Hunter, Jeanty among finalists for Heisman Trophy
Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday.
The Heisman Trophy Trust will announce the winner on Saturday in New York.
Here's information on the four finalists:
Travis Hunter
Key stats: 92 receptions, 1,152 receiving yards, 14 TDs; 32 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble
Hunter will travel to New York as the heavy favorite for college football's most prestigious individual award. Not only was the two-way superstar a full-time starter at WR and CB, but he established himself as one of the nation's best playmakers at both positions. He led the Big 12 in receptions and touchdown catches while casually posting a league high in pass breakups. Hunter is one of the sport's most unique athletes thanks to his ability to play multiple positions at a high level and could become only the second Colorado player ever to win the Heisman Trophy after running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994.
Ashton Jeanty
Key stats: 344 carries, 2,497 rushing yards, 29 TDs; 20 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD
Jeanty was also a Heisman Trophy front-runner for most of the 2024 season, and if not for Hunter's uniqueness, the Boise State tailback would have this award all but locked up. Jeanty helped the Broncos reach the College Football Playoff by posting one of the greatest individual campaigns ever for a running back with stats that look like video-game numbers. He averaged 7.3 yards per rushing attempt, had a whopping six games with at least 200 yards, and is currently just 132 yards short of passing Barry Sanders' FBS season rushing record.
Dillon Gabriel
Key stats: 73.2% completion, 3,558 passing yards, 28 TDs
Gabriel led the Big Ten in basically every meaningful passing category while leading the top-ranked Ducks to a conference championship and the CFP with a perfect 13-0 record. He finished the year with 35 total touchdowns, including seven rushing, the second-best mark of his career. It's hard to ask for more from Gabriel in 2024, but his resume isn't as impressive as Hunter's and Jeanty's historic seasons. Marcus Mariota is the only Oregon player to win the Heisman.
Cam Ward
Key stats: 67.4% completion, 4,123 passing yards, 36 TDs
Ward stood out in his first season with Miami, leading the nation in touchdown passes and ranking second in passing yards. The star QB also recorded four TDs on the ground. The Hurricanes ended up missing the ACC title game - and a CFP berth - on the final day of the regular season, but Ward's excellent campaign was determinant for the team to post its first 10-win season since 2017.