Joel Klatt talks about Travis Hunter’s exceptional talent and uncommon versatility as a CB and WR in the NFL.
On Monday, the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists were revealed, and two front-runners are now formally in the running.
Boise State’s bruising running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado’s two-way sensation Travis Hunter are seen as the two front-runners to win the honor, with Miami’s Cam Ward and Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel rounding out the four.
In the inaugural year of the enlarged College Football Playoff, college football has been an exciting season. However, Hunter’s efforts and those of Shedeur Sanders, a possible first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, have produced a successful Colorado season, even though his Buffaloes won’t be contending for a national championship.
Hunter is the clear favorite to win the Heisman since he is playing on both sides of the ball, something that no other college football player does.
In terms of receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and passes defended, Hunter finished in the top five while playing both offense and defense full-time. He also had the highest coverage grade this season from Pro Football Focus.
Over the course of 12 games, Hunter averaged 96.0 yards through the air per game with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. During the same series of games, he also accumulated 32 total tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended.
It’s been amazing to watch Jeanty lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Conference championship while receiving a bye in the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed, even though Hunter is the clear favorite.
With 2,497 running yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 30 total touchdowns, and 344 rush attempts, Jeanty topped college football. The Broncos’ offense really dominated the junior, who is also expected to be selected in the first round come April.
He used the fact that he led a Group of Five school to a CFP bye during his historic season as justification for defeating Hunter for the honor. Who anyone predict how the vote will turn out if he surpasses Barry Sanders’ all-time rushing record (2,628)?
However, Gabriel’s Ducks are the sole No. 1 seed in the CFP this year because of his sixth collegiate season, which has produced more outstanding results.
Gabriel led the Ducks to an unbeaten regular season at 13-0 with 3,558 passing yards and 28 passing touchdowns during his 297 airborne attempts.
With 341 throwing yards and three total touchdowns in his greatest game against No. 2 Ohio State, the Hawaii native demonstrated that Oregon was the team to beat in the Big Ten during its first season in the conference. After defeating Penn State to win the Big Ten, Oregon is now aiming for an undefeated season that would include a national championship.
The Hurricanes have won many comeback games this season because to Ward, another possible first overall pick in 2025, who is about as calm as a quarterback can be in the pocket.
Beginning at Incarnate Word, his sole offer after high school, and going on to lead college football with 36 passing touchdowns and finish second with 4,123 passing yards this season, he is also an incredible tale in college football.
One could argue that Ward was the greatest quarterback in the league this season, earning him a trip to New York, even though Miami was unable to qualify for the CFP this year.