As the 2024 college football season progresses, three former Texas high school football standouts—Ashton Jeanty, Cade Klubnik, and Cam Ward—are top contenders for the Heisman Trophy. Their outstanding performances at Boise State, Clemson, and Miami have drawn national acclaim.
Cam Ward: West Columbia
Cam Ward, a standout at West Columbia High School in Texas, has significantly impacted Miami, leading the Hurricanes back to national prominence. In high school, Ward displayed impressive versatility, excelling as a dual-threat quarterback and gaining attention for his playmaking ability.
Since transferring to Miami from Washington State, Ward has been a force, leading the Hurricanes with stellar stats, including over 2,500 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only four interceptions this season. Ward has the best chance to win the Heisman, as Miami is likely to remain undefeated going into the ACC Championship, whereas current betting Favorite Travis Hunter is on a Colorado team that will likely drop another game or two before the season ends.
Cam Ward College Career Stats
| Year | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | LNG | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 191 | 281 | 68.0 | 2,746 | 9.8 | 24 | 5 | 77 | 174.7 |
| 2023 | 323 | 485 | 66.6 | 3,735 | 7.7 | 25 | 7 | 63 | 145.4 |
| 2022 | 320 | 497 | 64.4 | 3,231 | 6.5 | 23 | 9 | 60 | 130.6 |
| 2021 | 384 | 590 | 65.1 | 4,648 | 7.9 | 47 | 10 | 80 | 154.2 |
| 2020 | 183 | 303 | 60.4 | 2,260 | 7.5 | 24 | 4 | 59 | 146.6 |
Ashton Jeanty: Lone Star
Ashton Jeanty, originally from Jacksonville, Florida, relocated to Texas and attended Lone Star High School, where he showcased remarkable versatility. Transitioning from wide receiver to running back in his senior year, he dominated the field and solidified his future at Boise State.
In 2024, Jeanty has emerged as a powerhouse for the Broncos. Through seven games, he leads the nation with 1,376 rushing yards and ranks second with 18 touchdowns, averaging 196.6 rushing yards per game. His record-breaking 267-yard, six-touchdown game against Georgia Southern has positioned him as a strong Heisman candidate. To secure the trophy, Jeanty may need to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, a daunting but possible feat given his current trajectory.
Ashton Jeanty College Career Stats
| Year | CAR | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | LNG | FUM | LST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 159 | 1,376 | 8.7 | 18 | 77 | 12 | 50 | 4.2 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 220 | 1,347 | 6.1 | 14 | 68 | 43 | 569 | 13.2 | 5 | 75 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 156 | 821 | 5.3 | 7 | 34 | 14 | 155 | 11.1 | 0 | 42 | 0 | 0 |
Cade Klubnik: Austin Westlake
Cade Klubnik, hailing from Austin, Texas, led Westlake High School to multiple state championships and was named Texas Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. His high school stats were impressive, with 3,541 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and a career marked by precision and resilience.
At Clemson, Klubnik has lived up to his high school promise. This season, he has completed 146 of 219 passes (66.7%) for 1,836 yards, 20 touchdowns, and only three interceptions, achieving a quarterback rating of 164.5. His leadership has been crucial to Clemson’s resurgence, with the Tigers on a five-game win streak and a strong chance to secure an ACC title and a College Football Playoff spot. A potential ACC Championship showdown with Miami’s Cam Ward could be pivotal in determining the Heisman winner.
Cade Klubnik College Career Stats
| Year | CMP | ATT | CMP% | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | LNG | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 146 | 219 | 66.7 | 1,836 | 8.4 | 20 | 3 | 76 | 164.5 |
| 2023 | 290 | 454 | 63.9 | 2,844 | 6.3 | 19 | 9 | 69 | 126.3 |
| 2022 | 61 | 100 | 61.0 | 697 | 7.0 | 2 | 3 | 68 | 120.1 |
Heisman Trophy Prospects
Jeanty has held the top spot in Heisman odds for several weeks, while Klubnik and Ward have risen in the rank. They are joined closely in the Heisman odds by two other former Texas high school QBs, Quinn Ewers from Southlake Carroll and Garrett Nussmeier from Marcus. Ward has the easiest path to the Heisman. If Miami wins out, and Ward continues to put up big numbers, he will emerge as the favorite. However, if Miami drops a game, or Clemson gets to face Miami in the ACC Championship, and Klubnik has a big game, Cade Klubnik could win the award. Ewers, on the outside looking in right now, could still climb back into the race.
