Jalen Milroe #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide celebrates after his team defeated the Georgia Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe locked down the Heisman Trophy Saturday night in the Tide's win over Georgia. He threw for 374 yards and two touchdowns AND rushed for 117 yards and two more touchdowns in a game where Alabama built up a 28-0 lead, lost the lead, and came back to win 41-34. And memo for future Heisman candidates, Alabama's 17 year old freshman wide receiver is going to win one someday too!
There are other Heisman-worthy candidates as well. Miami quarterback Cam Ward makes football look easy. Colorado has two players to consider in quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two way star Travis Hunter, who caught a TD pass and hauled in an interception vs Central Florida his weekend. Then there is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty who is putting up gaudy rushing numbers.
ALABAMA QUARTERBACK JALEN MILROE
But the reason I think Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe is head and shoulders above other candidates is his performances are on the national stage. And that stage extends to last year when Alabama made it to the college football playoffs and played in the Rose Bowl.
No doubt Heisman voters will be impressed with Hunter playing on both sides of the ball. But nobody saw his game against UCF. And everybody watched the Georgia - Alabama game. Plus Hunter and Sanders will probably split votes. Cam Ward will get a lot of Heisman votes. But after comparing Milroe and Ward statistically voters will have to take into account Milroe's SEC schedule vs Ward's ACC schedule and decide on Milroe. And I'm not sure enough people know what an amazing job Jeanty is doing at Boise State.
For more on the Heisman race and college football tune in each weekday to Craig Shemon and Company from 2-6pm on ESPN Southwest Florida.
