NFL
By: Brock Vierra
With many teams starting their 2024 season this month, the Heisman conversation is ready for another year of intrigue, great play, and endless debate. There are many players that are starting to peek my interest when it comes to the Heisman race but these five men currently hold the top slots based on their projected production that stems from their 2023 play and roster construction since the end of the season.
The QBs dominate the top five as has been the trend with the Heisman award. However, I wanted to show the defense some love. I have three defenders on my watchlist and they are Michigan’s Will Johnson, Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts, and Colorado’s Travis Hunter. Before we begin, I would like to give honorable mentions to Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. I think those two gentlemen are set for a big year.
The Heisman Finalists
Winner: Jalen Milroe, Alabama. Milroe had a rough start to the 2023 season but put that all behind him once SEC play began. Going undefeated in conference play including an upset against Georgia in the SEC championship game, Milroe is slowly becoming the definition of a duel-threat QB. Milroe still has glaring holes in his game. He fails to be consistent as a passer, he has trouble throwing the ball into voids, he holds onto the ball for too long and his love for the deep ball has cost Bama on a variety of occasions.
However, there’s also a lot to love. Milroe had 3300 yards and 35 total touchdowns to 6 interceptions. Milroe had a signature performance against #14 LSU and future Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. He had 374 total yards including 155 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. He also had a signature moment in his last-second bomb to Isaiah Bond to win the Iron Bowl. Keep in mind that Alabama had the lead against Michigan in the fourth quarter of the Rose Bowl before the center forgot how to snap the ball. Under Kalen Deboar, who has turned around the careers of Jake Haener and Michael Penix Jr, Milroe will only grow as he caps off a Heisman campaign.
2. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
The 2023 unanimous All-American returns to Stillwater after a 1,732-yard rushing season with 22 total touchdowns. With his receiving yards, Gordon broke the 2,000-yard mark while Oklahoma State managed to overcome early season woes. Keep in mind that Gordon had 19 total carries in Oklahoma State’s first three games. One of college football’s most prolific running backs, Gordon looks to be poised for another big year in 2024.
Gordon finished the regular season with 8 games of over 100 yards in the Cowboys’ last nine games. He had over 100 yards in the Texas Bowl as well. With Alan Bowman returning, the Cowboys have a legit passing threat to take some of the attention off of Gordon.
3. Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee. One of the best high school quarterbacks I have ever seen, Iamaleava is not only the perfect quarterback for the Josh Heupel offense, he might be the best quarterback in the SEC. Despite his limited playing time, Iamaleava impressed during Tennessee’s bowl win over Iowa. He’s athletic, fundamentally sound, and a playmaker. He possesses incredible vision as a quarterback and ball carrier, dominates on QB runs, and fires the ball with accuracy and zip while displaying NFL-level pocket awareness.
He shows good patience, examining the field instead of being quick to run. He doesn’t force the action, he takes what the defense gives him and he makes throws on the run. He’s able to play under center, run the RPO, and the no-huddle. He reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert and with the knowledge he’s going to be the Vols’ starter, Iamaleava will make a massive jump this offseason.
4. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame. For the third time in four years, Notre Dame is relying on a transfer quarterback to guide them to success. Considering the successes of Jack Coan and Sam Hartman, Leonard comes into an even better situation than either of those QBs had with a better toolbelt. Notre Dame is a play-action merchant because they’re able to run the ball effectively. They have a very winnable schedule and a season opener against his old head coach, Leonard could have his Heisman moment in the season opener.
To make the situation even better, 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels’ offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is in South Bend, designing an offense that plays to Leonard’s athletic strengths. Leonard might be the best pure passer on this list.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State. In his two years in college football, Judkins has two 1000-yard seasons. Now he’s playing in the Big 10, a conference notorious for not being able to stop the run. Not only that, he’s playing at Ohio State and they don’t have a true answer to their quarterback situation. Thus Judkins will get his carries. I am not worried about TreVeyon Henderson taking carries away from Judkins. Henderson has yet to show he can play a full season and Judkins had some competition from Ulysses Bentley IV at Ole Miss. Judkins still dominated carries.
Judkins is taking his 2,500+ rushing yards to a team with a potentially better offensive line, a worse QB, and a schedule that is not built to stop him. Judkins could be the Buckeyes best running back since J.K. Dobbins.
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