Heisman Trophy Watch: On3 expert analysis after Week 11

Week 11 of the college football season is in the books. With that, the Heisman Trophy race is entering the final stretch as a few competitors pull away from the field.

Throughout the season, experts at On3 have and will continue to provide analysis and discussion on the race for the Heisman Trophy. There is still a little bit of time for players to make their moves and compete for the sport’s top award.

Here’s a look at what players the experts from On3 have at the top of the rankings for the Heisman Trophy race, with their top three listed as well as analysis from each below.

Andy Staples

1. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
3. QB Cam Ward, Miami

Travis Hunter: He’s Colorado’s No. 1 option at receiver and he covers the opposing team’s best receiver. We haven’t seen this in most of our lifetimes and we may never see it again. Plus, the Buffaloes now control their destiny to make the Big 12 title game.

Ashton Jeanty: After two games of merely incredible numbers, Jeanty returned to superhuman against Nevada. And the Broncos needed every bit of it from the Heisman Trophy contender.

Cam Ward: Ward couldn’t work a miracle against Georgia Tech, but his body of work remains strong enough to keep him here.

Ari Wasserman

1. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
3. QB Cam Ward, Miami

Travis Hunter: Hunter caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in Colorado’s 41-27 win over Texas Tech. That win has Colorado now controlling its own destiny in the Big 12 race. Who else in college football would be an All-American on both sides of the ball?

Ashton Jeanty: Another week, another crazy stat line for the best running back in college football. In Boise State’s 28-21 win over Nevada, Jeanty carried it 34 times for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Jeanty now has 1,734 yards and 23 touchdowns and is averaging 8 yards per carry … on the season.

Cam Ward: Miami’s offense didn’t show up in a loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday. There’s no getting around it. But the Hurricanes are still in position to win the ACC and make the College Football Playoff. You can’t write that sentence without what Ward has done this year.

Charles Power

1. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
2. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
3. QB Cam Ward, Miami

Ashton Jeanty: Saturday’s win over Nevada is a great example of why Ashton Jeanty is a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. He kept Boise State’s playoff hopes alive in a tight win over Nevada in a game where the Broncos only threw for 119 yards. Jeanty rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns, with over half of his yardage coming after contact.

Travis Hunter: While Travis Hunter’s play has been a leading storyline all season, his unique abilities have helped to transform Colorado into a legitimate playoff contender. We haven’t seen a lockdown corner who doubles as a big-play wideout in college football since Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey.

Cam Ward: He wasn’t able to muster up late-game heroics for the first time this season, with Miami sustaining it’s first loss of the year to Georgia Tech. Ward has some rising challengers as the top quarterback candidate with Dillon Gabriel, Jaxson Dart and Kurtis Rourke playing at high levels.

JD PicKell

1. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
2. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
3. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Travis Hunter: Hunter just continues to be the best player in college football with essentially 100 yards receiving against Texas Tech (Hunter had 99 yards…but still). Fortunately, Colorado is winning at a level that should allow Hunter to get the respect he deserves when it comes time to vote.

Ashton Jeanty: If Travis Hunter didn’t exist, Jeanty would be the story of the CFB season. Every week teams know Jeanty is getting the rock and every week he goes over 100 yards (over 200 yards this week against Nevada).

Dillon Gabriel: If we’re going with “best player on the best team” Heisman Trophy logic, Gabriel will have a very strong case. Gabriel will win the award with a Colorado loss and an Oregon Big Ten title, as long as he puts up above average production.