As we are less than two months into kick-off in the 2024- 2025 College Football Season, there are some strong contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Here’s a breakdown of those to watch.
Carson Beck
After his first season starting with the Bulldogs, Carson Beck performed at an extremely high level under head coach, Kirby Smart. With big shoes to fill, Beck led the team to a 13-1 record while passing for nearly 4000 yards. Beck may be the best quarterback in this years draft class and maybe even in the country. We assume he will declare to the NFL Draft after the season but here are some reasons he could be a Heisman winner.
First off, Beck is extremely talented, especially with his accuracy and precision. He completed 72.4% of his passes last season. Secondly, he has proven to win big games, especially against tough teams. With a stacked SEC this year due to conference realignment, Beck will play some difficult opponents. Lastly, Beck has one of, if not the best, team surrounding him in the Nation. This will help him improve and increase his chances as a Heisman Trophy winner.
Travis Hunter
Travis Hunter, one of College Football’s most dynamic players, is entering his junior season under head coach, Deion Sanders. What differs Hunter from other players around the country is his skilled versatility to play both sides of the ball, being a wide receiver and a cornerback. He is extremely talented with tracking down the football off his routes, creates yards after the catch and has become a reliable target when needed. Not only is he a force playing receiver but is very gifted on the defensive end.
Hunter’s campaign with Colorado started with a road game against TCU to open the season where he recorded a spectacular interception along with key pass breakups.
Hunter played most games with Colorado despite suffering an injury and for the times he did play he showed how he could make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball. He is an extremely special player who will likely declare for the NFL Draft after his junior season as well be contending for the Heisman trophy.
Dillon Gabriel
After a stud season at Oklahoma, Dillon Gabriel announced he will be taking his talents to Eugene to quarterback the Oregon Ducks. Going into his sixth season, Gabriel has achieved a lot of success within his playing time in the NCAA. Now entering with one of the most talented rosters in the entire country, Gabriel looks to bring a National Championship home to Oregon for the first time. Gabriel is a great quarterback with ability to win games especially tough ones on the road which he will be tasked to do in a new conference.
With Oregon joining the Big Ten, it brings out a whole new challenge and dynamic to Gabriel and the Ducks. They will play tough teams including Ohio State, Michigan and Washington just to name a few. If Gabriel can play at a high level and perform against big teams, he is set up for success in regards to the Heisman Trophy.
With a talented receiving core, headlined by Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson, Gabriel will have a chance to win a National Championship and ultimately contend for the Heisman.
Quinn Ewers
After a heartbreak against the Huskies last season, Quinn Ewers is back to compete. A projected top-ten pick in this year’s draft, Ewers is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the last couple of seasons. He has brought Texas Football back into contenders for a National Championship. Like a lot of teams joining new conferences with the realignment, Texas is joining the SEC. This has been one of the powerhouse conferences to compete in which may be a shock to Texas. Fortunately for them, Ewers and the Longhorns have been excellent in big games last season headlined by a signature win in Tuscaloosa against the Crimson Tide.
Ewers has displayed a strong arm, good touchdown/interception ratio and a great record with Texas. After being left out of the four Heisman candidates last year, Ewers looks to return with a new motivation and a fresh receiving core to help him.
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