This year’s Heisman race has been filled with nothing but excitement. It is halfway through the season with most teams having played 6-7 games and coming off their bye weeks. The Heisman Award goes out every year to the most outstanding college football player during that season. Winning this award would put a new name down with some of the most successful players in the NFL today like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and more. So who is ready to take the 90th Heisman trophy in New York?
#1- Ashton Jeanty- Running Back- The well-known leader of this award is Boise State University Running Back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty has put up a mind-blowing 1,248 yards on the ground with 18 total touchdowns. Jeanty could be on his way to beating Berry Sanders legendary rushing record of 2,850 yards and 44 touchdowns. With half of his games from the season done, it looks to be all up from here. Jeanty’s Boise State is ranked 17th in the nation with only one loss. His most impressive performance was during that loss. His game vs number one ranked Oregon University, he finished with 192 yards and three touchdowns against one of the strongest defenses in the nation. Just weeks later, he dropped a 259-yard, four-touchdown performance that was the exclamation mark to the returning Juniors season.
#2-Cam Ward-Quaterback-The Heisman is always called the “Quarterback Award” because in the 2000s, 19 of the 24 were handed out to a quarterback. Cam Ward’s numbers show why this year may make it 20 in 25 years. The Washington State transfer is in his first season with the University of Miami and is already leading them to what looks like a conference championship and their first undefeated regular season since 2001. Ward came into Miami with the team finishing 7-6 in the ACC and coming off a loss in their bowl game against Rutgers. He sits at 2,538 passing yards and 24 total touchdowns, producing the highest-scoring offense in the nation and leading the nation in passing yards and touchdowns. Ward will be one to watch as we enter the tail end of the season, showing no signs of stopping his tremendous first year at the U.
#3-Dillon Gabriel-Quarterback- Oregon has been the stand-out team in college football as the favorite to win the national championship. Gabriel’s QB play has been phenomenal with 2,080 yards and 15 touchdowns. Oregon’s elite offense is not too far behind Miami’s in being top three in the nation. Oregon just defeated number two-ranked Ohio State University with Gabriel throwing for two touchdowns and over 300 yards. He also threw no interceptions to the Buckeyes defense. Leading the lines of the #1 team in the nation is no easy task. The immense pressure of holding on to that spot for the remainder of the season may be the make or break for the Hawaii native.
#4-Travis Hunter-Wide Receiver/Corner Back-Two way players in college are something we see once in a blue moon. This Colorado University star could be considered one of the best in both positions. Travis Hunter blew up last year when famous coach Berry Sanders took over as Head Coach. Hunter finished with five touchdowns and 721 yards last year on the offensive side of the ball with three interceptions on the defensive side. Hunter was sidelined for three and a half games last year after a cheap shot he faced in the Colorado State University game. Despite this, he still earned the “Paul Hornung Award” which goes to the most versatile player in CFB. Hunter’s bounce-back has been nothing short of impressive. He continues to rack in touchdowns on offense with six on the year with 604 yards. He has also forced three turnovers at cornerback. Hunter’s biggest opponent for the rest of the season is injuries. A couple of knocks here and there are certainly putting a question mark on his health. If Hunter can stay healthy, he will be projected to remain a top three contender.
#5-Cade Klubnik-Quaterback- When talking about individual performances, he is the guy to point fingers at. The Clemson playmaker has changed the entire program around with his twenty-plus touchdown season and throwing for almost 2000 yards. His first stellar performance came early in the year with him throwing for five touchdowns and almost 400 yards. His most recent matchup against Virginia was another standout with three touchdowns and 300 yards. Clemson’s only loss of the season came to first-ranked Georgia at the time. Klubnik’s performance in this one was weaker, raising some questions on whether he is a legit contender. The Tigers are looking to round up this season, defeating the rest of the conference and competing for a title. Klubnik will certainly play the biggest part in that journey.
