Travis Hunter. Mike Watters-Imagn Images

Two non-QBs among 10 betting favorites to win Heisman Trophy

By Victor Haltom | Last updated Oct 3, 2024 6:31 PM ET

The Heisman Trophy has been awarded 24 times in the 21st century. On 20 of those occasions, the recipients were quarterbacks. Three running backs and one wide receiver comprise the remaining winners.

Again this year, the odds are high that a quarterback will receive the most prestigious award in college football. Per BetMGM, the 10 players who currently stand the best chance of winning the award are:

1	Jalen Milroe	QB	Alabama Crimson Tide	+175
2	Cam Ward	QB	Miami Hurricanes	+500
3	Travis Hunter	WR/CB	Colorado Buffaloes	+700
4	Ashton Jeanty	RB	Boise State Broncos	+900
5	Dillon Gabriel	QB	Oregon Ducks	+1400
6	Nico Iamaleava	QB	Tennessee Volunteers	+1400
7	Jaxson Dart	QB	Ole Miss Rebels	+2000
8	Quinn Ewers	QB	Texas Longhorns	+2500
9	Carson Beck	QB	Georgia Bulldogs	+2500
10	Miller Moss	QB	USC Trojans	+2500

Making it into the top 10 betting prospects, Hunter and Jeanty have been exceptional early in the 2024 season.

In five games, Hunter, the two-way sensation, has reeled in 46 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns as his team's leading receiver. On the other side of the ball, he has tallied 16 tackles, defended three passes, snagged two interceptions and forced a fumble. He has an NIL deal valued at $3.1 million for a reason.

TRAVIS HUNTER HITS THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THE INTERCEPTION @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/Qc9W0pzJbM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

Jeanty is the nation's leading rusher in 2024, by a considerable margin. He has rushed for 845 yards on 82 carries, good for a jaw-dropping average of 10.3 yards per carry. In just four games, he has scored 13 TDs.

After Jeanty torched the Washington State Cougars on Saturday night for 259 yards and four TDs, former Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinert and Robert Griffin III took to social media to proclaim him the best collegiate RB in the nation.

Despite the demonstrated prowess of Hunter and Jeanty on the gridiron and their inclusion in the top 10 betting favorites to win the Heisman, 21st-century history teaches that they are both relative long shots to bring home the most coveted prize in NCAAF.

Will one of them shine brightly enough to defy the odds?

Victor Haltom

Victor Haltom began his undergraduate studies at SMU, then transferred to Penn State, graduating with BA in philosophy. He has extensive writing and editing experience, with over 250 sports-related articles having been published.

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