On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 8

The 2024 Heisman Trophy race is well underway and for the first time all season we have a unanimous No. 1 in our weekly polling.

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 – 50 points

Jeanty was one spot away from a clean sweep last week and he actually solidifies himself as the unanimous No. 1 despite being on a bye this week. He could presumably use the rest.

The talented Boise State running back has totaled 1,248 yards through six games, to go along with 18 total touchdowns. He’s averaging 9.9 yards per carry and has his team in the College Football Playoff hunt.

2. QB Cam Ward, Miami – 44

Ward might have had his best game yet despite taking three sacks in a shootout against Louisville. He was able to keep Miami out in front for most of the contest, despite a hard push from the opponent.

The veteran quarterback finished the game 21-of-32 passing for 319 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 29 yards. At this point, Ward is pretty much single-handedly powering Miami toward a playoff berth. He’s that good.

3. CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado – 38

A shoulder injury is hampering Hunter, who has been limited in terms of his overall contributions the last two weeks. He gutted it out against Arizona but clearly wasn’t quite himself.

Hunter’s Heisman Trophy candidacy might well depend on how quickly he can get back to taking a full workload. He might not post impressive enough numbers otherwise. He finished Saturday’s win with two catches for 17 yards, as well as a tackle on defense.

4. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oregon – 34

Seven games, seven wins for Oregon, including a win over a top-5 Ohio State team. That’s good enough to get you on the radar as a quarterback, and Gabriel has certainly delivered.

On a short week, Gabriel threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns, though he did throw an interception in a 35-0 win over Purdue. On the season he has 2,080 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, while also adding four rushing touchdowns.

5. QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana – 24

Seven games, seven wins for Indiana, though none as quality as Oregon’s win over Ohio State. Still, when you get Indiana to a 7-0 record with talk of the College Football Playoff beginning, you’ve done something pretty incredible.

Rourke has been awesome, throwing for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns, against just three interceptions. He’s even added two rushing touchdowns. As long as Indiana keeps rolling, he’ll remain in the Heisman Trophy mix.

6. QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt – 22

Vanderbilt won only its second game all year by more than one possession, topping Ball State 24-14. When you’re playing that many close games, you need your quarterback to be on point, and Pavia certainly has been.

He threw for 275 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals, while also rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown. Pavia’s one of the most productive dual-threat guys in the country, having 470 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. That gives him some tremendously useful versatility.

7. QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU – 21

Stats wise it was a somewhat quiet day for Nussmeier in a big win over Arkansas, but that win was important. Other quality teams have tripped up against the Razorbacks this year.

Even so, Nussmeier threw for 233 yards. He didn’t throw a touchdown, but he also didn’t throw an interception. He simply managed the offense well, something he has done on a weekly basis. If he keeps that up and LSU ends up a playoff contender, Nussmeier will continue to find himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

8. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State – 12

Penn State was off this week, but Warren makes the list anyway after his monster showing in the overtime win over USC a week ago. Warren nearly doubled his catch total, going for 17 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown in that game.

On the season that gives him 40 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns. Really strong numbers for a tight end, and Warren might be the leader in the clubhouse for the John Mackey Award.

9. WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State – 6

Ohio State was on a bye week this week following the tough loss to Oregon. That gave Smith a chance to rest. He might not have wanted the rest, coming off his most productive game of the season.

In the game against the Ducks, Smith caught nine passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. On the year he has 32 catches for 553 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also run for 33 yards and a score.

T-10. QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse – 5

Syracuse earned a bye after a 5-1 start to the season, giving McCord the chance to get some extra rest and recovery. He has been lights out through the early going, coming up short only once in a 26-24 loss to Stanford.

McCord has been a machine, cranking out at least 300 yards passing in every game he’s been in. He has totaled 2,160 yards passing and 19 touchdowns, against just six interceptions. That’s a pretty solid stat line, regardless of the team or competition.

T-10. QB Bryson Daily, Army – 5

Stop us if you’ve heard this before: seven games, seven wins for Army. Daily is a member of the undefeated club, in large part because of his ridiculous dual-threat ability.

In the win over East Carolina, Daily had five rushing touchdowns and threw for another score. He’s got 629 yards passing and seven touchdowns, as well as 909 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. His 19 touchdowns lead the nation, which alone puts him in Heisman Trophy contention.

Others Receiving Votes

WR Ricky White III, UNLV – 4
RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee – 3
QB Blake Horvath, Navy – 2

White had a fairly routine day against Oregon State, recording nine catches for 88 yards and a touchdown. He’s up to nine touchdowns on the year. Sampson ran for 139 yards and two touchdowns in a big win over No. 7 Alabama. And finally, Horvath threw for three touchdowns against Charlotte — a season high. A good group on the fringe of the Heisman Trophy competition at this point.