One of four players will soon join a list of college football’s legends. The anticipation builds as the winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, will be announced on Saturday. After a season-long race filled with countless highlight plays and celebratory Heisman poses, a victor will soon emerge in New York.
This year’s list of contenders showcases some of the most dominant players in the sport. From a two-way unicorn to a gun-slinging quarterback, the group of 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists is one of the most unique we’ve ever seen. Let’s dive into the profiles of the official four remaining candidates vying for this season’s prestigious award.
Meet the Heisman finalists
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
| Catches | Rec yds | Rec TDs | YPC | Tackles | Passes defended | INTs |
| 92 | 1,152 | 14 | 12.5 | 31 | 11 | 4 |
If there’s a football player who’s directly comparable to three-time MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani, it’s Travis Hunter. The sport—at least in its current age—hasn’t seen many players quite like him. A true two-way star, Hunter is simultaneously a top-tier wide receiver and elite-level cornerback. Throughout 2024, he made his dominance look effortless.
In each of Colorado’s 12 games, fans watched Hunter consistently make highlight-reel snags on passes from Shedeur Sanders, then take the field as a defensive player immediately after and shut down wideouts with unreal footwork and ball skills. He helped lead Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes to a 9-3 record this season, ranking sixth in college football in receiving yards while also finishing tied for eighth in passes defended.
Ultimately, Colorado couldn’t quite reach the College Football Playoff, but that was no fault of Hunter’s. He blossomed into a superstar this season, putting on a show weekly. Soon, an NFL team will select this once-in-a-lifetime player with a high first-round pick. The question remains: Can Hunter bring his two-way talents with him to the next level?
Heisman Moment
Hunter knew his candidacy for the award was legitimate all season, hitting the Heisman pose whenever given the opportunity. The performance that solidified his status as a potential favorite came in the final game of Colorado’s regular season. Against Oklahoma State, Hunter racked up 116 receiving yards and three touchdowns while adding an interception and two passes defended defensively. The Buffaloes rolled to a 52-0 victory.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
| Carries | Rush yds | Rush TDs | YPC | Catches | Rec yds | Rec TDs |
| 344 | 2,497 | 29 | 7.3 | 20 | 116 | 1 |
This season, Ashton Jeanty redefined what a dominant college running back looks like. He was virtually a walking automatic first down, averaging a staggering 7.3 yards per carry. Time and again, Jeanty broke free into an opposing defense’s secondary and sprinted to the end zone.
Jeanty’s 2,497 rushing yards currently rank fourth all-time for a single season. All year, he was the centerpiece of a 12-1 Boise State squad, and he’ll soon have an opportunity to shine on the bright stage of the College Football Playoffs. His combination of speed, power, agility, and vision made it look like defenders weren’t even trying to tackle him at times, racking up touchdown after touchdown as the Broncos coasted to blowout victories.
Heisman Moment
Jeanty totaled at least 127 rushing yards in all 13 of Boise State’s matchups, but his season high came in the opener against Georgia Southern. He made his presence felt on a national level by racking up 267 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 13.4 yards per carry. The Broncos won that matchup 56-45.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
| Comp-Att (Pct) | Pass yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Carries | Rush yds | YPC | Rush TDs |
| 297-406 (73.2%) | 3,558 | 28 | 6 | 63 | 192 | 3.0 | 7 |
After transferring from Oklahoma following the 2023 season, Dillon Gabriel entered a talented Oregon offense set to make some noise in the program’s first season in the Big Ten. Gabriel led Oregon to an unscathed 13-0 record, the only remaining undefeated team in FBS. The Ducks recently defeated Penn State for the Big Ten title, and Gabriel’s standout efficiency, arm talent, and mobility have elevated his squad to National Championship contender status.
Gabriel maximized the Ducks’ game-changing speed through his standout passing and scrambling ability. As a sixth-year quarterback, he recently broke Case Keenum’s record for the most total touchdowns (passing plus rushing) in NCAA history, now with 187.
Heisman Moment
Gabriel was consistently efficient and productive throughout 2024, but one of his best performances came in the Big Ten Championship, where he racked up 283 yards and four touchdowns in the air, adding 17 rushing yards on the ground. His four passing touchdowns were a season high, solidifying the Ducks’ new dominance over the Big Ten.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami
| Comp-Att (Pct) | Pass yds | Pass TDs | INTs | Carries | Rush yds | YPC | Rush TDs |
| 293-435 (67.4%) | 4,123 | 36 | 7 | 58 | 196 | 3.4 | 4 |
Cam Ward, who also entered 2024 as a transfer quarterback, joined Miami after two years at Washington State. He quickly became one of college football’s star quarterbacks, finishing second in passing yards, first in passing touchdowns, and tied for fourth in yards per attempt (9.5). The Hurricanes accumulated a 10-2 record this season, falling just short of the CFP after two late losses.
Ward consistently put up 300-plus-yard passing games, making long throws look easy. His presence at quarterback made long plays an immediate threat, capable of changing a game with one flick of his wrist. He will soon lead Miami to a matchup against Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, another opportunity to showcase his talent.
Heisman Moment
One of the best representations of Ward’s passing skills came in mid-October against Louisville, where he led the Hurricanes to a thrilling 52-45 victory, totaling 319 yards and four touchdown passes. His impressive throw in the first quarter, where he scrambled to his left and fired a deep pass right on target into the back of the end zone, showcased his elite skills.
As we gear up for the Heisman announcement, the excitement is palpable. Who will join the ranks of college football’s greatest? The stage is set, and the spotlight is on these exceptional athletes!
