2024 Heisman Trophy: Ranking the Top-10 Contenders
LSU’s Jayden Daniels won the Heisman Trophy in definitive fashion Saturday, becoming the second Tigers quarterback in five years to take home college football’s most prestigious award.
Daniels beat out finalists Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr., in that order. Daniels, Penix and Nix are all out of eligibility in 2024, and barring a stunning decision to turndown potential Top 3-5 NFL Draft pick money, Harrison Jr. has likely played his final college game, too.
So we should have all new finalists next season. Who are some of the top contenders? Note: I made some gut calls on players who could enter the NFL Draft (like J.J. McCarthy) or opt to return to school this fall (like Carson Beck).
Here’s a Way-Too-Early Ranking of the Top 10 Heisman Trophy contenders for 2024.
1. QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Milroe finished 6th in the voting Saturday, garnering 73 total votes — which is tops among all returning players in college football should Harrison enter the NFL Draft. He’s already had a “Heisman moment” with the Prayer at Jordan-Hare touchdown on 4th-and-31 to beat Auburn.
Milroe’s stats weren’t eye-popping (35 total touchdowns) in 2023, but with a full season as the starter in Tommy Rees’ offense, he should boost some big numbers starring for the probable No. 1 team in the country. Milroe likely will be the preseason favorite.
2. QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers hasn’t officially announced a decision about returning to school in 2024, but early indications are that’s the plan. So barring a change of heart after the playoffs, Texas’ QB1 absolutely deserves mention near the top of any 2024 Heisman Trophy lists.
This year, the former No. 1 overall recruit led the Longhorns to a win over Alabama and their first Big 12 Championship since 2009. He completed 70% of his passes at 9.0 yards per attempt with 21 touchdowns and six picks. If he leads UT on a big run through the playoffs, his Way-Too-Early candidacy will only spike, especially with Texas as a probably preseason national title contender.
3. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Transfer quarterbacks have won the last two Heisman Trophy awards (Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels) and now Gabriel will have his chance to make it three in a row since he’s decided to continue his college career and play at Oregon.
Gabriel has averaged over 3,100 yards and 30 touchdowns in every full season of his career, and he should continue to put up monster stats in Will Stein’s offense. Bo Nix was a Heisman finalist in 2023, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Gabriel, who will play for a title contender and is well-liked in the sport, finds his way to New York City next year, too.
4. QB Carson Beck, Georgia
The vibes out of Athens suggest Beck is leaning toward coming back to Georgia in 2024, which would instantly give the Bulldogs one of the early Heisman Trophy favorites. In his first season as a starter, the junior quarterback led UGA to a 12-0 regular season with 22 touchdowns to just six picks on 73% passing.
Beck won’t have Brock Bowers or Ladd McConkey to throw to next season, but Georgia’s pass catcher room should remain deep with the likes of Dominic Lovett, Rara Thomas, Dillion Bell, Oscar Delp and a couple of future transfer portal additions. UGA’s schedule next year — with games vs. Clemson, at Texas and at Alabama — will provide Beck some opportunities for marquee moments, too.
5. QB Cameron Ward, TBD
Ward is a true wild card on the list because we still aren’t sure what his intentions are for 2024: Will he go to the NFL Draft? Will he play for Ohio State or USC? What about Miami or FSU?
If he remains in school as a graduate transfer, the ex-Washington State quarterback is likely to end up starring for a College Football Playoff contender or playing in a Lincoln Riley offense that has a history of churning out Heisman Trophy finalists. Ward finished No. 6 nationally in total yards in 2023, and with real NFL aspirations, will be looking to put up more gaudy numbers and impressive tape should he return to school.
6. RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
The Pokes’ workhorse ‘back checked in 7th in this year’s voting, even showing up on one first-place ballot. Despite not cracking the starting lineup until Week 4, Gordon led the nation with 1,614 rushing yards.
His 20 rushing touchdowns were No. 2 in the country. Mike Gundy is going to ride Gordon again in 2024, but since the Heisman Trophy has become mostly a QB award, he’ll probably need to crack 2,000 yards to have a legit shot in 2024.
7. WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Burden could be next year’s Marvin Harrison Jr. — the near-consensus No. 1 wideout in the country who stays in the Heisman race all fall due to name cache, respect and impressive stats.
The Tigers’ wideout is a former 5-star recruit who has absolutely lived up to the billing, finishing his sophomore season in the Top 10 nationally in both yards (1,197) and touchdowns (83).
8. QB Drew Allar, Penn State
If you polled Penn State fans before the season and told them that Allar would throw for 23 touchdowns to just one interception, many Nittany Lions faithful would’ve predicted they won the Big Ten. Instead, James Franklin fired his second straight OC.
Allar has Heisman Trophy potential, and perhaps new PSU offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki can tap into that next season. The Nittany Lions will again be a likely Top 10-12 preseason team and a contender for the Big Ten. If Allar can win a spotlight game (say Michigan or Ohio State) and keep the Nittany Lions in the playoff hunt, he will at least be a name mentioned throughout the race.
9. RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson’s candidacy is a pure longshot bet on upside and opportunity. The former 5-star is rumored to return to Ohio State for next season, and with Chip Trayanum (now at Kentucky) and Evan Pryor both entering the transfer portal and Miyan Williams entering the NFL Draft, Henderson is going to receive the lion’s share of carries for the Buckeyes next fall. And he should!
When healthy, Henderson is as scary as any tailback in the country. After missing three straight games in the middle of the season, Henderson averaged 111.8 yards per game with a touchdown the next five weeks. He had 1,200 yards as a freshman, and if healthy, is fully capable of a 1,800-yard season. Leading the Buckeyes to a win over Michigan and a Big Ten title in a new-look league would only help boost the tailback’s candidacy.
10. QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Perhaps the biggest surprise on the Way-Too-Early Heisman rankings, but Dart coming back to Ole Miss in 2024 gives the Rebels one of the best quarterbacks in the country next season. He showcased improvement in Lane Kiffin’s offense in Year 2 (nearly 3,000 yards passing with 27 total touchdowns) and led the Rebels to a 10-2 season a New Year’s Six Bowl berth.
With the expanded College Football Playoff in 2024, Ole Miss will be the type of program vying for one of the final spots, and if Dart can help deliver the Rebels a storied season, then he’ll be a contender for the award come next December.
Others potentially in the mix: QB Will Howard (Will he put up big enough numbers wherever he ends up?), QB Garrett Nussmeier (Can LSU really have back-to-back finalists?), WR/DB Travis Hunter (Can Colorado win enough games? Will Hunter play well enough at CB?), QB Jackson Arnold (Could he be the 5-star QB that has a sophomore surge playing for a contender?). QB Shedeur Sanders (I don’t buy it, but if he gets better protection and the Buffs win more games then maybe?).