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Former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell gave his two cents on the Heisman trophy race this week via social media. He believes Ashton Jeanty deserves more consideration!
Jeanty is likely to be the runner-up for the award at season’s end after an explosive year at Boise State. The latest betting odds show Travis Hunter to be a sizeable favorite.
Hunter has done something not seen in college football. He’s playing at a high level on both sides of the ball, rarely taking a snap off for the Colorado Buffs. He leads the defense in interceptions. He’s also the offense’s top receiver.
To put things in perspective, only one player to take significant snaps on defense has won the award in the modern era. That was Charles Woodson in 1997.
Woodson played mostly cornerback while chipping in as a wideout and return man for the Michigan Wolverines. In that Heisman trophy seasons, he finished second in the NCAA with seven picks. On offense, he hauled in 11 total receptions. Hunter has 11 touchdown catches to go along with his Big 12 leading 82 catches.
That takes nothing away from Woodson. It simply spotlights the incredible production Travis Hunter has posted throughout the season.
Ashton Jeanty, meanwhile, is college football’s top running back. He was on a pace to break Barry Sanders’ NCAA rushing record early in the year, though production tapered as defenses keyed in on the Boise State run game.
Still, Jeanty leads the country in rushes, yards, and touchdowns through 11 games. Le’Veon Bell believes he’s been the best player *at his position* in the NCAA.
If Ashton Jeanty doesn’t win the Heisman, I won’t watch another college football game… He’s the most electrifying player in all of college football… May not be the most “POPULAR,” but is the Heisman a popularity contest? This kid’s stats are unreal, and he’s the BEST at his position.
-Le’Veon Bell / X: @LeVeonBell
Some might agree with that take. It’s the reason Travis Hunter was left off the Jim Thorpe award list. They didn’t consider him the nation’s best defensive back. But the Heisman trophy is given to the sport’s top player – regardless of position. That would seem to give the Colorado star the nod!
Bell caught flak after the fact for his take. His followers immediately fired back telling him that his opinion was wrong.
“Have you not seen Travis Hunter play? On both sides? For 150 plays a game?”
“Ashton Jeanty plays against high school teams most week… inflated numbers.”
Versatility and strength of competition were both used as reasoning to place Travis Hunter above Ashton Jeanty. Most would tend to agree. Le’Veon Bell appreciates what Jeanty’s done at the running back position. He accomplishments are nothing to dismiss!
That said, he’ll likely be watching Hunter walk across the podium when the Heisman trophy ceremony is held in New York. And that would mean Bell won’t be watching any more college football!