Who Is Destined to Win the Heisman?

By Dr. Josh Greer

As college football season reaches its end, two names have emerged as potential Heisman Trophy winners: Travis Hunter, the dynamic dual-threat star from the Colorado Buffaloes, and Ashton Jeanty, the powerhouse running back from Boise State.

While Jeanty has been nothing short of sensational, rushing for 2,288 yards as of December 2023, history tells us that he’s unlikely to capture the Heisman.

Instead, all signs point to Hunter, whose multi-faceted game and national stage position him as the clear frontrunner for the most coveted individual award in college football.

Travis Hunter is not your typical Heisman candidate. He’s not just a receiver or a cornerback, he’s a playmaker who impacts every phase of the game. Hunter’s combination of elite athleticism, football IQ, and versatility makes him a one-of-a-kind talent in today’s college football landscape.

As a wide receiver for Colorado, Hunter has showcased his ability to make dazzling catches and be a primary target for quarterback Shedeur Sanders. But it’s his play on defense that makes him particularly unique. Hunter has become a shutdown cornerback, regularly matched up against the opposing team’s best receiver. With his game-changing interceptions and knack for being in the right place at the right time, Hunter’s impact on the game is felt far beyond the stat sheet.

Hunter’s ability to lead the Buffaloes to relevance on a national level, while putting up impressive individual numbers, has positioned him as a clear Heisman contender. His two-way versatility has captured the imagination of football fans, making him the type of player the Heisman Trophy voters tend to favor.

Ashton Jeanty, with 2,288 rushing yards, has been an absolute workhorse for Boise State, carrying the load for an offense that relies heavily on his ability to grind out yards. His vision, balance, and speed have been exceptional, and he’s become the focal point of the Broncos’ offense. But despite his exceptional numbers, Jeanty faces an uphill battle when it comes to winning the Heisman.

To understand why, we need to look at the history of the award. The Heisman Trophy is traditionally awarded to players who not only put up dazzling individual statistics but also contribute to their team’s national prominence. Jeanty’s accomplishments are certainly impressive, but he plays for a program in Boise State that, while historically strong, does not generate the same level of media attention or national conversation as schools in Power Five conferences.

His team’s relative lack of national relevance significantly limits his chances of winning the Heisman, even though his individual stats are worthy of consideration.

If we look back at previous Heisman seasons, we see that rushing yards alone aren’t enough to secure the trophy—no matter how eye-popping the numbers may be. Take, for instance, Melvin Gordon in 2014. Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards, a figure that still stands as one of the most impressive single-season rushing performances in college football history. Yet, despite the gaudy numbers, Gordon did not win the Heisman. He finished second to Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. Gordon’s stellar performance was ultimately overshadowed by Mariota’s ability to contribute in a variety of ways and lead a national-title contending team.

The same fate befell Kevin Smith in 2007. The UCF running back posted 2,567 rushing yards, nearly identical to Gordon’s total, but didn’t even finish as a Heisman finalist. Smith’s team, UCF, wasn’t on the national stage like other contenders that year, and that hurt his chances of winning the award, despite his incredible individual achievement.

These examples make it clear that rushing yards alone don’t guarantee the Heisman. The trophy typically goes to players who can not only put up big numbers but also elevate their teams to national prominence. And that’s where Jeanty falls short. While his rushing yards are impressive, Boise State simply doesn’t have the national profile or playoff aspirations needed to push him past other contenders.