B/R's 2024 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Opportunities Abound in Week 7
Stats are a important part of the Heisman Trophy race, but excellent performances in key games are also remembered.
Four quarterbacks in the thick of the discussion—Oregon's Dillon Gabriel, Ohio State's Will Howard, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier—are preparing for a matchup with another candidate's team. Ohio State goes to Oregon, and Ole Miss plays at LSU.
And the results have to matter.
Impacts on the College Football Playoff are often considered first, of course, but these performance shape the Heisman outlook.
The tiers are a personal view but consider a player's production, team success and more historical Heisman trends.
Tier 4: Worth Monitoring
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Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: We're about to learn how seriously to consider Sanders in the Heisman race. Colorado is set to host Kansas State, which has yielded just a handful of touchdown passes in five games. If the Buffs win, that would solidify them as a legitimate Big 12 contender—which only would reinforce Sanders' resume.
Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana: The newcomer to the group is piloting one of only two 6-0 teams in the nation. Rourke, a transfer from Ohio, has meshed beautifully with new IU coach Curt Cignetti. So far, Rourke has completed 73.8 percent of his passes for 1,752 yards (11.0 per attempt) and 16 total touchdowns with two interceptions. Indiana is idle in Week 7 before Nebraska and Washington come to town.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: The freshman is back on the Heisman fringe, in short, because he keeps on scoring. Smith has a touchdown in all five of the Buckeyes' games this season, collecting 23 catches for 453 yards and six trips to the end zone.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: While there's been no formal news, Ewers is trending the right way toward a return this weekend. Texas is preparing for Oklahoma in the first-ever SEC clash between the rivals.
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee: Iamaleava, on the other hand, is going the wrong direction. After a quiet showing in a win over OU, he struggled in the loss to Arkansas. Iamaleava totaled just 173 yards and didn't account for a touchdown. Tennessee will try to bounce back against rival Florida.
Tier 3: On the Radar
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Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: Klubnik tossed a couple of first-quarter touchdowns to help Clemson comfortably beat Florida State. He ended the matchup with 235 yards and those two scores through the air, adding 62 yards on the ground. Clemson heads to Wake Forest in Week 7.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: Following a disappointing loss to Alabama, Beck put together an efficient day against Auburn. The second-year starter completed 23-of-29 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns. In what should be a tune-up game before a showdown at Texas, Beck and the Dawgs host 1-4 Mississippi State this Saturday.
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU: Idle in Week 6, LSU will be rested for a clash with ninth-ranked Ole Miss. Nussmeier will be challenged by a defense that has ceded a meager 5.8 yards per pass attempt and just two touchdowns compared to five interceptions.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State: Next for Allar is a cross-country trip to USC, which theoretically will be playing with desperation after a surprising loss at Minnesota. Allar had 237 passing yards and accounted for two scores in the Nittany Lions' recent win over UCLA.
Tier 2: Top Contenders
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Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: Welp, didn't expect that! Alabama fell at Vanderbilt, and Milroe committed two costly turnovers in the shocking result. Both giveaways—one a pick-six—led to Vandy touchdowns. That's an ugly stain on Milroe's resume, for sure. The good news is Bama, which hosts South Carolina this weekend, has several big games remaining for Milroe to strengthen his case.
Will Howard, QB, Ohio State: Howard threw for 209 yards and totaled five touchdowns with one interception in Ohio State's rout of Iowa. From a stats perspective, he's lagging behind. But if the Buckeyes win at Oregon as Howard has a solid game, he'll be a respected candidate.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: The main takeaway is Ole Miss recovered from its loss to Kentucky and cruised at South Carolina. Dart wasn't responsible for a touchdown in the 27-3 win, but at least he piled up 329 yards. Ole Miss travels to LSU on Saturday.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon: Also in the prime-time window alongside Ole Miss and LSU, Gabriel and No. 3 Oregon hosts Howard and No. 2 Ohio State. Gabriel again posted quality numbers but threw a pair of red-zone interceptions in the Ducks' win over Michigan State. This showdown has massive implications on the Big Ten and national scenes, but certainly on Gabriel's chase for the Heisman, too.
Tier 1: The Favorites
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Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: Let's do this, man. History is screaming that a Group of Five player—particularly a non-quarterback—won't win the Heisman. But if Jeanty maintains this unconscionable pace, bring it on. He's scampered for 1,031 yards and 16 touchdowns as part of Boise State's 4-1 start. This weekend, the Broncos are at Hawai'i.
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: Team success is seemingly the greatest barrier for Hunter in his pursuit of the Heisman, given that he's thriving on both sides of the ball. Colorado has a great chance to ease that concern when Big 12 front-runner K-State comes to Boulder on Saturday.
Cam Ward, QB, Miami: Ward recovered from his worst throw of the season—a horrid pick-six in the third quarter—to lead an incredible 25-point second-half comeback in Miami's 39-38 stunner at Cal. He threw for 437 yards with two scores and rushed in a key touchdown, too. Miami gets an idle weekend after playing two dramatic games, and the 'Canes will need to be much cleaner at Louisville in Week 8. But thanks to Ward, they're still undefeated.
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