On3 Heisman Trophy Poll: Top 10 player rankings after Week 9

The latest On3 Heisman Trophy Poll is in following Week 9 and the collection of experts revealed the top 10 player rankings.

On3’s experts know what it’s like to vote for the top award in the sport so, as such, they’ve assembled a vote to best determine what the picture looks like. Each voter ranked their Top-10 players nationally with an assigned point value set for each position. 

For example, a first-place vote was worth 10 points while a tenth-place vote was worth one.

With that, here’s how On3’s panel projects the running for The Heisman Trophy as of the conclusion of Week 9. The total number of points are in parentheses.

1. Travis Hunter, WR/DB – Colorado (48)

Hunter played both ways all game in a 34-23 win over Cincinnati Saturday night. He finished with nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns while logging a tackle and multiple pass breakups on defense.

Hunter, if he plays games like that, should be the frontrunner for the Heisman. He has 60 catches for 757 yards, eight touchdowns (all career highs), 21 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions, seven pass deflections and one forced fumble.

2. Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State (46)

In terms of absurd players, Jeanty is in that class of Heisman contenders. He’s been dominant all season long and now surpassed his season totals for yards and touchdowns from last year, in just seven games.

So far this season, Jeanty has 159 carries for 1,376 yards, 18 touchdowns and 8.7 yards per carry. He also has 12 catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

T-3. Cam Ward, QB – Miami (38)

Ward didn’t have his best game against Florida State, despite the team dominating the Seminoles. Ward actually caught a touchdown pass on a “Philly Special” play.

Overall, he’s still putting up great numbers. Ward is firmly in the Heisman race with 2,746 yards, 24 touchdowns, five interceptions, a 68% completion percentage, 186 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.

T-3. Dillon Gabriel, QB – Oregon (38)

Gabriel and Oreogn’s passing offense has been clicking as of late and the Ducks dominated Saturday against Illinois. With that, Gabriel has moved up in the Heisman poll.

The Oregon QB is putting up some solid numbers, but a little away from his career bests.  He has 2,371 yards, 18 touchdowns, five interceptions and a 76.2% completion percentage.

T-5. Kurtis Rourke, QB – Indiana (25)

Despite missing Rourke Saturday against Washington, Indiana dominated and remained undefeated. That doesn’t diminish Rourke’s performance this year or his Heisman worthiness.

He’s been on pace to match his 2022 campaign at Ohio, a career best. Rourke has 1,941 yards, 15 touchdowns, three interceptions and a 74.6% completion percentage.

T-5. Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado (25)

Two Colorado players in the Heisman race? Yes, it’s been like that most of the year for these two Buffaloes’ stars.

Sanders is on pace to break his career highs in passing after setting them at the FBS level last season. He has 2,591 yards, 21 touchdowns, six interceptions and a 73.3% completion percentage.

T-7. Jeremiah Smith, WR – Ohio State (13)

The standout freshman wide receiver should certainly get Heisman buzz. He’s been pretty consistent in his production all season long.

He’s going to be a star in college football over the next couple of years and will have plenty of opportunities to keep improving this fall. This year, he has 35 catches for 623 yards and eight touchdowns. Smith also has 17.8 yards per catch.

T-7. Bryson Daily, QB – Army (13)

Put some respect on the service academies! On3’s experts love watching the Army quarterback slice and dice defenses, mostly with his legs though, but put him into the Heisman conversation.

Through the air, Daily is just 27-of-47 for 629 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the ground, he has 909 yards, 19 touchdowns and 6.6 yards per carry. Oh yeah, Army is 7-0 and ranked No. 21 in the latest AP Poll.

T-9. Riley Leonard, QB – Notre Dame (6)

Leonard has picked it up in the passing game as of late and of course, with his legs. He should get a little Heisman love for getting Notre Dame to 7-1 on the season and primed for a playoff spot.

This year, he has 1,360 yards, eight touchdowns, three interceptions and a 66.2% completion percentage. No, those numbers don’t wow you but he has 539 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

T-9. Cade Klubnik, QB – Clemson (6)

Remember all of those criticisms about Clemson and Klubnik at the start of the year? WEll, it’s been really quiet since then.

Klubnik has some slight Heisman buzz with his season through seven games. He has 1,836 yards, 20 touchdowns (career high), three interceptions and a 66.7% completion percentage.

Honorable mentions (in order)

Diego Pavia, QB – Vanderbilt
Dylan Sampson, RB – Tennessee
Nic Scourton, EDGE – Texas A&M
Ricky White III, WR – UNLV
Will Howard, QB – Ohio State
Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State
Cam Skattebo, RB – Arizona State

The remaining players are on the outside looking in when it comes to the Heisman Trophy and likely need Herculean efforts to end the season to get into the conversation. We press onto Week 10!