Predicting the Top 10 Candidates for the 2024 Heisman Trophy

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Kingston, RI (PSF) - Despite every collegiate sport having myriad awards given away at the end of each season, there is no honor truly like the Heisman trophy. Given to the nation’s most outstanding player, winners become legends, and are memorialized into the most exclusive athletic fraternity in the world. With only one week of the 2024 season down, fans and the media are already buzzing with the idea of who will take home the prestigious award; and today I’m going to go over my top 10 players who have put themselves in consideration for the Heisman trophy.

Shedeur Sanders - Quarterback - University of Colorado

Picture from James Snook, USA Today Sports

With the most media coverage of any player in the country, many consider Sanders to be overhyped heading into the 2024 season, but when looking at his raw numbers, there are few who can compete with Sanders’ production. The primary criticism of Sanders and Colorado is the lack of team success after a 4-8 campaign in 2023; but with a drastically improved roster this season, and star playmakers on both sides of the ball, Sanders may be able to carry the Buffalos to a winning season in 2024, and maybe even take home the prestigious heisman trophy. 

Quinn Ewers - Quarterback - University of Texas

Picture from Texas Athletics

Once touted as one of the highest rated high school prospects of all time, Ewers has been good so far in his career at Texas, but fans of the Longhorns still think he is capable of much more. After leading the Longhorns to their first ever college football playoff appearance in 2023, Ewers looks to dominate in 2024 and prove to the nation that he is as good as advertised. Along with another year of experience as a starter under his belt, Texas also fields a formidable group of skill position players to help Ewers have a productive season in 2024, headlined by star Alabama transfer Isaiah Bond. With 2024 being Texas’ first season officially in the SEC, Ewers winning the Heisman would be the perfect way to make the statement that Texas football truly is ‘back’.

Travis Hunter - Wide Receiver/Cornerback- University of Colorado

Picture from Christopher Creveling, USA Today Sports

Hunter is one of the most polarizing and electric college players we have seen in a long time, drawing comparison to both collegiate and pro football hall of famer Charles Woodson for his remarkable skill, versatility, and gas-tank to play both sides of the ball. Hunter possesses the size and athleticism to be one of the best wide receiver or cornerback prospects in the country, and depending on what his individual production combined with Colorado’s team success looks like in 2024, Hunter could be the next skill position player to win the Heisman.

Carson Beck - Quarterback - University of Georgia

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After a disappointing end for Beck and the Bulldogs in 2023, Georgia comes into the season ranked number 1 and looking for revenge. Beck had a stellar campaign in 2023 in his first year as the starter, throwing for 3941 yards and 24 touchdowns to only 6 interceptions with an efficient 72.4 completion percentage, and with another year of off-season coaching and development under his belt, the sky’s the limit for Beck and the Bulldogs offense. The main concern surrounding Beck in the 2024 season is how the loss of elite playmakers Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey will affect his production, but as stacked with talent as Georgia is offensively, Beck should have no problem overcoming this personnel change.

Jalen Milroe - Quarterback - University of Alabama

Picture from University of Alabama Athletics

With the retirement of legendary head coach Nick Saban looming over the Alabama program like a dark cloud, star quarterback Jalen Milroe is a beacon of hope for the Crimson Tide faithful. Milroe proved to be a solid if not spectacular passer in 2023, however he possesses extremely high level physical ability as a scrambler to not only evade would-be tacklers, but run straight through them as well. If Milroe can get into a better groove as a passer in 2024 with the help of new head coach Kalen DeBoer and lead the team to a successful season, there could be yet another Alabama player taking home the Heisman trophy in 2024. 

Jaxson Dart - Quarterback - University of Mississippi

Picture from ESPN

One of the most efficient quarterbacks in the nation in 2023, Dart and Ole Miss return most of their talented offense from last year. While the loss of star running back Quinshon Judkins is anticipated to hurt Ole Miss’ success overall, the lack of a dominant running back to lean on should give Dart even more opportunities to shine on the biggest stages in 2024. The Rebels have a difficult schedule in 2024, loaded with ranked conference opponents Georgia, LSU, and Oklahoma in the back half of the season, but if the Rebels can prove themselves as a legitimate title contender, Dart could become Ole Miss’ first Heisman trophy winner ever in 2024.

Will Howard - Quarterback - Ohio State University

Picture from Jay Biggerstaff, USA Today Sports

After an impressive breakout season in 2023 at Kansas State, Howard walks into perhaps the most desirable situation in the country for a quarterback at Ohio State. With arguably the two best running backs in the nation in the backfield, a loaded offensive line, and a young and talented receiver core, Howard has the potential to produce a monstrous quarterback season in 2024. Expectations are extremely high for the Buckeyes this season, and if Howard can live up to and potentially even exceed expectations, he could walk away from the 2024 season with the Heisman trophy.

Quinshon Judkins - Running Back - Ohio State University

Picture from Dale Zanine, USA Today Sports

Dubbed by many to be the best running back in the country, Ohio State seems to have landed another superstar running back who will produce at an elite level for the 2024 season. There is little doubt that Judkins has the talent to be one of the most premiere players in the country, the only questions at hand are will he able to stay healthy for the entire duration of the season, and will the Heisman trophy be given out to a running back with the position having no winners since Derrick Henry in 2015.

Riley Leonard - Quarterback - University of Notre Dame

Picture from Joseph Weiner, Icon Sportswire

It seems as if every season Notre Dame’s starting quarterback is in the preseason Heisman trophy discussion, however this year the projections may have some merit. 2024 will be Leonard’s first season with the Fighting Irish as he transfers in from Duke, with Leonard’s arm talent and impressive scrambling ability, many are looking forward to seeing legitimate dual-threat capability in South Bend for the first time since Deshone Kizer.

Dillon Gabriel - Quarterback - University of Oregon

Picture from Ben Lonergan, The Register-Guard

Gabriel comes into 2024 as one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country as this will be his 6th season as a starter for his third team. Oregon has been a powerhouse in the first few seasons under head coach Dan Lanning, but have notably fallen just short of a college football playoff berth. With the experienced Gabriel under center along with one of the most balanced rosters in the nation complete with playmakers such as transfer wide receiver Evan Stewart and tight end Terrance Ferguson, Gabriel and the Ducks could surprise many this year and make major waves in the college football playoffs.