Ashton Jeanty reveals he had a Heisman speech he'll never deliver

In December 2024, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty attempted to secure the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best player in college football. Coming off a historic season in which he set records for rushing yards and touchdowns, Jeanty felt confident enough to prepare an acceptance speech, even declaring his intentions to the media. However, in a fiercely contested voting process, he ultimately lost to Travis Hunter, a standout player from Colorado who excelled as both a wide receiver and defensive player. Hunter's extraordinary performance led him to receive 552 first-place votes, overshadowing Jeanty's 309 votes. Travis Hunter's success this season solidified his reputation as a dual-threat athlete, contributing significantly to both his team's offense and defense. He boasted impressive statistics, including 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and winning the Biletnikoff Award as the top wide receiver in the nation. On defense, Hunter made substantial contributions with 31 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and four interceptions, culminating in him earning the Bednarik Award for the best defensive player. This remarkable achievement marked a historic moment as Hunter became the first player to win both awards in the same season, causing a significant buzz in college football. Despite Jeanty's exemplary performance leading Boise State to a strong playoff position, his efforts were not enough to overcome Hunter's impact on the field. Jeanty recorded an impressive 2,497 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, but the voting result illustrated the competitive landscape of college football. Boise State secured a spot in the College Football Playoff as the No. 3 seed, with plans to face the winner of an upcoming match between SMU and Penn State, aiming for a national title run. Hunter's victory and the high-stakes nature of the Heisman voting underscored the intense competition in college athletics, where performances and statistics are meticulously scrutinized. While Jeanty prepared for the ceremony with anticipation, he found himself without the opportunity to deliver a speech he had worked hard on, drawing parallels with other notable speeches that never got delivered due to unforeseen outcomes. This narrative not only highlights individual athletic achievements but also the emotional highs and lows that athletes face in their careers.