Tim Tebow: Ashton Jeanty has 'slight lead' in Heisman Trophy race

Before the 2024 college football season even started, Boise State fired up the Heisman Trophy hype train. The Broncos started to campaign for Ashton Jeanty, who has lived up to the billing and then some through the first six games of the year.

Jeanty is squarely in the mix for the Heisman amid his impressive start. In fact, former Heisman winner Tim Tebow put him in the “slight lead” entering Week 9.

Tebow put Jeanty ahead of a group of contenders including Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Dillon Gabriel. The Boise State sensation is captivating the nation with his 208 rush yards per game, which is over 60 more than the second-best average this season. But one stat stands out to Tebow the most and is why Jeanty tops his early ballot.

“At No. 1, I’m gonna give a slight lead to Ashton Jeanty,” Tebow said ahead of Thursday’s Heisman Trophy Preview Show on ESPN. “I also have Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Dillon Gabriel all up there near the top. But I think what Ashton Jeanty has done for the first six games – and he’s only played six games – has been incredible.

“He’s leading the FBS in so many different categories, but my favorite category is 6.7 yards after contact per rush. That is ridiculous, and because of that stat alone, I give him the slight edge over those other three guys.”

Boise State was on a bye last week and takes a 5-1 record into Saturday’s matchup against UNLV. But even despite the week off, Jeanty still leads FBS with 1,248 rushing yards while adding 17 touchdowns – second in the nation only to Army’s Bryson Daily.

But the efficiency at which Jeanty runs is what makes him a favorite to win the Heisman. He’s averaging 9.9 yards on his 126 carries so far this season. To put that in perspective, he totaled 1,347 yards on 220 carries a season ago. That comes out to 6.1 yards per attempt.

It’s the type of breakout that could include a trip to New York. In fact, in On3’s latest Heisman Trophy poll, Jeanty topped the list. He is looking to become the first Group of 5 representative at the Heisman ceremony since Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch in 2013.