Above Image Credit: The Oberlin Review

This Saturday night, officials will recognize four men for their performances on the football field, but only one will hoist the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

Let’s take a look at this year’s four finalists:

RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty has been a major contribution in Boise State’s breakout season. The junior running back leads all rushers with an eye-catching 2,497 yards this season. He also leads the nation in yards per game (192.1) and is tied for most touchdowns in the regular season (29).

On Thursday night, Jeanty captured the Maxwell Award, the honor earned for being the most outstanding college football player. He was also the winner of the Doak Walker Award for being the nation’s top running back.

He and Boise State are one of two non-Power Five colleges competing in the CFP playoffs. They will face the winner of SMU vs. Penn State at the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

QB Cam Ward, Miami

Ward ranks as one of the best quarterbacks to emerge from the University of Miami in a long time.

The senior quarterback was selected as the AP offensive player of the year and ACC’s newcomer of the year. He also earned the Davey O’Brien Award for being the best quarterback this season.

Ward’s recorded a school-record 36 touchdowns, the most in the nation. He also recorded 4,123 passing yards, the second-highest in the nation, and has the highest QB rating this season (88).

Before heading to the NFL draft, he will lead Miami one more time against Iowa State at the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28th.

QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

It’s amazing how one quarterback transferred from Oklahoma and led the Oregon Ducks to an undefeated season and the #1 spot in the CFP playoff bracket.

Gabriel’s completion rate of 73.2 percent is the highest in the Big Ten and third-highest in the nation. His quarterback rating (86.5) is the second-highest in the nation. He also set the FBS record of 62 QB starts in the Big Ten championship game.

He and Oregon will face the winner of Tennessee vs. Ohio State in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

WR Travis Hunter, Colorado

Hunter excels as the best of both worlds in college football today. He primarily plays wide receiver, but he has also proven himself as a reliable defensive player.

Everything he’s achieved mirrors Charles Woodson’s accomplishments. Woodson the only defensive player in history to win a Heisman. Like Hunter, Woodson played both offense and defense. However, Hunter has exceeded expectations.

He was selected All-Big 12 first-team receiver. He leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns. Also, he’s second in the conference in receiving yards (1,152). His defensive skills helped him become the Big 12 defensive player of the year and a unanimous first-team defensive back. Defensively, Hunter is tied for first place in the conference with 11 pass breakups and second with four interceptions.

Thursday night, Hunter was the big winner in the college football awards, winning five of them. He made history as the first Colorado player to win both the Biletnikoff (best wide receiver) and Bednarik (defensive player of the year) awards in the same season. He also won the Walter Camp Award, the honor of being college football’s player of the year.

He will join Colorado for one last hurrah as they face BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 28.

2024 Heisman Trophy Final Prediction

All four men contributed significantly, earning their nominations for this award. Even though Ward and Gabriel stood out as two of the most exceptional quarterbacks of the season, I believe the voters will ultimately choose either Jeanty or Hunter.

Both men have a chance to make history. Hunter can be the first player since Woodson to win. Jeanty can be the first Heisman winner from a non-Power Five conference since BYU’s Ty Detmer in 1990.

How can you choose just one? One player from a non-Power Five conference has outperformed every other running back in the nation, while another has showcased the ability to excel at both offense and defense. These two players have redefined the game in their own unique ways.

It’s tough to decide, but my gut says that the Heisman Trophy winner will be…Travis Hunter.