Way-Too-Early Heisman Trophy Candidates for 2024

Although the 2024 Heisman Trophy presentation is nearly a year away, it's already just about guaranteed that the award's prestigious spotlight will shine on a new recipient.

Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, the winners in 2022 and 2023, are expected and set to enter the NFL draft, respectively.

Still, the 2024 field already looks outstanding.

Before we start, I'll be straightforward: This has effectively become a quarterback award. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith won the Heisman in 2020, yes, and a non-QB generally is a finalist. Still, quarterbacks have accounted for 20 of the 24 honors since 2000.

The list is subject to change slightly, although we largely know the biggest names to expect in 2024.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

The hype around the Deion Sanders-led program has dwindled, but Travis Hunter is a legitimate star. He ended his CU debut with 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, also notching 30 tackles and three interceptions despite not playing in three games.

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State

Early in the season, Ollie Gordon II held a backup role. He'd managed 19 carries through three weeks. From there, though, he exploded onto the national radar and ended the season with an FBS-leading 1,732 rushing yards. He also caught 39 passes for 330 yards and a score. Gordon's 21 rushing touchdowns trailed only Michigan's Blake Corum.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

This one comes with a significant asterisk. Quinshon Judkins, a two-year star at Ole Miss, has transferred to Ohio State. If he's the featured back, he deserves a mention. If he's splitting snaps with TreVeyon Henderson—who could pursue the NFL—the Buckeyes would have an absurdly talented backfield that probably doesn't win awards.

Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia

At least mention him, right? The brother of former Clemson star Travis Etienne, Trevor Etienne spent his first two years at Florida. He scampered for 700-plus yards at 5.7 per carry or better in both seasons. Etienne has since transferred to Georgia, where his upside is that of a featured ball-carrier on a championship-worthy team.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

After winning the national championship, J.J. McCarthy has plenty of reason to chase the next stage of his football career.

Now, he's not a consensus top prospect. Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department ranked him 99th on the latest big board, for example. The value of a quarterback is immense, though, and it's easy to believe there are teams considering McCarthy as a first-round pick.

Will that be enough to lead him to the NFL? The answer may even hinge on whether Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stays in Ann Arbor or takes an NFL job.

Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma

Dillon Gabriel's departure has ushered in the inevitable Jackson Arnold era. After starting for the Sooners in the Alamo Bowl, he'll take the full-time reins in 2024. Arnold, a top-10 overall prospect in the 2023 cycle, will lead OU into its first season as a member of the SEC.

Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee

Speaking of Oklahoma and the SEC, the Sooners host Tennessee in mid-September next season. Nico Iamaleava, like Arnold, was a 5-star talent who landed his first official start as a true freshman in bowl season. Iamaleava accounted for 178 yards and four touchdowns in the Citrus Bowl victory over Iowa, kicking off an early hype train for 2024.

More to Know

Daniels' replacement at LSU likely will be Garrett Nussmeier, while USC's Miller Moss is the early front-runner to succeed Williams. Kansas State's Avery Johnson is an unlikely contender but deserves an early mention, along with the next quarterback at Michigan if McCarthy leaves.

The short version: Here's a list of quarterbacks on expected top teams.

We have longtime starters with Missouri's Brady Cook, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Utah's Cam Rising. There are second-year QBs in Arizona's Noah Fifita, Clemson's Cade Klubnik and Penn State's Drew Allar.

Kansas hopes to have a healthier Jalon Daniels next season.

Plus, among the seven Heisman winners since 2017, six have played quarterback. Five of those QBs transferred into the program in which they won the award, only excluding Alabama's Bryce Young.

Several notables who fit the above criteria in 2024: Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Florida State's DJ Uiagalelei, Notre Dame's Riley Leonard, Ohio State's Will Howard and Washington's Will Rogers.

Oh, and one more up next.

By the time his final college season is over, Dillon Gabriel may be the sport's all-time leader in touchdown passes. He needs 31 to surpass former Houston star Case Keenum.

Perhaps the left-hander will hoist a Heisman in the process.

Gabriel recorded two 3,500-yard, 29-touchdown seasons at UCF before an injury ended his 2021 campaign. He then transferred to Oklahoma, where he posted two 3,100-yard, 25-score campaigns. And now, Gabriel is headed out to Oregon as Bo Nix's replacement.

Gabriel, who is also a decent running threat, will be the catalyst of Oregon's shift from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten.

The consensus expectation was that Quinn Ewers would return to Texas, and he recently made the news official.

Keep that hype train rolling, my friends.

After a shoulder injury derailed his 2022 campaign, Ewers guided the Longhorns to a Big 12 crown and College Football Playoff appearance in 2023. He threw for 3,479 yards and 22 touchdowns to six interceptions.

Ewers, like Gabriel for Oregon's move to the Big Ten, is the headliner of Texas joining the SEC. The challenge for Ewers is that Texas will be replacing top running back Jonathon Brooks, key receivers Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders.

Jalen Milroe holds the fascinating honor of being the quarterback who closed the Nick Saban era and opened the new one.

No matter who succeeds the legendary coach in Tuscaloosa, he'll have an intriguing quarterback. Milroe struggled early in 2022 but recovered from a mini-benching to propel the Crimson Tide's ascent to a conference title and controversial CFP berth.

Milroe's mobility became a key component of Alabama's success; he threw for 2,834 yards, rushed for 531 and totaled 35 scores.

Specific expectations for Milroe in 2024 will evolve based on the structure of Bama's post-Saban coaching staff. The preseason hype, however, is destined to include Milroe.

Carson Beck quietly excelled in 2023.

Because he didn't rack up gaudy numbers right away, Beck never crested the fringe of the Heisman Trophy conversation. Georgia steadily rolled to 12-0 as Beck secured second-team All-SEC recognition, only falling to Milroe and Alabama in a tight SEC Championship Game.

For the season, Beck posted a 72.4 completion rate with 3,941 yards (at 9.5 per attempt) and 24 touchdowns to six interceptions. He added 117 yards and four scores on the ground.

Georgia should be a national power yet again in 2024, and the Dawgs will have plenty of talent surrounding Beck. He's an ideal Heisman candidate in a prime situation.