Heisman Trophy Odds: Buffs’ Travis Hunter vaults into lead

The Heisman Trophy remains a four-player race, but there is yet another new leader among oddsmakers.

Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter took advantage of Miami’s first loss of the season to vault into the favorite seat for the first time this season. Hunter, who caught nine passes for 99 yards and a touchdown in addition to his regular duty as a shutdown corner in Colorado’s 41-27 win at Texas Tech on Saturday, is the +130 Heisman Trophy favorite at DraftKings.

Hunter has supplanted Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward, who tumbled to +800 after Miami was upset at Georgia Tech. He is now also behind Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty (+300) and Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel (+330).

Each of those three have spent at least two weeks as the favorite at different points during the season. They now all find themselves trying to chase down Hunter, who was a +2000 longshot just three weeks ago.

After two games in which he caught a combined five passes for 43 yards, Hunter has been heavily featured in the Buffaloes’ passing attack in wins over Cincinnati and Texas Tech. Saturday night’s nine catches came after Hunter torched the Bearcats for 153 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns ahead of Colorado’s bye week.

The Buffs host Utah on Saturday before traveling to Kansas, then return home to close out the regular season against Oklahoma State before a potential date in the Big 12 championship game.

HEISMAN TROPHY ODDS (via DraftKings)

PLAYER, TEAM, JULY ODDS, WEEK 1, LAST WEEK, CURRENT

Travis Hunter, Colorado, N/A, N/A, +220, +130

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, N/A/, N/A, +500, +300

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon, +750, +800, +290, +330

Cam Ward, Miami, +2200, +950, +200, +800

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana, N/A, N/A, +2200, +1500

Jalen Milroe, Alabama, +1500, +1100, +5000, +1800

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss, +1400, +850, +1600, +2000

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, N/A, +2200, +3500, +4000

Quinn Ewers, Texas, +1000, +1400, +6000, +4000

Milroe was the biggest mover of the week, with his rise from -5000 before Alabama’s rout at LSU representing the biggest positive odds delta of the week. Jeanty’s odds shortened -200 after rushing for 209 yards and three touchdowns in Boise State’s 28-21 win over Nevada.

Ward suffered the biggest drop among the contenders, seeing his odds lengthen by +600. Sanders’ lengthened +500 and Dart’s +400 despite leading both of their teams to key victories on Saturday.

The Heisman Trophy race has seen significant movement on a weekly basis throughout the season. Should No. 1 Oregon run the table undefeated in the Big Ten, it will likely be difficult for Hunter and Jeanty to hold off Gabriel, who has spent multiple stints atop the Heisman picture this season.