Over time, the Heisman Trophy has changed from an award given to the best player in college football to an award more oriented toward quarterbacks. However, this year, it seems the front-runner is not a quarterback as we move into October. It is important to keep tabs on who could potentially be in New York at the end of the year and who we could see on the commercials this time next year.
1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
What can’t Travis Hunter do? Travis Hunter plays both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and cornerback; however, he plays both positions at an elite level. As a receiver, Hunter is third in the country in receptions and receiving touchdowns and fifth in the country in receiving yards. When he is playing cornerback, Hunter is still unbelievable through five games. He has two interceptions, three passes defended and 16 total tackles. Hunter is an absolute unicorn with the talent to take home the trophy in December. The Buffaloes aren’t in action this weekend, but expect Hunter to make an impact in two weeks against a Top 25 opponent, the Kansas State Wildcats.
2. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe has come a long way from being benched last year against USF. The junior had an incredible game as his Crimson Tide defended their home field against the Georgia Bulldogs. The leader of the offense had an 81.8 completion percentage against the Bulldogs, as well as tallying two passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns. Everybody needs a Heisman moment if they want to walk away with the trophy in December. Milroe has the stage to do it, as the Crimson Tide still have games against Tennessee, Missouri and LSU in the regular season. Look for Milroe to team up with Ryan Williams against Vanderbilt this weekend.
3. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty is dominant. The tailback leads the nation in total rushing yards with 845 yards from scrimmage and total touchdowns with 13. Jeanty is averaging over a first down every time he touches the ball, with 10.3 yards per carry. If Jeanty can find his way to New York, he will be the first running back to be a finalist since Bryce Love in 2017. The talented running back is back in action this Saturday against Utah State, and if his Broncos keep it rolling, you could see Jeanty in the College Football Playoff.
4. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
The Hurricanes were very lucky to have walked away still undefeated on Friday night. Cam Ward had a phenomenal game, posting 404 total yards and five touchdowns. The quarterback is second in the nation in passing yards with 1,782 and a quarterback rating of 92.7. Ward has thrown for over 300 yards in all five games this season for the Hurricanes. The lights will be bright this Saturday when College Gameday follows the Hurricanes as they face the California Golden Bears.
5. Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
No one had a better week five than Alabama true freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. Williams had six catches for 177 yards and caught the 75-yard touchdown that eventually won the game for the Crimson Tide. That is a Heisman Trophy moment if I have ever seen one. While it is implausible for a true freshman to be in the race for the Heisman Trophy, Williams — up to this point in the season — has shown potential to be put in this race. The Alabama native is averaging 28.9 yards per reception, which leads the country, and alongside Milroe, Williams could have a clear case to join his quarterback in New York.
We are just five games into the college football season. However, these five players have separated themselves from the field as we move closer. To December, stay tuned every week to hear my thoughts on this year’s Heisman Trophy race.
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