the college football season, but we’re already running out of superlatives to describe Travis Hunter. Unique. Unicorn. Unprecedented. Not a single one is overused, and somehow, at the same time, none of them do justice to exactly what we’re witnessing out of the game’s only high-level two-way player and reigning Paul Hornung winner.
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After Colorado’s comfortable win over UCF in Week 5, Hunter has the fifth-most receiving yards in the country and ties third for the most touchdowns. Those feats alone don’t scream “Heisman Trophy.” Still, when you combine them with the fact that he’s also tied for 14th in the country for interceptions (two) while tallying 16 tackles, you begin to understand the level of play we’re witnessing from the Colorado All-American.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Ashton Jeanty is the best player in college football right now. The Boise State Broncos running back is an unstoppable force who, if Heisman Trophy voters have anything about them, shouldn’t be judged by the conference that he plays in but on his obvious talent and ludicrous numbers that he’s put up so far in the 2024 season.
The Boise State rusher leads the nation with 216.0 yards from scrimmage per game (39.8 yards more than anyone else), and his 13 touchdowns are more than any other player in the nation. If you take Hunter out of Colorado, the Buffaloes would likely have the same record. Can the same be said of taking Jeanty out of the Broncos lineup? I don’t think so.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
It’s oft-said that the Heisman Trophy can’t be won in September, but what if arguably one of the biggest games in college football takes place within the first five weeks of the season? What if one of the most mesmerizing, Heisman-worthy performances of the year comes before the calendar turns to October, let alone the final stretch of the season in November?
The events that unfolded in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night might have consequences for events in December, both in terms of the SEC Championship and the Heisman Trophy. Jalen Milroe made the Georgia defense look like it was an FCS opponent, routinely showcasing his dual-threat capability on impressive arm talent. Several plays put on tape Saturday could make a Heisman highlight reel.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
The Miami Hurricanes remain the pace-setter in the ACC despite relying on a controversial call to overcome the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday night. Unlike Hunter, Cam Ward isn’t responsible for his team’s defensive performance, and for the fifth game this season, the Miami quarterback threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns or more.
While Ward is a different athlete than Milroe, he also adds a dangerous threat on the ground, adding a rushing score against the Hokies. The former Washington State standout leads the nation in passing touchdowns, has the second-most passing yards in the country, averages the fourth-most yards per pass attempt, and has looked incredibly relaxed doing it.
Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
61 years after Roger Staubach took home the Heisman Trophy for the Navy Midshipmen, the service academy has a legitimate contender to win the prize for the most outstanding player in college football. Not considered a conference contender before the season, the Midshipmen are on course for a potential AAC Championship Game appearance thanks to Blake Horvath.
College football looks a lot different from when Staubach won the award in 1963, and similarly, Horvath is different from your traditional triple-option quarterback. While his prowess on the ground has led to the most rushing touchdowns in the AAC and a ludicrous 9.6 yards per carry, the Navy quarterback also has the highest percentage of pass attempts resulting in an explosive play.
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