On Saturday, sports journalists voted to decide the NCAA’s Heisman Trophy winner, awarded to the best player in college football that season. Four players were announced as finalists before the vote, Travis Hunter from the University of Colorado, Ashton Jeanty from Boise State University, Dillon Gabriel from the University of Oregon, and Cam Ward from the University of Miami.
Travis Hunter won the award with 2,231 total points, and Ashton Jeanty, the runner-up, received 2,017 total points. This vote tally makes it the smallest margin of victory for the Heisman Trophy since 2009. Many fans, particularly those of the Boise State Broncos, are frustrated with the result.
Those who believe Jeanty deserved the award cite Hunter’s absence in the Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff. Boise State won the Mountain West Championship in a resounding 21 – 7 victory against UNLV and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time in Broncos history. Ashton Jeanty also had an incredible season as Boise State’s star running back, rushing 2,497 yards and scoring 29 touchdowns.
Colorado’s wide receiver ran 1,152 receiving yards, scored 14 touchdowns, and played the cornerback position. Many praise Hunter’s two-way playing ability, which eventually led to him winning the Heisman Trophy.
This year marks the fifth time this century that a quarterback has not won the Heisman. The last time a quarterback didn’t win the Heisman was in 2015, when running back Derrick Henry won the award playing for the University of Alabama.
Despite not winning the award, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty has a chance to prove himself on the national stage in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on December 31st. Boise State will face Southern Methodist University or Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl.
