I have a lot of different thoughts and ideas about the Top Heisman players thing this week.
Of course, it is meant to show what is really going on in the betting markets and what people think the voters will believe. There is also the question of who are the ten best college football players right now, at least according to the Heisman rules.
No, an offensive lineman or a straight defensive player will not win it. To keep things real, it is about quarterbacks, running backs, and maybe one other player who stands out.
But it is also about great players who should be in the running for the Heisman but are not and never will be.
The quarterback for Washington State, John Mateer, should be on this list as one of the most important players so far this season. But he is not as well-known as the passers for Texas or Colorado.
So, based on predictions, reactions, and real-life facts, here are the ten best players in the Heisman race right now.
2024 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Week 5
Teams that are no longer in the Heisman race (at least for this week)
Texas’ Quinn Ewers (QB) has five touchdowns; UCF’s RJ Harvey has seven; and UNLV’s Jackson Woodard has ten.
10. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
This might stick around longer than some of the other special No. 10 guys on this list from earlier this year.
He is second in the country in rushing yards per game, behind Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. However, he is by far the leader in overall rushing yards with 685, since he has played one more game than Jeanty.
Jeanty and Omarion Hampton of North Carolina are the only ones with more than 475.
With 206 yards and three touchdowns, Johnson shredded Minnesota in the 31-14 win. It was his fourth straight game with 119 yards or more and the same number of touchdowns.
When you play Ohio State in two weeks, do something big. Then we will really talk about the Heisman.
Last Week Heisman Rank: Not Ranked
9. Travis Hunter, WR/CB Colorado
No, he’s not going to win it, but he’ll be on plenty of ballots in a Best Player In College Football way.
Yeah, in an all-around way it’s hard to argue with four straight 100-yard receiving games, an interception, and a game-sealing forced fumble against Baylor – even if there wasn’t a proper goal line angle to prove it.
So why so low? He’ll be a finalist, but he probably won’t finish top three.
Last Week Heisman Rank: Not Rated
8. Arch Manning, QB Texas
Only 62% of the time so far, and he threw two picks in the light practice against ULM. He could do better, though.
1) Not many people in the U.S. were watching, and 2) He is Peyton Manning, and the excitement is only building as Quinn Ewers continues to heal from his upper body injury.
Let us do this. After this week’s win over Mississippi State, the Texas starting quarterback will be in the top three until the very end as long as the Longhorns keep winning.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 9
7. Nico Iamaleava, QB Tennessee
I picked up Uiagalelei, Roethlisberger, and Tagovailoa very fast. It took me decades, but I finally learned how to spell Krzyzewski. Then he died.
There is a noise coming from Iamaleava that makes me mad, but we will all have to get it right in about 15 years. That guy is great.
He is the star player for a great Tennessee team that is beating everyone, even Oklahoma, in a 25–15 win that looks even better than the score.
Iamaleava only threw for 194 yards and a touchdown, and his overall stats have not been great, but Alabama and Georgia are coming up, which means he is going to have a Heisman moment.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 9
6. Dillon Gabriel, QB Oregon
Two weeks ago’s game against Oregon State really lived up to the Heisman hype. Now it is time to get into the race for the next three weeks.
At Cal Poly, Michigan State, and Ohio State. There will be a buildup to the Buckeyes game, and then it starts on October 18.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 8
5. Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss
Middle Tennessee, Furman, at Wake Forest, and Georgia Southern.
Yes, we are all very pleased. But that is kind of the deal: get the numbers and the attention, and then rock when everyone is looking.
This week is Kentucky’s first game in the SEC. Next up is a trip to South Carolina, then LSU, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Georgia.
Stay on track to throw for 80% of the time, almost 400 yards, and three scores per game, and you will be going to New York.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 6
4. Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado
Every winner of the Heisman needs a break. Jayden Daniels had a string of them, with his best game coming against Florida. For example, Caleb Williams had the game against Notre Dame, Bryce Young had the drive against Auburn, and so on.
Four plays in a row, Shedeur Sanders had two Heisman moments.
First, with seconds left and the score 31–24, he threw a beautiful pass to Will Sheppard that hit him in the chest. But Sheppard dropped it, and even if he makes the catch, there is a chance he will fall at the two.
After all that trouble, Sanders did something even more amazing.
Sanders turned around, ran to his left, and threw a dart, not a Hail Mary, to LaJohntay Wester for a 43-yard touchdown that helped send the game into overtime.
Colorado might not be able to win more than two more games because they have a tough schedule coming up, which is a problem for the Heisman.
But if Sanders keeps doing amazing things…
Last Week Heisman Rank: Not Ranked
3. Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
If you remember, the last time we saw him, he was running for 127 yards against Portland State.
This week, rip through undefeated Washington State, and all eyes will be on the Heisman winner.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 2
2. Cam Ward, QB Miami
It helps a lot that he is called “Heisman Favorite Cam Ward” during every highlight package. The Heisman race is just a popularity game for the media.
He is great, and Miami has done well against weak teams like Florida and USF. That is the issue.
If the Cardinals beat Notre Dame this week, some people might watch the Louisville game. Others might watch the Florida State game just because, but Miami’s schedule does not have a lot of games that people across the country will want to see.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 3
1. Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama
This week, Alabama does not have to beat Georgia, but it should be close, and Milroe should be great.
Last year, I yelled into the wind that Milroe should win the Heisman because he led his team to the most important win of the regular season. He threw for 192 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, and he ran for 29 yards in the SEC Championship win over Georgia.
He will have other big games, but this is his big moment this week. Change your mind, and Mr. Ward is ready to take the top spot.
Last Week Heisman Rank: 1
