The Heisman Trophy has predominantly develop into a quarterback-friendly award with 12 of the final 14 winners being passers.
In actual fact, solely 4 non-QBs have received the award since 2000 — operating again Reggie Bush (2005), RB Mark Ingram (2009), RB Derrick Henry (2015) and receiver DeVonta Smith (2020).
Whereas a signal-caller is prone to win the award in 2024, if a non-QB does win subsequent season, listed here are the 5 gamers with the most effective shot of doing so.
Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
2023 stats: 86 receptions, 1,212 yards, 9 touchdowns
With Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze all within the NFL, Burden is arguably the highest receiver in faculty soccer. He has Deebo Samuel-like versatility in that he can play each outdoors and within the slot, and he’s simply pretty much as good catching the ball over the center as he’s going deep. Burden has the explosiveness to take any catch to the home, and in flip, he must also be a excessive first-round decide subsequent yr.
Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
2023 stats: 131 carries, 753 yards, eight TDs
Etienne averaged 5.9 yards per carry over his two-year profession at Florida with 14 touchdowns, however for no matter purpose, he by no means fairly emerged because the featured again he was believed to be as a four-star recruit out of highschool. However getting a contemporary begin in Athens because the potential lead again on a nationwide championship-caliber staff might be simply what Etienne wants to seek out his motivation. With Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton each within the NFL, the chance is there for Etienne to have a star-making season with the Bulldogs in 2024.
Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
2023 stats: 285 carries, 1,732 yards, 21 TDs, 39 receptions, 330 yards, one TD
Gordon led the nation in speeding yards as a sophomore final season and ranked second in touchdowns. This yr, he might be even higher as a result of he received’t be relegated to a backup position for the primary three video games like he was in 2023. Gordon has dual-threat potential as a receiver out of the backfield, and his 6.1 yards per carry helped transfer the chains fairly often. It’s not unreasonable for Gordon to have a 2,000-yard season subsequent yr and put up a Henry- or Ingram-like Heisman marketing campaign.
Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
2023 stats: 5 passes defensed, three interceptions, 57 receptions, 721 yards, 5 TDs
Thought of by many as the highest participant within the NCAA, Hunter might be within the operating for the highest general decide subsequent season. Elite, two-way gamers are uncommon, and Hunter might be a first-rounder at each cornerback and receiver. His versatility units him aside from everybody else within the nation, and his game-breaking potential reminds a few of his head coach, Deion Sanders.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
2023 stats: 271 carries, 1,158 yards, 15 TDs, 22 receptions, 149 yards, two TDs
After two years at Ole Miss, Judkins took a big gamble and transferred to Ohio State, the place he’ll break up time with TreVeyon Henderson. However with a 1,500-yard season two years in the past, plus an 1,100-yard season final yr and a mixed 31 speeding touchdowns during the last two years, Judkins is gifted sufficient to take RB1 carries away from Henderson. If Judkins is the Buckeyes’ featured RB, he ought to be in Heisman competition all season.
