This year’s Heisman Trophy finalists are set.
Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami quarterback Cam Ward are the four players who will travel to New York for this weekend’s ceremony.
Congratulations to the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists, @oregonfootball QB Dillon Gabriel, @CUBuffsFootball CB/WR Travis Hunter, @BroncoSportsFB RB Ashton Jeanty and @CanesFootball QB Cam Ward! #HeismanTrophy #MoreThanATrophy pic.twitter.com/ESmBdLSxWX
— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) December 9, 2024
The list of finalists includes no surprises. Hunter, a unique two-way player who is one of college football’s best players at two different positions, is the heavy betting favorite to win the award. Jeanty also has a strong case for the award as he has rushed for 2,497 yards this season – already the fourth-most in a single FBS season with the Boise State star needing just 130 more yards in the College Football Playoff to break Barry Sanders’ single-season record.
Gabriel and Ward continue the recent trend of transfer quarterbacks becoming Heisman finalists as both of them earned invitations to the ceremony after switching schools – for the second time in both cases – last offseason. Gabriel has been one of college football’s most efficient quarterbacks while leading Oregon to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 seed in the CFP. Ward has been one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers, putting up 4,319 yards of total offense – the second-most in the FBS this season – with 4,123 passing yards and a nation-best 36 passing touchdowns plus 196 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.
It’s the first time since 2020 and just the second time in the last seven years that no Ohio State players have been Heisman finalists. Will Howard was building momentum for a possible invitation to the ceremony entering The Game, but his chances of making a run at the trophy ended with his struggles in Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan.
