Heisman Watch: Week 2

Week 2 of college football shook up the rankings — here’s how the top five standout players are making their mark.

Honorable mention(s): Miller Moss and Nico Iamaleava

USC’s Miller Moss and Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava have been two of the most dynamic playmakers through the first couple of weeks of FBS play. Moss followed up his impressive Week 1 display with another precise showing, completing 21 of his 30 passing attempts in a 48-0 win over Utah State.

Meanwhile, Iamaleava threw for over 200 yards, rushed for another 65, and found the end zone three times in a 51-10 blowout victory over No. 24 NC State.

5. Ashton Jeanty

Ashton Jeanty has cracked this week’s top five, as he has put up video game-like numbers in his first two games. Jeanty leads the nation in rushing with 459 rushing yards and nine touchdowns through only two weeks.

Even if only three running backs have won the Heisman Trophy since 2000, Jeanty is making a strong case for himself and his Boise State Broncos this season.

4. Jalen Milroe

Jalen Milroe has looked every part of an All-American quarterback this year as he has led this Alabama offense to 105 points in its first two games.

Milroe built on his Week 1 production, passing for 192 yards and scoring four touchdowns — two in the air and two on the ground. He has a real test against Wisconsin’s defense next week, but Milroe should stay in the Heisman conversation deep into November.

3. Cam Ward

Cam Ward, the fifth-year senior, is a battle-tested, seasoned vet in the college football landscape. Now at a contending Miami program, Ward has really shown out in the opening weeks. He is tied for sixth in the country for touchdowns with six and fifth in the country in passing yards with 689. Ward and his Hurricanes have been a very pleasant surprise to the 2024 college football season so far.

2. Jaxson Dart

Jaxson Dart leads the nation in passing, with 795 yards through his first two games. He and his Rebel offense have been absolutely rocking, as they have accounted for 128 points against Middle Tennessee State and Furman University.

Dart is all but one win over a ranked opponent away from rising to the top of the Heisman leaderboard.

1. Quinn Ewers

Quinn Ewers and his Texas Longhorns have completely taken the world of collegiate sports by storm in the past couple of seasons. After a 41-34 loss at Oklahoma State in 2022, Texas was 1-6 in road games under head football coach Steve Sarkisian. Since that point, Ewers has turned the Longhorns into the most dangerous road team in the country.

They have won eight straight games in their opponents’ stadium, including a 34-24 victory at Alabama in 2023 and last Saturday’s 31-12 routing of No. 10 Michigan. Ewers has thrown for six touchdowns to only one interception so far and has his Texas Longhorns ranked No. 2 in the AP poll.

For these reasons, he is the clear-cut Heisman Trophy favorite after two weeks.

Joseph Granton is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jlg6619@psu.edu.