2024 Heisman Watch: Jalen Milroe on top; Travis Hunter climbs leaderboard

College football fans were treated to one of the most memorable regular-season games in recent memory on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe entered the night trailing the likes of Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart on the early-season Heisman odds leaderboard, but following a breathtaking performance in a 41-34 win over Georgia, it’s Milroe who now owns the top spot in our 2024 Heisman Watch.

As special as Milroe’s performance was in Alabama’s win over Georgia, he wasn’t the only college football star to shine bright on Saturday. Colorado’s Travis Hunter jumped up the leaderboard following his impressive showing in the Buffaloes’ 48-21 win over UCF, while Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty stuffed the stat sheet in the Broncos’ 45-24 win over Washington State.

Here is a look at the current Heisman Trophy odds following a jam-packed Week 5.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama, +225

Alabama’s biggest star showed up on the biggest stage Saturday night. Milroe was outstanding in Alabama’s memorable win over Georgia, completing 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The dual-threat QB also rushed for a team-high 117 yards and two more scores on the ground in the victory. With his passing and rushing numbers, Milroe was responsible for 90% of the Crimson Tide’s offensive output on Saturday night. He also became the first player in FBS history with 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns against an AP top-five opponent.

Next: Milroe and the Crimson Tide travel to Vanderbilt to battle the Commodores on Oct. 5.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami (Fla.): +600

Ward entered the weekend with the best Heisman odds, but his odds dropped following an underwhelming showing from the Canes in a narrow 38-34 win over Virginia Tech on Friday night. The senior signal-caller completed 24 of 38 passes for 343 yards and four touchdowns, while also throwing a pair of interceptions. Ward has thrown for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in every game this season. If he can continue to put up those numbers and Miami keeps winning games, Ward should remain near the top of the leaderboard.

Next: Ward and the Hurricanes travel to Cal to take on the Golden Bears on Oct. 5.

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado: +750

FOX Sports college football writer Michael Cohen said it best: “After directly influencing the outcome of Saturday’s game on both sides of the ball — the only player in America who can make that claim on a weekly basis this season — it’s safe to say [Travis] Hunter deserves to be at the forefront of the Heisman conversation.”

Hunter put together a Heisman-worthy performance in Colorado’s dominant 48-21 win over UCF, hauling in a team-high nine catches for 88 yards and a touchdown on offense, while playing lockdown defense with two tackles and an interception. Following his diving interception midway through the third quarter, Hunter sprinted toward the end zone before stopping on a dime to make a Heisman Trophy pose.

Next: Hunter and the Buffaloes have a bye next weekend before going up against Kansas State on Oct. 12.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: +1000

Jeanty was a Heisman longshot heading into the weekend, but after rushing for a jaw-dropping 259 yards and four touchdowns in a dominant 45-24 win over previously unbeaten Washington State, the Broncos’ star running back skyrocketed up the leaderboard. Through four games, Jeanty has totaled 845 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Those are Heisman-worthy numbers.

Next: Jeanty and the Broncos travel to Utah State to take on the Aggies on Oct. 5.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon: +1300

Gabriel has played well up to this point this season, completing 84% of his passes for 1,194 yards and nine touchdowns. The reason why he hasn’t remained on top of this list has more to do with the outstanding play of others than it does with his own play.

In Saturday night’s Big Ten clash with UCLA, the senior QB threw for 280 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 23 yards on the ground.

Next: Gabriel and the Ducks host Michigan State on Oct. 4.

Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee: +1500

Iamaleava and the Vols had a bye this weekend after an impressive 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Week 4. Through four games this season, the talented redshirt freshman signal-caller is completing 69.3% of his passes for 892 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, while also adding 117 yards and a TD on the ground. Tennessee looks like one of the best teams in the nation through the first month of the season, and if this team keeps winning, Iamaleava’s Heisman stock will continue to rise.

Next: Iamaleava and the Volunteers travel to Arkansas to play the Razorbacks on Oct. 5.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: +1600

Dart entered the weekend with the second-best Heisman odds, but his stock took a massive hit following the Rebels’ 20-17 loss to unranked Kentucky. Dart finished with 261 yards passing and a touchdown, but after Ole Miss averaged 55 points in its four games this season, the Rebels found the end zone only once after an opening drive touchdown.

Next: Dart and the Rebels travel to South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks on Oct. 5.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: +2000

Ewers did not play this week after suffering an abdominal strain in the Longhorns’ 56-7 win over UTSA back in Week 3. Through three games, the Longhorns’ junior signal-caller has completed 73.4% of his passes for 691 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Arch Manning made his second career start in place of Ewers on Saturday. The talented redshirt freshman completed 26 of 31 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-13 victory over Mississippi State.

Next: Ewers and the Longhorns host Oklahoma on Oct. 12.

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