Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty have Le’Veon Bell fuming over what he sees as a flawed Heisman Trophy race.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers running back joined a line of fans and analysts who want to see an athlete win the Heisman because of on-field merits rather than making the race a popularity contest.
Le’Veon Bell Ready To Abandon College Football Over Travis Hunter vs. Ashton Jeanty Debate
The 32-year-old ex-Steelers RB, like many fans, is frustrated by what he perceives as a popularity bias favoring Colorado’s two-way superstar.
Taking to X, Bell wrote, “if ashton jeanty doesn’t win heisman, I won’t watch another college football game .. he’s the most electrifying player in all of college football … may not be the most “POPULAR,” but is heisman a popularity contest? this kids stats are unreal, and he’s the BEST at his position.”
if ashton jeanty doesn’t win heisman, I won’t watch another college football game .. he’s the most electrifying player in all of college football … may not be the most “POPULAR,” but is heisman a popularity contest? this kids stats are unreal, and he’s the BEST at his position https://t.co/PyuFvBnutb
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) November 26, 2024
Bell isn’t alone in this sentiment. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons also called Jeanty the clear Heisman winner.
“We shouldn’t even be discussing the Heisman!!! Ashton Jeanty is the Heisman winner!!” Parsons said.
We shouldn’t even be discussing the heisman !!! Ashton Jeanty is the heisman winner!! https://t.co/JTz0pi0tNX
— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) November 25, 2024
The stats back up their claims. Jeanty has 2,062 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown. This puts him on the same map as legends like Barry Sanders and Ricky Williams.
Apart from that, Boise State seems primed for a College Football Playoff berth, largely thanks to Jeanty’s dominance, something that Hunter can’t say now after the Buffaloes lost to the Kansas Jayhawks in CFB Week 13.
On an individual level, Hunter continues to dazzle with his two-way skills. The Colorado sensation has 82 receptions for 1,036 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense, alongside three interceptions and nine pass breakups on defense.
Hunter’s clutch impact, versatility, and connection to head coach Deion Sanders have made him the face of college football this season. But critics, including Bell, question whether his dual-role hype overshadows Jeanty’s historic production.
The Heisman debate has always made way for heated arguments about what the award truly represents. Is it for the best overall player, or does popularity play an outsized role?
Hunter’s star power with the Buffaloes and his NFL-ready skills are undeniable, but Jeanty’s stats and impact on Boise State’s success make him the more deserving candidate in the eyes of many.
As the college football season concludes, this Heisman race is becoming heated. Will the award go to Hunter, the media darling, or Jeanty, the record-breaking workhorse? If Bell and Parsons have their way, the trophy will land in Boise.
Jeanty’s 2025 NFL Draft Projection
Pro Football Network released our updated 2025 NFL Draft big board. In it, Jeanty was the fifth highest-rated prospect coming out of college football.
5) Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 217
Player Archetype: Explosive Three-Down RB
Saquon Barkley was a unique athlete. Bijan Robinson’s usage at Texas made him a special prospect. Neither player was as complete as Ashton Jeanty. Aside from not being able to ride every ride at the amusement park, Jeanty’s profile has no weaknesses.
He led all RBs in receiving yards in 2023. Few are more alert and adept in pass protection. His vision is S-Tier good. He pops off Marshawn Lynch-esque runs of strung-together broken and missed tackles, all while possessing more than enough long speed to be an explosive threat every time he touches the ball.
And he put up 192 yards on the ground and nearly led Boise State to a win against the best team in the nation in Week 2.
In PFN’s most recent mock draft, Jeanty went 21st overall to the Arizona Cardinals.
“Arizona currently ranked eighth in the NFL in rushing yards, with James Conner accounting for 697 yards and five TDs through 10 weeks. They also used a third-round pick to select Trey Benson in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This is a difficult pick to justify, with the Arizona Cardinals having other primary needs despite Ashton Jeanty being a superior talent to Conner and Benson, with his shifty movement, game-breaking vision, and tackle-evading power.”