Who Are the Heisman Trophy Front Runners Entering November?

Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes signs autographs for supporters after a win in a game at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colo. on Oct. 26, 2024. Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

As teams win and lose, many fans are worried about their favorite team’s chances of making the College Football Playoff (CFP). But there are also individual honors that players are chasing this season, the biggest of which is the Heisman Trophy.

As the calendar turns to November this week, the races for both the CFP and the Heisman Trophy are starting to sort themselves out in real-time. With the most important games left on the schedule, players are writing their resumes for the highest honor in college football.

Here are the four players whose names should be at the top of Heisman ballots at this point in the season.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

If you’re looking for a game-breaking wide receiver, Hunter is among the best in the country. If you’re looking for a shutdown corner, Hunter is one of the best in the country. Those two realities overlapping in the same player? We haven’t seen a dual threat like Hunter make this kind of impact ever, though some will point to Michigan’s Charles Woodson winning the Heisman Trophy because of his impact on both sides of the ball.

Against Cincinnati this past weekend, Hunter had two tackles in the game and he also had four passes defended. He also had nine receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns. That performance earned him a historic distinction: Hunter was named both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week in the Big 12—the first player to ever win the awards in the same week.

Heisman Moment: In Colorado’s dramatic overtime win against Baylor, Hunter had seven catches for 130 yards to lead the Buffalos. But a forced fumble just outside the end zone in overtime to clinch the victory in the same game was his signature moment of greatness.

Why He Won’t Win: Colorado has two losses and needs some help to get into the CFP picture. Even with that being said, a player being on the field for over 100 snaps every week is unheard of. It’s really up to the voters to see the value he presents.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Jeanty had a very good 2023 season for the Broncos. He rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has already surpassed both of those totals in just seven games to start the 2024 season, helping Boise State roll to a 6–1 start and first place in the Mountain West Conference.

Jeanty has 1,376 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns already. He’s averaging an astronomical 8.7 yards per carry. And he’s eclipsed last year’s totals in 61 fewer rush attempts. Boise State is currently ranked 15th in the country and might crash the CFP party.

Heisman Moment: Boise State’s only loss was by just three points at now No. 1 Oregon in the second week of the season. Jeanty ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns in the game.

Why He Won’t Win: Last year, Jeanty had 569 receiving yards and five touchdowns. This season, he has just 50 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos brushes off Elijah Robinson #0 of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the first half of the game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Oct. 12, 2024. Darryl Oumi/Getty Images

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

This isn’t rocket science: the quarterback on the best team in the country is going to be a Heisman Trophy contender. And, right now, Oregon and Gabriel own that distinction.

But Gabriel being the signal caller for the Ducks isn’t his only qualifier. He’s completed 76.2 percent of his pass attempts for 2,371 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding five more scores on the ground. The numbers are there, and the losses are not.

Heisman Moment: When then-No. 2 Ohio State visited Eugene, Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give Oregon the lead.

Why He Won’t Win: Gabriel is good and his numbers are terrific, but the production of Hunter on both sides of the ball and Jeanty’s rushing totals being as significant as they are could push him down ballots.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami

The U is back, and a big part of the Hurricanes being undefeated is the play of their quarterback. Ward has thrown for 2,746 yards and 24 touchdowns in leading Miami to a top-five rankings and a potential CFP berth.

The tough part for Ward is when and how he throws interceptions and takes sacks. He’s only thrown five picks, but he has been sacked 15 times. If he can lead Miami to an undefeated season and a spot in the playoffs, his name will remain in the mix. And with Penn State and Ohio State, two teams ahead of Miami in the polls, playing each other this weekend there’s room to climb for the Canes.

Heisman Moment: Ward really hasn’t had a Heisman moment yet, and he might not.

Why He Won’t Win: Most of Miami’s games have been blow-out wins; teams have been within 10 points of Miami in only three of their eight wins. He hasn’t played a ranked team and doesn’t have one on the remaining regular season schedule.