Introduction

In a riveting climax to the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting, Boise State's sensational running back Ashton Jeanty narrowly fell short, finishing second to Colorado's electrifying Travis Hunter. Hunter secured the prestigious award with 2,231 points, edging Jeanty by a mere 214 points — the closest race since 2009!

The Competition

The disparity between the top contenders and the rest is stark, with No. 3 Dillon Gabriel trailing far behind at 516 points and No. 4 Cam Ward at 229. Jeanty garnered an impressive 309 first-place votes, but Hunter's total of 552 solidified his victory.

Season Highlights for Ashton Jeanty

Throughout the season, Jeanty showcased a phenomenal campaign, rushing for 2,497 yards — just 132 yards shy of breaking Barry Sanders' long-standing single-season rushing record and setting a new Mountain West Conference standard. His remarkable performance not only led Boise State to their second consecutive Mountain West title but also secured the No. 3 seed in the program's inaugural College Football Playoff appearance.

Racking up a staggering 29 rushing touchdowns, Jeanty's mark is tied for the most by a single player since 2013. To cap off his incredible season, he dazzled fans in the Mountain West Championship Game, amassing 209 rushing yards and a sensational 75-yard touchdown on 32 carries.

Consistency and Dominance

But the stats only tell part of the story. Jeanty's dominance on the field is further highlighted by his consistency: he amassed at least 100 rushing yards in every game this year, and astonishingly, he hit over 100 yards on the ground in a single half a jaw-dropping 17 times. Furthermore, he stands alone as the only player since 2000 to compile 13 consecutive games with at least 125 rushing yards.

Comparative Performance

For context, the runner-up in national rushing statistics, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, finished the regular season with 1,660 rushing yards. In contrast, Jeanty’s 1,889 yards gained after contact alone exceeds any other college athlete's total rushing yards this season. Jeanty also impressed with 10 rushes of 60 yards or more and recorded eight touchdowns on plays that surpassed the 60-yard mark. Notably, no other FBS team matched Boise State’s prowess in big plays with more than six 60-plus yard rushes throughout the year.

Historical Significance

Had Jeanty clinched the elusive trophy, he would have marked a historic milestone as the first player in Boise State and Mountain West Conference history to win the Heisman. Additionally, he would have broken ground as the first non-power conference player to achieve this honor in the 21st century, the first running back since Alabama's Derrick Henry in 2015, and the first non-quarterback since Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on this unforgettable Heisman race, the spotlight now turns to what lies ahead for Jeanty, who has solidified his legacy as one of college football’s all-time greats. What does the future hold for this stellar athlete? Stay tuned!