Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward join Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty as Heisman finalists

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter have long been considered favorites for the 2024 edition of the Heisman Trophy. But some mystery had surrounded who would join them at the award ceremony in New York on Saturday.

On Monday evening, Heisman organizers put that speculation to rest by revealing that yes, Jeanty and Hunter are among the top vote-getters for college football’s most prestigious award, but also that quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami (Fla.) will be making the trip to New York, as well.

Congratulations to the 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists, @oregonfootball QB Dillon Gabriel, @CUBuffsFootball CB/WR Travis Hunter, @BroncoSportsFB RB Ashton Jeanty and @CanesFootball QB Cam Ward! #HeismanTrophy #MoreThanATrophy pic.twitter.com/ESmBdLSxWX

— The Heisman Trophy (@HeismanTrophy) December 9, 2024

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Hunter, the Buffaloes’ two-way star, has been the betting favorite for several weeks and will enter Saturday in the pole position after an All-Big 12 season at both cornerback and wide receiver. He was named Big 12 defensive player of the year after nabbing four interceptions and 11 pass breakups for the 9-3 Buffaloes.

He might have been even more impressive on offense, leading the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns while finishing second with 1,152 yards.

Not to be outdone, Jeanty has totaled an eye-popping 2,497 rushing yards this season, currently the fourth-highest single-season total ever. In helping to lead the Broncos to a College Football Playoff top-four berth, he remains within 131 yards of the NCAA record of 2,628 yards held by Barry Sanders, who won the Heisman in 1988.

Gabriel will join them in New York after piloting the Oregon Ducks to an undefeated record (including a victory over Jeanty’s Broncos) and the No. 1 ranking in the country.

Previously a standout at UCF and Oklahoma, Gabriel joined the Ducks this offseason and has proceeded to throw for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns while becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in career touchdowns accounted for (187 — 153 passing, 33 rushing and one receiving).

Miami’s Ward has similar credentials, leading the nation in passing touchdowns with 36 while currently ranking second in passing yards (4,123) and touchdowns accounted for (41). Before Miami (10-2), Ward previously starred at Washington State and Incarnate Word.

–Field Level Media

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NCAA DIVISION I CHAMPIONSHIP SECOND ROUND
Score:  No. 5 UC Davis 42, No. 12 Illinois State 10
Location: Davis, Calif. (UC Davis Health Stadium)
Records: UC Davis 11-2, Illinois State 10-4

The short story: Walter Payton Award finalist senior quarterback Miles Hastings became the first Aggie to collect over 4,000 passing yards in a single season, finishing today’s game with 403 passing yards, while a defensive performance that kept Illinois State out of the endzone after the opening drive led No. 5 UC Davis football to a commanding 42-10 victory in its NCAA Division I Championship Second Round match up.

Read more below:

UC Davis runs past Illinois State, advances To NCAA FCS Playoff Quarterfinals

Upcoming UC Davis Schedule

• FCS Playoffs: Saturday, December 14th @ South Dakota – 12 p.m PT

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