This years Heisman finalist were announced with a glaring name being left off the list: Cam Skattebo. ASU’s star running back is in the middle of an incredible season, having already accounted for over 2,000 yards of offense and 22 touchdowns, but that wasn’t enough to earn him a trip to New York.
This year the Heisman voters decided to send Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The Ducks are the number 1 ranked team in the country and undefeated while Gabriel is having a solid season and deserves to go. Hunter is one of the most dynamic, dominate and unique players in all of college football and will likely be an All-American at two different positions. Jeanty has a chance at breaking Barry Sanders single-season rushing record this year and has already accounted for nearly 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns. But Ward going is a confusing selection.
Ward has had a solid year statistically, accounting for 4,100 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. But those numbers aren’t all that much better than Gabriel’s. The major difference is, the Hurricane crumbled down the stretch of the season and didn’t even make the ACC Championship game. Wining should matter and Miami simply didn’t do it enough during the most important part of the season, like Cam Skattebo and ASU did.
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Spenser Tilus is a sports reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @Spenser_Tilus
