The Heisman Trophy is an annual award given to the most valuable player in college football for that season. While often times it does boil down to a popularity contest, this hasn’t been the case over the past few years. Every year projections are made, predicting the finalists for the Heisman Trophy, but there are often times players that sneak into the Heisman conversation later in the season. Here are ten dark horse candidates to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024.
10. Nickolas Martin: LB, Oklahoma State
Nickolas Martin led the Big12 conference in solo tackles in 2023 with 83. He also accumulated two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and six sacks. Entering his junior year in 2024, Martin is ready to up his game and cement himself as one of, if not the best linebacker in the nation. It is rare to see a defensive player in the Heisman conversation, but it is even more rare to see a gamebreaker like Martin left out.
9. Billy Bowman Jr.: DB, Oklahoma
Billy Bowman Jr. lead the FBS in interceptions returned for touchdowns with three on the year. For comparison, the only defensive player to date that has won the Heisman Trophy was Charles Woodson, and he never had a pick-six in his college career. Bowman had a total of six interceptions in 2023, and four other passes deflected. The Sooners will look to lean on Bowman more in 2023, and he may be the first defensive Heisman winner in over a decade
8. Ricardo Hallman: DB, Wisconsin
Ricardo Hallman tied Xavier Worthy for the most interceptions in 2023 with seven. One interception was returned for a touchdown. Hallman was a playmaker at corner in 2023, and scouting reports compliment his instincts, and awareness on the field. His season in 2023 was almost identical to Charles Woodson’s 1997 campaign; keep an eye out for Hallman to continue to ball out in 2024.
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7. Noah Fifita: QB, Arizona
Moving on from defensive players, the University of Arizona came out of nowhere in 2024 and was led by redshirt freshman quarterback Noah Fifita. Fifita threw for close to 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns as his first year as the starter; but he wasn’t even the stater for the full season. Now, with his only quarterback competition gone, Fifita is ready to build on his performance from last season. Even with the Arizona head coach leaving for the University of Washington; the Wildcats have their QB of the future to lead the team.
6. Quinshon Judkins: RB, Ohio State
One of the biggest transfers of the 2024 transfer portal has been former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins’ transfer to Ohio State. Judkins rushed for fifteen touchdowns in 2023, which made him a key focus of the Ole Miss Ground game. Now with an even better offensive unit to compliment his style of play, Judkins may be poised for a big season for the Buckeyes.
5. DJ Uiagalelei: QB, Florida State
DJ Uiagalelei was one of the most highly anticipated transfers of the 2024 season, and he has finally found his place with the Seminoles. Uiagalelei has been fairly consistent as a game managing quarterback for the past three seasons and has done just enough to get his team the win on multiple occasions. However, 2024 is the year for Uiagalelei to lay it all on the line. The Seminoles are out for blood this year in the ACC after the CFP snub in 2023. The man leading the charge is out to prove that he too can play at a high level, and the offense for Florida State is a forced to be reckoned with.
4. Preston Stone: QB, SMU
Yes, someone from the American Conference made the list. You won’t be surprised when you are done reading. In his first season as the starter, Preston Stone suffered a season ending injury preventing him from quarterbacking his team in the AAC Championship, and Fenway Bowl. SMU finished 2023 ranked 22nd in the final AP Poll, and Stone had a large part to play in that ranking. Stone threw for over 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns with a 60% completion percentage. He also accumulated four touchdowns on the ground in 2023. The SMU Mustangs have been trending upward as a team for over a decade and are looking to build on last year’s success. Expect Stone to have a breakout year for SMU, and sneak into the Heisman conversation late in the year.
3. Ollie Gordon: RB, Oklahoma State
Ollie Gordon led the nation in rushing yards in 2023 with 1,732 yards on the ground. He earned Big12 offensive player of the year honors, as well as an All-American nod. He finished seventh in Heisman voting but should have finished higher. Gordon rushed for 21 touchdowns in 2023, which was accompanied by 330 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. He did all this as a sophomore. Running backs typically produce more as they age in college, so expect Gordon to finish in the Heisman Trophy conversation this year.
2. Chris Lewis: WR, Troy
Chris Lewis was a big play threat for Troy in 2023 averaging 23 yards per reception; the most out of any other player in the country. This was accompanied by ten touchdowns on the year. Lewis will be entering his junior year and has big play potential written all over him. He can expect to play a larger role in the Troy offense in 2023, especially with the departure of leading receiver Jabre Barber to Texas A&M.
1. Cameron Ward: QB, Miami
Cameron Ward found himself in the Heisman conversation in 2023 when he was the quarterback for the Washington State Cougars; however after the first four weeks of the season the WSU play calling and defense completely fell apart, and Cam Ward’s success was overshadowed by the struggling Cougars. Regardless, Ward announced his commitment to the University of Miami, and will be joining a team in desperate need for a solid quarterback. Ward is expected to be the missing piece to the Miami offense, and he adds another element to hi game with the ability to extend plays and throw his receivers open. The 3,700 passing yards and 25 touchdowns that Ward accumulated in 2023 will be shattered now that he is in an offense that will capitalize on his strengths of throwing the ball deep own the field instead of forcing screen passes like during his time at WSU.
