I’ve by no means been a participation trophy man, however the 2024 faculty soccer season has me tremendously conflicted on who ought to win the Heisman.
It looks like we have now a two-man race between Boise State celebrity operating again Ashton Jeanty and Colorado two-way phenom Travis Hunter. Each gamers are essential items of their workforce’s success. Each gamers are deserving and can obtain Heisman votes.
However there can solely be one participant that’s named faculty soccer’s most excellent.
On Sunday afternoon, the School Soccer Playoff choice committee will announce that the Boise State Broncos will seem within the playoffs. A significant piece of their success is Jeanty, whose 2,497 speeding yards and noteworthy stats are being in comparison with the legendary Barry Sanders.
Jeanty is simply 131 speeding yards shy of Sanders’ single-season file. It was a exceptional season, and the long run first-round NFL Draft choose was a significant element within the Broncos making the playoff this yr. His historic speeding tempo has had him within the Heisman dialog for months, however he’ll have to beat Boise State’s weak power of schedule to win the award.
Alternatively, you might have Hunter. Talking of the primary spherical of April’s NFL Draft, he tasks to be one of many first gamers chosen. He’s the school soccer model of Shohei Ohtani, having the ability to play each extensive receiver and cornerback on the identical time.
As vital as Jeanty was to the Broncos, Hunter was to the Buffaloes, particularly due to that potential to play a number of positions. Hunter joined Colorado with head coach Deion Sanders within the 2023 season. Bear in mind, the Buffaloes have been one of many worst groups in faculty soccer historical past when Coach Prime, Shedeur Sanders and Hunter arrived in Boulder.
On the finish of November, it appeared just like the ranked Buffaloes might have fought for a playoff berth of their very own earlier than being upset by Kansas. Regardless, it was an extremely spectacular season for a program seemingly on the rise, and a giant a part of that’s Hunter.
Offensively, Hunter caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added a speeding landing as effectively. Defensively, he had 4 interceptions. Evidently, when Hunter was on the sector, which was virtually all the time, it was an issue for opponents throughout America.
Hunter is -2500 to win the Heisman, an enormous favourite. Jeanty is +1000. It actually seems like barring one thing wild from the voters, Hunter will likely be named the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner.
All indicators point out that this would be the first time since 2020 {that a} non-quarterback will win the Heisman, when Alabama’s DeVonta Smith was named the perfect participant within the nation. Previous to that? Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015, adopted by Mark Ingram in 2009.
Hunter or Jeanty are set to make historical past, turning into the primary non-quarterback at a faculty aside from Alabama to win the Heisman since Reggie Bush in 2005. Each gamers deserve it.
That’s why for the primary time possibly ever, I discover myself wishing there was a participation trophy.
