There’s a new leader in USA TODAY Sports' weekly Heisman Trophy momentum meter.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who opted to write his own story with the Rebels rather than follow his former coach to LSU in the transfer portal, led his team to a 32-24 win over previously seventh-ranked LSU on Saturday, Sept. 19, scoring three total touchdowns. The former Division II transfer was tremendous in off-schedule and out-of-pocket situations, making numerous throws on the run and Houdini-like shovel passes.
He isn't the only player skyrocketing up the power rankings. Florida running back Jadan Baugh has been unleashed under first-year coach Jon Sumrall, averaging 8.5
yards per carry this season while ranking second nationally in rushing yards and tied-for 19th in carries.
Miami’s Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney continue to put up huge numbers for the Hurricanes, and both remain in position to compete for college football’s top award, too.
Here’s a look at our weekly Heisman meter heading into Week 4:
Heisman Trophy meter after Week 3
Previous week's ranking in parentheses
1. Trinidad Chambliss ⬆️ (3)
Chambliss had his Heisman moment against LSU in Week 3, completing 33-of-48 passes for 363 yards with two touchdowns to an interception in the 32-24 win. He also rushed for a score.
The former Division II transfer from Ferris State led Ole Miss to a potential program-defining win against LSU and former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin in his return to Oxford, Mississippi, making multiple jaw-dropping plays in the process.
Ole Miss looks like it can beat anyone with Chambliss at the helm, and isn’t that what the Heisman is all about? He’s the clear front runner right now.
SMOOTH OPERATORRRR 😮💨@TrinidadChambl1 x #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/IDyNQtXGEu
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 20, 2026
2. Darian Mensah ⬇️ (1)
Mensah has played three games for Miami and still only has eight incompletions. The Duke transfer is off to an historically efficient start to his season.
Mensah completed 35 straight passes from Miami’s Week 2 win over Florida A&M to its Week 3 win over Wake Forest, which ranked one shy of the FBS record. His 24 consecutive completions against the Demon Deacons also ranks tied-for third all-time, and he’s the first player in FBS history in at least 30 years to complete 85% or more of their passes in the first three games.
Mensah completed 30-of-34 passes for 220 yards with three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 33-20 win in Week 3, and is fully on pace to be in New York come December.
3. Jeremiah Smith ⬇️ (2)
You’re not going to win the Heisman from a 59-3 win over Kent State. Jeremiah Smith wasn’t asked to do much for Ohio State in Week 3, although he caught five passes for 85 yards in the easy win. Smith is one of the best players in college football, and if he keeps delivering in big games, he’ll be near the top of the Heisman conversation.
4. Kamario Taylor ↔️ (4)
The Kamario Taylor experience looked like it was going to take a hit early against South Carolina in Week 3. Mississippi State trailed the Gamecocks 16-0 midway through the second quarter before outsourcing them 41-18 the rest of the way.
Taylor completed 18-of-26 passes for 251 yards with four touchdowns and an interception in the win, leading the Bulldogs to their second SEC win over third-year coach Jeff Lebby. Taylor might have one of the best deep balls in college football, too, thanks to his virtually unrivaled arm strength:
HE'S GOT A MAN!
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) September 19, 2026
Zion Ragins 🔥@ZionRagins || 📺: @SECNetwork https://t.co/Y4N9NERLb9 pic.twitter.com/UhHfrFxp27
5. Jadan Baugh ⬆️ (N/A)
Run. The. Baugh. That has become Florida’s offensive game plan this season, and it’s working wonders. The third-year running back ran 26 times for 162 yards with three touchdowns in Florida’s 44-39 win over Auburn, raising his season totals to 54 carries for 458 yards (second nationally) with eight rushing touchdowns (tied-for first nationally).
Baugh is averaging a ridiculous 8.5 yards per carry this season and has rushed for over 135 yards in each of Florida’s three wins in 2026. He’s emerging as arguably the nation’s best running back.
JADAN BAUGH ON FOURTH DOWN 🔥
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) September 20, 2026
53 yards to the house 😤 pic.twitter.com/I1IKpXq4AY
6. Malachi Toney ↔️ (6)
Another week, another double-digit receptions game for Malachi Toney, who caught 12 passes for 114 yards with a touchdown in Miami’s 33-20 win over Wake Forest.
Toney is a quarterback’s best friend, and is a huge reason for Mensah’s efficiency so far this season. He ranks second nationally with 444 receiving yards, and it’ll be interesting to see how the Heisman race shakes out between him and Mensah the rest of the way.
7. Josh Hoover ⬆️ (8)
Indiana still hasn’t played anyone of note, but first-year quarterback Josh Hoover continues to put up big numbers for the Hoosiers.
The TCU transfer has 10 touchdown passes to no interceptions through three games this season, along with a 72.5% completion rate. He’s already developing quite the rapport with downfield threat Charlie Becker, who has six of those touchdown catches already.
The Texas native isn’t afraid to throw the ball downfield, which benefits Indiana’s lengthy receivers. He has a chance to move up the rankings in a big way once the Hoosiers start playing better teams.
8. CJ Carr ⬆️ (9)
Similarly to Hoover, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr hasn’t had to do much in the Fighting Irish’s wins over Wisconsin, Rice or Michigan State. He has 726 passing yards with seven total touchdowns so far this season, completing 72.6% of his passes. His Heisman case will likely be decided by his performances against Miami and BYU.
9. Jayden Maiava ⬇️ (5)
On one hand, Jayden Maiava led USC to 42 points against Rutgers. On the other hand, it doesn’t seem likely the Trojans can keep winning this way with how their defense is playing — which would hurt his Heisman chances.
Maiava threw for 277 yards with two touchdowns in USC’s 42-35 win over Rutgers, which is 0-3 this season. He leads the country with 1,173 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns — USC has already played four games — and has a chance to give his team a huge win when it hosts Oregon in Week 4.
10. Gunner Stockton ↔️ (10)
Gunner Stockton ranks No. 1 nationally in QBR with a 94.8 score so far through three games. He completed 10-of-13 passes for 147 yards with a touchdown in Georgia’s 45-17 win over Arkansas, also rushing seven times for 97 yards.
The Bulldogs haven’t played anyone of note yet, with wins over Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and Arkansas to open the year. But a test against a tough defense in Oklahoma awaits in Week 4, which will give Stockton an opportunity to show his growth this season.
11. Arch Manning ⬇️ (7)
Arch Manning was far from elite in Texas’ 30-6 win over UTSA, completing only 17-of-33 passes for 164 yards with two touchdowns in Week 3. He also rushed nine times for 50 yards.
Longhorns fans would like to see Manning be a bit more efficient in the passing game, with 61.9% completion rate so far this season. He has his Heisman moment with the Ohio State comeback, but needs the stats to back up his resume.
12. Drew Mestemaker ↔️ (12)
Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker took care of business against Murray State in Week 3, completing 20-of-22 passes for 324 yards with five touchdowns in the 59-0 win.
The Cowboys look to keep proving their Week 1 loss to Tulsa was a fluke, and they’ll be tested in Week 4 against undefeated West Virginia, which is coming off a double-digit win over then-No. 25 Virginia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman momentum meter: Trinidad Chambliss is No. 1. Here's what changed
