Week 9 of the 2024 College football season was a good one. It also left us second-guessing some of the top players and where we position them in this week’s college football Heisman pole. As the race intensifies, each contender is not only fighting for the title but also a brand that can help define their career.
This week, Cam Ward, from the University of Miami topped the list of the analyst pole over at FOX Sports, not just with his stats, but with his versatility in catching a touchdown pass and leading Miami to an undefeated season. Cam Ward has made a name for himself as an elite playmaker setting himself up as a standout in both fans and scouts minds. He makes the game seem simpler, people on the internet have named Cam Ward as the most “nonchalant” quarterback in the league. Cam Ward and the #5 Miami Hurricanes look to keep climbing the ranks as they host Duke this upcoming week.
Travis Hunter, wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado has a very unique case to be made since he is doing something that hasn’t been done in a long. Being a star two-way player shows his versatility and has been compared to many legendary players. He is a dynamic athlete, catching 9 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while also being a key player on the defensive side playing in all but three snaps the entire game. Colorado’s dominant win is just what they needed before heading into their bye week.
Dillon Gabriel of Oregon, who we have discussed here before, also remains a top contender. Gabriel has racked up a great stat line with a 76% completion rate and nearly 2,400 passing yards. Gabriel has built a reliable brand, something that NFL teams value highly. Oregon’s success has bolstered his ranking with the Ducks becoming the #1 team in the nation for the second straight week. Gabriel looks to keep his momentum up in Ann Arbor next week against Michigan.
This past week was an interesting one for Ashton Jeanty, who as I discussed before was the unanimous favorite for the Heisman and he probably still is in many ways. He may not have had over 200 rushing yards with three touchdowns but he still has a stat line that is hard to even believe is real. His numbers dipped slightly but tallying over 100 rushing yards has kept him in the mix. On top of that, he also had a 1-yard touchdown run to add to his stat line. If the Heisman pick were to be today, I believe Jeanty is still the most deserving out of any of the candidates. Jeanty looks to reclaim the top of the poll next week when they host San Diego State.
With the Heisman race shaping up, it is becoming more clear who those names will be standing at the ceremony. Keep following as we track the top player’s performances, narratives, and brand-building moves that will raise their Heisman stock
Reece Judish 
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