Boise State Broncos ON SI

Ashton Jeanty places second in Heisman Trophy voting

Colorado’s Travis Hunter becomes first two-way Heisman winner since Charles Woodson 

Bob Lundeberg

From left, Heisman Trophy finalists Dillon Gabriel, Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty and Cam Ward.
From left, Heisman Trophy finalists Dillon Gabriel, Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty and Cam Ward. / Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty will have to settle for second.

And a chance to win the national title. 

Saturday night in New York City, Colorado’s Travis Hunter received the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Jeanty, Boise State’s record-setting running back, finished just behind Hunter in the two-man race.

Hunter earned 552 first-place votes and finished with 2,231 points. Jeanty got 309 first-place votes and tallied 2,017 points. It was the smallest margin of victory since 2009.

Hunter, a junior, is the first two-way player to win the Heisman since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997. Hunter has 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns with four interceptions on defense this season.

Jeanty was vying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015. 

The nation’s leader in most rushing categories, Jeanty has 344 carries for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 215-pound junior ranks fourth on the FBS all-time single-season rushing list, trailing only Oklahoma State’s Barry Sanders (2,628 yards, 1988 season), Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon (2,587, 2014) and UCF’s Kevin Smith (2,567, 2007).

Jeanty needs 132 rushing yards in the College Football Playoff to break Sanders’ record. The Broncos (12-1), seeded third by the CFP selection committee, will take on the winner of a first-round matchup between No. 6 Penn State (11-2) and No. 11 SMU (11-2) in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31.

The 23rd-ranked Buffaloes (9-3) did not make the College Football Playoff and will meet No. 17 BYU (10-2) in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Hunter said he will play in the Alamo Bowl. 

Jeanty is the second Heisman finalist in Boise State history, joining legendary quarterback Kellen Moore. Moore placed fourth in the 2010 Heisman voting behind Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck and Oregon running back LaMichael James.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a sixth-year senior, placed third in the voting. Gabriel has completed 297 of 406 passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns for the top-ranked Ducks (13-0), who will play the winner of a first-round CFP game between No. 8 Ohio State (10-2) and No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) in the Rose Bowl.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward finished fourth in the voting. The fifth-year senior has completed 293 of 435 passes for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns while running for four scores.

Here are the top 10 finishers in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting: 

1. Travis Hunter, Colorado, wide receiver/cornerback 

2. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, running back 

3. Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, quarterback

4. Cam Ward, Miami, quarterback

5. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State, running back

6. Bryson Daily, Army, quarterback 

7. Tyler Warren, Penn State, tight end

8. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, quarterback

9. Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, quarterback

10. Kyle McCord, Syracuse, quarterback 

Heisman ceremony live updates recap

Heisman winner: Travis Hunter is your 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. Congrats to Hunter, a deserving winner. He wasn’t the best player in college football this year, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Jeanty would rather win a national title, anyway. 

Final segment: Chris Fowler says the Heisman Trophy will be awarded after the next commercial break. I will give ESPN credit, the Worldwide Leader can stretch things out with the best of them. 

Hunter show: As expected, Hunter gets the longest segment. Hunter is a phenomenal player, but he’s not the best wide receiver or cornerback in the country. Jeanty is one of the best running backs in college football history. Jeanty led his team to the College Football Playoff. Hunter led his team to the Alamo Bowl. In my opinion, Jeanty should win the Heisman. But he probably won’t. 

Hunter segment: It appears ESPN is doing the feature segments in the predicted order of finish. Ward and Gabriel went first, then Jeanty, and Hunter will likely get the longest segment before the Heisman is handed out. 

BSU head coach Spencer Danielson: “Ashton Jeanty is uncommon. He’s built different.”

Jeanty: “I knew that I would be here sitting in front of you guys. It's been a blessing to have this opportunity, and it all comes from the hard work I put in every single day.”

Jeanty upbringing: Jeanty was clearly raised properly by his parents. Commitment and loyalty are important to the Jeantys. 

Jeanty segment: First off, Jeanty was an objectively adorable kid. Unlike his fellow Heisman finalists, Jeanty turned down massive NIL money to stay at his original school. He said his favorite run of the season was a long touchdown run against Washington State. 

Jeanty segment coming up: Jeanty will finally be featured in the third segment. 

The transfer Heisman: Gabriel and Ward are both at their third school and reportedly received huge paydays to transfer last offseason. Hunter is at his second school. Jeanty has only played for Boise State. If I were a Heisman voter, I’d likely take that under consideration. 

Running back recognition: 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne is in the house. Dayne ran for 2,034 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. Jeanty surpassed Dayne’s rushing total back in November. 

Jeanty speaks: When asked by Tim Tebow about where his confidence comes from, Jeanty said “I’ve been an underdog for the majority of my career. I’ve had to believe in myself when nobody else has.”

Jeanty takes the stage: Ashton Jeanty receives the biggest applause from the audience. 

Heisman returnees: Twenty-four former Heisman Trophy winners are on stage tonight, including Cam Newton, who is sporting a custom Heisman cowboy hat. 

Wardrobe selection: I am no fashion expert, but Travis Hunter’s fit is … something. 

Underway: The ESPN telecast has finally begun!

Live from New York: We are just about to get going in New York. Will Ashton Jeanty pull the upset? We’ll find out in the next hour.  

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Bob Lundeberg
BOB LUNDEBERG

Bob Lundeberg is a reporter for Boise State Broncos On SI. An Oregon State graduate, Bob has lived in Idaho since 2019 and is an avid hiker and golfer.

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