Heisman Watch 2024: Heisman Candidates Projections & Predictions
It’s never too early to start the Heisman watch. The chase for the Heisman Trophy — most coveted individual award in college football — is set to be one of the most competitive yet, as many of the Heisman candidates will go head-to-head during the regular season, thanks to conference realignment.
As the 2024-25 college football season nears, we’re breaking down the top Heisman Trophy candidates here, including their projections on PrizePicks for the CFBSZN. We’ll update this a few times throughout the season with the latest Heisman watch updates.
Ready to get in on the action? Head to PrizePicks to make your picks on the stats for this season’s top Heisman candidates, as well as dozens of other college football stars.
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Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
PrizePicks CFBSZN Projection: 3,399.5 Pass Yards
This will be Dillon Gabriel’s last chance at the Heisman Trophy, as he enters his sixth season (due to an injury in 2021), and he’s put himself in great position to do it with the transfer to Oregon from Oklahoma.
Gabriel already has seasons of 3,393 and 3,570 yards at Central Florida, followed by 2,925 and 3,660 yards in Oklahoma under his belt. He’s already top 10 in career passing yards and touchdowns in NCAA history. It's no wonder he has massive expectations this year at Oregon in Dan Lanning’s pass-heavy attack, as he’s the consensus preseason Heisman Trophy favorite.
That said, with Oregon’s transition to the Big 10, Gabriel is going to run into the toughest defenses he’s ever faced, with Ohio State, Michigan, and Wisconsin all on the schedule. There’s reason to believe he could struggle compared to years past, but he'll have every opportunity to put up huge numbers.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
PrizePicks CFBSZN Projection: 3,349.5 Pass Yards
Carson Beck ranked third in college football last year with 3,941 passing yards, but fell out of the Heisman Trophy contention as Georgia missed the College Football Playoff. After a year of experience with a consistently loaded Georgia roster, Beck should be in the conversation all year long.
While Gabriel has the advantage of a pass-first attack, Beck has the skill advantage, as he’s expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft next year. Plus, Georgia has consistently made the College Football Playoff, save for last season. Expect big numbers from Beck this year as Georgia attempts to return to the Championship.
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Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
PrizePicks CFBSZN Projection: 2,999.5 Pass Yards
Texas QB Quinn Ewers finished last season with 3,479 passing yards and 22 touchdowns in his first full season as the Longhorns starter. However, the same concerns for Gabriel ring true for Ewers, as Texas shifts to the SEC and has a stacked schedule ahead of it, especially compared to the competition Texas faced in the Big 12.
Ewers is a former No. 1 recruit before heading to Texas, but has already struggled with consistency at the college level. After a year as a full starter, he may be more settled in to deal with SEC defenses. With Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, and Michigan all on the Longhorns’ schedule, Ewers has more opportunity than anyone on this list to prove he deserves the Heisman trophy.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
PrizePicks CFBSZN Projection: 2,749.5 Pass Yards
Jalen Milroe is the only player on this list who finished in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy last year, though he finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. But 2024 could be his year, as he is the top returner from last year’s voting. And there’s a great case for Milroe.
Last year, there were a ton of questions around Milroe in Alabama coming into the season. This year, he’s unquestionably the guy in Tuscaloosa. New Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is arguably an upgrade specifically for Milroe, as he was the head coach for Michael Penix at Washington, and he knows how to get production from his QBs.
While Milroe’s a dog for the Heisman Trophy, he looks poised for a huge season in his second year under center for the Crimson Tide.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
PrizePicks CFBSZN Projection: 3,024.5 Pass Yards
The Ole Miss offense is incredibly explosive, and it’s led by quarterback Jaxson Dart. Of the quarterbacks on this list, Dart is certainly the lesser known, but also can put up the most explosive numbers, both in the pass game and on the ground.
Last year, Dart threw for 3,364 yards and 23 touchdowns with only five interceptions, adding another 391 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. It wasn’t enough for legitimate Heisman contention, as Dart stumbled against Alabama and Georgia, combining for only 356 passing yards and no passing touchdowns in those two games.
This year, if Dart is going to compete, he’s going to have to show out against one of the nation’s best defenses, and he’ll get the chance against LSU on Oct. 12 and Georgia on Nov. 9.
Other Top Heisman Trophy Candidates
Below are some longer shot candidates to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024. We’ll update these as the season progresses and new candidates emerge.
- Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
- Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
- Cameron Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
- Nico Iamaleave, QB, Tennessee
- Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas State
- Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
Make Your CFB Picks on PrizePicks
Think you know who’s going to win the Heisman and who’s going to disappoint in 2024? Head to PrizePicks to choose more or less on dozens of college football players’ season projections.
From Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart to Oklahoma State star RB Olie Gordon, you can find it on the PrizePicks board. Lock in your lineups before the season kicks off, then come back for the regular season board for every college football game in 2024-25.
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