Week 5 of the college football season is in the books, and as teams start to near the halfway point in their season, were starting to see who's for real, and who is going to struggle to win games. The same is becoming true with the players, especially in what was expected to be a loaded race for the Heisman Trophy. Coming into the season, names like Arch Manning and Dante Moore ruled the conversation, but the season is shaking up much differently as 5 true contenders are emerging.
The 5 Heisman front runners that are emerging from the pack
Jeremiah Smith - Wide Receiver - Ohio State
- 2026 Stats: 44 catches for 823 yards, and 9 touchdowns
The Heisman Trophy is supposed to go to the most outstanding player in the country, and this season that's clearly Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes star now holds the program records in every receiving stat, and each week he's putting up video game numbers. Smith is outpacing the last true WR Heisman season in DeVonta Smith, and if he can continue to dominate, it's going to be almost impossible to steal the award from him.
Keelon Russell - Quarterback - Alabama
- 2026 Stats: 94-132 (71.21%) for 1,414 yards, 184 rushing yards, and 15 total touchdowns, with 2 interceptions.
As a Redshirt freshman, Keelon Russell is taking the country by storm as he's starting to look like the most talented quarterback in the country. Russell has Alabama out to a 5-0 start, and he could vault himself to the top of the Heisman race next week in a massive clash against Georgia. While Jeremiah Smith is insane, Russell could post numbers at the quarterback position that make it impossible for the Ohio State star to hold him off.
Darian Mensah - Quarterback - Miami
- 2026 Stats: 112-133 (84.21%) for 1,428 yards, 79 rushing yards, and 16 total touchdowns.
The ACC is a mess this season, and it may set up for Darian Mensah to post the best numbers of any quarterback. The biggest setback for Mensah may be the fact that he's been held under 250 yards in his last two conference games. Mensah is still efficient enough with elite weapons that he could start putting up massive numbers again while some of the other contenders face much tougher competition.
CJ Carr - Quarterback - Notre Dame
- 2026 Stats: 88-124 (70.96%) for 1,197 yards, 28 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, with 1 interception.
Notre Dame lost two 1st-round picks at running back to the NFL Draft, and CJ Carr has stepped up to carry the load on offense. Helping CJ Carr stay in the race is the fact that the Irish still have some big games remaining where he can have a Heisman moment, while they also have spots to help him post massive numbers.
Gunner Stockton - Quarterback - Georgia
- 2026 Stats: 77-102 (75.49%) for 1,049 yards, 122 rushing yards, and 13 touchdowns with 1 interception.
The Georgia Bulldogs haven't been tested to this point, allowing Kirby Smart's team to fly under the radar. Stockton has used an easier 5 game stretch to post impressive numbers, but this next game against Alabama gives him a chance to make a moment that vaults him into the conversation. Thus far, Stockton hasn't used his legs as much as we've seen in the past, but if he starts showing that dual threat ability in SEC play, it'll only help his case.
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