Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn predict 2024 Heisman Trophy winner
Former Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart and former All-American quarterback Brady Quinn made their Heisman Trophy picks Saturday morning during Big Noon Kickoff.
Both analysts went with SEC quarterbacks to win the award, starting with Leinart, who predicted Alabama QB Jalen Milroe will bring home the hardware. Leinart expects Milroe to thrive under first-year Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer.
“I’m going with Mark Ingram’s boy at Alabama, Jalen Milroe,” Matt Leinart said. “He got benched last year early, came back. The last seven games, guys, 17 total touchdowns, just one interception. Led the SEC in rushing touchdowns.
“He is a legit dual-threat. And now he gets the tutelage from Kalen DeBoer. We saw what he did with Michael Penix Jr. last year at Washington. The combination of that, he’s got a great chance to win.”
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The Texas native passed for more than 2,700 yards last season and also rushed for 468 yards. He had 35 total touchdowns.
Earlier on Big Noon Kickoff, The Bear discussed the possibility of Travis Hunter or Shedeur Sanders winning the Heisman. Leinart agrees that they have a shot, but he’s sticking with Jalen Milroe.
“It is never too early to talk about the Heisman trophy,” Leinart said. “Bear just hit on Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Those guys will be in the race, because they might be the two best players in college football.”
As for Brady Quinn, he is going with Georgia star quarterback Carson Beck. Not only does Quinn have Beck winning the Heisman, but he also has him being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Beck and Georgia begin their season on Saturday against Clemson in Atlanta.
“I’m going to stay in the SEC, I’ve got Carson Beck. Look, in his first year starting last season, he really improved the second half of the year taking care of the football, being more aggressive,” Quinn said. “Thirteen total touchdowns accounted for to only two interceptions. He’s leading the No. 1 team in the country. I think this is the year he takes off, not only wins the Heisman but becomes the No. 1 overall pick when it’s all said and done.”
Quinn isn’t dismissing Jalen Milroe as a candidate, but he is curious to see how he fits into Kalen DeBoer’s offense.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what that offense looks like given how much they threw at Washington, will they do the same at Bama,” Quinn said.