Mark Ingram believes Cam Ward, Ashton Jeanty should be Heisman favorites through Week 10

The 2024 Heisman race is starting to take a more defined shape, with a handful of players emerging at the head of the pack with about a month left in the regular season. But picking an out-and-out leader, as FOX analyst Mark Ingram learned, is easier said than done.

On a new episode of “The Triple Option” podcast, Ingram was prompted to pick his Heisman winner at this point. And though he settled on an answer — Miami quarterback Cam Ward — the former Heisman winning running back was sure to note Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty is firmly in the running.

“Ashton Jeanty toting that rock, man gotta show love to the RBs out there,” Ingram said.

However, at this point in the season, Ward would be his pick.

And the resume certainly stacks up favorably for the Hurricanes signal caller.

In eight wins in eight games this season, Ward has completed 68% of his passes for 2746 yards and 24 touchdowns, the latter two marks being the best in the ACC. He’s also been a threat with his legs, and is Top 5 nationally in total yardage.

“Well I get to put three names on the ballot,” Ingram said about the real vote. “Who’s getting in spot one? Right now, I’d probably have to go with Cam Ward. I’d have to go with Cam Ward. He has Miami 8-0. They would’ve lost three games if it wasn’t for Cam Ward. 24 touchdowns. Three rushing touchdowns and I think just a swagger, the demeanor that he’s playing with has resonated through that entire team. They’re playing with a swagger, demeanor that we haven’t seen from the U since the early 2000s and it all has to do with that quarterback, Cam Ward. They’re 8-0 and they would’ve lost three games if it wasn’t for him. So, right now I’m going with Cam Ward.”

Jeanty, though, certainly has a Heisman-worthy resume, as well.

In seven games, he’s totaled 1376 rushing yards — which leads the nation — and 18 rushing touchdowns at an 8.7 yards per carry clip.

“Everyone wants to say ‘Oh, he’s playing in the Mountain West,’ this, that, I ain’t trying to hear it, man,” Ingram said. “Go watch the man play football. He is running, he is breaking tackles, he’s getting yards after contact. He’s picking up pass protection. He catches the football. He is RB1 for a reason. So, Ashton Jeanty right there, up there with Cam Ward on my ballot.”