As the season concludes each year, the Heisman trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the United States. Usually, the race is a foregone conclusion with one player running away with the award, securing it before even stepping foot in New York for the ceremony. This year, the debate turned into a media frenzy between two incredible athletes, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
Ultimately, Hunter’s name was called on Dec. 14 to go up on that stage and collect the Heisman trophy and become the nation’s most valuable player. Fans, myself included, believe that Jeanty was robbed of this award and that his efforts on the field this season were enough to secure Boise State’s first Heisman trophy.
Before the 2024-2025 season began for Boise State’s football team, Jeanty contemplated his loyalty and whether he wanted to stay, despite receiving numerous NIL opportunities and offers to become a star at other larger and more prestigious universities. “But the common theme was that no dollar amount was really going to change those outcomes. It was just about the place and the opportunity that I had, and Boise State offered that to me since day one before any of those other schools did,” Jeanty said in a recent Zoom interview with media outlets.
Nevertheless, loyalty wasn’t the only reason Jeanty deserved to be hoisting that award. In 14 games this season, Jeanty led the nation in numerous stat categories such as rushing yards, yards per carry, touchdowns and yards after contact just to name a few. He outrushed 115 FBS teams by himself and ranked fourth all-time for rushing yards in a single season. Also, he rushed for 1,889 yards after contact, which is more yards than any other player in total over the last six years, according to ESPN.
These statistics also correlate with the team’s immense success this season, as they finished with a record of 12 wins and two losses and won the Mountain West Championship. Boise State also received a first round bye in the College Football Playoff where they were eliminated by Penn State, a formidable opponent.
All of this culminated into public appeal for Jeanty and it made analysts question whether Jeanty or Hunter deserved the award. “For Jeanty, there was no slip-up, no dud, and certainly no 17-yard game. He brought it every week, and the result was one of the most statistically dominant offensive seasons in college football history. The last running back to win the Heisman Trophy, Derrick Henry, had five games with fewer than 100 rushing yards,” Dan Treacy said in an article in The Sporting News.
Despite all of Jeanty’s accolades this year, there is a case to be made for why Hunter ended up walking away with the award. Not only did the Colorado Phenom end the season ranking top three in receptions, touchdowns, and receiving yards for all receivers, he also played on the defensive side of the ball as a cornerback. Therefore, he led all players in college football in snaps played and that’s why some people think he was deserving of the award.
With that being said, Jeanty’s accomplishments this season with a significantly worse supporting cast make him the Heisman in my mind, despite the fact that he’ll never be able to hoist that trophy.
