Lemon City Live 2024 Heisman Watch List | Week 4

Miami, Florida – With so much excitement throughout FBS football and all the fun at Coral Gables, it’s time to add a weekly Lemon City Live Heisman Watch List.  Historically, the Heisman Trophy has mostly gone to either a quarterback or running back. Since 2000 the coveted accolade has been largely awarded to the former. However, the prize has a rich history. Believe it or not, a pair of tight ends have also won the trophy. They go by the names of Larry Kelley (1936) and Leon Hart (1949). Tim Brown (1987), Desmond Howard (1991), and DeVonta Smith (2020) are the only wide receivers to earn it so far. Lastly, I will throw in a wild piece of information: Charles Woodson is the only primarily defensive player to win the award. Woodson did so as a defensive back. He was also the kick returner and occasionally a wide receiver.

There are two things to keep in mind. First, the list will be restricted to only the quarterback. Yes, I know Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty make strong non-QB candidates. This leads me to the second part: it’s still early in the season. While I believe that the Heisman will once again go to a quarterback, the list will remain fluid and if Hunter and Jeanty keep making noise adjustments will be made accordingly. Alright, enough of the prologue let’s hit the list starting with the frontrunner who’s a familiar face.

Cam Ward

Another set of weekly awards for @Cameron7Ward 🙌

ACC Quarterback of the Week ✅
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award POTW ✅
Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 ✅#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/EmlzfmUhwH

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 24, 2024

He is hands down the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Although some will be quick to point out that Ward hasn’t faced anyone worth noting, and this is true, most of the other candidates haven’t either. Flying high with 1,439 yards, 14 TDs, and two interceptions (one wasn’t his fault) Ward’s claim has been strengthened by being named ACC Quarterback of the Week. One of his biggest strengths is being calm and collected. Against USF there was a play where the pocket collapsed and Ward casually tossed the ball to a nearby player keeping the drive going. Working great under pressure is a trait any coach would want of their signal caller.

Shedeur Sanders

Most Big Time Throws This Season:

🦬 Shedeur Sanders, Colorado: 12@CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/5EFz7EgKs7

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 26, 2024

Coach Prime’s son needed to throw two Hail Marys in a row to win a thriller over Baylor. He hit the wide receiver in both. I have to say that was impressive accuracy and to do it consecutively makes it better. Shedeur Sanders is right up there with Ward accumulating 1,340 yards of his own including 11 TDs and only a pair of picks. He performed poorly at Nebraska but the season is still in its early stages. Sanders has swagger and isn’t afraid to engage in some trash talking as the contest with Colorado State illustrated. You gotta like that in a quarterback.

Jaxson Dart

Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart on 20+ Yard Throws:

🎯 97.1 Passing Grade (1st)
🎯 15 Completions (1st)
🎯 623 Pass Yards (1st)
🎯 9 Touchdowns (1st)@OleMissFB pic.twitter.com/bdyb5K7OIM

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 25, 2024

It was only a matter of time before the SEC appeared on this list. Jaxson Dart takes the yardage even further with 1,554 yards complemented by a dozen touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s been crushing opponents on Ole Miss’ behalf with no signs of slowing down, the latest being Georgia Southern. Jaxson was throwing Darts versus the Eagles churning out 382 yards and four TDs. Currently the best in the conference, the senior might knock down a record or two, however, the SEC schedule is about to test his mettle starting with Kentucky.

Garrett Nussmeier

Garrett Nussmeier with an unbelievable dot to @realkp4_ 🎯

(via @LSUfootball)pic.twitter.com/azvvx9WBJt

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 21, 2024

It is the SEC the rest of the way for better or worse. Repping LSU Garrett Nussmeier checks in with 1,247 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two INTs. Nussmeier has thrown for over 300 yards in three of four contests with the odds of it happening again versus South Alabama being very high. Garrett also pulled off a six-touchdown performance against Nicholls. I can hear the fans say in unison “Who?”. It wasn’t a conference rival but it’s still good. His test will come the following week in a titanic matchup against Jaxson Dart in what is likely going to be an entertaining battle.

Carson Beck

Carson Beck 🎯 pic.twitter.com/u7sgPMblkd

— Speak Up (@_SpeakU) September 19, 2024

Filling the fifth slot was harder than expected. Looking at guys like Dylan Raiola, Will Howard, Drew Allar, Nico Iamaleava, Dillon Gabriel, and Jalen Milroe I settled on the Georgia Bulldogs QB. Carson Beck has 680 yards, seven TDs, and no interceptions for 2024 and part of the reason he nabs the last spot is because of the home opener victory over then No. 14 Clemson. His next opponent is Bama. A good performance there and he’ll likely remain in my Top 5, otherwise we can see Milroe take over or some other previously mentioned player in the logjam for cracking the list.