Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and Miami’s Cam Ward have been named Heisman Trophy finalists, as announced on Monday night. The prestigious Heisman Trophy has honored the most outstanding college football player in the U.S. since 1935, with this year’s winner set to be unveiled in New York on Saturday. The finalists were chosen based on votes from over 900 assessors, which include media representatives and former Heisman winners.
Dillon Gabriel, a senior quarterback who transferred from Oklahoma, has played a pivotal role in leading the undefeated Oregon team to the Big Ten championship in its inaugural season in the conference. He boasts impressive stats, averaging 274 yards passing per game with 28 touchdowns against just six interceptions, resulting in a national completion rate of 73.2%. His remarkable total of 35 touchdowns is among the top in the country, and his career total of 187 touchdowns is the highest in NCAA history. Gabriel also made history by setting the Football Bowl Subdivision record for career quarterback starts with his 62nd start during the Big Ten title match.
Travis Hunter is being recognized as one of the finest two-way players in college football history, drawing comparisons to the legendary Charles Woodson. This season, he has excelled offensively and defensively, making the All-Big 12 first team as a receiver while also being named Big 12 defensive player of the year. Hunter leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, and his impressive 1,152 receiving yards rank second in the conference. He also stands out on defense, recording 31 tackles, leading in pass breakups, and securing four interceptions.
Ashton Jeanty, a junior running back, is having a record-breaking season, with his 2,497 rushing yards marking the fourth-highest single-season total in FBS history. Jeanty leads the nation with a staggering 192.1 yards per game and has consistently performed with at least 125 yards in 13 consecutive games. He has surpassed 200 rushing yards in six games this season and is tied for the national lead with 29 rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his extraordinary talent.
Miami’s Cam Ward has been named the Associated Press offensive player of the year and newcomer of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He leads the nation with 36 passing touchdowns, and ranks highly with a total of 4,123 passing yards and 41 total touchdowns, with averages of 343.6 passing yards per game and 44.2 points per game for the highest-scoring offense in the country.
In summary, this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists exemplify the best talents in college football, showcasing remarkable individual performances and contributing significantly to their teams. As the award ceremony approaches, anticipation grows, highlighting the exciting future of college football and the athletes who inspire fans nationwide. The recognition of such outstanding athletes reinforces the hope that their skills and dedication may subsequently lead them to successful careers in professional football.