It’s official: Travis Hunter of Colorado will win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
This week’s CBS Sports annual straw poll of Heisman voters yielded that conclusion. These voters, who were asked to remain anonymous in order to cast their ballots, attested to the overwhelming support for Hunter’s outstanding two-way performance this year. Hunter’s supremacy over a tough field was demonstrated by the poll that correctly predicted the winner for the previous four seasons.
The Poll’s Findings
Three spaces are available on each ballot under the Heisman voting system. Of the 928 voters, CBS Sports polled 29 of them, or around 3% of the total. In the straw poll, seven players each garnered at least one vote, but Hunter’s supremacy was clear.
Travis Hunter, wide receiver and CB Colorado scored 76 points, or 87 percent of the possible points, and was named first on 20 out of 29 votes. Jeanty Ashton RB State of Boise finished a solid second with 64 points and eight first-place votes. Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel accumulated 22 points and one vote for first place. Others Cam Skattebo, an Arizona State running back, and Cam Ward, a Miami quarterback, were among the four other players that garnered sporadic votes.
The Historic Campaign of Travis Hunters
Hunters’ season is unique in its adaptability. Over two seasons, he averaged 119 plays per game while playing wide receiver and cornerback for Colorado. He demonstrated his durability on offense, defense, and even special teams by going over 160 snaps in a single game twice. Since Paul Hornung of Notre Dame, a real two-way athlete, won the Heisman in 1956, no such accomplishment has been witnessed.
Travis Hunter continuously proved himself on both sides of the ball, accumulating outstanding stats and displaying exceptional toughness and endurance. He was a terror for rival teams, changing games when he was on the field. His effect was greatly enhanced by his success on special teams, demonstrating that his versatility went beyond his offensive and defensive duties.
Travis Hunter is a once-in-a-generation talent because of his ability to excel in a variety of jobs. Hunter has stated that he wants to continue playing both ways at the professional level, despite the fact that NFL teams usually favor specialization. With his famous recuperation routine and fewer NFL plays per game, Hunter may just redefine what it means to be a unicorn athlete in the modern day.
The Contest
Despite Hunter’s apparent route to the Heisman, his rivals had strong arguments as well.
At Boise State, Ashton Jeanty RB
Jeanty needs just 132 yards going into the Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff to surpass the 36-year-old single-season rushing record held by Barry Sanders. He has received a lot of attention for his outstanding season, and Boise State has benefited greatly from his ability to perform well under duress.
QB Dillon Gabriel Oregon
Oregon’s unbeaten regular season was led by the former Oklahoma and UCF standout. Gabriel’s contribution to Oregon’s win was cemented with his season-high four-touchdown performance against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship. The Ducks’ flawless record has been maintained in large part due to his leadership and reliability.
Others to Observe
Despite making an impression, players like Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo and Miami’s Cam Ward were not able to contend for the top slot. Despite their noteworthy contributions to their teams, they were unable to match Hunter Jeanty and Gabriel’s exceptional achievements.
Predictions and Odds for Betting
Travis Hunter is the clear favorite to win as of Wednesday, according to BetMGM. Colorado Travis Hunter 1–25 odds. Ashton Jeanty Boise State, 10-1. Oregon 25-1, Dillon Gabriel. Cam Ward Miami 25-1.
Concluding remarks
Travis Hunter’s reputation as one of college football’s most adaptable players has been cemented by his success on both sides of the ball. All eyes are on Hunter to formally accept the coveted trophy as the Heisman ceremony in New York draws near. As of the now, voters are in agreement that Travis Hunter will win the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
The standards for what a collegiate football player can do have been reshaped by his spectacular campaign. Hunter demonstrated that he is not only a superb athlete but also a transformative one through his game-changing offensive, lockdown defense, and special teams efforts. Future generations will surely be inspired by his story, which will also solidify his reputation in college football history.
