Heisman Rankings: Pack of SEC QBs chasing Gabriel

The 2024 college football season is poised to be one of the biggest and most exciting campaigns ever. The months ahead will feature several big storylines, including the expansion of the College Football Playoff, the latest ripples of conference realignment, and, of course, the Heisman Trophy race.

This group of Heisman contenders is highlighted by plenty of familiar names, several of whom will go head-to-head this season. SEC quarterbacks, in particular, headline this list. Here are theScore's top candidates for college football's most prestigious individual award.

5. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss

2023 Stats: 3,364 passing yards, 65.1% completion rate, 31 total TDs, 5 INTs

Strong arm. Mobility. Lucrative NIL portfolio. Jaxson Dart has many factors working in his favor. After throwing 11 interceptions in 2022, the Utah native bounced back to pass for 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions last season, as well as a career-high 3,364 yards. His abilities as a runner are also reminiscent of Heisman winner Caleb Williams.

Head coach Lane Kiffin, aka The Portal King, has assembled a legitimate contender. The Rebels have proven they can put up big numbers on the scoreboard after finishing third in the conference in total offense (461.9 yards per game) and scoring (35.1 points per contest). However, Ole Miss' defense, on paper, now appears to be capable of taking a big step to give Dart more opportunities to pile up the stats.

The senior signal-caller is within striking distance of several Ole Miss records. Dart should sway some minds before the Rebels enter the heart of their schedule in October.

4. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

2023 Stats: 2,834 passing yards, 65.8% completion rate, 35 total TDs, 6 INTs

After finishing sixth in Heisman voting (73 points) last year, Milroe is once again among the favorites to win the award. The definition of a dual-threat weapon, Milroe passed for 2,834 yards and ran for 531 en route to 35 total touchdowns in 2023.

Eager to silence his critics, the junior standout established himself as Alabama's QB1 after getting benched in Week 3. He then led the Crimson Tide to an upset win over Georgia in the SEC title game before orchestrating a valiant effort in a Rose Bowl loss to eventual national champions Michigan.

Milroe is now the face of Alabama during a transition for one of the sport's blue bloods. Nick Saban's presence still looms, but he'll no longer be stalking the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kalen DeBoer is now tasked with keeping the Tide rolling forward. The former Washington coach could help establish Milroe as a contender, just as he accomplished with Michael Penix Jr. last year, thanks to a strong line and talent at the skill positions.

The Crimson Tide's schedule gradually ramps up in its first month before a big showdown against Georgia to close out September. Playing in the SEC will provide Milroe the biggest stage to capture the attention of the Heisman Trust.

3. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas

2023 Stats: 3,479 passing yards, 69% completion rate, 27 total TDs, 6 INTs

Texas is back! Ewers led the Longhorns to a remarkable 2023 campaign, which included a Big 12 title and a spot in the CFP. Along the way, Ewers accounted for 27 total touchdowns and 289.9 passing yards per game, second behind only Dillon Gabriel in the Big 12.

Now, after skipping the 2024 NFL Draft to return to Texas, Ewers is tasked with leading the Longhorns in their first campaign as full-fledged SEC members. Promising tailback CJ Baxter is a notable loss, but the offense is still loaded with a strong supporting cast that includes wideouts Isaiah Bond and Johntay Cook and a veteran offensive line.

Following a tune-up against Colorado State in the season opener, Ewers has a pivotal matchup against the reigning national champions in Ann Arbor. If all goes well, perhaps he could be the first quarterback in program history to bring the Heisman to the "Forty Acres."

2. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia

2023 Stats: 3,941 passing yards, 72.4% completion rate, 28 total TDs, 6 INTs

Georgia appeared destined to pull off a three-peat as national champions last season after posting a 12-0 mark entering the SEC championship game. Then, Alabama dashed its dreams. If the Orange Bowl was any indication, the Bulldogs are highly motivated to recapture their championship swagger. Beck opted to put his pursuit of a pro career on hold to help lead the Dawgs back to the head of the conference table and pursue another national title.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound passer is generating plenty of buzz as a Heisman contender. Beck finished in the top 10 nationally in passing yards (3,941), completions (302), and passer rating (167.92) last season.

The senior will have plenty of opportunities to make his case for the Heisman. Georgia opens its season versus Clemson before road contests against Kentucky and reigning SEC champs Alabama during the opening month.

The Bulldogs have again reloaded with even more talent despite losing Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey to the NFL. A platoon of halfbacks, talented wideouts, and a dynamic pair of tight ends in Ben Yurosek and Oscar Delp highlight Beck's supporting cast.

Leading the No. 1-ranked team to begin the season, Beck is in prime position to bring the stiff-arm trophy back to Athens, Georgia, for the first time since Herschel Walker accomplished the feat in 1982.

1. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

2023 Stats: 3,660 passing yards, 69.3% completion rate, 42 total TDs, 6 INTs

Death, taxes, and Dillon Gabriel still having college eligibility. The dynamic quarterback doesn't lack experience as many are projecting another superb performance ahead of his sixth year of eligibility.

The Hawaiian will lead a high-powered Oregon offense after producing video game numbers at Oklahoma over the past two seasons. Gabriel's predecessor, Bo Nix, finished third in Heisman voting last year after throwing for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns. Pass-catchers Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart, and Terrance Ferguson will be featured throughout the season.

The Ducks won't face a Big Ten opponent until the final week of September when they play former Pac-12 foe UCLA. A Sept. 7 matchup against Boise State, who's 3-0 all time against Oregon, can't be overlooked.

Gabriel and the Ducks may be the "new guys" in the Big Ten, but they're bona fide CFP title contenders. If preseason predictions come to fruition, expect to see Gabriel sitting front and center for the Heisman ceremony come December.

Honorable Mentions: Travis Hunter, Nico Iamaleava, Shedeur Sanders, Ollie Gordon II, Riley Leonard