College Football Playoff 2024: Why Ashton Jeanty deserves Heisman, plus playoff predictions and impactful players
Realistically, the Heisman Trophy race is between two players, despite four being nominated for the award. Sorry, Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward, but it’s apparent one of Travis Hunter or Ashton Jeanty will hear their name called, cementing themselves in the most prestigious Rolodex college football has to offer.
They’re two great players with two great cases.
Hunter, regarded as the best overall player in college football and a likely top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, does it all. A WR/CB from Colorado, and the winner of the Biletnikoff Award (college football’s most outstanding receiver) and the Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year), Hunter amassed 1,380 total snaps this season, including 670 on offense, 686 on defense, and 24 on special teams. Football hasn’t seen someone of his caliber in quite some time. In fact, Chuck Bednarik is considered the last NFL player to play both offense and defense — from 1949 to 1962, Bednarik played center and linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jeanty, Boise State’s RB and the winner of the Maxwell Award (Player of the Year), was simply, utterly unstoppable all season long. Before the season, he predicted his breakout: He said he’d rush for 2,000 yards. Jeanty smashed that prediction with 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns on 344 rushes. It doesn’t matter how many teams game-planned for him; he still couldn’t be stopped.
Ashton Jeanty deserves the Heisman Trophy
The Heisman Trophy has largely evolved into an award dominated by quarterbacks. Since 2019, four of the last five recipients have been quarterbacks, with DeVonta Smith standing out as the lone exception after delivering a historic season in 2020.
This year marks a shift — a positive one. Essentially, the Heisman Trophy is meant to honor the most outstanding player in college football, regardless of their position. A player who was consistently the best player on the field and paved the path for their team to play in the post-season.
That’s Jeanty. Despite routinely facing 8-man boxes, he was uncontainable. He didn’t have any 30-something-yard games. No dud performances. He strictly shredded defenses, week in and week out.
If you’ve watched Boise State this season then you’d know it would not be in the College Football Playoff without Jeanty in the backfield. Each week, he astonished adoring crowds with his ability to effortlessly take any handoff to the house. His explosive play-making ability is the reason the Broncos were must-watch TV this season.
As the country watched Jeanty chase Barry Sanders’ all-time record — he needs just 131 yards to do so — he established himself as a powerhouse all season long. He earned recognition as the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week multiple times, set school numerous records and habitually made highlight plays.
Derrick Henry was the last RB to win the Heisman Trophy, which happened in 2015. The former Crimson Tide rushed for 2,219 and 28 TDs on 395 carries. Jeanty out-produced Henry in every category with 51 fewer carries. He also averaged 7.3 yards per carry to Henry’s 5.6.
Jeanty wasn’t facing SEC competition as Henry did. Though, it’s also important to mention that when Jeanty did play a team of that caliber, he was the same-old Jeanty.
In Boise State’s narrow 37-34 loss to the currently unbeaten Oregon Ducks, Jeanty had 25 carries for 192 yards and three touchdowns, including a 70-yard touchdown.
In any other year, Jeanty would be the runaway favorite. But the current prognosis is that Hunter will be the victor. His two-way stardom is rare. It’s fresh. It’s something we may not see again for a while.
With that said, that doesn’t mean Hunter deserves college football’s most coveted award over its most productive, impactful player.
The winner will be announced tonight, Saturday, December 14 at 8 p.m.
College Football Playoff bracket predictions
Championship weekend was befitting.
Georgia beat Texas in overtime for the SEC Title. Oregon beat Penn State in a shootout to claim the Big Ten Championship.
Arizona State and Boise State earned unthinkable yet rightful first-round byes with statement wins in the Big 12 and Mountain West championship games.
Selection Sunday locked in the bracket. And now, the season’s culmination is upon us: the 12-team playoff.
Will Oregon finish perfect this season? Can Ryan Day and James Franklin win in these big-time games? Will Arizona State or Boise State shock the world?
We’ll see. But here are my predictions.
First round
Texas 31, Clemson 21
Ohio State 24, Tennessee 21
Penn State 34, SMU 28
Notre Dame 38, Indiana 21
Quarterfinals
Texas 28, Arizona State 24
Oregon 31, Ohio State 27
Penn State 34, Boise State 31
Notre Dame 23, Georgia 21
Semifinals
Oregon 21, Texas 17
Notre Dame 31, Penn State 28
National title game
Oregon 27, Notre Dame 24
The 10 most impactful players in the CFB Playoff
1. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
After everything I’ve said above, is this a surprise to you? Jeanty is the best player in college football, and if Boise State wants a chance to compete, they’ll have to go to the rightful “HEI2MAN” early and often.
2. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
I’ll just go ahead and say this: Warren is my favorite player in the 2025 draft class. He’s been a breakout player this season, catching 88 passes for 1,062 yards and six touchdowns. He’s also scored four times on the ground.
Penn State lines up Warren all over the field, totaling six positions played this season. He’s caught, ran, threw, snapped, and even punted the football. He is one of college football’s most versatile players and a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.
3. Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State
Skattebo could’ve been a Heisman Trophy finalist and I don’t think many people would have batted an eye. He’s spearheaded the Sun Devils to a first-round bye.
On 263 carries, Skattebo totaled 1,568 yards and 19 touchdowns, including 506 receiving and three more touchdowns through the air. He broke out near the end of the season, and the highlights that ensued are jaw-dropping. He’s merely a freight train when he gets the ball in his hands.
4. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
A Heisman Trophy finalist, Gabriel has put together an incredible season. He came in as a transfer from Oklahoma and has led the Ducks to a Big Ten championship in their first year in the conference.
With his inclusion, it’s only right to mention Oregon’s receivers, who have been incredible all year long. Maybe he’s a product of them? Or they’re a product of him? Nevertheless, Dillon has had a reliable left hand all season long.
5. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith, a true freshman, has already become one of college football’s best receivers. He’s scored in nearly every game this season. From a pure talent perspective, Smith is undeniably great.
6. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
SMU is here for a reason, right? Jennings has been great all year. He’s not a better player than the other QBs in the playoff, but for his team, he’s as impactful as they come. He’s shined since he got his turn in SMU’s offense, thanks to his dynamic, dual-threat ability.
7. Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
When you watch Carter, you’ll see shades of Micah Parsons, a former Nittany Lion. The #11 Penn State jersey certainly adds to it, but Carter is just as dominant. He’s been the best player on what’s regarded as one of college football’s best defenses. The junior ended his regular season with 60 tackles and 10 sacks.
8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
Love has been a human highlight reel for the Irish this season. You may have seen his viral hurdle, in which he soared over a USC defender without breaking stride, gaining an extra 20 yards on the play. The sophomore has scored in every game this season and is considered an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy next season.
9. Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
Sampson had a record-setting season for Tennesee, leading the SEC in rushing yards (1,485), rushing yards per game (123.8), rushing touchdowns (22), and all-purpose yards (1,620).
Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
With 40 all-purpose touchdowns this season, Klubnik has been the key cog in the Clemson offense. Like Jennings, he’s a dual-threat QB who has grown throughout the season. Although, Klubnik has had some struggles against ranked opponents this season.