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A Look at the Heisman Race After Two Weeks

Originally posted on The Forkball | By Phillip Riggs | Last updated Sep 11, 2024 12:25 AM ET

Heisman Watch

Standouts from Week 1 like Shedeur Sanders, Noah Fifita, and Tetairoa McMillan all cooled off a little in Week 2. Other Week 1 standouts like Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Cam Ward continued their early Heisman campaigns. Quinn Ewers had a signature win while Carson Beck, Jalen Milroe, and Jeremiah Smith continued their early successes.

Standouts from Week 2

Ashton Jeanty

Even though Jeanty’s Broncos lost a heartbreaker to Oregon, Jeanty still had a great game. He had 25 carries for 197 yards and rushed for three touchdowns. Jeanty’s Heisman hopes and Boise State’s playoff hopes will feed off of each other. The better Jeanty plays the better Broncos playoffs resume. The better Boise State’s playoff resume, the better Jeanty’s Heisman campaign.

Quinn Ewers

Ewers got a fantastic road win that will be remembered in December. Even if the cheaters spiral with their undermining of the integrity of the game curbed, this victory will age well for Ewers. He was 24 of 36 for 246 yards and three touchdowns in their 31-12 win.

Cam Ward

Ward was 20 of 26 for 304 yards and three touchdowns in the layup win over Florida A&M.

Heisman Leaders

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Running Back, Junior

Through two games Ashton Jeanty has 45 carries for 459 yards and nine touchdowns.

Quinn Ewers, Texas, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior

Ewers is 44 of 63 for 506 yards and six touchdowns through the air in the young 2024 season.

Cam Ward, Miami, Quarterback, Senior

After two games he is 46 of 61 for 689 yards and has seven total touchdowns for the Hurricanes.

In the Race

Beck was 18 of 25 for 242 yards and five touchdowns against Tennessee Tech. His season totals are 41 of 58 for 520 yards and seven touchdowns passing the football.

Carson Beck, Georgia, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior

Jalen Milroe, Alabama, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior

He has been able to get it done in the air and on the ground. Against USF he was 16 of 26 for 194 yards in the air with two touchdown passes and two touchdown rushes. In total, he is 23 of 35 for 394 yards and five passing touchdowns with another 81 yards and four touchdowns rushing.

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Quarterback

Smith has 11 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns and hasn’t played in the fourth quarter in the Buckeyes’ first two games.

Travis Hunter, Colorado, Wide Receiver/ Cornerback, Junior

Despite the loss to Nebraska, Hunter still had a respectable game. He had 10 catches for 110 yards and on defense three tackles including one for a loss. On the season he has 17 catches for 242 yards and three touchdowns with six tackles on defense including one for a loss.

On the Radar

There are other elite players who are still on the radar and can fight their way into this race. Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, USC quarterback Miller Moss, Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon, and Washington quarterback Will Rogers. These are just a few of the stars across college football who can still have a strong say in the race for the Heisman.

This article first appeared on The Forkball and was syndicated with permission.

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