Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.

Boise State star RB Ashton Jeanty declares for NFL draft

Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, announced Tuesday afternoon that he is declaring for the NFL draft.

Jeanty had one of top running back seasons of all time in 2024 by rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. The yardage is second most in a season behind legendary Barry Sanders, who rushed for 2,628 yards for Oklahoma State in 1988.

“The opportunity to play in the NFL is a dream of mine,” Jeanty said in his announcement on social media. “I’m proud to represent Boise State and all of those who have helped me along the way at the next level.”

Jeanty led Boise State to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals before the Broncos lost 31-14 to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jeanty rushed for more than 100 yards in each game this season and was known for his dazzling long runs and penchant for breaking tackles. He holds the school record of 4,769 rushing yards and completes his Boise State career with 50 rushing touchdowns.

Jeanty was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. In 2023, he won the award after rushing for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The junior is considered the top running back prospect in the draft and could possibly be selected among the top 10 picks.

Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter edged Jeanty for the Heisman Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter poses for a photo during a press conference before the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter wins Heisman Trophy

Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter was named winner of the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.

Hunter joins running back Rashaan Salaam in 1994 as the only Colorado players to win the Heisman.

Hunter has 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and ranks second nationally with 14 touchdown catches. On defense, he has four interceptions with 15 passes defensed and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year.

Hunter won the Bednarik Award as the nation’s top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award as the top receiver in the country.

Hunter is in his second and final season at Colorado as he has stated that he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft. He began his college career at Jackson State and transferred to the Buffaloes when Deion Sanders departed to become Colorado coach.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel were the other finalists.

Jeanty has rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, Ward has thrown for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns and Gabriel has completed 73.2 percent of his passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws a pass Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, during the Big Ten Championship game between the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Ducks defeated the Nittany Lions, 45-37.

Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward join Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty as Heisman finalists

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter have long been considered favorites for the 2024 edition of the Heisman Trophy. But some mystery had surrounded who would join them at the award ceremony in New York on Saturday.

On Monday evening, Heisman organizers put that speculation to rest by revealing that yes, Jeanty and Hunter are among the top vote-getters for college football’s most prestigious award, but also that quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami (Fla.) will be making the trip to New York, as well.

Hunter, the Buffaloes’ two-way star, has been the betting favorite for several weeks and will enter Saturday in the pole position after an All-Big 12 season at both cornerback and wide receiver. He was named Big 12 defensive player of the year after nabbing four interceptions and 11 pass breakups for the 9-3 Buffaloes.

He might have been even more impressive on offense, leading the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns while finishing second with 1,152 yards.

Not to be outdone, Jeanty has totaled an eye-popping 2,497 rushing yards this season, currently the fourth-highest single-season total ever. In helping to lead the Broncos to a College Football Playoff top-four berth, he remains within 131 yards of the NCAA record of 2,628 yards held by Barry Sanders, who won the Heisman in 1988.

Gabriel will join them in New York after piloting the Oregon Ducks to an undefeated record (including a victory over Jeanty’s Broncos) and the No. 1 ranking in the country.

Previously a standout at UCF and Oklahoma, Gabriel joined the Ducks this offseason and has proceeded to throw for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns while becoming the NCAA’s all-time leader in career touchdowns accounted for (187 — 153 passing, 33 rushing and one receiving).

Miami’s Ward has similar credentials, leading the nation in passing touchdowns with 36 while currently ranking second in passing yards (4,123) and touchdowns accounted for (41). Before Miami (10-2), Ward previously starred at Washington State and Incarnate Word.

–Field Level Media

Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images

Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 3 Boise State

No. 3 Boise State Broncos
12-1 (7-0 Mountain West regular season)

What’s next: First-round bye; vs. winner of No. 6 Penn State, No. 11 SMU, Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET

Head coach: Spencer Danielson (one-plus seasons, 15-2 overall)

About Danielson: The 36-year-old was an assistant coach for the Broncos and became interim coach last season when Andy Avalos was fired after a 5-5 start. Danielson impressed everybody while winning two regular-season games and the Mountain West championship game. He was named the new head coach in early December, and the team went to the LA Bowl, losing to UCLA. He was Mountain West Coach of the Year this season.

Resume
Boise State defeated a good Washington State squad 45-24 on a night in which Ashton Jeanty rushed for 259 yards and four touchdowns. The lone loss rates as a great one as the Broncos took now-No. 1 Oregon to the end of the contest before the Ducks kicked a winning field goal on the final play for a 37-34 win.

Postseason history
The Broncos will be making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff era. But they also own one of the most impressive upsets in major bowl history — that 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma in the 2006 season Fiesta Bowl that ended with the Statue of Liberty play and star running back Ian Johnson proposing to his cheerleader girlfriend after scoring the winning points.

The road to Atlanta
Yes, Boise State has some history at the Fiesta Bowl and won’t mind heading to Phoenix for the quarterfinals. Either Penn State or SMU will advance from a first-round matchup Dec. 21 to play the Broncos.

Names to know
RB Ashton Jeanty
Has put together one of the top running backs in season history with 2,497 yards — fourth-most in FBS history — to stand just 131 behind all-time leader Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State. The Heisman Trophy candidate has 29 rushing touchdowns, including 10 of 50 or more yards, making him a home-run hitter in the mold of college legends such as Marshall Faulk (San Diego State) and LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU).

“In regards to the Heisman, I ask all voters to please just watch the film, watch the stats. That will show you that he’s the best football player in the country,” Danielson on Jeanty.

QB Maddux Madsen
The presence of Jeanty means he doesn’t have to carry a team, which is perfect for his brand of efficient football — 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns, three interceptions.

DE Ahmed Hassanein
Ranks second on the Broncos in tackles for loss (12.5) and sacks (8.5). Has been a force over the past two seasons with 21 sacks.

S Seyi Oladipo
He was the Defensive MVP of the Mountain West Conference title game in which the Broncos won 21-7. His sprint to chase down UNLV’s Kylin James to tackle him at the Boise State 5-yard line after 86 yards was huge as the Rebels ended up not scoring on the possession.

TE Matt Lauter
Has a team-best six touchdown receptions while ranking second on the squad with 43 receptions and 523 yards. He’s more athletic than he looks.

–Field Level Media

Nov 29, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the first half against the Oregon State Beavers at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Ashton Jeanty, No. 10 Boise State expect challenge from No. 20 UNLV

Boise State might have the splashy superstar, but UNLV possesses the same task entering the Mountain West title game on Friday.

Just win the contest and punch your ticket into the College Football Playoff field.

The No. 20 Rebels will look to continue their road success when they visit record-setting Ashton Jeanty and the No. 10 Broncos in Boise.

UNLV (10-2) has won a school-record eight consecutive road games as it battles Boise State (11-1), which has won 10 straight games in a season for the first time since 2010 when Kellen Moore was the star.

The Broncos are projected to earn a first-round bye in the playoff field while UNLV is on the outside. Still, the Friday winner will earn the automatic spot, and a loss likely would knock Boise State out of the field.

“We win, we’re in,” Rebels coach Barry Odom said. “… You look at the world of college football right now, I believe there’s more excitement in the latter part of the season than there’s ever been before.”

The two schools met in last season’s Mountain West title game and Boise State rolled to a 44-20 win over the host Rebels.

The teams also met this season, in Las Vegas on Oct. 25, and the Broncos prevailed 29-24.

While Boise State’s sights are on the playoffs, objective No. 2 is improving Jeanty’s positioning in the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter is viewed as the favorite and Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders asserted that the race was over after his team’s 52-0 win over Oklahoma State last week.

Broncos coach Spencer Danielson vehemently disagrees.

“Ashton Jeanty is the best football player in the country,” Danielson said. “For me, if you’re one of the best players in the country, you play in the championship game.”

Colorado didn’t make the Big 12 title game and won’t be part of the playoff field.

Jeanty leads the nation with 2,288 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, with his yardage total ranking fifth in a season in FBS history. Legendary Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State holds the record of 2,628 yards (bowl game stats didn’t count at the time — Sanders had 222 in the Holiday Bowl for 2,850).

Jeanty, who was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season, rushed for 226 yards in Boise State’s 34-18 victory over Oregon State on Friday. It was his fifth 200-yard rushing performance of the season, and he has topped 125 in all 12 games.

Jeanty had 128 yards and one touchdown on 33 carries for a 3.9-yard average in the October meeting against the Rebels. UNLV is the only team to hold Jeanty under 4 yards per carry.

“He’s a tremendous player,” Odom said. “I think he’s the best player in college football, I said it the first time we played them. … He runs so hard, he can outrun you, he finishes going forward. All the great traits you want to see in a running back, unless you’re trying to tackle him.”

The Broncos average 40.6 points per game, but UNLV packs firepower of its own, putting up 38.7 per outing.

Star receiver Ricky White III has 75 receptions for 1,020 yards and 11 touchdowns, and he was selected the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. White leads the nation with four blocked punts.

Linebacker Jackson Woodard (114 tackles, four interceptions, 17 stops for loss) earned Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The Rebels concern Danielson. UNLV’s two losses came by a total of eight points — the tight contest against Boise State plus a 44-41 overtime loss to Syracuse.

“I think they have some of the best players around — a Top 25 matchup,” said Danielson, the Mountain West Coach of the Year. “Across the board, they’ve got a bunch of talent. They play well together. They’re very motivated and driven to win this game, just like us.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Travis Hunter (12) looks on during the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Travis Hunter putting vise grip on Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Trophy race appears to have been trimmed in half to a two-player race over the weekend, with Colorado’s Travis Hunter continuing to distance himself at the top.

The Buffaloes’ two-way star caught five passes in a commanding 49-24 win over Utah. That boosted Hunter’s season total to 74 receptions for 911 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with three interceptions as a lock-down corner.

Hunter emerged as the Heisman Trophy favorite for the first time last week at +130 at DraftKings, and he is now the odds-on favorite at -350. The Buffs travel to Kansas this weekend, then return home to close out the regular season against Oklahoma State before a potential date in the Big 12 championship game.

With Buffs coach Deion Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders seemingly prioritizing Hunter’s Heisman candidacy, it might not matter how many yards Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty racks up.

The junior now has 1,893 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground after rumbling for 159 and three scores in a 42-21 win over San Jose State. Jeanty is averaging 7.4 yards per carry, but still saw his Heisman odds lengthen from +300 to +380 this week.

Boise State closes the regular season with games at Wyoming and home against Oregon State, giving Jeanty two games to close the gap on Hunter before the Broncos potentially play in the Mountain West Conference championship.

The movement over the weekend was even more damaging to the prospects for the top two quarterbacks on the board. Cam Ward shifted from +800 to +1300 with Miami idle, while Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel slid from +330 all the way to +2500 with the Ducks escaping an upset bid by Wisconsin.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (via DraftKings)
PLAYER, TEAM, JULY ODDS, WEEK 1, LAST WEEK, CURRENT
Travis Hunter, Colorado, N/A, N/A, +130, -350
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, N/A/, N/A, +300, +380
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, +750, +800, +330, +2500
Cam Ward, Miami, +2200, +950, +800, +1300
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, N/A, N/A, +1500, +3000
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, +1500, +1100, +1800, +2800
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, +1400, +850, +2000, +4000
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, N/A, +2200, +4000, +7500
Quinn Ewers, Texas, +1000, +1400, +4000

Hunter extending the gap between himself and Jeanty came with DraftKings reporting 62 percent of all Heisman money wagered since Saturday has backed the Buffs’ star. Jeanty had drawn 25 percent, while Gabriel was at 6 percent and Ward at just 2 percent.

Meanwhile, BetMGM reported that Hunter and Jeanty are the book’s two biggest liabilities in the Heisman market. Hunter has been backed by 35.2 percent of all money wagered and 17.3 percent of all bets, with Jeanty drawing 11.3 and 9.9 percent, respectively.

–Field Level Media

Colorado's Travis Hunter runs after a catch against Texas Tech in a Big 12 football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Heisman Trophy Odds: Buffs’ Travis Hunter vaults into lead

The Heisman Trophy remains a four-player race, but there is yet another new leader among oddsmakers.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter took advantage of Miami’s first loss of the season to vault into the favorite seat for the first time this season. Hunter, who caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in addition to his regular duty as a shutdown corner in Colorado’s 41-27 win at Texas Tech on Saturday, is the +130 Heisman Trophy favorite at DraftKings.

Hunter has supplanted Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, who tumbled to +800 after Miami was upset at Georgia Tech. He is now also behind Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (+300) and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (+330).

Each of those three have spent at least two weeks as the favorite at different points during the season. They now all find themselves trying to chase down Hunter, who was a +2000 longshot just three weeks ago.

After two games in which he caught a combined five passes for 43 yards, Hunter has been heavily featured in the Buffaloes’ passing attack in wins over Cincinnati and Texas Tech. Saturday night’s nine catches came after Hunter torched the Bearcats for 153 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns ahead of Colorado’s bye week.

The Buffs host Utah on Saturday before traveling to Kansas, then return home to close out the regular season against Oklahoma State before a potential date in the Big 12 championship game.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (via DraftKings)
PLAYER, TEAM, JULY ODDS, WEEK 1, LAST WEEK, CURRENT
Travis Hunter, Colorado, N/A, N/A, +220, +130
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, N/A/, N/A, +500, +300
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, +750, +800, +290, +330
Cam Ward, Miami, +2200, +950, +200, +800
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, N/A, N/A, +2200, +1500
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, +1500, +1100, +5000, +1800
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, +1400, +850, +1600, +2000
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, N/A, +2200, +3500, +4000
Quinn Ewers, Texas, +1000, +1400, +6000, +4000

Milroe was the biggest mover of the week, with his rise from -5000 before Alabama’s rout at LSU representing the biggest positive odds delta of the week. Jeanty’s odds shortened -200 after rushing for 209 yards and three touchdowns in Boise State’s 28-21 win over Nevada.

Ward suffered the biggest drop among the contenders, seeing his odds lengthen by +600. Sanders’ lengthened +500 and Dart’s +400 despite leading both of their teams to key victories on Saturday.

The Heisman Trophy race has seen significant movement on a weekly basis throughout the season. Should No. 1 Oregon run the table undefeated in the Big Ten, it will likely be difficult for Hunter and Jeanty to hold off Gabriel, who has spent multiple stints atop the Heisman picture this season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Heisman Trophy Odds: Travis Hunter in hot pursuit as Cam Ward regains lead

Dillon Gabriel threw for 294 yards in a 21-point win on the road against the reigning national champions and dropped two spots in the Heisman Trophy odds race.

That speaks to how tight the competition is in what has boiled down to a four-player race in the first week of November.

Dillon, who regained his preseason status as the Heisman favorite at DraftKings just last week, saw his odds lengthen from +260 to +290 despite Oregon’s blowout win at Michigan. He dropped below Miami quarterback Cam Ward (+200) and Colorado’s dual-threat star Travis Hunter (+220) in the process.

For Ward, it’s his second stint atop the Heisman odds this season, following a short spell in September. He reclaimed the mantle after throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 53-31 win over Duke.

Meanwhile, Hunter was enjoying Colorado’s bye week. A +2000 longshot just two weeks ago, Hunter moved to +330 last week following a standout performance on ESPN and now has his shortest odds of the season ahead of Colorado’s trip to Texas Tech on Saturday.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (via DraftKings)
PLAYER, TEAM, JULY ODDS, WEEK 1, LAST WEEK, CURRENT
Cam Ward, Miami, +2200, +950, +270, +200
Travis Hunter, Colorado, N/A, N/A, +330, +220
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, +750, +800, +260, +290
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, N/A/, N/A, +400, +500
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, +1400, +850, +5000, +1600
Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, N/A, N/A, +7500, +2200
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, N/A, +2200, +4000, +3500
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, +1500, +1100, +5000, +5000
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, +2200, +3500, +6000, +6000
Quinn Ewers, Texas, +1000, +1400, +5000, +6000
Cade Klubnik, Clemson, N/A, N/A, +2000, +6000

Ashton Jeanty also saw his odds slip despite rushing for 149 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a win over San Diego State on Friday night. Boise State’s star running back had the shortest odds just two weeks ago, but saw those lengthen another 100 points to +500.

At least he’s still firmly in the race. That can’t be said for Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who fell from +3500 to +7500 after throwing three interceptions against Florida. The -4000 odds delta was the biggest among the remaining legitimate contenders, equaling that of Cade Klubnik, who plummeted from +2000 to +6000 following Clemson’s home loss to Louisville.

Meanwhile, Jaxson Dart vaulted himself at least back into the conversation. His six-touchdown performance in a rout over Arkansas moved Dart from +4000 to +1600.

–Field Level Media

Oct 12, 2024; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA;  Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) cuts through the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors defense for a touchdown during the first quarter at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-Imagn Images

No. 15 Boise State, ‘warrior’ Ashton Jeanty meet San Diego State

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will try to continue his push for the Heisman Trophy when the No. 15 Broncos host San Diego State in a Mountain West game on Friday evening.

Jeanty has rushed for a nation-leading 1,376 yards and is second in the country with 18 touchdowns while averaging 196.6 rushing yards across seven games for the Broncos (6-1, 3-0 Mountain West).

He’s more than halfway to the NCAA rushing record for a season (2,628), set by Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State in 1988. Boise State has five more games on its regular-season schedule, but could play as many as nine more if the Broncos qualify for the 12-team College Football Playoff.

“I did have high hopes for myself,” Jeanty said. “I had it in my mind that this was going to be a legendary season, but I didn’t know exactly how that was going to unravel.”

Jeanty most recently rushed for 128 yards on 33 carries in a 29-24 win at UNLV last Friday.

He lit up the Aztecs for 205 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 34-31 victory last season. That remained his best game until he ran for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-30 loss to Colorado State three weeks later.

Jeanty has since topped the 200-yard mark three more times this season.

“He’s just an absolute warrior,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said.

The Broncos have won five in a row overall and remain tied for first with Colorado State atop the conference standings. Boise State and Colorado State do not play this season.

In order to qualify for the CFP, the Broncos would need to finish as one of the five highest-ranked conference champions in the FBS.

With its latest win against UNLV, Boise State moved from No. 17 to No. 15, leapfrogging LSU and Kansas State.

“That UNLV team is legit,” said Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen, who threw for 209 yards and a touchdown. “That defense played hard and fast until the end. We talked all week about how it was going to be a heavyweight fight. Their only loss was to Syracuse in overtime. That game was going to be tough.”

The win in Las Vegas also made the Broncos bowl-eligible for the 27th straight year, the second-longest active streak in the nation behind Georgia (28).

The Aztecs (3-4, 2-0) are coming off a 29-26 loss to visiting Washington State on Saturday night, a team that the Broncos beat 45-24 on Sept. 28.

San Diego State took a 26-14 lead with 13:39 left in the fourth quarter but gave up the final 15 points.

“We can’t get lax with that lead,” San Diego State linebacker Tano Letuli said. “We need to play a full four quarters. Every play, every down, we can’t get lax and be complacent.”

San Diego State quarterback Danny O’Neil missed two drives against Washington State after sustaining an ankle injury. Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson filled in for O’Neil before he returned and led the Aztecs on a touchdown drive that pulled them within 14-12 late in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Dillon Gabriel regains Heisman Trophy lead as Travis Hunter soars

No one claimed winning a Heisman Trophy as a running back would be an easy task — or even necessarily a fair one.

Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown as the Broncos handed UNLV only its second loss of the season Friday night in Las Vegas. He now has racked up an FBS-leading 1,376 yards along with 18 touchdowns on the ground through seven games, but Jeanty didn’t just lose his perch as the Heisman Trophy candidate — he fell three spots at DraftKings.

While that may seem a massive slight, oddsmakers have swung back in favor of two quarterbacks at the helm of undefeated teams ranked in the top 5.

Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, who opened the season as the Heisman favorite, regained that title after throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the No. 1 Ducks’ 38-9 dismantling of No. 20 Illinois. He’s being offered at +260, slightly ahead of Miami’s Cam Ward (+270), who guided the No. 5 Hurricanes’ rout of rival Florida State on Saturday night.

Jeanty (+400) also fell behind Travis Hunter, who starred on both sides of the ball in primetime as Colorado handled Cincinnati 34-23. In addition to serving as a shutdown corner, Hunter caught nine passes for 153 yards and a pair of touchdowns. A +2000 longshot just this week, the performance helped Hunter rocket up to the third spot at +330.

As the calendar shifts to November, the Heisman Trophy is shaping up as a four-player race.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (via DraftKings)
PLAYER, TEAM, JULY ODDS, WEEK 1, LAST WEEK, CURRENT
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, +750, +800, +380, +260
Cam Ward, Miami, +2200, +950, +250, +270
Travis Hunter, Colorado, N/A, N/A, +2000, +330
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, N/A/, N/A, +220, +400
Cade Klubnik, Clemson, N/A, N/A, +1600, +2000
Carson Beck, Georgia, +800, +900, +2500, +3500
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, N/A, +2200, +5000, +4000
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, +1400, +850, +4000, +5000
Jalen Milroe, Alabama, +1500, +1100, +3000, +5000
Quinn Ewers, Texas, +1000, +1400, +7500, +5000
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU, +2200, +3500, +3000, +6000
Drew Allar, Penn State, N/A, N/A, +3500, +6000
Will Howard, Ohio State, +1500, +1600, +7500, +8000
Bryson Daily, Army, N/A, N/A, +7500, +9000

Hunter, whose odds were as short as +300 the first week of the month, saw those steadily after catching only three passes in a loss to Kansas State and two in a rout over Arizona. But his duel-threat capabilities were on full display to an ESPN audience on Saturday night.

Hunter’s +1670-point rise was second at DraftKings only behind that of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, whose odds delta trended up +2500. However, he’s still a +5000 longshot while Hunter is firmly in the thick of the Heisman picture. The book reported that Hunter leads all Heisman candidates with 31 percent of the money backing him since Saturday along with 20 percent of all bets.

Going in the opposite direction was LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who dropped from +3000 to +6000 and all but out of consideration following the Tigers’ second loss of the season. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik could only sit and watch his competition pull away during his bye week as he fell from +1600 to +2000.

Alabama scored a shutout win over Missouri, but that didn’t help previous Heisman frontrunner Jalen Milroe. The Crimson Tide quarterback saw his odds lengthen from +3000 to +5000.

–Field Level Media