The Heisman Trophy finalists for this year were revealed on Monday night, featuring standout players Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, Travis Hunter from Colorado, Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, and Cam Ward from Miami. The Heisman Trophy has recognized the most exceptional collegiate football athlete since 1935, and this year’s recipient will be unveiled on Saturday in New York. A panel of over 900 voters, which includes media members and past Heisman winners, determined the finalists based on their voting results.
Dillon Gabriel, a senior quarterback who made a notable transfer from Oklahoma, has been instrumental in leading the undefeated and top-ranked Oregon team to its first Big Ten championship and securing the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Gabriel’s impressive statistics include an average of 274 passing yards per game, along with 28 touchdown passes and just six interceptions. With a remarkable completion percentage of 73.2%, ranking second nationally, he also holds the NCAA record for the most career quarterback starts, accumulating a total of 187 career touchdowns, the highest in NCAA history.
Travis Hunter is celebrated as one of the greatest two-way players in college football, drawing comparisons to Charles Woodson, who made history as the first defensive player to win the Heisman. Hunter, who was named the All-Big 12 first-team receiver, leads the conference with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, while also achieving 1,152 receiving yards. In addition to his offensive prowess, Hunter was recognized as the Big 12 defensive player of the year, reflecting his dual-threat capability on the field with 31 tackles and several key interceptions.
Ashton Jeanty, a junior running back, has had an outstanding season, rushing for 2,497 yards, making it the fourth-highest single-season total in Football Bowl Subdivision history. Averaging an impressive 192.1 yards per game, Jeanty has maintained a streak of games with at least 125 rushing yards, as well as surpassing 200 yards in six games this season. Powering through defenders, he also shares the national lead for rushing touchdowns with 29.
Cam Ward, a senior quarterback, has also earned significant accolades, being named the Associated Press offensive player of the year. This season, Ward leads the nation with a record-breaking 36 touchdown passes and has thrown for 4,123 yards. His performance has not only propelled him to impressive stats, including a remarkable average of 343.6 passing yards a game, but has also guided Miami to become the highest-scoring offense in the nation, averaging 44.2 points per game.
As the Heisman Trophy award ceremony approaches, the excitement builds as these talented athletes prepare for a momentous occasion that recognizes their extraordinary contributions to college football. This year’s finalists highlight the evolving talent and diverse skills present in today’s game, promising a bright future for collegiate athletics.