Ashton Jeanty's GF buzzes with excitement as Boise State star joins Travis Hunter & Co. as Heisman finalists
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty has had an eventful week after earning his team a first-round College Football Playoff bye due to the impressive 21-7 Mountain West Conference championship win against the UNLV Rebels. On Monday, the Broncos star was named among the four finalists for the prestigious Heisman Trophy.
The other three candidates include Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter, Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward.
Jeanty's girlfriend, Gabrielle Miller, was buzzing after the news was announced. She posted a picture of the announcement screen on her Instagram stories and included a poll question asking her fans whether she should vlog the ceremony.
"It's official," Miller wrote.
Ashton Jeanty battles Travis Hunter down the homestretch
The debate for the Heisman Trophy narrowed down to Ashton Jeanty and Travis Hunter weeks ago, and the two talents have traded blows both on the gridiron and off the field.
Jeanty had the distinct advantage of having the stage to himself on conference weekend as he led the Boise State Broncos to a Mountain West Conference championship win while clinching an unprecedented College Football Playoff spot. On the other hand, Hunter could not lead the Buffaloes to the Big 12 championship game.
The debate between Jeanty and Hunter has divided opinion, perhaps like no other Heisman race in recent memory. During the Mountain West Conference game, Fox analyst Brock Huard was insistent that the Broncos star was the deserved winner.
“To me … if only coaches voted, Ashton Jeanty would win the Heisman,” Huard said. “I really fully believe that. They know. Travis Hunter’s the most spectacular, most dynamic player. But the best player, who’s elevated his team to a championship and a playoff and a bye is that guy. And I love Travis Hunter.
"I said it earlier, if you already voted and you’re a Heisman voter … just don’t vote ever again. It just makes no sense to me. Get every data point for all of these guys."
On Sunday, during an interview on NBC, former NFL MVP Shaun Alexander rooted for Travis Hunter despite being a former running back himself.
"Travis plays so many plays," Alexander said. "It is hard to even think that a guy can cut off half the field when it comes to passes in the secondary and still be that guy all over the field. But definitely in the red zone, he's pretty marvelous, man.
"So I lean more towards Travis, just because I'm amazed to see a kid have that many snaps and be pretty solid through the whole game. It's pretty amazing."
Ashton Jeanty is on the verge of breaking 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders' 37-year rushing record (2,628 yards) and only needs 132 yards to accomplish the feat with at least one playoff game to play, but it will not count as the winner of the Heisman will be announced on Saturday.