The 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists have been introduced on Monday, and two frontrunners are formally within the combine.
Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter and Boise State’s bruising operating again Ashton Jeanty are thought of the 2 favorites to win the award, whereas quarterback Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami spherical out the quartet.
This has been an exhilarating school soccer season within the first yr of the expanded Faculty Soccer Playoff. However whereas his Buffaloes received’t be enjoying for a nationwide title, Hunter’s efforts alongside the potential first general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, has led to a profitable Colorado season.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Colorado extensive receiver Travis Hunter (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski)
Hunter is the heavy favourite to win the Heisman, as he’s merely doing one thing that nobody in school soccer has: play on either side of the ball.
Hunter performed full-time on offense and protection, and he completed within the prime 5 in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and passes defended. Professional Soccer Focus additionally gave him the highest protection grade this season as nicely.
FOX NEWS DIGITAL SPORTS’ COLLEGE FOOTBALL WINNERS AND LOSERS: CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
On offense, Hunter had 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns over 12 video games, averaging 96.0 yards by means of the air per recreation. And on protection, he defended 11 passes whereas gathering 4 interceptions and 32 mixed tackles over the identical set of video games.
Regardless of Hunter being the overwhelming favourite, it’s merely been a blast to look at Jeanty lead the Broncos all the best way to a Mountain West Convention title whereas incomes a bye within the Faculty Soccer Playoff because the No. 3 seed.
Boise State Broncos operating again Ashton Jeanty (Brian Losness-Imagn Photos)
Jeanty led school soccer in speeding yards (2,497), speeding touchdowns (29), whole touchdowns (30) and rush makes an attempt (344) because the Broncos’ offense actually ran by means of the junior, who can also be projected to be a first-rounder come April.
His argument for successful the award over Hunter is the truth that he took a Group of 5 college to a CFP bye in his historic season. If he breaks Barry Sanders’ all-time speeding file (2,628), who is aware of how the voting ought to shake out.
However there’s solely a single No. 1 seed this yr within the CFP, and Gabriel’s Geese are it as his sixth collegiate season has led to extra elite manufacturing.
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (AP Photograph/Jose Juarez)
Gabriel had 3,558 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns over his 297 makes an attempt by means of the air to assist the Geese to an undefeated common season at 13-0.
The Hawaii native’s greatest recreation got here towards No. 2 Ohio State, the place he had 341 yards passing and three whole touchdowns, proving Oregon was the crew to beat within the Massive Ten in its inaugural season within the convention. Oregon went on to beat Penn State to win the Massive Ten, and now they’re searching for an undefeated season with a nationwide title connected to it.
Ward, one other potential first general choice in 2025, is about as cool and picked up as a quarterback may be within the pocket, which has led to quite a few come-from-behind victories for the Hurricanes this season.
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (AP Photograph/Lynne Sladky)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He’s additionally a unbelievable school soccer story, beginning at Incarnate Phrase out of highschool, his solely supply, and finally main school soccer with 36 passing touchdowns and ending second with 4,123 passing yards this yr.
Miami wasn’t in a position to make the CFP this yr, however an argument may be made that Ward was the most effective quarterback within the recreation this season, which earned him a visit to New York.
Comply with Fox Information Digital’s sports activities protection on X and subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle publication.
