Heisman Watch 2024: Ranking Top Favorites in the Race Entering Week 14

The race for the Heisman Trophy has entered its final turn.

And yet, it's very possible that the decision has already been made.

Frontrunner Travis Hunter, a one-of-one type of two-way talent, used Colorado's final outing of the 2024 college football season to cement has status as a heavy Heisman favorite. His final stat line featured 10 receptions and 116 yards and three touchdowns, plus an interception, a tackle and two pass breakups.

"Travis clinched the Heisman today with his performance," Hunter's coach, Deion Sanders, told reporters afterward.

Is Sanders right? Are things truly hopeless for the other Heisman hopefuls? Only the award-voters know, but let's examine—and rank—the top three candidates.

3. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

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ATLANTA, GA NOVEMBER 09: Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) passes the ball during the college football game between the Miami Hurricanes and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on November 9th, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Miami quarterback Cam Ward has done almost everything he can to become the Hurricanes' first Heisman trophy winner since Gino Torretta in 1992.

Ward has the country's second-most passing yards (3,774) and most touchdown passes (34). He's the biggest driver behind Miami's surge atop the team rankings in offensive yards (541.5) and scoring (44.7).

He has quarterbacked the Hurricanes to a top-10 ranking (sixth) and a nearly unblemished record (10-1). However, that loss—to unranked Georgia Tech—may have torpedoed whatever Heisman hopes Ward held. While he was statistically strong in that outing (25-of-39 for 348 yards and three touchdowns), Miami's comeback bid fell short when he was strip-sacked in the final two minutes.

It's hard to say what Ward's stat line would need to feature in the season finale Saturday against Syracuse to give him a realistic shot at winning, but it's safe to say he'll enter that tilt as the current bronze medalist.

2. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

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BOISE, IDAHO - NOVEMBER 1: Running back Ashton Jeanty #2 of the Boise State Broncos enters the field prior to an NCAA college football game against the San Diego State Aztecs, at Albertsons Stadium on November 1, 2024 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

Ashton Jeanty's final performance of Boise State's regular season was a lot like his first 11: comically dominant.

He carried the ball a season-high 37 times for 226 yards and a touchdown. That pushed his season totals up to 2,288 rushing yards (fifth most among FBS all-time single-season rushing leaders) 28 rushing touchdowns.

"It felt amazing, not only just for me, but for the team," Jeanty said afterward. "The personal success I have doesn't just come from me. It comes from team success, great offensive play, great defensive play."

Voters, of course, are more focused on Jeanty's personal success, and it's been staggering. It just doesn't seem like it'll be enough to topple Hunter given his unique (and unprecedented) ability to impact the game in virtually all facets.

1. Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colordao

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KANSAS CITY, MO - NOVEMBER 23: Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) makes a reception for a 26-yard touchdown in the third quarter of a Big 12 game between the Colorado Buffaloes and Kansas Jayhawks on November 23, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If there's a worry with Hunter's candidacy, it's the possibility that his Buffaloes will be left out of the Big 12 title game. That probably shouldn't hurt his chances, but maybe it leaves the door ajar for someone else to impress the voters one last time while Hunter is out of sight and potentially out of mind.

Still, this award is meant to spotlight the most outstanding college football player in the country. And nothing that happens during championship week—with him or without—will allow anyone to take that title from him.

"Travis Hunter proved today and he has proved every week that he is the best player in college football," Sanders told reporters. "You've got to give me another definition of the award. The award is to go to who? The best quarterback? He's up for best offensive player, best defensive player, a plethora of things. Who else has done that? Ever?"

When football historians retell the tale of Hunter's career, it will carry strong levels of you-had-to-see-it-to-believe-it mystique. Maybe if he were merely capable on both sides of the ball, he could be passed up by someone who is excellent in their specific role. But Hunter is truly terrific in all parts of his two-way duties. He is the Heisman Trophy winner.