As the college football season is halfway through, the race for the Heisman trophy continues to heat up. Commonly awarded to quarterbacks, the preseason hopefuls like Quinn Ewers and Jalen Milroe have been unexpectedly outdone by Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter.
Even former dual-threat QB and Heisman winner Robert Griffin III seems to agree. On Friday, he tweeted his list of favorites for the coveted award, though Jeanty sidelined Hunter, who has recorded 856 yards, 69 receptions, and nine touchdowns.
Griffin tweeted:
“I will keep saying this. [Shedeur Sanders] is balling. Travis Hunter is a unicorn. But right now, Ashton Jeanty is STILL THE HEISMAN FRONT RUNNER.”
I will keep saying this. Shedeur is balling. Travis Hunter is a unicorn. But right now, Ashton Jeanty is STILL THE HEISMAN FRONT RUNNER.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 15, 2024
Jeanty’s stats speak for themselves, as he’s leading the nation with 1,734 yards and 23 touchdowns on 224 carries. His last win over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Saturday made a further case for his contention, as he carried a career-high 34 times for 209 yards and three touchdowns.
Apart from Jeanty, Sanders, and Hunter, the other players on Griffin’s list are QB Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward, and according to FanDuel’s latest prediction, Jeanty is in second place alongside Gabriel with odds of +360. Hunter is the favorite with -115.
Ashton Jeanty on His Heisman Chances, NFL Landing Spot
With Jeanty being one of the key reasons the Broncos are playoff-bound, it’s a possibility the running back will be entering the NFL after his junior season. For Jeanty, he would like to return to his roots.
On last month’s “Kickin it With Dee” YouTube episode, host Donald De La Haye asked Jeanty what team he’d like to join. He replied:
“If I could script it … my family is all in Texas. I used to play in the [Dallas Cowboys’] practice stadium. So, family being there, all the connections, all the relationships, I feel like that would just be the perfect city to play in.”
Ashton Jeanty to the Cowboys 👀 pic.twitter.com/aavzzCHvJt
— Kickin It With Dee (@KickinItWithDee) November 14, 2024
With Dallas’ 3-6 record this season, it could be in line to have an early pick and select Jeanty in the first round, which is hopeful for the running back, as most mock drafts project him being drafted early.
On the same episode, De La Haye asked Jeanty who he thought would win the Heisman trophy.
“Me for sure. You know I’ve gotta say me. [Hunter] is balling, but I just feel like what I’m doing is just too special.”
Ashton Jeanty on the Heisman Race:
“I watch Travis Hunter… he’s an incredible player. I’ve never seen people doing what he’s doing. But I know myself, I know my talents, and I feel like I’m the best player in College Football.”
(@KickinItWithDee)
pic.twitter.com/F52Aq98UuW— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) November 13, 2024
With three games left on the Broncos schedule, San José State, Wyoming, and Oregon State, Jeanty still might be able to chase down Barry Sanders’ NCAA Division I single-season records of 2,628 yards and 37 touchdowns.