The college football season is nearly here as Week 0 is just days away, starting what looks to be a wide-open chase for the National Championship. While the race for the National Championship isn't always wide open, the race for the Heisman Trophy always brings entertainment, as truly any skill position player could work their way into the race with a solid stretch.
While the Heisman Trophy is typically a quarterback award, in recent years we've seen special seasons from Travis Hunter and DeVonta Smith rewarded by the voters. There's a clear list of top contenders for the award coming into the season, but if Fernando Mendoza showed us anything last season, it's that a Heisman can emerge when you least expect it.
The top 25 Heisman Trophy candidates heading into 2026
If the Heisman wasn't a Quarterback Award
25. Trey'Dez Green - LSU
Whether Lane Kiffin uses Trey'Dez Green as a bigger wide receiver or a true tight end, he's going to be one of the best weapons in college football. Last season, Green stepped into a starting role, catching 33 passes for 433 yards and 7 touchdowns. When LSU uses Trey'Dez Green in the redzone he's impossible to guard, which could lead to him posting absurd stats in Kiffin's offense.
24. Jadan Baugh - Florida
The path toward a successful first season for Jon Sumrall is simply "Running the Baugh". Despite the coaching turnover, Jadan Baugh stayed in Gainesville and gives Florida arguably the best running back in the Country. Buster Faulkner taking Florida's offensive coordinator job will only take him to the next level, as he's designed some of the best rushing attacks in college football.
23. Cam Coleman - Texas
The past two seasons, Cam Coleman has been left to waste as Auburn's quarterback woes limited how much he could do in the offense. Coleman now makes the move to Texas, where he joins Arch Manning and Steve Sarkisian, who was the offensive coordinator for DeVonta Smith's Heisman season. Coleman is elite on 50/50 balls, while his game as a whole should be elevated playing in this offense.
22. Kewan Lacy - Ole Miss
While Trinidad Chambliss was the biggest story, Kewan Lacy also emerged as a superstar at Ole Miss. After showing flashes at Missouri, Lacy exploded, finishing top 3 in carries (306), yards (1,567), and rushing touchdowns with 24. Like most things with Ole Miss this season, Lane Kiffin's departure may be a concern, but Lacy's talent should shine through regardless of the offensive system.
21. Malachi Toney - Miami
Instead of dominating as a Senior in High School, Malachi Toney enrolled at Miami a year early and was unstoppable. Toney has the type of ability that could vault him into the Heisman picture, as he's a threat to score any time he touches the ball, whether it's out of the backfield, returning kicks, or on screen passes. Darian Mensah should be great for Toney as he tries to take the next step, as he'll be far more consistent than Carson Beck.
Flashy first year starters
20. Faizon Brandon - Tennessee
Joey Aguilar was unable to land an injunction, and after missing out on landing Sam Leavitt, it became clear that Tennessee was going to have a quarterback battle. While Josh Heupel hasn't officially named a starter, all signs point toward true freshman Faizon Brandon earning the starting job. Brandon has all the tools, and while he's inexperienced, Josh Heupel's offense could lead to him posting absurd stats for a freshman.
19. Keelon Russell - Alabama
Kalen DeBoer had every reason to give Austin Mack the starting job, given that he's the veteran in the battle and was the first player to follow DeBoer from Washington. Instead, Keelon Russell went out and won the quarterback battle this offseason, and instantly looks like a potential Heisman dark horse. Keelon Russell only attempted 15 passes last season, but completed 11 for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Returning starters ready to emerge
18. Kevin Jennings - SMU
Kevin Jennings led SMU to the College Football Playoff in his first season as the starter, and nearly did it again last season. The lone concern right now is that Jennings is dealing with a hand injury, which could always linger into the season if he hits his hand. Jennings is one of the most exciting players in the Country, and if he takes a leap in his third season as the starter, he could easily run away with the award.
17. LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina
Coming into last season, LaNorris Sellers was on the short list to win the Heisman Trophy, but the season was a disaster for South Carolina. While many may not believe in Sellers, his dynamic ability is the type that can launch any Heisman campaign, especially if he has several big games with his legs. The biggest question for Sellers may be if the offensive line will be good enough, and if the Gamecocks have enough weapons, as injuries are already wiping out the wide receiver room.
16. Bryce Underwood - Michigan
The arrival of Bryce Underwood was treated as if Michigan were getting a savior, given that he was the Nation's top overall recruit. The issue is that Sherrone Moore didn't even give his freshman a dedicated quarterback coach, and things behind the scenes later proved to be chaotic at best. Kyle Whittingham and Jason Beck should help Underwood hit the next level as a passer who would launch a potential Heisman campaign.
15. Demond Williams Jr - Washington
This season could either be incredible for Washington and Demond Williams Jr or fall apart quickly. After signing a new deal with Washington, Williams tried to enter the Transfer Portal, and was forced to return. Williams has all the talent to contend for the Heisman, but the chemistry on the team may prove to be broken if the Huskies are set back early.
14. Marcel Reed - Texas A&M
The past two seasons, Marcel Reed has developed into one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the Country, giving him a chance to contend for the Heisman if he continues to make strides. The biggest flaw for Marcel Reed has been his struggles against elite defenses, which haunted him when he could've launched a Heisman campaign in the final three regular season games. If Reed can take a leap as a passer, he'll post the rushing stats to potentially win the award.
13. Jayden Maiava - USC
Lincoln Riley has had three different starting quarterbacks win the Heisman Trophy, and with Jayden Maiava back for another season, he could be next in line. Last season, Maiava showed great dual-threat ability with 30 total touchdowns, but threw 10 interceptions while completing just 65.8% of his passes. If Maiava can become more efficient, even without Makai Lemon, this offense has the pieces capable of leading Maiava on a Heisman campaign.
12. Drew Mestmaker - Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State enters a new era as Eric Morris takes over at the helm, and he brings with him the core of his North Texas team. Drew Mestemaker led the nation with 4,379 yards and ranked 2nd with 34 passing touchdowns, and he'll be reunited with Caleb Hawkins and Wyatt Young. Mestemaker is playing in the offense for a second season, and if the talent translates to the Big 12, Oklahoma State could be one of the highest-scoring offenses in the Country.
11. John Mateer - Oklahoma
The start of the season made John Mateer look like a Heisman Trophy candidate, but his hand injury, followed by struggles when he returned, took him out of the race. While there are questions over whether or not Mateer can play at a high-level week in and week out in SEC play, Mateer does have a skill set that can translate to Heisman success.
10. Sam Leavitt - LSU
After leading Arizona State to the College Football Playoff, Sam Leavitt could've been a Heisman Trophy candidate, but injuries derailed his season. Leavitt now arrives at LSU, where he'll look to become an even better quarterback in Lane Kiffin's offense. Sam Leavitt has the dual-threat ability, but he'll need to become a better passer to fully succeed in the offensive scheme.
9. Gunner Stockton - Georgia
Coming into the season, Gunner Stockton isn't getting nearly enough credit for the season he had when it comes to the Heisman Trophy race. Stockton carried the offense, totaling 34 touchdowns with just 5 interceptions, while showing up in some of Georgia's biggest games. While Gunner Stockton will take a leap with the second season of experience, the concern will be that the wide receiver room doesn't have enough talent.
8. Josh Hoover - Indiana
Mike Shanahan just showed he can call an offense that wins a quarterback the Heisman, and he could do it again this season. Josh Hoover would seem like a stretch for the award given the high number of turnovers, but nobody saw Fernando Mendoza until it happened. Josh Hoover has the experience to win the award, and with the duo of Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, the talent is there to get him to New York.
The unicorn
7. Jeremiah Smith - Ohio State
If there's one non-quarterback, you have to include in the Heisman Trophy race, it's Jeremiah Smith. Through two seasons, Jeremiah Smith has looked to be a generational wide receiver talent, and his final season of college football could set records. If some of the top quarterbacks don't live up to the hype like we saw last season, Smith could easily make a run at winning the award.
The front runners
6. Trinidad Chambliss - Ole Miss
If Ole Miss started Trinidad Chambliss instead of Austin Simmons to start the 2025 season, he could've won the Heisman, but he enters this season as a clear front runner for the award. The biggest concern will be that Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr depart, which could set the offense back a step. Chambliss has all the tools to win the award and carry Ole Miss to another Playoff appearance.
5. Julian Sayin - Ohio State
In his first season starting for Ohio State, Julian Sayin made it to New York, and the expectation should be a return trip. Ohio State's offense still has the best wide receiver in the Country, and tons of talent ready to step in and replace Carnell Tate at wide receiver. Sayin was highly efficient last season, but if he can trade some completions for shot plays, the Heisman may be Sayin's to lose.
4. Arch Manning - Texas
Arch Manning entered his first season as the starter with Heisman hopes, but it was always too much to ask given his limited game experience. The start of the season was shaky for Arch Manning, but down the stretch he started to look like that Heisman Trophy level candidate. Texas should have a run game to complement Manning, and with an elite weapon in Cam Coleman, this offense should be one of the best in the Country.
3. Dante Moore - Oregon
After his first season as Oregon's starter, Dante Moore could've declared for the NFL Draft and would've likely been picked 2nd overall, but he returned to school to continue developing. After passing for 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions, the biggest task for Moore is to take the next step while cutting down on the turnovers. Oregon's offense will be one of the Nation's best, returning a loaded wide receiver core, a dynamic RB duo, and a potential 1st-round pick at tight end.
2. CJ Carr - Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish say goodbye to a pair of 1st round picks at running back, turning the offense over to CJ Carr as Notre Dame will almost certainly pass more. CJ Carr didn't get nearly enough credit for how impressive he was in his first season, passing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. Marcus Freeman went out and added talent in the receiving room, setting Carr up for an explosive second season as the starter.
1. Darian Mensah - Miami
It's been a steady climb for incoming Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, who started his career at Tulane before proving he could be one of the Nation's best quarterbacks last season at Duke. Darian Mensah steps into a Miami offense loaded with weapons, especially Malachi Toney and his top target from Duke, Cooper Barkate. The Canes' offense should be one of the most explosive in the Country, setting Mensah up to post ridiculous stats if he plays well.
Add us as a preferred source on Google