Heisman Rankings: Hunter, Jeanty shake up QB logjam

The opening month of the 2024 season has provided plenty of excitement. The reigning national champion was humbled. Several newcomers in Power 4 leagues have quickly established themselves as conference title contenders. Plus, we've gotten some epic tirades by Hugh Freeze and Dabo Swinney to really signal that college football is truly back in full swing.

Quarterbacks continue to occupy many of the top spots in the race for the Heisman Trophy, but a couple generational talents from other positions are making their cases. Here's theScore's latest rankings for college football's most vaunted individual prize.

5. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon

Stats: 1,192 passing yards, 81.5% completion rate, 11 total TDs, 1 INT

It seems odd that an Oregon quarterback is currently carrying the best odds among Big Ten players. Like his team, Gabriel is playing his first season in a new league after stints in the AAC and Big 12. While his uniform may have changed, the Hawaiian star remains a problem for opposing defenses.

The Ducks have handled their business, exorcising their demons against Boise State and handling in-state rival Oregon State. Oregon opened its inaugural Big Ten campaign by beating up former Pac-12 member UCLA this past weekend. The 23-year-old leads the FBS with an astounding 84% completion rate while passing for 1,192 yards and accounting for 11 total touchdowns.

Gabriel and Co. will get to enjoy the confines of Autzen Stadium over the next couple weeks with a marquee matchup against Ohio State highlighted as a clash between national powerhouses.

4. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Stats: 845 rushing yards, 10.3 YPC, 13 total TDs,

It's been nearly a decade since a running back (Derrick Henry) walked away with the Heisman Trophy. It's been even longer since a non-Power 5 player (Ty Detmer 1990) has accomplished the feat. However, there's a legitimate contender who has emerged from the blue turf in Boise, Idaho.

Ashton Jeanty has been an outright menace for opposing defenses to handle this season. The Broncos running back is the only FBS player with four touchdowns in multiple games. The 5-foot-9, 215-pounder broke Washington State's spirits with an outrageous 259 rushing yards on 26 carries for four scores this past weekend. It doesn't really matter how many defenders are put into the box, Jeanty will get his yards and find the end zone.

There aren't any marquee national matchups on the schedule for the Broncos after they narrowly lost to Oregon last month. But Jeanty alone is worth the price of admission. The junior has established himself alongside Boise State legends Jay Ajayi and Ian Johnson by boasting an unreal 10.3 yards per carry. On his current trajectory, Jeanty could break Barry Sanders' rushing record if he can remain healthy this season.

3. Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Stats: 1,782 passing yards, 70.2% completion rate, 20 total TDs, 4 INTs

After several pump-fakes over the past couple decades, is it finally safe to say The U is back? It's no coincidence that Miami has been drumming up buzz as a national contender after acquiring Cam Ward in the transfer portal. The former Washington State quarterback is as advertised, leading the FBS with 18 passing touchdowns and sitting second in the nation in passing yardage.

An unheralded prospect out of high school, Ward began his collegiate career at The Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State following two seasons. After posting solid numbers on the Palouse, Ward took his talents to Coral Gables. The 22-year-old has the Hurricanes poised for a run at the ACC title and spot in the CFP but has also established himself as a legitimate contender for the stiff-arm trophy. Dismantling Florida in the Swamp and surviving a late surge from Virginia Tech under the Friday night lights are solid additions to Ward's Heisman resume.

Ward emerged victorious over his cousin, Virginia Tech's Kyron Drones. Road tests against Cal and Louisville lay ahead, but the senior signal-caller continues to stand on business as the resurgent Canes climb the AP Top 25.

2. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama

Stats: 964 passing yards, 72.9% completion rate, 18 total TDs, 1 INT

The evolution of quarterback play at Alabama over the last decade is truly astounding. Blake Sims and Jacob Coker paved the way for Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, and Bryce Young to shine. Now, Jalen Milroe has taken the baton. The 21-year-old bested Georgia in the SEC title game last December. He produced an encore performance this past weekend, leading the Crimson Tide to a dramatic victory over the Bulldogs.

Milroe passed for a career-high 374 yards against a Bulldogs defense that weren't surrendering many points prior to last weekend's clash. Adding another 117 yards on the ground, his 491 scrimmage yards is the third-highest total by an FBS player this season and came at the expense of a national title contender.

There haven't been any speed bumps for Milroe a month into the Kalen DeBoer era. The junior passer has displayed noticeable improvement in his second year as a starter. Milroe is currently in the SEC's top five for passing TDs (10) and rushing (eight), respectively.

A tough matchup against Tennessee and its own Heisman hopeful looms later this month. Yet, following Alabama's win in an exhilarating SEC opener to end September, Milroe is firmly entrenched in the conversation for the top spot in the Heisman rankings.

1. Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Stats: 46 receptions, 561 receiving yards, 6 total TDs, 12.2 YPC, 3 PBUs, 2 INTs

Travis Hunter is cementing himself as a one-of-one player in college football and perhaps the entire sport. The junior is tied for third in the country in receptions (46) and TD receptions (six), and fifth in the country in receiving yards after the first month. Even more impressive than his receiving stats is that he's also playing full time as a lockdown cornerback on defense. He's racked up an absurd 662 snaps through five games.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound two-way dynamo forced a fumble in overtime near the goal line to help seal a win against Baylor. Hunter has tallied 100 receiving yards in four of his first five contests.

There's no doubt Hunter will have his name called early next spring at the NFL draft. But logging over 120 snaps in each game this season is astonishing for any human. Colorado's No. 12 is must-watch TV regardless of who's lining across from him. Hunter's exploits are becoming so lofty that he's being mentioned alongside college football royalty like Paul Hornung and Charles Woodson.

Striking the iconic Heisman pose has drawn plenty of likes and conversations about his candidacy, but Hunter's play to start the season has exceeded all rational expectations.

Honorable Mentions: Nico Iamaleava, Jaxson Dart, Carson Beck, Jeremiah Smith