Underdogs to Icons? G5 Heisman Candidates for 2024

By Ty Scheiner

While the chances of a G5 player reaching New York for the Heisman ceremony and ultimately winning the award are slim to none, the G5 still boasts plenty of talent. We see this even in the era of the transfer portal , where talented players either jump to Power Four conferences for more exposure or leave them for guaranteed playing time in the G5.

However, it's becoming increasingly rare for G5 players to be part of the Heisman conversation by the end of the year. Despite historical examples like Marshall Faulk (San Diego State, 2nd place in 1992), Steve McNair (Alcorn State, 3rd place in 1994), and Jordan Lynch (Northern Illinois, 3rd place in 2013) cracking the top three, those days pretty much have faded.

With that in mind, I want to highlight my top 5 G5 players who could have Heisman-caliber seasons, regardless of whether they get that "invite" to New York. For balance, I aimed to include at least one player from each skill position (QB, RB, WR) and left out Kaidon Salter and Quinton Cooley to avoid vote-splitting within the G5.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Not only is Boise State one of the favorites in the G5 to compete for their conference title and a playoff berth, but they also boast arguably one of the nation's best running backs in Ashton Jeanty. The reigning MWC Offensive Player of the Year sent a strong message by staying with the Broncos. He looks to follow up his breakout year with a signature season, leading Boise State to their first playoff berth.

Jeanty will have ample opportunity to showcase his skills early in the season when they travel to Eugene to play Oregon on September 7th. His " Heisman Moment " could come on Friday night, October 25th, when the Broncos play UNLV in Las Vegas. This key conference matchup could be a major indicator of how the conference race will unfold. If Jeanty performs well, carries the load for the Broncos, and has a standout performance, it could solidify him as a Heisman candidate in the G5.

Byrum Brown, QB, USF

I'm bullish on Brown and the Bulls this season under Coach Alex Golesh . Brown had a quietly solid season under the radar last year at South Florida. He already holds 12 USF records and, in 2023, joined Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) as the only players to achieve at least 3,000 passing yards and 800 rushing yards. I believe this is the year he can break out on the national stage. He's also improved off the field this offseason, adding 15 pounds and taking on a more vocal leadership role.

He'll have plenty of opportunities to shine with games at Alabama on September 7th, hosting Miami on September 21st, and a home showdown against Memphis on Friday, October 11th. This matchup against Memphis, featuring another potential Heisman candidate in Seth Henigan , could be his " Heisman Moment ." Their schedule is relatively tough, and if Brown can showcase his arm, legs, and overall playmaking ability, he could put himself and the Bulls on the map for casual college football fans. His dual-threat capabilities should help him stand out and make highlight plays on Saturdays.

Tory Horton, WR, Colorado State

Another player who, according to head coach Jay Norvell , reportedly turned down offers from Power Four schools to return to Colorado Springs. Horton is coming off his second straight 1,000-yard season and earned a spot on the All-Mountain West First Team .

Horton is a dynamic wide receiver who ranked in the Mountain West's top 10 for all-purpose yards and touchdowns last season. He recorded 10 total touchdowns , including one passing and one punt return touchdown. He has a solid quarterback who will be throwing him the ball, and I have Colorado State as one of my sleeper G5 teams . If they reach their full potential, Horton will be a big reason why. Additionally, he'll have plenty of opportunities to shine for his " Heisman Moment " on August 31st in Austin against Texas, September 14th at Colorado, and November 23rd against Fresno State.

Seth Henigan, QB, Memphis

Arguably the best quarterback in the G5 , Seth Henigan enters his senior season coming off his best year yet . Last season, he finished ranked fourth in the NCAA in passing yards, fifth in passing touchdowns, seventh in total offense (319.8 yards per game), and seventh in points responsible for (226).

I believe Henigan's consistency will be one of the things that makes him stand out from the rest. Additionally, being on a team that's predicted to represent the G5 in the college football playoff means many eyes will be on him throughout the season. Key potential " Heisman Moments " include their trip to Tallahassee on September 14th and the October 11th game in Tampa against conference foes USF and another Heisman candidate on this list, Byrum Brown . Additionally, November 2nd at UTSA and November 28th against Tulane are other big games that could impact Seth's Heisman run. His Heisman candidacy is tied to Memphis' overall success.

Jordan McCloud, QB, Texas State

This selection of Jordan McCloud might raise some eyebrows, but considering his explosive performance at JMU and his arrival at Texas State under Coach GJ Kinne , I believe McCloud has a real opportunity to showcase his talents. He brings durability and impressive accolades to the Bobcats, including Sun Belt Player of the Year, First Team All-Sun Belt, and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award semifinalist honors.

McCloud is a dual-threat quarterback who can attack defenses through the air and on the ground. Last season, he demonstrated his versatility by throwing for 3,657 yards and 35 touchdowns while also rushing for 276 yards and a team-leading 8 touchdowns. That's a combined 3,933 total yards of offense and 43 total touchdowns !

Teaming up with the Texas State offense under Coach Kinne's guidance should be a great fit for McCloud. The system should allow him to showcase his playmaking abilities. While some might consider McCloud's schedule to be easier compared to the other players on this list, he still has the potential to dominate and put up big numbers within this offensive scheme. His " Heisman Moment " opportunities could come early in the season with home games against UTSA on September 7th and Arizona State on September 12th, as well as a Thursday night matchup at Troy on November 3rd. These non-Saturday games could provide additional exposure for McCloud to impress casual college football fans.

To be completely transparent, I don’t believe a G5 player has a legitimate shot at winning the Heisman. However, if there were a specific G5 Heisman Award or if we lived in a time where voters took G5 players seriously, these are the five players I would keep an eye on heading into the 2024 season.