2024 Heisman Snubs: Top 10 Players Who Should Have Been Finalists

John Canady
Host · Writer
10) WR Nick Nash, San Jose State
When talking about an award centered around stats, there's absolutely no reason that San Jose State's Nick Nash should have been left out of the conversation. The wide receiver finished the year leading the nation in both receiving yards (1,382) and receptions (104), while also putting up 16 touchdowns. If the Heisman award truly is centered around the best player in the nation, not just on a top team, Nash should be a finalist despite where he suited up this season.
1) RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo is the one name that was left off the Heisman finalists that has caused many people to scratch their heads. The Arizona State star put together a monster season with 1,568 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns this season. The running back led his team to the College Football Playoffs, and his 170-yard, two touchdown outing in the Big 12 championship seemed like it could be the performance that solidified his name in the top four.
2) QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
Shedeur Sanders is another name that draws question marks when it comes to not being mentioned as a Heisman finalists in New York. The quarterback finished the season with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions, putting up similar, and arguably even better numbers up than quarterbacks who made the list above him. Not to mention he was an dependent factor on teammate Travis Hunter's success who was listed as a finalist.
3) RB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson was undeniably the best player on the Tennessee offense this season. The running back put together a career-year with 1,485 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 5.8 yards per carry for the Volunteers. Leading his team to a 10-2 record and a postseason bid while being the most reliable player on the team should count for something.
4) QB Carson Beck, Georgia
Carson Beck put together another solid season for Georgia despite losing multiple top targets to the NFL Draft in the offseason. The Georgia star finished the season with 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and arguably is one of the biggest reasons that Kirby Smart's squad had a chance to win the SEC Championship down the stretch.
5) QB Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Kurtis Rourke landed with Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers in the transfer portal last season and it may have been the best decision he could have made for his career. The fifth-year senior put together a monster season with 27 passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and only four interceptions with an efficient 85.7 QBR. As a leading factor to the Hoosiers completely turning their program around on the way to a playoff appearance, Rourke deserves more recognition for what he's done this season.
6) QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers entered his freshman season facing an uphill climb with one of the toughest strengths of schedules in a pivotal year for South Carolina's football program. After a rough start to the season, the game seemingly started to slow down for the quarterback as the season went on. Sellers ended up leading the Gamecocks on a six-game winning streak to end the season, just missing the CFP. The South Carolina native ended his freshman campaign with 24 total touchdowns (17 passing, seven rushing) and only seven interceptions. In addition, the emerging star was named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
7) QB Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Riley Leonard transferred to Notre Dame last offseason and immediately made an impact for Marcus Freeman's squad. The dual-threat quarterback finished the season with 16 passing touchdowns, 14 rushing touchdowns and only five interceptions. Leonard is another player on this list to lead his team to a CFP appearance.
8) QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Cade Klubnik struggled in his first season as the starting quarterback for the Tigers last year. However, the quarterback put his head down and went to work leading to a huge bounce back year as a junior. The Texas native put up 33 passing touchdowns, seven rushing touchdowns and five interceptions on the season. Not to mention Klubnik led his team to an ACC Championship and a postseason bid.
9) TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Tyler Warren was always a long shot to win this award as a tight end, but that doesn't take away from how impactful he's been for the Nittany Lions this season. The six-foot-six player emerged as one of the top pass catchers in the nation finishing with 1,062 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns this season. As a tight end, these monster numbers deservingly put him in this conversation.
10) WR Nick Nash, San Jose State
When talking about an award centered around stats, there's absolutely no reason that San Jose State's Nick Nash should have been left out of the conversation. The wide receiver finished the year leading the nation in both receiving yards (1,382) and receptions (104), while also putting up 16 touchdowns. If the Heisman award truly is centered around the best player in the nation, not just on a top team, Nash should be a finalist despite where he suited up this season.
1) RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo is the one name that was left off the Heisman finalists that has caused many people to scratch their heads. The Arizona State star put together a monster season with 1,568 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns this season. The running back led his team to the College Football Playoffs, and his 170-yard, two touchdown outing in the Big 12 championship seemed like it could be the performance that solidified his name in the top four.
