As the college football season approaches, the race for the Heisman Trophy—the most coveted individual award in the sport—is in full swing.
Each year, a select group of athletes rises above the rest, dazzling fans with game-changing performances and moments of brilliance. The 2024 season will be no exception, and we’re out to predict which players will rise above the rest.
Whether it’s electrifying offenses or dominant defensive displays, these players will shape the storylines that will define this year’s race. Let’s explore 10 top contenders you’ll want to keep an eye on as they make their case for college football’s highest honor.
Heisman Trophy Frontrunner Predictions – 2024
1) Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
I’m very high on Ole Miss to make the playoff this season, and their offense has a legitimate chance to finish #1 in yardage and/or points.
With Lane Kiffin’s fast paced offensive style, Dart’s accuracy, a talented receiver room, and a loss of an All-American running back, Ole Miss will have an air raid offense that creates some padded stats.
After 3300 yards and 23 touchdowns through the air last year, I’m expected Dart to explode for closer to 5000 yards and 35 touchdowns. If the defense can hold their own now that they’ve added an elite class of transfers, Dart has a real chance at the Heisman.
2) Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
A two-way player the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades, Travis Hunter has the fanfare and talent to make his way into legitimate Heisman contention.
When you watch him, you realize the hype is completely earned. His football instincts are incredible and he’ll do anything you need him to do on the field.
Hunter will likely be 1st team all conference as a cornerback and as a wide receiver, coming off a year where he averaged 80 receiving yards per game while also being one of the top corners in the nation.
3) Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
I’m hot and cold on Jalen Milroe as a player, but there’s no arguing his incredible potential.
Milroe is an elite athlete who is dangerous in the open field, with top level field and a sturdy 225 pound build that makes him hard to tackle.
He has plenty of arm strength and a legitimate QB skillset, so if the game slows down around him the college football world won’t be able to stop him.
We know ‘Bama will be a contending team, so it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Milroe doesn’t get Heisman consideration.
4) Cam Ward, QB, Miami
Miami opening the season ranked 19th in the nation is silly to me. If I was in charge of rankings, they’d be pushing the top 5.
Heading into the season you always look at who has the best combination of QB-WR-RB, and it’s hard to find many better combinations than Cam Ward, Xavier Restrepo, and Damien Martinez (Oregon State transfer).
Ward is the best in the nation when it comes to extending plays, and as a 5th year player he’s improved every year at taking care of the football.
There’s zero doubt that Ward will have a highlight film that looks Heisman-worthy. The main question is if the defense and some head-scratching losses take their toll on the Hurricanes program like in recent years.
If Miami makes the playoff, Ward will be a top 5 Heisman contender without a doubt.
5) Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Carson Beck enters the year as the top quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft for most analysts after passing for nearly 4000 yards on 72% completions last season.
When you’re a good quarterback for an elite team, it’s easy to include him on this list. The bigger question here is probably why he isn’t even higher on the list.
The big problem for Beck is that he isn’t going to have a Heisman highlight reel. He is a pocket passer on a team that is good at running the football, and he doesn’t have the same level of “aura” as you’ll see from most of the other names on this list.
6) Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
The spotlight on Shedeur Sanders might be the biggest spotlight in the all of college football entering the season.
When it comes to making a Heisman case, that’s a good thing.
Shedeur is coming off an incredibly efficient first season of FBS football, completing roughly 70% of his passes with a 9-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio.
The big question of course will be the offensive line that plagued the Buffs last year. But now that he’s added Pat Shurmur as his offensive coordinator, there’s hope that Colorado can add a quick NFL-style passing game that keeps pass rushers off balance.
7) Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Oregon’s offense is absolutely loaded, and Dillon Gabriel is an experienced quarterback who has seen a ton of success in his career.
Gabriel is entering year 6 of his college career, having thrown for 125 touchdowns prior to this season.
With an elite receiver trio in Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden, and former 5-star Texas A&M transfer Evan Stewart, Gabriel will have an air raid offense and a team that’s guaranteed to win a lot of games.
He isn’t quite as naturally gifted as some of the other players on this list, but if Oregon ends up as a top 3 team this year he’ll have a legitimate chance at the Heisman.
8) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Likely the biggest Heisman sleeper on this list, Ashton Jeanty is the most talented running back in college football.
It seems like a long shot for a running back to win the Heisman if they aren’t at a blue blood program, but it might be time to consider the blue turf a blue blood program, because Jeanty is genuinely that good.
Elite vision, speed, hands, and contact balance helped him to over 1300 yards on the ground and 569 as a receiver last season.
With Boise State’s history of successful teams and good running backs, it wouldn’t surprise me if they can claim the Group of 4 big to the college football playoff behind the legs of Jeanty.
9) Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
The only other running back on the list, Ollie Gordon might be the most well known running back in college football.
He finished 7th in Heisman voting in 2023, making him just 1 of 2 returning players to finish in the top 10 in voting last year (Jalen Milroe being the other).
Gordon led all of the FBS with rushing last season with 1732 yards on the ground and 21 touchdowns, while also producing as a receiver. He is very hard to tackle and simply knows how to play the position.
Oklahoma State is expected to be a solid team this year since they’re returning so many players from last year’s roster, and if they can make the playoff it will likely be Gordon who gets them there, making him a real Heisman hopeful.
10) Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Quinn Ewers opens the year as one of the betting favorites to win the Heisman, but he barely sneaks onto my list.
I like Ewers and thought he took some big steps last year, but the loss of Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, and JT Sanders will likely take some time to adjust to.
He doesn’t run the ball or extend plays nearly as well as some of the past Heisman winners, and the playmaking talent around him won’t be giving him as much help this year.
He absolutely has a chance still with his pedigree, spotlight, and the likelihood that Texas makes the college football playoff.
Honorable Mentions
The following players also deserved some recognition as potential Heisman winners:
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
Brady Cook, QB, Missouri
Past Heisman Trophy Winners
As the years have gone on, the Heisman trophy has become more and more of a quarterback award, often going to the QB of a team in the college football playoff.
13 of the past 15 winners have been QBs, including 7 in the past 8 years.
Jayden Daniels of LSU won the Heisman trophy this past season.
