Strike the pose. Not that one, this one. Week 1 of the college football season kicks off this weekend in the SEC. To get you ready for the games this weekend, Last Word on College Football wanted to give you our top five SEC Heisman candidates. The Heisman Memorial Trophy has been awarded annually since 1935 to the most outstanding player in college football. Since 2000, 12 of the 24 winners have come from the Southeastern Conference. We are counting the four Oklahoma quarterbacks; thank you for the conference realignment. That run is even more dominant when we look at the winners from the past ten years. The SEC can (now) claim seven of the last ten winners.
- 2023: Jayden Daniels, LSU
- 2022: Caleb Willaims, USC
- 2021: Bryce Young, Alabama
- 2020: Devonta Smith, Alabama
- 2019: Joe Burrow, LSU
- 2018: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
- 2017: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- 2016: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
- 2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama
Let’s look at the top five names to strike the pose in 2024.
Top 5 SEC Heisman Candidates
Our list is quarterback-heavy; 20 of the last 24 winners have all been signal-callers. We will look at each of the names’ career stats and one reason why they can win the Heisman in 2024.
Carson Beck, Georgia
Statistics and accolades:
Beck, now in his second year as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback, had a standout 2023 season. He started all 14 games, earning a spot on the Coaches All-SEC Second Team and becoming a finalist for the Manning Award. He led the SEC and ranked third nationally with 3,941 passing yards. Beck also demonstrated remarkable accuracy, finishing fourth in the nation with a completion percentage of 72.4%.
Why Beck wins:
Georgia is ranked #1 in the Coach’s and AP poll to start the season. Beck is on all of the top preseason watchlists for awards. He is also likely a Top 5 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. That’s a lot of pressure and expectations, but if he lives up to it. He will be in New York City.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Statistics and accolades:
In 2023, it was all business for Ewers for the Longhorns (and we are not just talking about his haircut). Ewers started every game for the Longhorns in 2023, leading them to a Big 12 Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He completed 272 of 394 passes, boasting a 69.0% completion rate, and threw for 3,479 yards, with 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions. Ewers can also get it done with his legs, rushing 59 times for 75 yards and scoring five touchdowns. His 3,479 passing yards were the fourth-highest in a single season in UT history, and his 272 completions ranked sixth.
Why Ewers wins:
Ewers has navigated the hype and thrived in Steve Sarkisian’s system. A slew of running back injuries means that Ewers will be relied on more to run and throw his team to victory. Look for video game-like numbers from the Longhorn’s quarterback.
Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Statistics and accolades:
Entering his third year as the Rebels’ starting quarterback, Dart led Ole Miss to a historic 11-win season, capped by a Peach Bowl victory. He started all 13 games, throwing for 3,364 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions—tying the Ole Miss record for fewest in a season with 200+ attempts. Dart also added 389 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Pro Football Focus rated him as the ninth-best passer and third-best rushing QB in the SEC in 2023.
Why Dart wins:
Ole Miss has not been among the SEC elite in its history. Lane Kiffin has brought the party from the Grove to Vaught. He has mastered the transfer portal to fortify Ole Miss’s roster to put them in contention for a College Football Playoff spot and a possible SEC Championship. Dart will be the key to Ole Miss’ success. He is the heart of the team. Another strong season and a few highlight plays will have folks clamoring for the party to move to NYC.
Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Statistics and accolades:
Milroe enters year two as the starter for the Crimson Tide. After being benched in Week 3, Milroe returned to become a permanent team captain and earned second-team All-SEC honors. He posted a 172.2 passer efficiency rating, second in the SEC and fifth nationally, throwing for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns with just six interceptions. Milroe also rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading all SEC quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns.
Why Milroe wins:
People keep finding reasons to doubt Milroe and find reasons why the Tide quarterback won’t be successful. Instead, SEC fans saw him smile and yell Roll Tide to CBS’s Jenny Dell after most of Alabama’s wins last year. He won’t be on CBS this season; he will have a new head coach in Kalen DeBoer, who will find ways to maximize his talent. One can see and hear that smile and Roll Tide when Milroe’s name is announced in December.
Niko Iamaleava, Tennesseee
Why Iamaleava wins:
Iamaleava, the wild card and newcomer, takes over for Joe Milton with a chance to lead the Vols to success. Highly recruited out of California, he was rumored to have secured one of the largest NIL deals to join Tennessee. Serving as the backup quarterback during the regular season, he earned a redshirt while playing in five games, including one start. Iamaleava completed 28 of 45 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions, and added 71 rushing yards and three scores on 20 carries. Thrust into his first start in the Citrus Bowl against Iowa, he shined, leading the Vols to a 35-0 shutout victory and earning MVP honors. Josh Heupel is a quarterback guru, and he could help lead Iamaleava to a Heisman in December and a college football playoff spot for the Vols.
Crystal Ball: SEC Heisman Winner
Carson Beck will lead Georgia to an SEC Championship, collected his Heisman in New York City in December, and then led the Bulldogs to their third national championship in four years.
