Top 5 Heisman contenders from ACC in 2024 ft. Riley Leonard
As the ACC gears up for a new season as a 17-team massive conference, the league has some exceptional players. In a season with no immediate favorite for the Heisman Trophy, some of the ACC's top standouts could very well end up being part of that conversation. As usual, quarterbacks lead the likely Heisman picks, and the ACC has a handful of intriguing possibilities.
Top 5 Heisman Trophy contenders from the ACC in 2024
5. Kyron Drones, Virginia Tech
Drones transferred over from Baylor after seeing very little time in two seasons there. Drones began starting for Virginia Tech last year in Week 3. He had a successful season, passing for 2,085 yards and 17 touchdowns against just three interceptions.
Drones' multi-threat skills are significant. He also rushed for 818 yards and five touchdowns last season. If he can string together a season with 2,500 or 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing, Drones could be a dark horse candidate for the award.
4. Cade Klubnik, Clemson
Clemson has struggled to keep up for the last several seasons, but Klubnik should not be overlooked as a Heisman candidate. He had a very solid 2023 season, throwing for 2,844 yards and 19 touchdowns. He added 182 yards and four scores on the ground.
Clemson allowed 29 sacks a year ago. If the team can protect Klubnik, he could easily have a 3,000-yard and 25-touchdown season. If the Tigers can regain their footing as the power of the ACC, their signal caller would see an immediate boost in his Heisman hopes.
3. DJ Uiagalelei, Florida State
A transfer from Clemson and then Oregon State, many are overlooking the solid production from Uiagalelei in the last two seasons. He threw for 5,159 yards and 43 touchdowns against 14 interceptions in that span. He added 764 yards rushing and 13 more scores on the ground.
Uiagalelei gets overlooked because he initially struggled after being handed the Clemson starting job in a rough sophomore season. But with two solid years under his belt and now leading a solid CFP contender, he's worth considering as a Heisman possibility at the very least.
2. Cameron Ward, Miami
Ward is one of the most exciting players from the transfer portal. A two-year star at Washington State, he's transferred to Miami, where he'll lead a talented offense. In the past two years, Ward threw for 6,968 yards and 48 touchdowns. He also rushed for an additional 13 scores.
The ACC will be a jump in competition for Ward. But he wasn't always well protected at Washington State, giving up 38 sacks last season. Mario Cristobal's team has some uncertainties, but enough promise to make Ward a legitimate Heisman contender.
1. Riley Leonard, Notre Dame
Yes, Notre Dame isn't technically in the ACC. But with a five-game commitment from the league for scheduling purposes, it makes sense to consider Leonard with the ACC. Leonard starred at Duke, although his 2023 season was ruined by a mid-season injury.
In 2022, Leonard passed for 2,967 yards and 20 scores against just six interceptions. He rushed for 699 more yards and 13 scores on the ground. Leonard was sidelined in 2023 by ankle and toe injuries. If he can stay healthy, the exposure of Notre Dame will keep him in the Heisman race.
Which ACC players do you think have a shot at the Heisman? Weigh in below with your thoughts in our comments section!