REPORT: Crimson Tide’s 4-star rated star becomes Heisman trophy favorite after Week 5 performances

Saturday showcased the best game of the 2024 season so far, an instant classic between Alabama and Georgia. Jalen Milroe was already a strong Heisman contender, but new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer had yet to fully tap into his potential. Apart from a shaky start against USF (which Alabama won 42-16), the team hadn’t faced much difficulty.

That changed against Georgia, a fellow SEC rival and national championship contender. Alabama surged to a 30-7 lead in the second quarter, but the game turned into a shootout as Carson Beck led Georgia’s comeback. Both teams exchanged big plays until Milroe’s incredible 75-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Williams secured the victory.

Milroe now sits atop the Heisman odds, though the race remains wide open. He faces stiff competition from Travis Hunter’s remarkable two-way performance, Ashton Jeanty’s record-setting rushing season, and Cam Ward’s impressive run at Miami, among others. The Heisman trophy is still up for grabs.

1. Travis Hunter — WR/CB, Colorado (Last week: 2)

In Week 5, Travis Hunter’s performance in Colorado’s 48-21 win over UCF included 9 receptions for 89 yards and 1 touchdown, along with 2 total tackles, 1 interception, and 1 pass deflection. For the season, Hunter has 46 receptions for 561 yards (12.2 yards per reception) and 6 touchdowns, along with 16 total tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble.

Despite 89 yards and a touchdown being his lowest offensive output so far, Hunter still led Colorado in receptions and was second in receiving yards. He also made a significant defensive impact by intercepting a pass from KJ Jefferson, showcasing his elite instincts. Hunter’s performance spearheaded the best overall effort under Coach Prime, as the Buffaloes handed UCF its first loss of the season. This game reinforced Colorado’s potential and bolstered Hunter’s Heisman candidacy.

TRAVIS HUNTER HITS THE HEISMAN POSE AFTER THE INTERCEPTION 🏆👀@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/Qc9W0pzJbM

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

2. Jalen Milroe — QB, Alabama (Last week: 5)

In Week 5, Jalen Milroe led Alabama to a 41-24 victory over Georgia, completing 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while adding 117 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 carries. For the season, Milroe has completed 62 of 85 passes (72.9%) for 964 yards (11.3 yards per attempt), 10 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He has also rushed for 273 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns on 52 carries.

Alabama’s win over Georgia was a defining moment for Milroe, marking the best performance of his college career so far. In his first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Milroe has elevated his play, consistently recording at least two passing and two rushing touchdowns per game. He’s on track for 3,700 all-purpose yards

3. Cam Ward — QB, Miami (Last week: 1)

In Week 5, Cam Ward led Miami to a 38-34 win over Virginia Tech, completing 24 of 38 passes for 343 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while rushing for 57 yards and 1 touchdown on 10 carries. For the season, Ward has completed 113 of 161 passes (70.2%) for 1,782 yards (11.1 yards per attempt), 18 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, along with 146 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 22 carries.

Despite this being Ward’s most inconsistent performance of the season, he still accounted for five total touchdowns in Miami’s controversial win. After the game, Ward confidently declared himself the nation’s best player. Currently ranked third among quarterbacks in Pro Football Focus’ position grades and second as a passer, Ward and the Hurricanes will look to move past the Virginia Tech game as they head to Berkeley for a College GameDay showdown against Cal.

4. Ashton Jeanty — RB, Boise State (Last week: 4)

In Week 5, Ashton Jeanty dominated in Boise State’s 45-24 win over Washington State, rushing 20 times for 267 yards and 4 touchdowns, while adding 1 reception for 7 yards. For the season, Jeanty has accumulated 845 rushing yards on 82 carries (10.3 yards per attempt) with 13 touchdowns, along with 6 receptions for 19 yards.

Jeanty has firmly positioned himself among the top Heisman contenders after five weeks. His explosive performance against Washington State marked his second game with over 250 rushing yards this season and his third with at least three rushing touchdowns. Jeanty is on track to rush for 2,535 yards in the regular season, and if Boise State makes a deep postseason run, he could have a chance at reaching 3,000 rushing yards. Although Barry Sanders’ 1988 record of 2,628 rushing yards in just 11 games for Oklahoma State remains a monumental benchmark, Jeanty’s pursuit of that mark could solidify his case for the Heisman.

After his 4th TD of the day, Ashton Jeanty had to hit the Heisman pose 👀🏆

The @BroncoSportsFB RB is on another level this season 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZluJQfDQ6v

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 29, 2024

5. Jaxson Dart — QB, Ole Miss (Last week: 3)

In Week 5, Jaxson Dart and Ole Miss suffered a 20-17 loss to Kentucky, completing 18 of 27 passes for 261 yards and 1 touchdown, while rushing 13 times for 22 yards. For the season, Dart has thrown for 1,815 yards on 113 of 146 attempts (77.4%), averaging 12.4 yards per attempt, with 13 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He has also rushed for 112 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns on 36 carries.

Kentucky’s defense has proven tough for Heisman candidates this September, having previously restricted Carson Beck in a 13-12 loss to Georgia before handing Ole Miss its first defeat of the season. While Dart performed better than Beck, putting together a solid passing game, he struggled on the ground and was sacked four times. If Ole Miss can bounce back and remain in contention for the College Football Playoff, Dart has the potential to reestablish himself among the top Heisman contenders, as his raw passing statistics rank among the best in the nation. However, the loss to Kentucky poses a significant challenge for the Rebels as they face tougher competition moving forward.

6. Dillon Gabriel — QB, Oregon (Last week: 6)

In Week 5, Dillon Gabriel led Oregon to a 34-13 victory at UCLA, completing 31 of 41 passes for 278 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while adding 23 rushing yards on 3 carries. For the season, Gabriel has thrown for 1,192 yards on 110 of 135 attempts (81.5%), averaging 8.8 yards per attempt with 9 touchdowns, and has rushed for 49 yards (2.3 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns on 21 carries.

Gabriel delivered a strong performance against a UCLA team that struggled to keep pace. Oregon’s offensive line has shown significant improvement after a rocky start, allowing Gabriel to remain unscathed with no sacks taken in the last two games. This Saturday’s matchup against Michigan State will provide a solid challenge for Gabriel and his revamped offensive line, as the Spartans rank 15th nationally in sack percentage. The game will also mark Oregon’s first home contest against one of its new Big Ten conference opponents.

7. Shedeur Sanders — QB, Colorado (Last week: 7)

In Week 5, Shedeur Sanders led Colorado to a 48-21 victory at UCF, completing 28 of 35 passes for a season-high 290 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception, while rushing for 15 yards on 5 carries. For the season, Sanders has completed 138 of 197 passes (70.1%) for 1,630 yards (8.3 yards per attempt), with 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He has also carried the ball 40 times for 25 yards (0.6 yards per carry) and 1 touchdown.

Sanders achieved an impressive completion rate of 80% against UCF and threw three touchdown passes for the third time this season. The Buffaloes have shown improvement in their running game recently, with their makeshift running back unit generating 128 yards and two touchdowns at an average of 4.4 yards per carry. Despite having his second-lowest number of pass attempts this season, Sanders continued to make a significant impact. He is currently ranked fourth in Pro Football Focus’ quarterback grades, trailing only Jaxson Dart, Cam Ward, and Navy’s run-first quarterback Blake Horvath.