Jeanty Named Heisman Trophy Finalist After Historic Season

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Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was announced as a finalist for the 2024 Heisman Trophy on Dec. 9. Jeanty will join Miami Hurricanes' (10-2, 6-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) quarterback Cam Ward, Oregon Ducks' (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten Conference) quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and Colorado Buffaloes' (9-3, 7-2 Big 12 Conference) cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter in New York on Dec. 14, to hear the announcement of the winner.

The impressive nomination is the latest and most prestigious of a host of nominations and accolades that Jeanty has received as a result of his historic season.

Jeanty Challenges History

From the first game of the season, onlookers could tell that Jeanty's 2024 campaign would be special. Against the Georgia Southern Eagles (8-4, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference) in the season opener, the junior running back took 20 carries for a mind-blowing 267 yards and 6 touchdowns to jump into the center of national attention.

Now, through 13 games, Jeanty has reached statistics that were thought to be impossible to attain in today's era of college football. The explosive back has rushed for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns, blowing away the other dominant running backs across the nation. His 2,497 yards rushing are just 131 yards short of the all-time rushing record set by Barry Sanders with Oklahoma State in 1988 (2,628), and his 29 rushing touchdowns are tied for the most in the country. With the College Football Playoff still on the horizon, Jeanty's season has a chance to further cement his legendary status in the game.

What Jeanty Means to Broncos

While the Heisman Trophy highlights players who have achieved impressive athletic accomplishments, it also seeks to reward players who are vital to their team's success. Without Jeanty, the No. 9 Boise State Broncos (12-1, 7-0 Mountain West Conference) may not have reached the same heights they were able to achieve in their impressive 2024 season.

Jeanty was truly the center of the Broncos' offense throughout the regular season. He rushed for at least 125 yards in each of Boise State's 13 games, and he gained over 200 yards rushing on four occasions. He scored multiple touchdowns on eight occasions, showing his reliability and consistency no matter who the Broncos faced.

As the Broncos faced tougher competition throughout the season, Jeanty never backed down. Against the No. 1 Ducks, he took 25 carries for 192 yards and 3 touchdowns and gave his team a chance to win late in a hostile road environment. In two pivotal matchups against the No. 24 UNLV Rebels (10-3, 6-1 MWC), Jeanty shined, combining for 337 yards and 2 touchdowns in tense battles. As the Broncos prepare for their first ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, they can set their expectations high as a result of Jeanty's dynamic ability and consistency in the backfield.

As the key piece of a team with a spot in the CFP, Jeanty has shown that he is more than deserving of recognition as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the sport. Only time will tell if he has done enough to earn the 2024 Heisman Trophy.