Damn near forgot to launch the Heisman Watch for 2024! We can’t have that now, especially not for what has become a staple of our football coverage here on SoBros Network for so many years. Week 1 is in the books, and there was no shortage of surprises or strong performances. Our first Heisman Watch of the season reflects that. Let’s get back at it!
Heisman Watch: Week 1 2024
5. QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama – I know Western Kentucky ain’t exactly Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, but holy shit Alabama COOKED on Saturday. Milroe accounted for five total touchdowns in the 63-0 win over the Hilltoppers, kicking off what could be a legitimate Heisman campaign under Kalen DeBoer. Milroe completed just seven passes, but those went for 200 yards and THREE passing touchdowns. He also racked up 79 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The pairing of Milroe and DeBoer could be electric to watch this season.
4. QB Miller Moss, USC – I know it’s only Week 1, but man, that Sunday evening game between USC and LSU really felt like one of those Heisman-esque games where the stakes were high and both teams were duking it out for the win. Props to the Trojans for a gutsy win. I’m happy for a guy like Moss, who patiently waited his turn to be the guy, to go out there and rally the team around him to pull off a gutsy win. It may be a different story in a few weeks, but for now, that felt like a Heisman moment. Moss was 27/36 for 378 yards and a touchdown in the 27-20 win over the Tigers.
3. WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona – He’s not higher on the list because you have to factor in the level of competition. New Mexico had DBs falling down trying to guard T-Mac. But, one of my unwritten rules of the Heisman Watch is that if you top 300 yards receiving, you’re an automatic qualifier. McMillan, who could be the top receiver selected in next year’s draft, caught 10 balls and turned it into 304 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
2. RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State – NFL Draft nuts and Ashton Jeanty truthers may tell you this guy’s going to be the top running back selected next spring by the time it’s all said and done. I don’t have a leg to stand on in that argument, as I haven’t started my eval yet, but I’ll tell you that rushing for 267 yards and SIX touchdowns in the Broncos’ 56-45 win over Georgia Southern is a damn good way to start the season. Jeanty averaged a whopping 13.4 yards per carry in his prolific performance.
1. QB Cam Ward, Miami – I told y’all on last week’s episode of the College Football Roundup that Saturday afternoon in Gainesville was going to be “The Cam Ward Show,” and I’m glad to see I was proven right. Hot damn! Forget all the stats for a second and just acknowledge that that might’ve been the best Ward has ever looked as a pure passer…a pure quarterback…in his career yet. The ‘Canes stomped the Gators 41-17 on Florida’s own turf. Ward was 26/35 for 385 yards and three touchdowns, with a pick on the books as well. He dazzled. If he keeps this level of play up, all of those ‘dark horse National Championship contender’ takes may just come true for Miami.
Heisman Watch 2024 Standings
- Cam Ward – 5 (total points)
- Ashton Jeanty – 4
- Tetairoa McMillan – 3
- Miller Moss – 2
- Jalen Milroe – 1
If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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