Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams – Oct. 20th

Unbeatens Fall – Miami, Ole Miss, Texas Tech & Memphis

Irish Drills Trojans – 34-24
Vanderbilt Stuns LSU – 31-24
Louisville Edges Miami – 24-21

Players of Week
Offense – QB Diego Pavia – Vanderbilt
Defense – Edge Yhonzae Pierre – Alabama

Games of Week – Oct. 25th

Ole Miss (6-1) at Oklahoma (6-1)
Missouri (6-1) at Vanderbilt (6-1)
Texas A&M (7-0) at LSU (5-2)

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Teams

Frank Coyle – Pro Scout

Rank/ Team/        Record
1 Ohio State                   7-0

2 Indiana                       7-0

3 Texas A&M                 7-0

4 Alabama                    6-1

5 Georgia                       6-1

6 Oregon                        6-1

7 Ole Miss                    6-1

8 Miami                         6-1

9 Oklahoma                  6-1

10 Texas Tech               6-1

11 Georgia Tech            7-0

12 Vanderbilt                 6-1

13 BYU                         7-0

14 Notre Dame              5-2

15 Missouri                   6-1

16 LSU                           5-2

17 Tennessee                5-2

18 South Florida            6-1

19 Michigan                  5-2

20 Illinois                      5-2

21 Texas                       5-2

22 Cincinnati                 6-1

23 Virginia                     6-1

24 Memphis                  6-1

25 Arizona State            5-2

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/    Team    /         Record / Points

1          Ohio State (65) 7-0        1625

2          Indiana             7-0        1549

3          Texas A&M       7-0       1470

4          Alabama           6-1        1408

5          Georgia            6-1        1358

6          Oregon             6-1        1302

7          Georgia Tech    7-0        1153

8          Ole Miss           6-1        1110

9          Miami               5-1        1027

10         BYU                 7-0        990

11         Oklahoma         6-1        960

12         Vanderbilt          6-1        902

13         Notre Dame      5-2        872

14         Missouri            6-1        778

15         Texas Tech        6-1        738

16         Virginia             6-1        528

17         Tennessee        5-2        523

18         Texas                5-2        483

19         LSU                  5-2        451

20         South Florida    6-1        393

21         Cincinnati          6-1        355

22         Louisville           5-1        336

23         Illinois               5-2        192

24         Michigan           5-2        175

25         Arizona State    5-2        144

Others receiving votes: Navy 59, USC 52, Utah 51, Tulane 45, Houston 34, Iowa 17, James Madison 9, Iowa State 9, North Texas 4, San Diego State 4, SMU 3, UNLV 3, Washington 3, Memphis 3, TCU 2, Pittsburgh 2, Boise State 2, Northwestern 1

Dropped from rankings: Memphis 20, USC 21, Utah 22

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 34 years.

Midseason All-American Team

Frank Coyle & Staff @ DraftInsiders.com

First-Team All-American
Offense

QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
RB Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
RB Justice Haynes, Michigan
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
WR Makai Lemon, USC
WR Mario Craver, Texas A&M
WR Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
TE Michael Trigg, Baylor
OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
OL Spencer Fano, Utah
OL Brian Parker II, Duke
OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami
OL Carter Smith, Indiana
C Logan Jones, Iowa

All-Purpose – Isiah Brown, Louisville

Defense
DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
DL Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
DL Caden Curry, Ohio State
DL John Henry Daley, Utah
LB C.J. Allen, Georgia
LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
CB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
S Michael Taaffe, Texas

First-Team Specialists
K Aidan Birr, Georgia Tech
P Evan Crenshaw, Troy
KR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
PR Vicari Swain, South Carolina

Second Team
Offense
QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
RB Robert Henry, UTSA
WR Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
WR Danny Scudero, San Jose State
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
WR Hank Beatty, Illinois
TE Dae’Quan Wright, Ole Miss
OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado
OL Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech
OL Vega Ioane, Penn State
OL Ar’maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
C Jake Slaughter, Florida

All-Purpose – Desmond Reid, Pittsburgh

Defense
DL Romello Height, Texas Tech
DL Mikail Kamara, Indiana
DL Akheem Mesidor, Miami
DL Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
DL Matthew Uiagalelei, Oregon
LB David Bailey, Texas Tech
LB Taurean York, Texas A&M
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
CB Colton Hood, Tennessee
CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State
S Bishop Fitzgerald, USC
S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon

Second-Team Specialists
K Kansei Matsuzawa, Hawaii
P Cole Maynard, Western Kentucky
KR Da’Realyst Clark, Kent State
PR Caullin Lacy, Louisville

Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams – Oct. 7th

UCLA Drills Penn State – 42-37>
Miami Outlasts Florida State – 28-22

Players of Week

Offense – QB Nico Iamaleava – UCLA
Defense – Edge Akheem Mesidor – Miami

Games of Week – Oct. 11th

Ohio State (5-0) at Illinois (5-1) – 12:0 pm – Champaign, Il
Indiana (5-0) at Oregon (5-0) – 3:30 pm – Eugene, Or
Michigan (4-1) at Southern Cal (4-1) – Los Angeles, Ca

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Teams

Frank Coyle – Pro Scout
Rank/ Team/        Record

1 Ohio State                   5-0

2 Oregon                        5-0

3 Ole Miss                    5-0

4 Miami                         5-0

5 Oklahoma                  5-0

6 Texas A&M                 5-0

7 Indiana                       5-0

8 Georgia                       4-1

9 Alabama                    4-1

10 LSU                           4-1

11 Tennessee                4-1

12 Texas Tech               5-0

13 Georgia Tech            5-0

14 Michigan                  4-1

15 Missouri                   5-0

16 Notre Dame              3-2

17 Illinois                      5-1

18 Iowa State                5-1

19 Vanderbilt                 5-1

20 BYU                         5-0

21 Texas                       3-2

22 Virginia                     5-1

23 Memphis                  6-0

24 Arizona State            4-1

25 Penn State               3-2

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/    Team    /      Record / Points

1          Ohio State  (59)   5-0       1638

2          Oregon (3)          5-0        1572

3          Miami (3)           5-0        1531

4          Ole Miss              5-0        1402

5          Texas A&M (1)   5-0        1330

6          Oklahoma           5-0        1283

7          Indiana               5-0        1206

8          Alabama            4-1        1183

9          Georgia              4-1        1128

10         Texas Tech       5-0        1082

11         LSU                    4-1        999

12         Tennessee        4-1        889

13         Georgia Tech    5-0        819

14         Missouri            5-0        736

15         Michigan           4-1        653

16         Notre Dame      3-2        491

17         Illinois               5-1        484

18         BYU                  5-0        453

19         Texas                 3-2        372

20         Vanderbilt        5-1        329

21         Iowa State        5-1        295

22         Penn State        3-2        294

23         Arizona State    4-1        292

24        Virginia               5-1        258

25         Memphis           6-0        162

Others receiving votes: Utah 134, Florida State 93, Cincinnati 70, South Florida 65, North Texas 28, Navy 26, Washington 25, USC 23, UNLV 21, Nebraska 17, TCU 15, Old Dominion 13, Louisville 10, Tulane 8, Duke 7, Auburn 7, Iowa 5, SMU 2

Dropped from rankings: Florida State 19, Utah 25

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 33 years.

Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams – Sept. 22nd

Miami Drills Florida – 26-7
Indiana Blasts Illinois – 63-10

Players of Week
Offense – QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
Defense – Edge Rueben Bain – Miami

Games of Week – Sept. 27th
LSU (4-0) at Old Miss (4-0) – 3:30 pm – Oxford, Ms
Oregon (3-0) at Penn State (3-0) – 7:30 pm – University Park, Pa

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Teams

Frank Coyle – Pro Scout

Rank/ Team/        Record

1 Ohio State                   3-0

2 Oregon                        3-0

3 Georgia                       4-0

4 Penn State                  3-0

5 LSU                             4-0

6 Miami                         4-0

7 Texas                         3-1

8 Florida State               3-0

9 Texas A&M                 3-0

10 Ole Miss                   4-0

11 Oklahoma                4-0

12 Indiana                     4-0

13 Iowa State                4-0

14 Alabama                   2-1

15 Tennessee                3-1

16 Texas Tech               4-0

17 Georgia Tech            4-0

18 Michigan                  3-1

19 Missouri                   4-0

20 Vanderbilt                 4-0

21 Southern Cal            4-0

22 Notre Dame              1-2

23 Illinois                      3-1

24 Auburn                     3-1

25 Utah                         3-1

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/    Team    /      Record / Points

1          Ohio State (61)    3-0        1667

2          Penn State (3)    3-0        1552

3          Georgia(1)          3-0        1497

4          LSU                     4-0        1458

5          Oregon (1)          4-0        1442

6          Miami (1)           4-0        1399

7          Texas                   3-1        1209

8          Florida State     3-0        1100

9          Texas A&M        3-0        1043

10         Oklahoma         4-0        1024

11         Ole Miss            4-0        996

12         Indiana             4-0        915

13         Iowa State        4-0        870

14         Texas Tech       4-0        807

15         Tennessee        3-1        715

16         Alabama           2-1        649

17         Georgia Tech    4-0        558

18         Michigan           3-1        469

19         Missouri           4-0        433

20         Vanderbilt        4-0        417

21         Notre Dame       1-2        261

22         USC                   4-0        249

23         Illinois               3-1        214

24         BYU                  3-0        185

25         TCU                   3-0        112

Others receiving votes: Arizona State 104, Utah 99, Louisville 67, Mississippi State 57, Memphis 55, Auburn 48, South Florida 32, Washington 19, Navy 17, Maryland 10, Kansas 6, Houston 4, Syracuse 4, Tulane 3, UNLV 3, Nebraska 3, North Texas 2, Iowa 1

Dropped from rankings: Utah 18, South Carolina 24, Auburn 25

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 33 years.

Draft Insiders’ All-America Teams

Frank Coyle / Head scout

Offensive Player of the Year
Ashton Jeanty – Boise State

Defensive Player of the Year
Travis Hunter – Colorado

2024 Draft Insiders’ All-America Teams

First Team Offense

Quarterback
Dillon Gabriel, Sr. – Oregon – 6-0, 200

Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty, Jr – Boise State – 5-9, 215
Cam Skattebo, Sr – Arizona State – 5-11, 215

Wide Receivers
Travis Hunter, Jr – Colorado – 6-1, 190
Nick Nash, Sr – San Jose State – 6-3, 195
Tetairoa McMillan, Jr – Arizona – 6-5, 215

Tight End
Tyler Warren, Sr – Penn State – 6-5, 260

Tackles
Kelvin Banks, Jr – Texas – 6-4, 320
Will Campbell, Jr – LSU – 6-6, 325

Guards
Tyler Booker, Jr – Alabama – 6-5, 325
Donovan Jackson, Sr – Ohio State – 6-4, 320

Center
Seth McLaughlin, Sr – Ohio State – 6-4, 305

All-purpose
Travis Hunter, Jr – Colorado – 6-1, 190

Kicker
Kenneth Almendares, Sr – Louisiana – 6-2, 250

First Team Defense

Edge Rushers
Abdul Carter, Jr – Penn State – 6-3, 250
Kyle Kennard, Sr – South Carolina – 6-5, 255

Interior Linemen
Mason Graham, Jr – Michigan – 6-3, 320
Walter Nolen, Jr – Mississippi – 6-3, 305

Linebackers
Jay Higgins, Sr – Iowa – 6-2, 230
Danny Stutsman, Sr – Oklahoma – 6-4, 245
Shaun Dolac, Sr – Buffalo – 6-1, 225

Cornerbacks
Jahdae Barron, Sr – Texas – 5-11, 200
Travis Hunter, Jr – Colorado – 6-1, 190

Safeties
Xavier Watts, Sr – Notre Dame – 6-0, 205
Caleb Downs, Soph – Ohio State – 6-0, 200

Defensive back
Nick Emmanwori, Jr – South Carolina – 6-3, 225

Punter
Alex Mastromanno, Sr – Florida State – 6-1, 240

Returners
KR Rayshawn Pleasant – Tulane
PR Kam Shanks – UAB

Second Team Offense

Quarterback
Cam Ward, Sr – Miami – 6-2, 225

Running Backs
Kaleb Johnson, Jr – Iowa – 6-0, 225
Omarion Hampton, Jr – North Carolina – 6-0, 220

Wide Receivers
Tre Harris, Sr – Mississippi – 6-3, 210
Jeremiah Smith, Fr – Ohio State – 6-3, 215
Xavier Restrepo, Sr – Miami – 5-10, 195

Tight End
Harold Fannin, Jr. – Bowling Green – 6-3, 230

Tackles
Josh Conerly, Jr. – Oregon – 6-4, 315
Aireontae Ersery, Sr – Minnesota – 6-3, 330

Guards
Addison West, Sr – Western Michigan – 6-3, 305
Dylan Fairchild, Jr – Georgia – 6-5, 315

Center
Jake Slaughter, Jr – Florida – 6-5, 310

All-purpose
Desmond Reid, Jr – Pittsburgh – 5-8, 175

Kicker
Dominic Zvada, Jr – Michigan – 6-3, 180

Second Team Defense

Edge Rushers
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Sr – Boston College – 6-2, 245
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Sr – Virginia Tech – 6-3, 250

Interior Linemen
Derrick Harmon, Jr – Oregon – 6-5, 310
Alfred Collins, Sr – Texas – 6-5, 320

Linebackers
Anthony Hill Jr., Soph – Texas – 6-3, 235
Jihaad Campbell, Jr – Alabama 6-3, 230
Carson Schwesinger, Jr – UCLA – 6-2, 225

Cornerbacks
Nohl Williams, Sr – California – 6-1, 200
Jermod McCoy, Soph – Tennessee – 6-0, 195

Safeties
Malaki Starks, Jr – Georgia – 6-1, 205
Malachi Moore, Sr – Alabama – 6-0, 200

Defensive back
Dorian Strong, Sr – Virginia Tech – 6-0, 190

Punter
Brett Thorson, Jr – Georgia – 6-2, 235

Returners
KR Keelan Marion, Sr – BYU
PR Kaden Wetjen, Jr – Iowa

Third Team Offense

Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, Sr – Colorado – 6-2, 215

Running Backs
Dylan Sampson, Jr – Tennessee – 5-11, 200
RJ Harvey, Sr – UCF – 5-9, 210

Wide Receivers
Tai Felton, Sr – Maryland – 6-2, 185
Jordyn Tyson, Soph – Arizona State – 6-1, 195
Jayden Higgins, Sr – Iowa State – 6-4, 215

Tight End
Oronde Gadsden II, Jr – Syracuse – 6-5, 235

Tackles
Jonah Savaiinaea, Jr – Arizona – 6-5, 330
Wyatt Milum, Sr – West Virginia – 6-6, 320

Guards
Luke Kandra, Sr – Cincinnati – 6-4, 320
Tate Ratledge, Sr – Georgia – 6-6, 330

Center
Cooper Mays, Sr – Tennessee – 6-4, 300

All-purpose
Brashard Smith, Sr – SMU – 5-10, 195

Kicker
Ryan Fitzgerald, Sr – Florida State. – 6-1, 190

Third Team Defense

Edge Rushers
Nic Scourton, Sr – Texas A&M – 6-4, 260
Mikail Kamara, Jr – Indiana – 6-1, 265

Interior Linemen
JJ Pegues, Sr – Mississippi – 6-2, 320
Kenneth Grant, Jr – Michigan – 6-3, 335

Linebackers
Jalon Walker, Jr – Georgia, – 6-2, 245
Wesley Weeks, Sr – LSU – 6-2, 235
Chris Paul Jr., Jr – Mississippi – 6-1, 235

Cornerbacks
Will Johnson, Jr – Michigan – 6-2, 200
Trey Amos, Sr – Mississippi – 6-1, 200

Safeties
Lathan Ransom, Sr – Ohio State – 6-1, 210
Jalen Catalon, Sr – UNLV – 5-11, 205

Defensive back
Cobee Bryant, Sr – Kansas – 6-0, 175

Punter
Eddie Czaplicki, Jr – Southern California – 6-1, 205

Returners
KR Winston Wright, Sr – East Carolina
PR LaJohntay Wester, Sr – Baylor

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc plus annual All-American teams for the past 30+ years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, USA Today, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.

Travis Hunter Wins 2024 Heisman Trophy

 Two-way star Travis Hunter won college football’s most prestigious award Saturday night, the 2024 Heisman Trophy award.  He completed an incredible 2024 season, earning 1st team honors on both sides of the ball as an All-American and Big 12 star. He played an amazing 1300+ snaps as an impact receiver and shutdown cornerback.

As a big-play wide receiver and a lockdown cornerback, he dominated on both sides of the ball for coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes. He was the catalyst of an impressive turnaround at Colorado, going from 4-8 in 2023 when he missed over 3 games because of injuries to the current 9-3 record. He transferred to Colorado along with new HC Sanders prior to the 2023 season. The 23rd-ranked Buffaloes received their 1st bowl bid in four years and will face #17 BYU (10-2) in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28.

Hunter has stated he will play vs BYU, rather than skip the game to prepare for the NFL Draft. He is ranked the #1 prospect overall by Frank Coyle of Draft Insiders. The junior has planned to pass up his senior season in Boulder.

Hunter received 552 first-place votes and 2,231 points. Running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State was the runner-up with 309 first-place votes and 2,017 points, making it the closest margin of victory since 2009.

Hunter was on 94% of ballots and earned 80.14% of the possible points, the 11th highest in Heisman Trophy history. He is only the second defensive player winning the award, following Charles Woodson in 1997.  Woodson also made big plays on offense, but he played selected reps on offense over the season and not nearly as much as Hunter on that side of the ball.

Hunter played 669 defensive snaps and 687 on offense — a total of 1,356 that was 434 more than any other FBS player. He was on the field for 84% of his team’s total snaps; no other FBS player accounted for more than 56%.

Hunter had an amazing week, winning multiple awards, in addition to the Heisman Trophy. He won Draft Insiders’ Player of the Year award, the Associated Press Player of the Year, the Walter Camp Award as national player of the year, the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player, the Fred Biletnikoff Award for best wide receiver, the Paul Hornung award and Ronnie Lott Trophy.

Two QBs – Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami finished third and fourth in the balloting for the 90th Heisman Trophy, presented annually since 1935 to the nation’s most outstanding player. This year’s ceremony was held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Manhattan.

It marked only the fifth time since 2000 that a QB didn’t win. The last time no signal-caller placed in the top two was 2015, when running backs, Derrick Henry of Alabama and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford finished 1-2 in the voting.

Travis Hunter – 2024 Heisman Season Key Numbers

2nd Heisman winner from Colorado (Rashaan Salaam 1994)
2nd Full-time defensive player to win the Heisman (Charles Woodson (1997)
3rd Straight transfer player to win the Heisman (Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams)
5th Receiver to win the Heisman and first since DeVonta Smith in 2020

Heisman Trophy Voting

Voting for the 90th Heisman Trophy

Player                          School                1st        2nd      3rd       Total

1. Travis Hunter Colorado         552       261       53         2,231
2. Ashton Jeanty Boise State     309       517       56         2,017
3. Dillon Gabriel Oregon               24         52       340       516
4. Cam Ward Miami                          6         24       163       229
5. Cam Skattebo Arizona St.          3         18        125       170
6. Bryson Daily Army                       3          7          46         69
7. Tyler Warren Penn St.                1          7           35         52
8. Shedeur Sanders Colorado       1          7           30         47
9. Kurtis Rourke Indiana               2          3           10         22
10. Kyle McCord Syracuse                0         1            7          9

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 30+ years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He was a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, USA Today, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites.

2024 Heisman Trophy Finalists

2024 Heisman Trophy finalists: Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward were named 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists and invited to New York City for the ceremony. The winner of the 2024 Heisman Trophy will be announced at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Dec. 14 on ESPN.

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. He will reveal his Heisman Trophy vote after the official announcement on ESPN Saturday night.

Three of the four finalists are transfer players with both QBs, Dillon Gabriel and Cam Ward only one year players at their new schools. Travis Hunter played two seasons at Colorado after starting at Jackson State. He transferred followed HC Deon Sanders midway through his Jackson State career.

Only Ashton Jeanty played his entire career with one team, Boise State. His incredibly 2400 yard + performance follows only Barry Sanders 2628 yards in NCAA history. Jeanty can break the record in the CPF playoffs where the Broncos get an opening week bye as a #3 seed.

Here’s are small capsules of the finalists 
Finalists are sorted alphabetically

Four Heisman Trophy Finalists

Dillon Gabriel – Oregon

Dillon Gabriel hopes to become the second Oregon QB to win the Heisman Trophy, following in the footsteps of Marcus Mariota in 2014. He had an incredible one-year performance with the Ducks leading them to an undefeated and #1 seed in the CPF playoffs.

He threw for 3,558 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 73.2% completion percentage, 6 interceptions, 192 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs.

Travis Hunter – Colorado

Travis Hunter hopes to become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson in 1997. As a two-way impact performer, he is also looking to become the first wide receiver to win the award since DeVonta Smith in 2020. Hunter is a generational player with impact on both sides of the ball. He has been one of the nation’s premier at two major positions, playing an incredible number of snaps weekly. He could become the 1st Colorado player to win the Heisman since Rashaan Salaam in 1994.

For the 2024 season, he caught 92 catches, 1,152 receiving yards, 14 receiving TDs and 1 rushing TD while on defense he made 31 tackles (20 solo), 11 pass breakups, 4 interceptions and 1 force fumble.

Ashton Jeanty – Boise State

Record setting runner has been the catalyst of the Boise State rise to the CPF playoffs. The only Heisman finalist from Boise State has been Kellen Moore in 2010 with no player ever winning the Heisman Trophy. Runner Ashton Jeanty could be the first. He also would be the first running back to win the Heisman trophy since Derrick Henry did so in 2015. He pursues Heisman-winning running back Barry Sanders in the playoffs for the all-time season rushing record

Instrumental in the Boise State’s 11-1 record and posted amazing season stats of 344 carries, 2,497 rushing yards, 29 rushing TDs, 20 catches, 116 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD.

Cam Ward – Miami

Cam Ward transferred from Washington State and a one-year starter with the Hurricanes. He is the first Heisman finalist from the Miami Hurricanes since Ken Dorsey was a finalist in back-to-back years in 2001-02. The last Hurricane to win the Heisman was QB Gino Torretta in 1992, with QB Vinny Testaverde in 1986 the only other Heisman winner in this program’s long history. In 2024, Cam Ward was the first nationally in passing TDs, second in passing yards and fifth in passer rating.

In the 2024 season he posted statistics of 4,123 passing yards, 36 passing TDs, 67.4% completion percentage, 7 interceptions, 196 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 33 years.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff –
Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 8
Games Played through Saturday, Dec. 7

Final Regular Season CPF Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record
1 Oregon 13-0
2 Georgia 11-2
3 Texas 11-2
4 Penn State 11-2
5 Notre Dame 11-1
6 Ohio State 10-2
7 Tennessee 10-2
8 Indiana 11-1
9 Boise State 12-1
10 SMU 11-2
11 Alabama 9-3
12 Arizona State 11-2
13 Miami 10-2
14 Ole Miss 9-3
15 South Carolina 9-3
16 Clemson 10-3
17 BYU 10-2
18 Iowa State 10-3
19 Missouri 9-3
20 Illinois 9-3
21 Syracuse 9-3
22 Army 11-1
23 Colorado 9-3
24 UNLV 10-3
25 Memphis 10-2

About the College Football Playoff
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The CFP Selection Committee ranks the top 25 teams at the end of the season. The 12 playoff participants consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions, plus the next seven highest-ranked teams. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be seeded one through four and receive a first-round bye. The schools seeded five through eight will host those seeded nine through 12 in first-round games. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be January 9-10, 2025. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.

2024 College Football Playoff Rankings

College Football Playoff – Week 5
This is the 5th of 6th weekly rankings.

Selection Committee Rankings

College Football Playoffs – Dec. 3
Games Played through Saturday, November 30

College Football Rankings

Rank / Team / Overall Record

1. Oregon, Big Ten (12-0)
2. Texas, SEC (11-1)
3. Penn State, Big Ten (11-1)
4. Notre Dame, Independents (11-1)
5. Georgia, SEC (10-2)
6. Ohio State, Big Ten (10-2)
7. Tennessee, SEC (10-2)
8. SMU, ACC (11-1)
9. Indiana, Big Ten (11-1)
10. Boise State, MW (11-1)
11. Alabama, SEC (9-3)
12. Miami, ACC (10-2)
13. Ole Miss, SEC (9-3)
14. South Carolina, SEC (9-3)
15. Arizona State, Big 12 (10-2)
16. Iowa State, Big 12 (10-2)
17. Clemson, ACC (9-3)
18. BYU, Big 12 (10-2)
19. Missouri, SEC (9-3)
20. UNLV, MW (10-2)
21. Illinois, Big Ten (9-3)
22. Syracuse, ACC (9-3)
23. Colorado, Big 12 (9-3)
24. Army, AAC (10-1)
25. Memphis, AAC (10-2)

By Conference: SEC 8, Big 12 5, Big Ten 5, ACC 3, Mountain West 2, American Athletic 1, Independents 1

Draft Insiders’ & Coaches Top 25 Teams – Dec. 2nd

Oregon Blasts Washington
Michigan Shocks Ohio State
Notre Dame Outslugs USC

Players of Week
Offense – WR/CB Travis Hunter – Colorado / RB Ashton Jeanty – Boise State
Defense – Edge Vernon Broughton – Texas  

Teams of the Week 
  Texas Edges Texas A&M – 17-7
  Georgia Outlasts Georgia Tech – 44-42 – 8OT

Upset of the Week
    Michigan Shocks Ohio State – 13-10

Championship Weekend

Saturday – Dec. 7
 
ACC Championship
#8 SMU (11-1, 8-0 ACC, #9 CFP) vs. #18 Clemson (9-3, 7-1, #12 CFP) at Charlotte, North Carolina
 
Big Ten Championship
#1 Oregon (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten, #1 CFP) vs. #3 Penn State (11-1, 8-1, #4 CFP) at Indianapolis
 
Big 12 Championship
#12 Arizona State (10-2, 7-2 Big 12, #16 CFP) vs. #16 Iowa State (10-2, 7-2, #18 CFP) at Arlington, Texas
 
SEC Championship
#2 Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC, #3 CFP) vs. #5 Georgia (10-2, 6-2, #CFP) at Atlanta
 

Draft Insiders’ – Top 25 Teams

Frank Coyle
 
Rank/ Team/                     Record
1 Oregon                    12-0
2 Texas                       11-1
3 Notre Dame              11-1
4 Indiana                     11-1
5 Penn State               11-1
6 Georgia                    10-2
7 Ohio State                10-2
8 Boise State              11-1
9 SMU                        11-1
10 Alabama                  9-3
11 Arizona State            10-2
12 Miami                       10-2
13 Tennessee                10-2
14 Iowa State                10-2
15 BYU                         10-2
16 Ole Miss                  9-3
17 South Carolina          9-3
18 Clemson                  9-3
19 UNLV                       10-2
20 Missouri                   9-3
21 Illinois                      9-3
22 Army                        10-1
23 Colorado                  9-3
24 Memphis                  10-2
25 Syracuse                  9-3

Coaches Top 25 Poll

Rank/   Team    /           Record / Points
1          Oregon (53)       12-0      1325
2          Texas               11-1      1272
3          Penn State        11-1      1192
4          Notre Dame      11-1      1165
5          Georgia             10-2      1104
6          Tennessee        10-2      1025
7          SMU                 11-1      977
8          Ohio State        10-2      976
9          Indiana              11-1      895
10         Boise State       11-1      840
11         Alabama           9-3        733
12         South Carolina  9-3        700
13         Arizona State    10-2      665
14         Miami               10-2      646
15         Ole Miss           9-3        638
16         Iowa State        10-2      565
17         Clemson           9-3        457
18         BYU                 10-2      419
19         UNLV                10-2      255
20         Missouri            9-3        229
21         Illinois               9-3        225
22         Colorado          9-3        215
23         Army                10-1      196
24         Memphis           10-2      187
25         Syracuse          9-3        108

Others receiving votes: Texas A&M 90, Duke 39, Tulane 37, Louisville 18, Kansas State 15, Louisiana 11, Michigan 2, Georgia Tech 2, Iowa 1, Miami (OH) 1

Dropped from rankings: Tulane 18, Texas A&M 19

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 33 years.