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Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Author
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels captured the 89th Heisman Trophy in New York on Saturday night time, showing on 90% of the ballots.
With Daniels and fellow finalists Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State, Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington anticipated to maneuver on to the NFL after this season, who’re the highest contenders in 2024?
Will it’s a returning quarterback equivalent to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe or Texas’ Quinn Ewers? Or a sleeper who comes out of nowhere? Or a switch enjoying at a brand new faculty?
Listed below are the highest Heisman Trophy contenders for 2024:
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Benched after a house loss to Texas in Week 2, Milroe regained the beginning job and led the Crimson Tide to a different SEC championship and CFP look. He has a uncommon mixture of dimension (6-foot-2, 220 kilos), pace and arm energy, and he grew to become a more practical pocket passer all through the 2024 season. Milroe ought to flourish much more in offensive coordinator Tommy Rees’ offense in 12 months 2.
The Cowboys’ offense did not journey on Gordon’s shoulders till the fourth sport, and the sophomore had six straight video games with 100 speeding yards or extra as soon as it did. In back-to-back victories over Cincinnati and West Virginia, Gordon had 271 and 282 yards, respectively. He led the FBS with 1,614 speeding yards and was No. 2 with 20 speeding touchdowns through the common season.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers ended up being the quarterback who lastly introduced Texas again to the game’s higher echelon. The Longhorns could possibly be proper again within the combine if he returns, as anticipated, in 2024. This previous season, Ewers threw for 3,161 yards with 21 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, whereas finishing 70.7% of his passes in 11 video games. In a 49-21 victory towards Oklahoma State within the Large 12 championship sport, Ewers threw for 452 yards with 4 scores. Texas tailback Jonathan Brooks (1,139 yards with 10 touchdowns) is one other potential contender if he returns wholesome from a torn ACL and does not enter the NFL draft.
Sanders is taken into account a possible first-round decide within the NFL draft, so it is unclear whether or not he’ll return to play for his father, Deion, for an additional season. Sanders confirmed loads of guts enjoying behind a dreadful offensive line this previous season, throwing for 3,230 yards with 27 touchdowns and three interceptions. If he comes again to highschool — and the Buffaloes can cobble collectively some safety — he may contend for the Heisman Trophy and be the No. 1 decide within the 2025 NFL draft.
Beck had the unenviable job of changing Stetson Bennett, who led the Bulldogs to back-to-back nationwide championships in 2021 and ’22. He did nicely in his first season as a starter, finishing 72.4% of his passes for 3,738 yards with 22 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Georgia went 12-1 and got here inside one victory over Alabama in returning to the CFP. The Bulldogs will in all probability lose star tight finish Brock Bowers and receivers Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, however there are different proficient gamers coming again.
The previous USC quarterback has revived his profession in coach Lane Kiffin’s offense, main the Rebels to a 10-2 report and a berth within the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. He threw for two,985 yards with 20 landing passes and 5 interceptions this previous season. He made significantly better choices after throwing 11 picks in 2022. Dart additionally ran for 377 yards with seven scores. Tailback Quinshon Judkins (1,052 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2023) is one other reputable candidate for the Rebels.
The Tar Heels have been presupposed to dwell and die with quarterback Drake Maye’s arm, however it was Hampton who carried the offense all through the common season. He led the ACC and was fifth within the FBS with 1,442 speeding yards with 15 touchdowns. The sophomore had seven video games with 100 yards or extra, together with 234 on 26 makes an attempt in a 40-34 victory in two overtimes towards Appalachian State.
One other Colorado participant who captured the game’s consideration early within the 2023 season, Hunter received the Paul Hornung Award as probably the most versatile participant within the FBS. On offense, he had 57 catches for 721 yards and 5 touchdowns. On protection, Hunter had 30 tackles, 3 interceptions and 5 go breakups. Hunter missed three video games due to accidents however nonetheless logged 1,032 snaps, probably the most of any participant within the FBS.
The one-time UCF starter unexpectedly entered the switch portal after throwing for 3,660 yards with 30 landing passes and 6 interceptions at Oklahoma this previous season. Oregon and USC have been potential touchdown spots, and Gabriel introduced Saturday he is headed to Oregon. He ought to flourish of their offense as a substitute for Bo Nix, a Heisman Trophy finalist this yr.
Ward can also be on the lookout for a brand new dwelling after he threw for 3,736 yards with 25 landing passes and 7 interceptions at Washington State this previous season. He began his profession at FCS program Incarnate Phrase and was one of many high dual-threat quarterbacks within the Pac-12 the previous two seasons, throwing for greater than 6,400 yards with 43 passing touchdowns and 11 speeding. Ohio State, Florida State and different high applications is perhaps .
The highest receiver and No. 5 prospect within the 2022 ESPN 300, Burden has greater than lived as much as his lofty recruiting rating at Missouri. As a sophomore, he was tenth within the FBS in each receiving yards (1,197) and receptions (83) in his first season enjoying slot receiver. Burden had six video games with greater than 100 receiving yards, together with 158 on 9 catches in a 33-31 win towards Florida.
Leonard is on the transfer after serving to Duke return to respectability within the ACC. This previous season, he threw for two,967 yards with 20 landing passes, whereas operating for 699 yards and 13 scores in 13 begins. Notre Dame is perhaps his subsequent vacation spot.
McCarthy may take his possibilities within the NFL draft, particularly if the Wolverines win a nationwide championship. Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s future at his alma mater can also be murky. McCarthy’s statistics aren’t as gaudy as these of a number of the different quarterbacks in wide-open offenses. He does an important job operating Michigan’s offense and largely avoids errors. He threw for two,630 yards with 19 landing passes and 4 interceptions through the common season.
There wasn’t a greater freshman quarterback within the FBS than Fifita, who was tied for third with a 73.6% completion share with 2,515 yards and 23 landing passes. He’s trying to turn into the primary quarterback with no less than 100 makes an attempt in Arizona historical past to finish greater than 70% of his passes in a season. In a 59-31 victory over rival Arizona State, Fifita accomplished 30 of 41 makes an attempt for 527 yards with 5 landing passes. Chances are high he is solely going to get higher.
Daniels’ 2023 marketing campaign was derailed by again accidents. He was sidelined for a lot of the season and final performed Sept. 23. He was the Large 12 preseason offensive participant of the yr after a standout season in 2022. If he is wholesome in 2024, Daniels could possibly be proper again within the hunt for the stiff-armed trophy.
