After the first week of college football, the race for the 2024 Heisman saw players move up and down regarding their stock to win the award.
The Big 12 conference has nine players looking to take home the most prestigious award in the sport.
Here is how those nine fared in Week 1, and what they are up against in Week 2:
Travis Hunter, Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, Colorado Buffaloes
Hunter played nearly the entire game for the Colorado Buffaloes. They picked up a win at home over North Dakota State. When he was not on the field for offense, he was playing defensive back for the Buffs.
Hunter made some incredible catches in the game, which resulted in 132 yards and three touchdowns. His teammate Jimmy Horn Jr. went for just under 200 in the game and a touchdown. It will be interesting to see how the Buffaloes come out in Week 2, as they take on a tough Nebraska squad.
Cam Rising, Quarterback, Utah Utes
The Utah Utes missed Rising last season. There is no doubt about that. He came back in Week 1 and looked great against Southern Utah.
He is likely going to get more than 15 attempts going forward, but against the Thunderbirds Rising was strong, with nearly 17 yards per completed pass. That is second in the country to Washington State’s John Mateer.
Utah will play a fun one this week, as they host the Baylor Bears.
Shedeur Sanders, Quarterback, Colorado Buffaloes
The Colorado signal caller tossed for 445 yards and four touchdowns in the team’s season-opening win over North Dakota State. He did have a turnover in the game but was only sacked once.
Coach Prime and his staff are hoping to keep him more upright this season and give him opportunities to create. The Buffaloes will face a tough task in Week 2 as they take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Avery Johnson, Quarterback, Kansas State Wildcats
The athletic quarterback was 14 of 21 passing for 153 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception in Week 1 against UT-Martin. Johnson did not get a ton of chances to use his legs, but when he did, he averaged 12.3 yards per game carry.
Will Howard left for Ohio State, but many around Manhattan feel Johnson’s skill set is better served for the 2024 squad. Kansas State will go on the road in Week 2 and take on the Tulane Green Wave.
Noah Fifita, Quarterback, Arizona Wildcats
Fifita heads into Week 2 with four touchdown passes already under his belt from the team’s Week 1 win over New Mexico. The signal-caller found his connection right away with receiver Tetairoa McMillan and went to him early and often.
Fifita should be able to put up pretty strong numbers all season with the style of play Arizona would like to play. The Wildcats have Northern Arizona this weekend and will face their toughest test in Week 3 at Kansas State.
Jalon Daniels, Quarterback, Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels was back and looked healthy in Week 1 when the Jayhawks took down Lindenwood, 48-3. Kansas will need him to be if they want to contend in the Big 12 standings. Daniels was 9 of 15 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown in the game. Daniels is also a big-time threat with his legs. He will use that weapon when he needs to. That time may come this weekend and the Jayhawks are on the road at Illinois is a Big Ten / Big 12 clash.
Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Arizona Wildcats
McMillan went for over 300 yards in Arizona’s win over New Mexico. His statistics were the best of any receiver in College Football for Week 1. His stock rose after the first week of the season. His issue will be, if he is catching the football over and over, Noah Fifita, another Heisman candidate will be getting it to him. McMillan had so many yards in the first game, he is already 74 yards ahead of second place in the country.
Arizona will take on Northern Arizona on Saturday.
KJ Jefferson, Quarterback, Central Florida Knights
Jefferson put up numbers similar to what Jalon Daniels did. The signal caller needed just 14 passing attempts to get 165 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception in the blowout win.
The Knights are going to get another game that should not challenge them too much in Week 2. Central Florida is at home against Sam Houston State.
Ollie Gordon, Running Back, Oklahoma State Cowboys
The best chance for a running back to win this award is Ollie Gordon from Oklahoma State. His Week 1 numbers were good, but finished 19th in College Football in rushing yards with 126. He also scored three touchdowns in the game.
His biggest running back competition may come from Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, who scored six touchdowns in Week 1. Oklahoma State will need to get Gordon the ball early and often, as they host Arkansas this weekend.