Four standout players have been named finalists for the prestigious Heisman Trophy: Dillon Gabriel from Oregon, Travis Hunter from Colorado, Ashton Jeanty from Boise State, and Cam Ward from Miami. The Heisman Trophy has recognized the top college football player in the United States since its inception in 1935, and the winner will be revealed this Saturday in New York.
Dillon Gabriel, a senior quarterback who transferred from Oklahoma, has made a significant impact during his first season with the unbeaten and top-ranked Oregon team. He has not only led Oregon to the Big Ten championship but also secured the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Gabriel boasts impressive statistics, averaging 274 passing yards per game, with 28 touchdown passes against just six interceptions. His completion rate of 73.2% ranks second nationally, and his career total of 187 touchdown passes is a record in NCAA history. Gabriel also set the Football Bowl Subdivision record for the most career quarterback starts with 62.
Travis Hunter has made a name for himself as a remarkable two-way player, reminiscent of Heisman winner Charles Woodson. Hunter earned All-Big 12 first-team honors as a receiver and was recognized as a unanimous first-team defensive back. He leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, while also excelling defensively with 31 tackles and four interceptions, showing his versatility on both sides of the ball.
Ashton Jeanty, a junior running back, is having an exceptional season, having recorded 2,497 rushing yards, which ranks as the fourth-highest total in FBS history for a single season. He dominates with an impressive average of 192.1 rushing yards per game, consistently surpassing the 125-yard mark in 13 consecutive games. Jeanty shares the national lead with 29 rushing touchdowns this season, highlighting his powerful running capabilities.
Cam Ward, also a senior quarterback, was recently named Associated Press offensive player and newcomer of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has set a school record with 36 passing touchdowns and his impressive 4,123 passing yards rank second on the national leaderboard. Ward has led Miami’s high-powered offense, making history by becoming the first quarterback in the school’s history to achieve seven consecutive games with at least 300 passing yards.
This year’s Heisman finalists showcase remarkable talent and diversity across positions, highlighting the depth of skill in college football. The anticipation for the announcement of the winner builds as these players celebrate their outstanding performances, signifying an exciting era for college sports that captivates fans and inspires aspiring athletes.