B/R's 2024 Heisman Trophy Rankings: New Front-Runners in Week 4

Only a few weeks into the college football season, an important transition begins to take place.

Preseason projections still linger, but actual on-field results are becoming most important. The sample size is slowly getting large enough to influence how perceptions need to change.

It's the same for the Heisman Trophy race, too.

Several players have demanded a featured spot in the conversation, whereas a few preseason favorites no longer hold that label. Throw in a key injury, and Week 4 has brought the first major shakeup.

The tiers are a personal view but consider a player's production, team success and more historical Heisman trends.

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: Two weeks ago, Klubnik accounted for seven touchdowns in a rout of Appalachian State. Clemson had an idle weekend to prepare for its ACC opener against North Carolina State, which held Klubnik to 5.3 yards per throw and two interceptions last year.

Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado: Hunter made 13 receptions for 100 yards and two scores and snatched his first pick of the season in Colorado's win over Colorado State. Historically, team success is a factor. Will individual excellence be enough to sway voters if the Buffs stumble this season? CU opens Big 12 play opposite Baylor this weekend.

Avery Johnson, QB, Kansas State: In a Top 25 win over Arizona, Johnson threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 110 yards. He leads 3-0 K-State into conference play at BYU this weekend.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: Smith is aiming to continue his impressive start when OSU hosts Marshall. Prior to the Buckeyes' idle weekend, he notched 11 catches for 211 yards and three touchdowns in blowouts of MAC opponents Akron and Western Michigan.

Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse: McCord, similarly, had an idle weekend after two standout performances to begin the season, He tossed four touchdowns against both Ohio and Georgia Tech. Stanford comes to Syracuse for an ACC clash on Friday night.

RJ Harvey, RB, UCF: So far, Harvey has rushed for at least 126 yards and two touchdowns in three UCF victories. That combination of production and team success merits a mention, even if his stay is brief.

Cam Rising, QB, Utah: In about six quarters of action, Rising has thrown for seven scores. He's expected to return from a finger injury for Utah' showdown at No. 14 Oklahoma State this Saturday.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: One of several idle players last weekend, Jeanty had a well-earned rest after two incredible games. He rushed for 267 yards and six touchdowns at Georgia Southern, then scampered for 192 and three at Oregon. Another enormous stat line could be in store with Boise State taking on lower-division Portland State in Week 4.

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU: Nussmeier, on the other hand, played a dramatic game at South Carolina. Penalties nullified two pick-sixes, so LSU's field general nearly had a disastrous day. Instead, he finished with 285 yards and two scores in a 36-33 road victory. LSU hosts UCLA this weekend.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State: Idle in Week 3, the Buckeyes return to the field opposite Marshall on Saturday. Howard has totaled 544 yards and five touchdowns in OSU's pair of comfortable wins.

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State: Allar had a quiet weekend, as well. Penn State is back in Week 4 against Kent State, which has yielded 8.9 yards per attempt and eight passing scores to one interception in three games.

Miller Moss, QB, USC: Moss and the Trojans are readying for one of Saturday's key matchups. USC is set to make its Big Ten debut in a trip to Michigan. Moss has passed for 607 yards in two wins.

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia: The important part for Georgia is the victory. But, whew, did the Dawgs escape at Kentucky. Beck managed 160 passing yards in the nervy 13-12 triumph. While he's no longer an early Heisman favorite, Beck could quickly reclaim that status if he plays well and UGA beats Alabama on the road in following an idle weekend.

Brady Cook, QB, Missouri: Cook threw for 264 yards and totaled two scores in a Top 25 victory over Boston College. He's accounted for multiple touchdowns in three wins to open the season. Mizzou kicks off SEC action at home against Vanderbilt on Saturday.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon: Now that was more of what we expected. Gabriel passed for 291 yards, rushed for 64 and accounted for three touchdowns as Oregon blew out rival Oregon State. After an idle weekend, the Ducks head to UCLA for their Big Ten opener.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas: If he were healthy, Ewers would be tagged as a favorite. However, he's expected to not play in the upcoming game against Louisiana-Monroe because of an abdomen injury. Texas should be fine in the hands of Arch Manning, but Ewers' potential as a Heisman contender will hinge on how many games he misses.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama: Milroe recently became the first QB in more than a decade to throw and rush for two touchdowns in three straight games. His place as a front-runner will be tested when Bama hosts Georgia and its tremendous defense in Week 5.

Cam Ward, QB, Miami: The competition level is set to steadily rise, beginning with a trip to South Florida this weekend. Nevertheless, Ward has opened the campaign on an absolute heater. He just threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns in a rout of Ball State and has totaled 12 scores in Miami's unblemished start to the year.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss: Similar story for Dart, who's tallied at least 377 passing yards in Ole Miss' three victories. Dart has accounted for 1,226 yards and 11 touchdowns so far, and he figures to have another prolific day opposite Georgia Southern in Week 4.

Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee: The season is young, but UT currently boasts a 191-13 scoring advantage this season. Iamaleava has thrived with 10.4 yards per attempt, throwing for 698 yards and running for 102 while totaling seven touchdowns. Next up is a key resume-building opportunity as Tennessee travels to Oklahoma.