Week 1 of the 2024 college football season is in the books. And while it’s early — really early — a few players emerged as Heisman Trophy contenders to watch this season.
Last year was my first as a Heisman voter, and I’m slated to do it again in 2024. After each weekend of games this fall, I’ll be tracking who’s contending for the most coveted trophy in the sport.
Here are some Week 1 risers to consider in the early Heisman conversation.
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.)
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State (+7500): The name to know leaving Week 1 is Jeanty. The Boise State star, who was reportedly offered big NIL money to transfer, saw his Heisman odds jump from +15000 after turning heads in the opener. Jeanty posted a school-record 267 yards and six rushing touchdowns in Boise State’s win over Georgia Southern. We all know the Heisman is a de facto QB award. But Jeanty has entered the early conversation.
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee (+1400): The former five-star quarterback lived up to the hype. Sure, it was against Chattanooga. But Iamaleava, whose preseason Heisman odds were also +1400, completed 22 of 28 passes for 314 yards and three touchdowns in a 69-3 win. Up next? N.C. State at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami (+1000): Speaking of living up to the hype, how about Ward? The Washington State transfer dominated Florida in The Swamp. Ward, whose preseason Heisman odds were also +1400, threw for 385 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s 41-17 win over its rivals. Miami has a pretty light schedule now until it faces Florida State in late October. An undefeated run to that point will continue to elevate Ward’s stock.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (+1000): Nick Saban is gone, but Milroe is still cooking for the Crimson Tide. In Kalen DeBoer’s debut, Milroe threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 7 of 9 passing — you read that right — and chipped in 79 rushing yards and two scores in a 63-0 win over Western Kentucky. Milroe’s odds bumped up from +1400.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss (+1000): Like Iamaleava, it was against an FCS foe. But Dart picked up where he left off last year. In the first half alone in Ole Miss’ blowout win over Furman, Dart threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Like Milroe and Ward, Dart’s odds moved up from +1400.
Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Colorado (+2500): Hunter’s Heisman odds remained the same. But he captivated a national audience in Colorado’s narrow win over North Dakota State. Hunter had seven catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns and missed only two snaps the entire game on offense and defense, drawing praise from LeBron James and other stars on social media.
Let me acknowledge this now: the Colorado hype is too much. Far too much. The Buffaloes barely beat an FCS team and aren’t CFP contenders. But if Hunter keeps producing in the Deion Sanders spotlight, expect him to be in the Heisman mix.
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Publish date : 2024-09-01 22:59:00
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