Top Contenders for Heisman Trophy Emerged as College Football Season Nears End

Friday marks the start of November, signaling the final stretch of the college football season. As we get ready for the last weekend of games before the debut of the first round of College Football Playoff rankings, a powerful group of top Heisman Trophy contenders has appeared.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty continues to be a strong presence for the team, despite not putting up as impressive numbers in recent games compared to earlier in the season. UNLV outperformed every other team in defending Jeanty thus far. Right when it seemed like he was dominating the race for the Heisman Trophy, now we have a competitive four-way contest before Week 10.

Quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward have yet to be defeated while playing for Oregon and Miami, respectively. Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter seems to be in good health after making a strong comeback in the game against Cincinnati. There are still several other contenders who cannot be dismissed.

Below are Athlon’s Heisman Trophy rankings for Week 10:

1. Ashton Jeanty — RB, Boise State (Last week: 1)

Week 9 stats (29-24 W at UNLV): 33 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 11 yards
Season stats (6-1): 159 carries, 1,376 yards (8.7 YPA), 18 TD; 12 receptions, 50 yards, 1 TD

Jeanty’s rushing average was less than four yards per carry against a tough UNLV defense, marking the first game this season where he did not reach at least seven yards per carry. He gained only 128 rushing yards, which was the second lowest total he had all season. Jeanty gained 127 yards in the first half against Portland State, then didn’t play in the second half. It appears that teams are starting to understand how to utilize Jeanty more effectively based on his displays against UNLV and Hawai’i. Boise State has responded by utilizing a strong passing offense led by quarterback Maddux Madsen. Jeanty has the chance to achieve higher numbers in his next five games, with his biggest challenge probably coming on Nov. 16 against San José State, a team that only gives up 3.59 yards per carry. If he regains his momentum to compete with Barry Sanders’ record for rushing yards, he can emerge as the frontrunner for the award once more, but his grasp on the top position is beginning to weaken.

2. Travis Hunter — WR/CB, Colorado (Last week: 3)

Week 9 stats (34-23 W vs. Cincinnati): 9 receptions, 153 yards, 2 TD; 2 tackles, 4 PD
Season stats (6-2): 60 receptions, 757 yards (12.6 YPR), 8 TD; 20 total tackles, 2 INT, 7 PD, 1 FF

Hunter appears to have recovered almost completely after being injured in Colorado’s defeat to Kansas State at home on October 12. Deion Sanders’ team proceeded with care when handling Hunter during the Buffaloes’ victory in Arizona the following week, restricting his playing time to 54 snaps. He participated in 137 plays against the Bearcats, his highest since Week 4, and had a standout offensive performance. He also deflected a season-best four passes thrown by Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby.

Hunter has faced wear and tear and injuries during his two years at Colorado, but if he can maintain his standout two-way play for the rest of the season and the Buffaloes remain in the Big 12 title race, he will have a strong case for the Heisman.

3. Cam Ward — QB, Miami (Last week: 2)

Week 9 stats (36-14 W vs. Florida State): 22-for-35, 208 yards
Season stats (6-0): 191-for-281 (68.7%), 2,746 yards (9.77 YPA), 24 TD, 5 INT; 42 carries, 186 yards, 3 TD

Miami easily defeated struggling rival Florida State, but Ward had his least productive game of the season, with season lows in passing yardage, completion percentage, rushing yardage, and passer rating. Ward had successfully thrown two touchdown passes in every game until Saturday, when he failed to score any. He was additionally sacked four times, the most in a season. However, he managed to score a touchdown reception from tight end Elijah Arroyo, so the game did have some Ward highlights. Miami relied on Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher Jr. to spearhead a rushing offense that gained 230 yards and scored three touchdowns.

4. Dillon Gabriel — QB, Oregon (Last week: 4)

Week 9 stats (38-9 W vs. Illinois): 18-for-26, 291 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 3 carries, 5 yards, 1 TD
Season stats (8-0): 192-for-252 (76.2%), 2,371 yards (9.41 YPA), 18 TD, 5 INT; 36 carries, 97 yards (2.7 YPC), 5 TD

Gabriel has regained the top spot as the Heisman frontrunner in several sportsbooks following Oregon’s dominant victory over the then-No. There are 20 individuals from Illinois. The ex-UCF and Oklahoma quarterback has quickly improved following a sluggish beginning. Gabriel’s impressive performance in the Ducks’ victory against Ohio State on Oct. 12 thrust him back into the Heisman Trophy conversation, and he has maintained a high level of consistency ever since. Being the quarterback of the top-ranked undefeated team in the nation makes him a strong contender for the Heisman Trophy, and Oregon is likely to continue their successful streak until the Heisman voting concludes. Jeanty and Hunter present interesting contenders for the award, while Ward has slightly superior statistics, but Gabriel could be challenging to surpass for the top spot.

5. Kurtis Rourke — QB, Indiana (Last week: 5)

Week 9 (31-17 W vs. Washington): Out with injury
Season stats (8-0): 135-for-181 (74.6%), 1,941 yards (10.7 YPA), 15 TD, 3 INT; 24 carries, 45 yards, 2 TD

Rourke had to skip Indiana’s first appearance on “College GameDay” due to an operation on his injured thumb. The Hoosiers coped without him, with Tayven Jackson leading at quarterback while the running game gained 188 yards and scored twice against Washington. Rourke’s Heisman chances were impacted by missing the game, but he is said to be improving just in time for the Week 10 game against Michigan State. Having upcoming matchups against Michigan and Ohio State, Rourke has an opportunity to demonstrate his skills against two of the top defenses in the nation. If Indiana manages to win all games with Rourke playing well, despite missing one game, he will be considered for the finalist invitation to New York.

6. Cade Klubnik — QB, Clemson (Last week: 6)

Week 9: Bye
Season stats (6-1): 146-for-219 (66.7%), 1,836 yards (8.4 YPA), 20 TD, 3 INT; 41 carries, 227 yards (5.5 YPA), 4 TD

Klubnik and the Tigers had a day off last Saturday. They are in a strong position to make it to the ACC Championship Game, where they may face Ward and the unbeaten Miami team. The game might serve as a de facto College Football Playoff elimination game, and if Klubnik outperforms Ward in Charlotte, he could gain substantial Heisman momentum right before voting ends.

7. Shedeur Sanders — QB, Colorado (Last week: 7)

Week 9 stats: (34-23 W vs. Cincinnati): 25-for-30, 323 yards, 2 TD; 5 carries, 1 yard, 1 TD
Season stats (6-2): 220-for-300 (73.3%), 2,591 yards (8.64 YPA), 21 TD, 6 INT; 61 carries, -18 yards, 3 TD

In some way, Shedeur Sanders’ performance this year might not be getting the recognition it deserves. Coach Prime’s son achieved his fifth game with over 300 yards on Saturday while playing against Cincinnati. He has thrown touchdown passes in all games this season except for one. Against Cincinnati, he achieved a passer rating of 195.8, which was his highest against an FBS opponent this season, only surpassed by his performance of 445 yards and four touchdowns against North Dakota State at the beginning of the season. Hunter’s comeback complicates Sanders’ chances of winning the award, despite having one of the top statistical seasons among all FBS quarterbacks, with the added bonus of leading the Buffaloes to victory.

8. Jaxson Dart — QB, Ole Miss (Last week: 8)

Week 9 stats (26-14 W vs. Oklahoma): 22-for-30, 311 yards, 1 TD; 8 carries, 24 yards
Season stats (6-2): 173-for-245 (70.6%), 2,695 yards (11.0 YPA), 15 TD, 3 INT; 67 carries, 207 yards (3.1 YPA), 3 TD

The major highlight of Ole Miss’ victory over Oklahoma was their outstanding pass rush, while Dart also delivered an impressive showing against a tough defense, solidifying his position in the Heisman race for at least another week. Dart leads in yards per attempt among FBS quarterbacks and is third in passer rating among starting quarterbacks, behind Rourke and Ohio State’s Will Howard. In order to make it to New York, he must continue delivering four strong SEC performances and hope that some of the quarterbacks ahead of him falter. In addition, he will have to begin throwing a greater number of touchdown passes during league matches. Currently, he will stay at the eighth position, although his position on the list is uncertain.