Tag: Heisman trophy

Could an Oklahoma Sooners transfer target be a Heisman contender in 2025?

One of Oklahoma’s transfer targets could be a Heisman contender in 2025 according to USA TODAY Sports.

After Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter edged Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for the 2024 [autotag]Heisman Trophy[/autotag], some already have their eyes on the next recipient of the award.

The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to the coveted trophy; seven OU players have won the Heisman. Running backs [autotag]Billy Vessels[/autotag], [autotag]Steve Owens[/autotag] and [autotag]Billy Sims[/autotag] won in the 20th century. Quarterbacks [autotag]Jason White[/autotag], [autotag]Sam Bradford[/autotag], [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] and [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag] are OU’s 21st century winners. autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag], [autotag]Adrian Peterson[/autotag] and [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag] finished as runners-up for the prestigious award.

But looking ahead, could the 2025 winner of the Heisman Trophy be wearing a Sooner uniform?

The answer could be found via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag]. In fact, USA TODAY Sports already has a list of potential Heisman candidates for 2025, identifying 11 players.

One of those players was former Washington State quarterback John Mateer. He has entered the transfer portal and will be one of the top quarterbacks available. He’s expected to be at the top of Oklahoma’s wish list at the position.

That’s because Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator [autotag]Ben Arbuckle[/autotag] coached Mateer to an excellent season in Pullman in 2024. With Arbuckle in Norman, the Sooners could have an inside track to landing the native Texan.

Mateer’s former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle recently took the same job at Oklahoma and would be an obvious potential landing spot if he decides to enter the transfer portal, although he may very well be a Heisman contender regardless of what school he plays for next year. – Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Sports

Mateer signing with OU would be massive for the program. The Sooners struggled at the quarterback position all year, and he would be an upgrade at the position.

Furthermore, he already knows Arbuckle’s offense, so there would be much less of a learning curve for him under center.

Mateer is expected to have plenty of other suitors, so the Sooners will have to pay up if they want to bring him to Norman.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.

LSU football QB Garrett Nussmeier among early 2025 Heisman Trophy favorites

Can LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier win the Heisman in 2025?

Colorado’s Travis Hunter Jr. won the 2024 Heisman Trophy. He, along with the other three finalists, are expected to declare for the NFL Draft when the season wraps up.

With the offseason in full swing, from playoff games to the transfer portal, early contenders for the 2025 award are emerging.

According to USA TODAY’s Austin Curtwright, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.

The quarterback recently announced his intentions to don the purple and gold once again next fall.

“Nussmeier proved he can absolutely sling the football in 2024,” Curtwright wrote.

Nussmeier wouldn’t be the first fifth-year quarterback to win the Heisman at LSU — Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels followed similar paths before taking home the trophy in year five.

Quarterbacks also mentioned in multiple projections are Texas’ Arch Manning, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, and Tennessee’s Nico Imamleava.

Head coach Brian Kelly said Nussmeier is arguably the best quarterback in the conference and nationally returning for next season.

The Tigers made a conceited effort to bring in other weapons to surround Nussmeier, demonstrated through portal acquisitions of two receivers and a tight end.

Panthers HC Dave Canales is asked about Heisman winner Travis Hunter and his 2-way prospects in the NFL

Panthers HC Dave Canales on Travis Hunter’s two-way abilities in the NFL: ‘A good problem to talk through for any team to get a player of that caliber.’

The Carolina Panthers could certainly use another talented wide receiver heading into 2025. They could also use another lockdown cornerback.

But what if they could get both this offseason, and in just one player?

While cleaning up Sunday’s 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday afternoon, head coach Dave Canales gave his thoughts on Saturday night’s star—University of Colorado standout Travis Hunter. Hunter, who plays both wide receiver and cornerback for the Buffaloes, was named this year’s winner of the Heisman Trophy.

Canales was asked about the potential of Hunter continuing his two-way ways into the pros.

“I think about Deion Sanders,” he replied. “He had his way to do it. Coach Prime. And so, he’s kinda right there with somebody who can mentor him through some of that.

“And I think it would be a challenge. I think it would be a good challenge, a good problem to talk through for any team to get a player of that caliber.”

Canales’ 3-11 Panthers may very well be that team. Entering tonight’s doubleheader, which features the 2-11 Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina is currently in the fifth overall position of the 2025 NFL draft.

Hunter, who could be selected behind at least one of two quarterbacks (including his own), should be projected to go anywhere from the first overall pick to the third.

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Danny Wuerffel discusses his foundation, offers advice to future NFL stars

Danny Wuerffel discusses his foundation, offers advice to future NFL stars w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to retired NFL quarterback and Heisman Award winner Danny Wuerffel.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Wuerffel discussed his inspiration for ‘The Wuerffel Foundation’s The Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition at Life Time Pickleball NYC gathered past winners for a good cause. He also shared advice to today’s college football stars heading into bowl season and potential careers in the NFL.  

“Well, during COVID, I started playing with my son to have something to do, and I’ve fallen in love with the sport,” Wuerffel explained. “I play a lot and enjoy it, but I’ve also been leveraging this sport of pickleball to support our work at the foundation. This event came together in a really fun way in New York City with the Heisman guys here. So we got a bunch of Heisman guys out playing and having fans jump in and hit some balls with us, and just a really fun, exciting way to gather and celebrate and, you know, raise money for a good cause.”

Wuerffel recruited fellow Heisman award winners Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Eric Crouch, Charlie Ward, and Johnny Rodgers, along with pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey, for the event. His foundation’s mission is to inspire greater service and unity in communities.

“We’re a very blessed group, and to come back to this group every year to celebrate in New York has been fantastic. And then to add this pickleball event. A lot of the guys play and enjoy it,” said Wuerffel. “So this gives us an opportunity to add one more fun event. We’re grateful to the Heisman Trust for helping support it and making it happen in a lifetime. Just really excited.”

After being drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 1997, Wuerffel played six years in the league with four teams, including the Green Bay Packers, the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. He shared some advice for the many college players ending their collegiate careers over the next month with hopes of making it to the NFL.

“I mean, enjoy it. It’s a really unique time. Everybody’s usually dreamt their whole life of playing in the NFL, but there’s something special about college.” said Wuerffel. “Enjoy it. Finish strong, and I hope the guys stick and do the bowl games, and we have a great ending to a great college football season.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

DJ Lagway among Athlon’s way-too-early 2025 Heisman contenders

DJ Lagway is among the top candidates to contend for the 2025 Heisman Trophy according to Athlon Sports.

The 2025 college football season is still a long way away — after all, there are still plenty of bowl games and the CFP that need to be played before the end of the current campaign. However, that has not stopped some from looking ahead to what next fall has in store.

What has been decided already was the 2024 recipient of the Heisman Trophy, which went to Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter. The award represents the pinnacle of collegiate honors and is coveted by every person who plays the sport.

So who will bring home the bacon next season? Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassand published his way-too-early outlook on the prestigious award after the announcement and included Florida Gators quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag] among his frontrunners.

“Lagway’s move into the starting lineup was instrumental in Florida’s late-season improvement that included big-time wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State and also likely saved coach [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag]’s job after a 3-3 start,” Lassan notes. “The sophomore-to-be has enormous upside and talent that will only get better with more snaps in ’25.”

Athlon Sports Heisman Trophy frontrunners

Along with Lagway, quarterbacks Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers), Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns), Jalen Milroe (Alabama Crimson Tide), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks) also made the cut.

Running backs Jordan James (Oregon Ducks) and Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame Fighting Irish) were also included in the top tier along with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State Buckeyes) and Ryan Williams (Alabama).

Other Heisman predictions for Lagway

CBS Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer also included Lagway in his list of 14 players who have a strong possibility of winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

“Lagway has been as advertised as the top-ranked QB in the 2024 class and just earned 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team honors,” Brockermeyer wrote.

“He’s trending towards being a very high pick in two seasons if he continues to develop but until then he’s got the chance to be the face of a Florida turnaround and one of the best QBs in the country. The big-framed dual-threat QB has plenty of big-name teams on the docket next year to deliver a Heisman moment or two.”

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts repeats as AP First Team All-American

This kid is good.

If anyone needed a clear-cut example of who the leader of Notre Dame’s vaunted defense is, they have it now. For the second consecutive season, safety [autotag]Xavier Watts[/autotag] has been named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press. He and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado are the only holdovers from the previous season’s first team.

Although Watts’ five interceptions this season are fewer than the seven he had in 2023, he still leads all safeties in that category. The 12 he has in his collegiate career are the most for any Irish player since 1996.

He also has one fumble recovery this season, making him responsible for six of the 28 Irish takeaways that the lead the country. None were more explosive than the first 100-yard interception return in Irish history that might have been the most memorable touchdown of the victory over USC, and there were quite a few scores in that game:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3nlB9YIJFAI

Congratulations to Watts on this honor, and best of luck to him on the rest of the season.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

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Alabama player makes USA TODAY Sports’ list of early 2025 Heisman Trophy favorites

Check out which Alabama player made the list of way-too-early Heisman Trophy favorites for 2025.

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter took home the 2024 Heisman Trophy over the weekend,

Could an Alabama football player be in line to win next year’s award? In their way-too-early look at 2025 Heisman Trophy favorites, USA TODAY Sports listed a household name to watch for: Crimson Tide freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams.

Williams joined fellow freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith of the Ohio State Buckeyes on USA TODAY Sports’ list.

Austin Curtright of USA TODAY said of Williams:

“(T)he former 5-star recruit who played the entirety of the 2024 season at 17 years old, was one of the best receivers in the country in his first season at Alabama.

“Williams caught 45 passes for 857 yards with eight touchdowns in 2024 and should build upon his performance for what should be his actual freshman season, as he graduated high school early to play for the Crimson Tide.”

Williams’ coming-out party was in the Crimson Tide’s thrilling 41-34 win over the No. 1-ranked Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 28. He caught six passes for 177 yards, including an electric 75-yard touchdown with 2:18 left that put Alabama back on top after Georgia had rallied from a 28-0 deficit in the second quarter.

Williams and Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown were recently named to the 2024 SEC All-Freshman team.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions. 

Charles Woodson on Travis Hunter: ‘You are what the Heisman Trophy is all about’

Fellow Heisman winner Charles Woodson shared some kind words on Travis Hunter

From Angel Reese to Kurt Warner, the sports world has been busy this weekend congratulating Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter on winning the Heisman Trophy.

On Sunday, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Michigan Wolverines great Charles Woodson became the latest big name to share their thoughts on Hunter’s achievement. Woodson, who also played both ways during his 1997 Heisman Trophy-winning season, said he was “in awe” watching Hunter this fall.

“Travis Hunter is a special player, there’s no two ways about it,” Woodson said on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff.” “It brought me great joy seeing you up on that stage last night because you are what the Heisman Trophy is all about. It’s not about the best running back, it’s not about the best receiver, it’s not about the best quarterback. It’s about the best player, and you were that. Coach Prime, shoutout to you for allowing us to witness the greatness that it was Travis Hunter this year, allowing him to play offense and defense. You went out there each and every game and made all the plays, so congratulations to you.”

Colorado fans will get another chance to watch Hunter later this month with the Buffs set to challenge BYU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. Hunter will become the sixth Heisman winner to play in the Alamo Bowl, joining Woodson, Robert Griffin III, Eric Crouch, Marcus Mariota and Caleb Williams. Only Griffin played in the Alamo Bowl the same year he won the Heisman, however.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

Through the lens: Best pictures from Travis Hunter’s special night in NYC

Check out the best photos from Travis Hunter’s special night in New York City

Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter was honored with the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Saturday night. The two-way phenom was one of, if not the most, talked-about players in the country this season, and his efforts earned him the highest individual honor in college football.

Hunter played at an elite level on both sides of the ball this season, garnering comparisons across sports to other two-way stars such as Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Beating out other finalists Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Hunter became the second player in Colorado football history to win the Heisman.

Check out the best photographs from Saturday’s Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York City:

Ashton Jeanty wins Heisman Trophy fan vote

Was Ashton Jeanty robbed by the media?

The legitimacy of the Heisman Trophy is called into question on a fairly regular basis so no one should be shocked that this year is no different. The Heisman Committee chose Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter for this year’s honor in what was the closest vote since 2009.

Just behind Hunter was Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty also won the Nissan fan vote, getting more support than Hunter by the people. Think of all this is the popular vote and the electoral college if you need yet another political reference.

Jeanty’s season was historic. He finished with 344 carries for 2,497 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns. He carried Boise State to the College Football Playoff and will be the top running back off the board in the 2025 NFL draft.

This is not to take anything away from Hunter’s season which was excellent. However, it’s hard to see the fan vote and having watched every game these two played and not conclude Jeanty was the most outstanding player in the country of the guys on the ballot. Hunter and the entire Colorado program have been media darlings all season so it makes sense the college football awards would be their final opportunity to promote them and their program.

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