Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel, Cam Ward named Heisman finalists

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cam Ward were announced as the Heisman Trophy finalists on Monday night.

The Heisman has been given to the nation’s most outstanding college football player since 1935. This year’s winner will be announced Saturday night in New York (8 p.m., ESPN).

Hunter, a two-way standout for the Buffaloes, has recorded 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. On the defensive side of the ball, he has recorded 31 tackles and picked off four passes.

Jeanty, who is in the midst of a historic season, recently surpassed 1981 Heisman winner Marcus Allen of Southern California to move into fourth place on the FBS season rushing list and needs 132 more to pass record-holder Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State.

Gabriel has led Oregon to a perfect 13-0 record and the No. 1 seed in this year’s College Football Playoff. He is completing better than 73% of his passes for 3,558 yards and 28 touchdowns this season.

Ward, who is in his first year at Miami after spending the previous two years at Washington State, has helped guide the Hurricanes to an impressive 10-2 mark, has thrown for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns this season. Ward and the Canes weren’t selected for the CFP and will instead head to Orlando to take on Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.