The anticipation surrounding the announcement of this year’s Heisman Trophy finalists reached a peak as four standout college football players were revealed as contenders for the prestigious award. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and Miami’s Cam Ward emerged as the top selections by a panel composed of media members and former Heisman winners.
Dillon Gabriel, who recently transferred from Oklahoma, has been instrumental in Oregon’s success, leading the team to its first Big Ten championship and securing the number one seed in the College Football Playoff. Gabriel has maintained an average of 274 passing yards per game, with 28 touchdowns against six interceptions, marking a 73.2% completion rate, which ranks second nationally. He also set a remarkable record for career quarterback starts, achieving his 62nd start during the Big Ten title game.
Turning to Travis Hunter, he has demonstrated exceptional abilities as a two-way player, drawing comparisons to Charles Woodson, a historical defensive Heisman winner. Hunter, as a first-team All-Big 12 receiver, has led the league with 92 receptions and 14 touchdowns, achieving 1,152 yards in the process. On defense, he is celebrated as the Big 12’s defensive player of the year, accumulating 31 tackles and making significant contributions in interceptions and pass breakups.
Ashton Jeanty of Boise State has had a record-setting season, having rushed for 2,497 yards, the fourth-highest in a single season in FBS history. Leading the nation with 192.1 yards per game, Jeanty has consistently surpassed the 125-yard mark in 13 consecutive games. His stamina is further highlighted by his national lead in rushing touchdowns, shared with Army’s Bryson Daily.
Cam Ward, the Miami quarterback, has made waves, becoming the Associated Press’s offensive player and newcomer of the year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Ward has thrown a school-record 36 passing touchdowns and is second in the nation with 4,123 passing yards, proving himself as the driving force behind the highest-scoring offense in the country. Notably, he achieved the unprecedented feat of seven consecutive 300-yard games.
The selection of these outstanding athletes as Heisman finalists underscores their remarkable performances and contributions to their respective teams. As anticipation builds towards the announcement of the winner in New York, college football enthusiasts eagerly await the crowning of this year’s most exceptional player.
Source: Local10
