Loopy however true stat: Six of the final eight Heisman Trophy winners have been transfers.
Because the NCAA switch portal formally launched through the 2018 season, it is develop into fairly frequent for extremely expert gamers (significantly quarterbacks) to depart one faculty for an additional and discover higher success at their new vacation spot.
Listed here are three present switch quarterbacks thought-about among the many favorites to win the 2024 Heisman.
Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
The Oklahoma switch completed final season on the prime of the Large 12 passing leaderboard with 3,660 yards and 30 touchdowns. Becoming a member of head coach Dan Lanning and an enhanced offense in Eugene, Ore. will set him up properly to enhance upon these numbers and make a severe case to be a Heisman finalist.
Gabriel can be at the moment eighth in all-time FBS passing yards and has a superb alternative this 12 months to succeed in the highest. He’ll want 4,358 passing yards this season to cross Case Keenum for first place.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers transferred to Texas from Ohio State in 2022 earlier than deciding to return with aspirations for an additional run on the nationwide championship after arising quick with the Longhorns within the 2023-24 School Soccer Playoff semifinals. He completed behind solely Oklahoma’s Dillon Gabriel in Large 12 passing yards and was fourth in touchdowns final season.
With Texas getting into its first 12 months within the SEC, Ewers ought to wield extra Heisman credibility if he can reproduce or enhance upon final 12 months’s numbers. In fact, threatening for the SEC title would not damage both.
Will Howard, Ohio State
Howard arrived in Columbus, Ohio, by means of Kansas State and formally took the reins at beginning quarterback upon the departure of final 12 months’s starter, Kyle McCord. Regardless of ending sixth within the Large 12 in passing yards final season, Howard was second in landing passes.
As is the case for the above-mentioned Gabriel’s scenario, Howard is inheriting a brand new offense — now run by former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly — that includes the likes of wideout Emeka Egbuka and operating again TreVeyon Henderson. Count on to see Howard in New York Metropolis for the Heisman ceremony in December.
Honorable Mentions:
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: Sanders — who transferred from Jackson State on the heels of his father, Deion, taking the Colorado head-coaching gig in 2023 — will solely have an actual shot on the Heisman if his offensive line can forestall a repeat of its FBS-leading sacks-allowed complete from final season and if dual-threat Travis Hunter can keep wholesome.
Cam Ward, Miami: The Washington State switch could possibly be a wild card within the Heisman dialog if the hype surrounding the Hurricanes interprets into really contending for a School Soccer Playoff spot.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame: Transferring from Duke normally would not insert a participant into the Heisman dialog however Leonard has a novel alternative to thrive and shock some voters if he can stat-pad throughout what must be a comparatively simple schedule for The Preventing Irish.
