2024 Preseason Heisman Candidates
July 15, 2024
Site Owner Todd Helmick has maintained an Official Heisman Vote since 2003 and is also a Biletnikoff Award Voter, which is given to the nation's best receiver. He played football at Florida State under Coach Bobby Bowden (1986-88) and has worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Capitals/Wizards front office. Todd has appeared on many radio stations through out the country, including award winning talk shows through out the Southeast: The Paul Finebaum Show and the George Lapides Show.
 
Carson Beck - QB
Georgia

Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 220
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
14 302 417 3941 72.4 281.5 24 6 167.9 60 116 4
The former 2018 Florida Mr. Football has come a long way. He enters 2024 widely considered the top quarterback in the country after putting together a gigantic season a year ago completing over 72 percent of his passes for nearly 4,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Many have projected Beck as the No. 1 over NFL Draft pick for 2025 and many prognosticators have placed his Bulldog team at the very top of the preseason polls. To be a Heisman frontrunner, the team has to do well and Georgia is primed to put Carson in the race from beginning to end. Nothing short of a national championship is the goal. If that happens a Heisman Trophy is highly likely to come with it.
 
Quinn Ewers - QB
Texas

Class: Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 210
Hometown: Southlake, TX
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 272 394 3479 69.0 289.9 22 6 158.6 59 75 5
Ewers will be entering his third season as the Longhorns' starter. His promise has been so immense that his back up Arch Manning gets paid $3.2 million in NIL compensation as the second highest paid player in college football. Ewers still has yet to live up to his No. 1 overall prospect ranking but seems to play his best in the big games. He will get plenty of chances with games like Michigan, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas A&M on the schedule this fall. His face is going to be on TV quite a bit. Consistency will be important with a new, but fully capable set of receivers.
 
Dillon Gabriel - QB
Oregon

Class: Senior
Height: 5'11 Weight: 205
Hometown: Mililani, HI
Transfer: UCF > Oklahoma > Oregon
2023 Passing (Oklahoma)
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 266 385 3660 69.3 305.0 30 6 172.0 93 373 12
My goodness does Dillon Gabriel fit the description of a prototypical Duck dual-thread signal caller. The nation's top rated transfer quarterback is going to push the Quack limits. His career stats pack a walloping 14,865 passing yards with 125 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions. Gabriel has thrown for more than 3,500 yards in three seasons. The south paw lefty accounted for 42 touchdowns at Oklahoma a year ago running and throwing. Oregon also has one of the deepest receiving groups in the nation highlighted by Tez Johnson and Evan Steward. As of late, the oddsmakers have slid Gabriel into the top Heisman preseason slot. Fireworks are the order in Eugene.
 
Jalen Milroe - QB
Alabama

Class: Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 220
Hometown: Katy, TX
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
13 187 284 2834 65.9 218.0 23 6 172.2 161 531 12
The Alabama season starts with Jalen Milroe. He finished sixth in the Heisman voting last year and is the highest returning finisher. What an amazing turnaround Milroe pulled off in 2023 after struggling and getting benched through the first couple of games. Milroe is one of the most accurate deep throwers averaging ten yards per throw, an aspect that is surely going to be in the liking for new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who made a living last year with Michael Penix behind center doing much the same. He can also tuck it and run like a bull with rabbit shiftiness. A good many of his surrounding cast will be new after all of the transfers and NFL departures. He took too many sacks and struggled with accuracy at times but was good enough to make it count when playoff contention mattered. Tuscaloosa will always produce a top Heisman Candidate. Hello Milroe!
 
Shedeur Sanders - QB
Colorado

Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 215
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Transfer: Jackson State > Colorado
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
11 298 430 3230 69.3 293.6 27 3 151.7 111 -77 4
Last season Shedeur was sacked 52 times, tied for most in the country. The pounding fractured his back and caused him to miss the last few games. He never missed a game during his high school and college career. Nor has he ever produced a losing season until landing in Colorado with his father Coach Prime last year. Shedeur still put up amazing numbers, including 27 touchdown passes to only 3 interceptions. He set school records for passing yards and completion percentage and is the bonafide leader of this team. Despite national rhetoric, Colorado has a superstar quarterback. They desperately need better offensive line play and a rushing attack to take some of the pressure. The job of turning around the Buffaloes program was not going to be easy and it hasn't been. But Shedeur is as good as anyone behind center. The only reason his Heisman odds are low have to do with team production, not his individual talents.
 
Ollie Gordon - RB
Oklahoma State

Class: Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 225
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
2023 Rushing
2023 Receiving
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
14 285 1732 6.1 123.7 21 39 330 1
When looking for a running back to finally wrestle away a Heisman Trophy for the first time in nine years, look no further than unanimous All American Ollie Gordon II. Gordon wrapped up his sophomore season winning the Doak Walker Award, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award and the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. Gordon led the nation in rushing yards (1,732), yards from scrimmage (2,062), 100-yard games (nine), 150-yard games (5), 250-yard games (2) and carries of at least 20 yards (21), 30 yards (14), 40 yards (7) and more. He was second in rushing touchdowns (21), total touchdowns (22), yards after contact (1,056) and all-purpose yards (2,062). Some Pokes predict the imposing 6'2 power/speed combination of Gordon is capable of posting over 2,000 yards rushing in 2024. If that is the case and if the Cowboys stay in the race for a Big 12 title, Gordon will be sitting in New York come Heisman ceremony time next holiday season.
 
Will Howard - QB
Ohio State

Class: Senior
Height: 6'5 Weight: 237
Hometown: Downingtown, PA
Transfer: Kansas State > Ohio State
2023 Passing (Kansas State)
2023 Rushing (Kansas State)
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 219 357 2643 61.3 220.3 24 10 140.1 81 351 9
The former Kansas State quarterback had to compete for the starting job this spring, but it's become clear he will open the season behind center. His 2023 numbers in Manhattan were solid but not spectacular. For the Buckeyes to win a championship, he will be required to do more. What really makes the imposing 6'5 Howard behind center a Heisman candidate is the fact that he doesn't have to be a hero. The talent surrounding him is the reason many have placed Ohio State as the No. 1 or No. 2 ranked team in the preseason polls. He has two Heisman candidates behind him to hand the ball off to on Saturdays. Howard is one of the best play-action quarterbacks in the country and is also a deceptively speedy runner. Just manage the game, win and he will be in the race. This time under a major microscope.
 
Jaxson Dart - QB
Ole Miss

Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 220
Hometown: Kaysville, UT
Transfer: Southern California > Ole Miss
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
13 233 358 3364 65.1 258.8 23 5 162.4 119 391 8
For the second year in a row the Rebels have a player in the Heisman conversations. Last year it was running back Quinshon Judkins, who is now at Ohio State. Dart fits in a great line of SEC quarterbacks for 2024 behind Beck, Ewers and Milroe. Returning to help build his case are Harris, Watkins, Prieskorn and Wells catching his "darts". Plus the offensive line is primed with more depth than its maintained in years. After two seasons in Oxford, Dart has completed 64 percent of his passes for 6,338 yards with 43 touchdowns. He also has rushed for over 1,000 yards. Ole Miss is a preseason Top 10 program and is a capable team of reaching the new expanded playoffs. This equates to exposure and opportunity for any terrific SEC quarterback.
 
Brady Cook - QB
Missouri

Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 205
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
13 244 367 3317 66.5 255.2 21 5 158.6 113 319 8
Brady Cook believes expectations are at an all-time high for Missouri. The Tigers will go as far as Cook can take them. The St. Louis native produced career highs across the board last season...yards and touchdowns included. He was perhaps one of the most improved signal callers in the country and has posted 1,154 rushing yards over the past two seasons. He also has arguably the best receiver in all of college football with Luther Burden. This could be the best pass/catch combination in the heavily talented SEC. Cook has four years of experience under his belt due to COVID-19 eligibility rules. His team is a preseason Top 10 addition and Cook is the cat's meow.
 
Travis Hunter - WR/DB
Colorado

Class: Junior
Height: 6'1 Weight: 185
Hometown: Suwanee, GA
Transfer: Jackson State > Colorado
2023 Receiving
2023 Defense
GAMES PLAYED REC YDS AVG TD AVG/G TACKLES INT PBU
9 57 721 12.7 5 80.1 30 3 5
The young story of Travis Hunter is well documented with most college football fans. The former No. 1 overall high school prospect choose Jackson State over FSU, then on to Colorado while following Coach Prime. Receivers never win the Heisman unless they have another dimension. Well, Hunter is a two-way stud as both a receiver and a cover corner. In his Colorado debut versus TCU he logged 152 snaps, caught 11 passes and recorded an interception in the upset win. A star was born. His liver was lacerated in a game last season forcing him to miss three contests. His multiple skills are all the rage in college football and a big reason he became one of three cover athletes for the EA Sports video game. Offensively, Hunter excels wide or in the slot and is a play maker in press coverage defense. Heading into 2024, Travis Hunter is one of the biggest stars nationwide.
 
Cameron Rising - QB
Utah

Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 220
Hometown: Ventura, CA
2022 Passing (2023 injured)
2022 Rushing (2023 injured)
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
13 249 385 3034 64.7 233.4 26 8 149.0 77 465 6
Cameron Rising entered college as a wide-eyed freshman in 2018 at Texas. Seven seasons later he is back from multiple injuries over his career in a Utah uniform. And guess who is the preseason pick to win the Big 12? Yes, Utah in their first year as a conference member. Getting Cam back is everything. In the 2023 Rose Bowl he suffered a horrible knee injury and missed all of the following 2023 fall season. Across his two seasons as the starter, Rising completed 64 percent of his passes for 5,527 yards and 46 touchdowns. He was also a threat rushing for 964 yards. Rising is known for his winning desire, strong arm and football intelligence. He has a wealth of offensive weapons at his disposal and Utah is a heavy favorite to be competing in the new playoff system.
 
Drew Allar - QB
Penn State

Class: Junior
Height: 6'5 Weight: 238
Hometown: Medina, OH
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
13 233 389 2631 59.9 202.4 25 2 136.9 74 210 4
Allar showed a great deal of promise to close out 2023 as things started to click. This came after offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich was fired. Despite some early struggles, his 25 to 2 touchdown-to-interception ratio keeps Happy Valley fans excited about his big arm potential. Allar compiled the No. 4 passer rating in the Big Ten. He has worked to build his 6'5, 241 pound frame but appears to be moving the best of his career so far. Gone is much of the veteran production at receiver due to the portal and the Nittany Lions struggled offensively in all three of their losses. But the statistics look good. If Allar can assume the much needed leadership role, he has a chance to better those personal numbers and be in this discussion.
 
Noah Fifita - QB
Arizona

Class: Sophomore
Height: 5'10 Weight: 194
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 241 333 2869 72.4 239.1 25 6 165.9 38 -33 0
Last season, Noah Fifita went from a three-star back up to Pac 12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. He is one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. After starter Jayden de Laura got injured in the fourth game against Stanford, Fifita took over and repeatedly appeared in the Top 10 of efficiency in almost every category. A Heisman winner is supposed to be at the top of these efficiency categories, not a redshirt freshman backup. Jayden Daniels won the 2023 Heisman and was the only quarterback to finish ahead of Fifita's efficiency ratings. The Wildcats will begin Big 12 play in 2024 and are poised to make some noise. Fifita leads a very explosive offense and his numbers could be at the top of most NCAA categories.
 
Trevor Etienne - RB
Georgia

Class: Junior
Height: 5'9 Weight: 205
Hometown: Jennings, LA
Transfer: Florida > Georgia
2023 Rushing (Florida)
2023 Receiving (Florida)
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
11 131 753 5.7 68.5 8 21 172 1
Looking for a long shot Heisman? Georgia may have one at running back. The Bulldogs were busy in the offseason transfer portal. The one player who stood out was Trevor Etienne. The former Florida Gator averaged nearly six yards a carry in Gainesville. His impressive spring game stats, explosiveness and big play ability really caught they eye of the Bulldog faithful. He can also catch the ball. Trevor Etienne has a big time chance to put up big numbers for a big time program. It may be the element that Georgia needs to get back to claiming a national title.
 
Nico Iamaleava - QB
Tennessee

Class: Sophomore
Height: 6'6 Weight: 215
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
5 28 45 314 62.2 62.8 2 0 135.5 20 71 3
The Iamaleava hype train is charging full steam ahead. ESPN has tabbed the lanky 6'6 Nico as the top breakout candidate for 2024. The No. 1 overall high school prospect from California spent the 2023 season as a redshirt frosh behind Joe Milton until he got a chance to demonstrate his talents in the Citrus Bowl. The Tennessee win over Iowa, one of the best defenses in the country, saw Iamaleava earn MVP honors that day. Head Coach Josh Heupel has a proven offensive system that can be successful in different ways. It's been a while since Rocky Top had this much excitement behind center. Let the big dogs hunt. Nico has a brilliant future barking in the checkered end zone.
 
Jalon Daniels - QB
Kansas

Class: Junior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 220
Hometown: Lawndale, CA
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
3 56 75 705 74.7 235.0 5 1 173.0 27 74 0
 
DJ Uiagalelei - QB
Florida State

Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 255
Hometown: Inland Empire, CA
Transfer: Clemson > Oregon State > Florida State
2023 Passing (Oregon State)
2023 Rushing (Oregon State)
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 180 315 2638 57.1 219.8 21 7 145.1 68 219 6
 
Omarion Hampton - RB
North Carolina

Class: Junior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 220
Hometown: Clayton, NC
2023 Rushing
2023 Receiving
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
13 253 1504 5.9 115.7 15 29 222 0
 
Cameron Ward - QB
Miami FL

Class: Senior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 223
Hometown: West Columbia, TX
Transfer: Incarnate Word > Washington State > Miami FL
2023 Passing (Washington State)
2023 Rushing (Washington State)
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
12 324 486 3732 66.7 311.0 25 7 145.3 120 144 8
 
Riley Leonard - QB
Notre Dame

Class: Senior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 216
Hometown: Fairhope, AL
Transfer: Duke > Notre Dame
2023 Passing (Duke)
2023 Rushing (Duke)
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
7 95 165 1102 57.6 157.4 3 3 116.0 58 352 4
 
TreVeyon Henderson - RB
Ohio State

Class: Senior
Height: 5'10 Weight: 208
Hometown: Hopewell, VA
2023 Rushing
2023 Receiving
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
10 156 926 5.9 92.6 11 19 229 0
 
Quinshon Judkins - RB
Ohio State

Class: Junior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 219
Hometown: Pike Road, AL
Transfer: Ole Miss > Ohio State
2023 Rushing (Ole Miss)
2023 Receiving (Ole Miss)
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
13 271 1158 4.3 89.1 15 22 149 2
 
Donovan Edwards - RB
Michigan

Class: Senior
Height: 6'1 Weight: 210
Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI
2023 Rushing
2023 Receiving
GAMES PLAYED ATT YDS AVG YDS/GAME TD REC YDS TD
15 119 497 4.2 33.1 5 30 249 0
 
Conner Weigman - QB
Texas A&M

Class: Sophomore
Height: 6'3 Weight: 215
Hometown: Cypress, TX
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
4 82 119 979 68.9 244.8 8 2 156.8 12 63 2
 
Garrett Nussmeier - QB
Louisiana State

Class: Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 198
Hometown: Lake Charles, LA
2023 Passing
2023 Rushing
GAMES PLAYED CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/GAME TD INT EFFICIENCY ATT YDS TD
7 48 78 591 84.4 84.4 4 1 139.5 1 1 1