Kirk Herbstreit evaluates 'wide open' 2024 Heisman Trophy race

Not many people thought that a running back from a Group of Five program would be the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy halfway through the college football season. But Boise State‘s Ashton Jeanty is the current frontrunner to win the award in what’s shaping out to be an exciting Heisman race.

ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit joined The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday and discussed the race for the most coveted individual award in college sports. Speaking about Jeanty and others who have the chance to hear their name called in New York when December rolls around.

“The Heisman this year is wide open. Typically, it goes to the best player on an undefeated team that’s a high-profile team. But if you look around, we just don’t have that obvious name on one of the top five, top seven teams in the country. So it’s not a shock that he’s up there in the mix,” Herbstreit said referring to Jeanty.

“And you look at all these other names, Dillon Gabriel really helped himself last week in a game against Ohio State with that high stakes stage that he had,” he added. “But I think Jeanty’s right there and if he keeps playing well, he’s going to get more and more attention. They’re going to win a lot of football games and probably get in the playoff. So I think he and his team are doing everything they can give him a legitimate shot.”

Jeanty is currently on pace to break Barry Sanders‘ single-season rushing record with ease, already running for 1,248 yards and 17 touchdowns in just six games this year. But Herbstreit also noted a few quarterbacks who could also take home the Heisman Trophy with strong finishes to the season.

“If you’re looking for guys that can make a move, if Miami keeps winning, obviously that means Cam Ward‘s going to make plays. Cam Ward has a chance, I think, to catch fire and also Dillon Gabriel,” Herbstreit said. “Oregon’s going to have a chance to play in some bigger stages. He’s going to keep winning games, he’s going to continue to, obviously, put numbers up.

“Those are two that stand out. But Quinn Ewers because of the injury missing a few games, even though he still could get hot this weekend. Carson Beck, what if Carson Beck goes into Austin and puts up a monster game? He can still catch fire as well.”

Several quarterbacks at the top programs in the country could still have Heisman moments on college football’s biggest stages this season. Opportunities Jeanty won’t necessarily have at Boise State as he also holds off two-way Colorado superstar Travis Hunter for the award. But regardless, there’s no question that the race for the Heisman will be fascinating to watch.