Matt Leinart reveals his top six candidates to win the Heisman Trophy

A favorite preseason topic for college football fans out there is the Heisman Trophy. Even analysts like to get in on the fun, providing their favorites head into the year. FOX’s Matt Leinart was the latest, providing six candidates who would emerge victorious in New York City.

Of the six provided by Leinart, four are from the SEC. One will be a debutant in the Big 12 while one of college football’s most experienced players leads a former Pac-12 school into the Big 12.

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Being a former Heisman Trophy winner himself, Leinart will get a vote at the end of the season. He seems confident the eventual winner will come from this list of six. You can check out the candidates below.

6. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

“Maybe the most underrated player in college football last year,” Leinart said. “No one’s really even talking about it. Don’t be surprised if Ole Miss is in the Playoff. Don’t be surprised if Jaxson Dart wins the Heisman Trophy. I’m calling it right now, he’s going to be great.”

Leinart actually had Dart and his next candidate tied for fifth. Ole Miss fans are quite familiar with him, playing during the 2023 season and will face off again on Nov. 9. Could it be a Heisman Trophy decider?

5. Georgia QB Carson Beck

“Maybe the best player for the best team in the country,” Leinart said. “He led the SEC in passing a year ago. Wouldn’t be surprised, obviously, if he has another big year.”

Georgia will enter the year as the preseason No. 1 ranked team. Beck will have an opportunity to make his Heisman case right away, facing off against Clemson on Aug. 31. The Bulldogs should be in plenty of primetime games this year to showcase the quarterback’s talents.

4. Colorado DB/WR Travis Hunter

“The best two-way player in college football since Charles Woodson,” Leinart said. “A bonafide, absolute star. Top-five NFL Draft pick.”

DeVonta Smith was the last wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy but he did not also play defensive back. Hunter would be in a special group of players if he pulled the feat off, likely standing alongside only Woodson.

3. Texas QB Quinn Ewers

“He’s a stud,” Leinart said. “Love this kid. He loses a lot around him, though. Can he elevate those guys in this team with their high expectations?”

Leinart mentioned he was filming his contenders list while in a hotel room in Austin, getting ready to interview Ewers. He loves what the Texas quarterback could do during the 2024 season, being his third with Steve Sarkisian.

2. Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel

“We saw what Bo Nix did in this offense,” Leinart said. “I think Gabriel has a chance to be even better.”

Gabriel is by far the most experienced quarterback in college football, set to break a few national records this season. Oregon OC Will Stein was praised for his work with Nix and now gets another tenured quarterback with Gabriel.

1. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

“I think with Kalen DeBoer, he’s going to improve so much with his passing,” Leinart said. “We saw what Coach did with Michael Penix Jr. last year. Don’t be surprised if another Bama, Crimson Tide wins the Heisman Trophy.”

Milroe has been a popular Heisman pick since he came on at the end of the 2023 season. Working with an offensive-minded head coach has only added fuel to the fire. Winning the award would make it Alabama’s fifth in history — all coming since Nick Saban was hired.