Week 7 shook up the Heisman Trophy order, with a pair of Big Ten quarterbacks climbing and a couple of previous contenders dropping in our order. There’s still a considerable gap between the first few and the last few on this list, but this week really changed the order.
In our post-Week 7 Heisman Watch, we break down the top contenders for the trophy in 2024.
Who Are the Leading Heisman Trophy Contenders in 2024?
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
- Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
- Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
- Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
- Bryson Daily, QB, Army
- Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
This might really happen, everybody. Ashton Jeanty had a modest output (by his standards) against Hawai’i late Saturday night. Of course, that just means he ran for a season-low seven yards per carry. Jeanty added 217 rushing yards to his huge lead in total rushing and added three receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Jeanty is averaging over eight yards per carry when opponents put at least eight players in the box, which is simply absurd. At this point, we’d have to call him the clear favorite, especially given the weeks the players immediately behind him had.
Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
Kurtis Rourke was idle this week, but he moves up after Travis Hunter’s injury. Rourke doesn’t yet have a “Heisman Moment,” but that could come as he has some huge games coming up, starting against Nebraska’s stout defense this weekend.
Rourke also has a game later in the season at Ohio State, and he’ll either have the opportunity to cement his case or fall out of the running, depending on how he plays in some of those big games.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
Like Rourke, Cam Ward was off last week and benefits from Hunter dropping in this list. Ward has an opportunity to have a huge game this weekend against a Louisville defense that hasn’t had any success stopping opposing quarterbacks from running the ball.
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The Cardinals have also struggled with the deep ball, so it’s very possible Ward has the type of game that slingshots him to the top of the contender rankings.
Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
With over 750 yards passing and nearly 600 yards rushing, Blake Horvath is the best pure dual-threat quarterback in this Heisman class. He has an extremely favorable matchup against Charlotte this weekend, which could continue to help him gain traction.
We’ll know how serious Horvath’s campaign is when he plays Notre Dame on Oct. 26. A good showing there would give him broader national support, especially important when the average Heisman voter doesn’t tend to pay attention to non-Blue Bloods.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
The preseason favorite went from early-season struggler to leader of one of the top teams in the country. It can happen that fast with a strong game over the No. 3 team in the country.
Dillon Gabriel threw for over 340 yards against Ohio State, throwing for two touchdowns and adding another score on the ground.
That’s all it takes. Boom. He’s back in the running. If the Ducks are undefeated and Gabriel is healthy, he’ll be in New York, as Heisman voters are suckers for quarterbacks on undefeated Power Four teams.
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