Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty cemented his place in the history books on Friday night, becoming the first Broncos player to record over 100 rushing yards in eight consecutive appearances.
The 20-year-old surpassed the 1,500-yard mark for the season in a 149-yard effort against San Diego State. His two touchdowns took him to 20 for the campaign.
Jeanty, who also had an outstanding 2023, hopes to beat Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record of 2,628 yards in 1988, but he is 166 yards off the pace through eight games, largely because head coach Spencer Danielson has benched him towards the end of several one-sided encounters.
More time on the field would have increased Jeanty’s chances of surpassing Sanders and therefore having an even better case to win the Heisman Trophy. Instead, most online sportsbooks that allow users to bet on college football have the Jacksonville-born star installed as the fourth favourite behind Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cameron Ward, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter, and Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel.
No running back has won the Heisman since 2015 when Derrick Henry scooped the award. It is an accolade typically dominated by quarterbacks, and it will require a remarkable end to the season from Jeanty if he is to come out on top. He can be backed at +500 to receive the most votes – a significant drift from the +150 quotes from mid-October.
Ward is now the man to beat at the top after a 400-yard, five-touchdown effort saw Miami defeat the Duke Blue Devils 53-31. The former Washington State Cougar has 29 passing and three rushing touchdowns this year, which is an outstanding return and he is only getting better.
Hunter, who plays on both sides of the ball, is a close second favorite and put his case forward when appearing on Big Noon Kickoff on Saturday. “Nobody has ever done what I’ve been doing,” he said. “It’s pretty much that simple for me.
“I steal the game on defense. I steal the game on offense. Nobody has ever done that before, and it’s just pretty much easy for me. You see the game, it speaks for itself. For me, I just go out there and play and work hard every day.”
Gabriel was widely tipped for Heisman success during preseason. Having led the Ducks to a 9-0 start, the senior transfer from the Oklahoma Sooners remains in the mix for the most prestigious individual accolade in college football. Despite climbing to second place on the all-time NCAA passing leaders list, Gabriel is deemed to be behind Ward and Hunter in the race to be named the nation’s most outstanding player.
Jeanty is projected to be a mid-first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He is the only running back currently expected to be selected in round one, and a strong end to the season may see him climb further up the mock draft boards.
Boise State are odds-on to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament and to make the playoffs. Even Jeanty’s playmaking abilities are unlikely to be enough for them to win the National Championship, though. For that, they are huge underdogs at +10000.