Joel Klatt updates Heisman Trophy board after Week 6 upsets

Every single week of the college football season, the top players in the sport continue to post impressive performances and make their claim for the Heisman Trophy award. College football’s movers and shakers routinely change poll position for is shaping out to be an exciting race for the most prestigious individual award in the sport through six weeks.

Week 6 was filled with upset wins and game-breaking performances from across the country. Those performances called for many college football analysts to update their current standings for the Heisman Trophy.

FOX’s Joel Klatt updated his top five Heisman Trophy rankings heading into Week 7, explaining the rational behind his picks in a list that can be seen below.

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado – CB/WR

Colorado may have had a bye in Week 6, but that didn’t stop Klatt from keeping two-way superstar Travis Hunter at the top of his list. Hunter has averaged 132 snaps per game playing on both sides of the ball as one of the nation’s top wide receivers and cornerbacks. He’s posted 46 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns along with two interceptions, three pass breakups, 15 tackles, and a game-winning forced fumbles through five games.

“Travis Hunter is doing things that we’ve never seen in the history of the sport, and it’s because of the unique nature of what he’s doing that he’s number one,” Klatt said. “Right now we have this unicorn, we have this incredible athlete that is the best player on both sides of the ball, which is a staggering thought.”

2. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State – RB

Klatt admitted that if it wasn’t for Hunter, in a traditional Heisman race Jeanty would currently be his top pick for the award. Far and away the best running back in college football, Jeanty has a nation-leading 1,031 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns with a whopping 10.9 yards per carry in just five games.

“I think Ashton Jeanty is a phenomenal player, I love watching him play,” Klatt explained. “There is a burning question in the back of my mind just about are there any other players in the country that could be doing what he’s doing or close to it with that schedule? Meanwhile, the guy who’s number one on my Heisman list, there’s no question about that.”

3. Cam Ward, Miami – QB

For the second straight week, Miami quarterback Cam Ward has dazzled and kept the Hurricanes undefeated with two improbable fourth-quarter comeback wins. Ward leads the nation in passing yards and total touchdowns with 2,219 yards, 20 passing touchdowns, and three scores on the ground.

“He’s been rock solid and unbelievable so far, he’s the only reason they won the last two games … And when you watch him it just pops off the tape,” Klatt said. “You’re like oh yeah, that guy’s not only the best quarterback in the conference, he may be the best quarterback in the country.”

4. Jalen Milroe, Alabama – QB

Milroe and the Crimson Tide were on the losing end of a historic upset loss on Saturday, but Klatt believes like past Heisman winners from Oklahoma, Milroe has the chance to put up monster numbers this season. Milroe has already posted 1,557 total yards and 20 total touchdowns on the year through the air and ground.

“He’s gonna have incredible numbers and now you understand the pressure that he’s under in order to produce because they have a defense that cannot defend,” Klatt said. “So whether it’s his production on the ground running the football or his production through the air throwing the football, he’s going to be relied upon to a level that maybe others aren’t.”

5. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – WR

True freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith rounds out Klatt’s top five after looking like one of the best true freshmen in college football history. Smith has already caught 23 passes for 453 yards with seven total touchdowns, week after week making impressive one-handed catches and contested, grown man plays.

“If you haven’t watched Jeremiah Smith, you gotta go watch him. He’s an absolute show, I love this guy,” Klatt said. “He is, of all the wide receivers that have come through Ohio State this point, he is right now on pace to be I think the best of them all. You cannot cover him with one player and he’s a true freshman.”