Incredibly, we are just two months away from the start of the 2024 college football season.
Maybe I just jinxed it, and the next two months will feel more like two years, but hey, the fact of the matter is the season is inching closer.
With the expansion of the new 12-team playoff field, the 2024 season has the potential to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Besides more teams than ever having a chance to win the national title, the race for the Heisman Trophy figures to be a juicy one as well.
Speaking of which, one of the most respected voices in all of college football – the great Phil Steele – just recently revealed his favorites to win the prestigious trophy…
According to Steele, the top contenders to win the Heisman are the following…
#1. Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
#2. Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
#3. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
#4. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
#5. Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
#6. Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
#7. Cam Ward, QB, Miami
#8. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
#8. Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
#10. Ollie Gordon, RB, Oklahoma State
Gabriel, entering his sixth college football season at 23 years old, transferred to Oregon after two impressive years at Oklahoma.
He steps into an offense crafted by head coach Dan Lanning, which previously propelled Bo Nix to a Heisman invite in last season.
We know the Ducks will be throwing the ball early and often and will be among the nation’s leaders in yards-per-game and points-per-game.
Gabriel will be at the center of all of that which means he is guaranteed to get plenty of attention from the voters.
Also, the infamous “east-coast-bias” figures to be negated to a degree since Oregon will be entering the Big Ten conference.
Steele is certainly entitled to his opinion – and it’s very much a respected one.
Most people consider either Georgia’s Carson Beck or Texas’ Quinn Ewers to be the Heisman favorite.
A name not mentioned by Steele that we all need to keep a very close eye on is Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Sure, there’s always been a slight stigma that has followed Lane Kiffin and the Rebels around. For the most part, they’ve always been solid – but almost always disappoint when it comes time to take on the big boys of the SEC.
However, Kiffin and Dart will have a chance to change that narrative this season.
The Rebs are absolutely loaded and enter the season with a legitimate chance to make a very real run at the national title.
If they are going to live up to the massive hype, Dart is going to have a whole lot to do with it.
The sole running back on Steele’s list, Ollie Gordon, is coming off a stellar season with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Gordon totaled 2,062 scrimmage yards and 22 touchdowns and could very well top those numbers this season.
While there are some who feel the Heisman Trophy has become a bit watered down in recent years, the fact of the matter is it’s still the most prestigious individual award in the sport.
While it certainly doesn’t guarantee NFL success, the legacy and honor that comes along with winning the Heisman lasts forever.
What are your thoughts on Steele’s Heisman favorites entering the season?
Who does he have ranked too high and too low?
What does YOUR personal Heisman ranking look like as we stand today?
At the end of the day, who do you think will end up winning the trophy???