Week 9 Heisman watch: Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter, and more emerge as front runners for the coveted honor

The Heisman Trophy is awarded every year to the best college football player in the country. It is a highly prestigious honor, and every year the winner gets a lot of media attention.

Usually, it goes to a quarterback, but this year, two non-QBs have emerged as top contenders, Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter.

Heisman watch week 9

The Heisman race is tracked by FanDuel and other sportsbooks. It looks like there are top four contenders after eight weeks of college football games.

#1 Cameron Ward

Miami (7-0) quarterback Cameron Ward is tied for the lead in Heisman odds at +200. He has played an integral role in helping Miami stay undefeated through its first seven games of the season.

Ward has completed 169 of 246 passing attempts, thrown for 2538 yards, and completed 24 passing touchdown passes. Additionally, he has 35 carries for 190 yards and three TDs.

#2 Ashton Jeanty

Boise State (5-1) running back Ashton Jeanty is tied with Ward at +200. He is a surprising contender, as has had a breakout season so far.

He continues to put up incredible numbers in every game and has helped Boise State get into the playoff mix.

One of the biggest things Jeanty has going for him is he is close to the pace to break the all-time rushing yards record. If he pulls it off, it is hard to imagine voters voting for someone else.

#3 Dillon Gabriel

Oregon (7-0) jumped up to the number one spot in the AP Top 25 rankings this week, and quarterback Dillon Gabriel is a big reason why the Ducks have had an incredible season. Gabriel rounds out the three most likely contenders with +350 odds.

He has completed 174 of 226 passes, thrown for 2080 yards, and completed 15 passing touchdowns. Additionally, he has 33 carries for 92 yards and four touchdowns.

#4 Travis Hunter

The player with the fourth-highest Heisman odds is Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter at +1500. It is a steep drop-off from Gabriel to Hunter, but he could still climb the ranks.

Hunter was second in odds behind Jeanty only two weeks ago, but injuries have limited his playing time in each of the past two games.

If Hunter can remain healthy the rest of the season and put up the numbers he had before they started, he can win the award. He is a media darling, and voters will not hesitate to vote for him if he is in the mix.