On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 7

The 2024 Heisman Trophy race is well underway and for the first time in weeks we have some real separation at the top of our polling this week.

On3’s national experts have been closely monitoring some of the biggest outings of the season and have started to look for consistency from week to week. Today, they compile their poll of the top 10 candidates.

Each of the five national experts submitted a ballot with his top 10 players on it, and we’ve compiled the results to create a complete ranking using points — 10 points for a first-place vote, nine for second, etc. Let’s get into how the rankings unfolded below.

1. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State – 49 points

By Jeanty’s standards it was a pretty ho-hum day, in part because he was held to his lowest yards per carry during a game this year. He still ran 31 times for 217 yards and accounted for two touchdowns.

His pace is absurd. Through six games, Jeanty already has 1,248 yards rushing, to go along with 18 total touchdowns. There isn’t a more productive player at his position than Jeanty.

2. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado – 41

An apparent shoulder injury that knocked him out of the game against Kansas State will bear monitoring. Because Hunter’s candidacy for the Heisman Trophy is at least in part tied to his ability to stay on the field as a two-way star.

Still, the talented prospect has been a major difference-maker for Colorado. Hunter leads the Buffaloes in receiving with 49 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns. He has also logged 16 tackles, a tackle for a loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble on defense.

3. QB Cam Ward, Miami – 40

Miami had a bye week this week, so Ward will have gotten a chance to go back over the game film from the last couple outings. There have been some close calls for the Hurricanes, albeit ones they’ve overcome thanks to Ward.

The Washington State transfer has thrown for 2,219 yards and 20 touchdowns, while throwing five interceptions. He has also run for 161 yards and three scores so far this season.

4. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon – 34

Gabriel vaults up the Heisman Trophy poll standings after helping Oregon post a 32-31 win over Ohio State in a massive game. Gabriel was excellent in the win, throwing for 341 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He also ran for 32 yards and a score.

All in all, Gabriel has been doing exactly what he needs to to pace the Ducks. He’s thrown for 1,790 yards and 13 touchdowns, against three interceptions. He’s also run for 103 yards and four touchdowns.

5. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – 25

It’s not every day you see a Vanderbilt player on a list like this, which says two things. One, the Commodores are having a tremendous year. Two, they have someone who has been the spark plug for the run.

Pavia has been the emotional heart and soul of the team this season, leading Vanderbilt to a 4-2 start. This weekend it was a 20-13 road win over a Kentucky team with a stout, stout defense. Impressive.

6. QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana – 17

After guiding Indiana to a 6-0 start to the season, Rourke was on a well-earned bye this week. There will be tougher games to come in the second half of the season, which could give Rourke a chance to really work his way up the list.

As it stands now, Rourke has thrown for 1,752 yards and 14 touchdowns, against just two interceptions. He’s also run for 44 yards and two touchdowns, providing the occasional threat that way.

7. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – 16

It was not Nussmeier’s cleanest night, and he’s had issues with turnovers the past two times out. Still, he managed to out-duel Jaxson Dart down the stretch to win a fifth straight game for LSU — keeping the Tigers in College Football Playoff contention.

Nussmeier’s numbers aren’t overwhelming by any means, but they’re quite solid. But it’s his presence in the huddle and his unflappability that really sell him as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.

8. QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama – 15

South Carolina very nearly pulled an upset on a lackluster Alabama squad, and Milroe wasn’t his normal self. He simply looked a little pressed in the passing game, throwing two interceptions and struggling to routinely move the chains.

Still, it’s undeniable the athletic talent Milroe is. He has run for 11 touchdowns this season and 319 yards on the ground. He’s also thrown for 1,483 yards and 12 touchdowns, albeit against four interceptions — all in the last three games.

9. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – 10

The talented freshman receiver for Ohio State continued a streak of scoring a touchdown in every game he’s played in, albeit in a loss to Oregon. He caught a season-high nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown in the game.

On the year, Smith has 32 catches for 553 yard and seven touchdowns. He has also run twice for 33 yards and a score. His ability to make remarkable catches also can’t be discounted.

10. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State – 6

Warren entered superhero mode in an overtime win over USC, catching 17 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown. He even recorded a rush for four yards and was the recipient of a touchdown pass on an awesome trick play.

The Penn State tight end has been a consistent target all year, though he hasn’t always gone off like he did on Saturday. That he’s capable, though, opens up so much more in the offense for other players. That’s highly valuable.

Others Receiving Heisman Trophy Votes

QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse – 5
QB Carson Beck, Georgia – 5
QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado – 4
WR Ricky White III, UNLV – 4
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama – 4
QB Bryson Daily, Army – 1

Among the others receiving votes category in the Heisman Trophy polling are a handful of quarterbacks who have had mixed results this season. McCord is powering a Syracuse team quite clearly exceeding expectations. Beck hasn’t been quite as good as he’s shown capable of in the past but is still leading a playoff contender. Sanders had an impressive showing in a loss to Kansas State and continues to power the Buffaloes. It’s a solid group overall, one from which multiple players could jump into the top 10 next week.