In a much-anticipated announcement on Monday, Dillon Gabriel of Oregon, Travis Hunter of Colorado, Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, and Cam Ward of Miami have been revealed as this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists.
The Heisman Trophy, awarded annually since 1935, honors the nation’s most outstanding college football player. This year’s recipient will be announced on Saturday in New York, chosen by a panel of over 900 media members and former winners.
Dillon Gabriel, a senior quarterback, has achieved remarkable success this season. After transferring from Oklahoma, Gabriel led Oregon to an undefeated season and their first Big Ten championship. With an impressive 73.2% completion rate, he has thrown 28 touchdown passes and averages 274 yards passing per game. His total of 35 touchdowns ranks him seventh nationally, highlighting his critical role in Oregon’s offense. Gabriel also holds the NCAA record for career quarterback starts with 62.
Meanwhile, Travis Hunter has established himself as one of the greatest two-way players in college football history. Drawing comparisons to Charles Woodson, the first defensive player to win the Heisman, Hunter’s performance has been extraordinary. On offense, he leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 touchdowns, also recording the nation’s highest number of plays over 20 yards. Defensively, he’s a unanimous first-team selection, topping the Big 12 with 11 pass breakups and securing four interceptions.
Ashton Jeanty, recognized for his historic performance as a running back, leads with 2,497 rushing yards, the fourth-highest single-season total in FBS history. His average of 192.1 rushing yards per game outpaces all other players by 58 yards. Jeanty has consistently surpassed 125 rushing yards in 13 consecutive games, twice breaking 200 yards. Averaging 7.26 yards a carry, his 29 rushing touchdowns lead the nation, shared only with Army’s Bryson Daily.
Cam Ward, a standout senior quarterback, has been distinguished as the offensive player of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Ward leads with a school-record 36 passing touchdowns and is second nationally for total yards. His consistent high-level performance includes setting a Miami record for seven consecutive 300-yard games, contributing significantly to the highest-scoring offense in the nation with an average of 44.2 points per game.
These finalists exemplify exceptional talent and dedication, each having significantly impacted their teams and the broader college football landscape. With the Heisman Trophy ceremony approaching, anticipation builds to see which player will be celebrated as this year’s most outstanding college athlete.
Source: Espn
