It has only been one week of the 2026 college football season, but a handful of players already look a step ahead of the rest in the Heisman Trophy race.
While it's too early to draw major conclusions, some things are becoming clearer than others — like Miami's offense. Quarterback Darian Mensah looked worth the money the Hurricanes paid after he transferred from Duke, and his top target Malachi Toney might just be the most electric weapon in college football.
While he was shaky at first, Trinidad Chambliss picked up where he left off last season for Mississippi, leading the Rebels to a narrow win over Louisville without Lane Kiffin or Charlie Weis Jr. calling
plays. Jayden Maiava only has a handful of incompletions through two games at Southern California.
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will update the Heisman Trophy power rankings, along with how the top contenders fared in their previous games. Here's a look at where the race stands after Week 1:
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
How about that for a debut? The new Miami quarterback and preseason ACC player of the year torched Stanford, completing 27-of-30 passes for 401 passing yards and five touchdowns in Week 1, finishing with two more touchdowns than incompletions.
Mensah is set to put up crazy numbers in Miami’s high-powered offense, especially with the schedule it faces and the weapons at his disposal.
2. Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Ole Miss' offense looked like it missed Kiffin in the first half against Louisville, scoring 10 points while Trinidad Chambliss committed an interception and fumble.
He quickly answered those concerns in the third and fourth quarters, finishing his 21-of-36 passing day with 336 yards and three touchdowns in the 41-38 win. He also rushed for 60 yards and a score. The Rebels didn’t quite look like the team that made a run to the College Football Playoff semifinals last season, but Chambliss was easily the best player on the field and will have ample opportunity to keep Ole Miss in games.
3. Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
Playing quarterback for a Lincoln Riley-led offense is one of the best positions in college football. Just ask Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams.
Jayden Maiava is next in line to compete for the award. He has been wildly efficient through two games, with six incompletions to six combined touchdowns vs. San Jose State and Fresno State. The Trojans will likely need to push for a CFP bid for Maiava to have a shot at the Heisman, but it’s in the realm of possibility.
4. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Viewed as the best overall player in college football, Jeremiah Smith dominated in Ohio State’s win over Ball State, catching eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
The only thing holding back Smith in Week 1 was the Buckeyes’ large lead, as all of his damage came in the first half. Another factor to consider: Only two players who have won the award who primarily played receiver (Tim Brown and DeVonta Smith).
Smith is certainly capable of becoming the third. A huge game against Texas in Week 2 can only help his cause.
5. Arch Manning, QB, Texas
It was a much better start to the season for Arch Manning, who completed 20-of-27 passes for 305 yards with four touchdowns to an interception in Texas' 59-7 win over Texas State.
Manning has to prove it this week against Ohio State after struggling against the Buckeyes last season. But he has looked like a different player since the end of 2025, and has Auburn transfer Cam Coleman to give him a new deep threat capable of climbing the ladder.
6. Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
It's hard to believe Toney is supposed to be a true freshman after reclassifying last season, because he's already one of the best players in college football. The sophomore was electric in Miami's win over Stanford, catching 12 passes for 234 yards with three touchdowns — even hitting the Heisman pose multiple times.
It'll be tough for Toney to win the Heisman due to his nature as a receiver — along with Mensah being his teammate — but the young playmaker is absolutely in contention.
7. Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
Julian Sayin, a Heisman finalist last season, was elite vs. Ball State, completing 21-of-25 passes for 320 yards with three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score.
Now, can he do it against an elite team? The third-year quarterback struggled at times in Ohio State's losses to Indiana and Miami to end the season. If he can turn it around in 2026 — starting with Texas — he could make the jump from finalist to winner.
8. Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore finished with impressive numbers in Oregon’s 34-27 win over Boise State to open the year (albeit thanks to some wild yards-after catch from his loaded core of receivers).
Moore completed 28-of-37 passes for 378 yards with three touchdowns in the win, tossing a game-winning 62-yard touchdown to Dakorien Moore with 7:51 left in the fourth quarter. The projected first-round pick is rarely flashy, but is among the most-talented passers in college football.
9. Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana
Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover has a lot going for him in a potential Heisman run this season: history of big passing numbers? Check. Two of the best receivers in college football? Check. Playing for a national title contender? Check.
He looked like a contender against North Texas in Week 1, completing 13-of-16 passes for 231 yards with four touchdowns in the 52-16 win. Oh, and one of those touchdowns came as he had blood gushing down his face.
10. Kamario Taylor, QB, Mississippi State
There aren’t many college football players, if any, who have more pure talent than Kamario Taylor.
The second-year Mississippi State quarterback showed that in a prolific performance against Louisiana-Monroe, throwing for 354 yards with four touchdowns while rushing for 59 yards and another score in the 62-13 win. Now he needs to prove he can do it against SEC opponents — and Mississippi State needs more than the five wins it had last season.
11. Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
Kevin Jennings torched Florida State for 463 total yards of offense in Week 1, completing 26-of-36 passes for 430 yards with three touchdowns, also rushing five times for 33 yards. He also tossed a pair of bad interceptions, all of which contributed to SMU’s narrow 27-24 road win over the Seminoles.
He needs to clean up the mistakes, but looked healthy for the first time since 2024 and leads an offense that puts up huge numbers. SMU will need to avoid near-upsets against teams of Florida State’s caliber, though.
12. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
Gunner Stockton could absolutely find himself in New York for the Heisman ceremony, similar to what Stetson Bennett did in his final season with Georgia in 2022.
While it was against Tennessee State, the Georgia quarterback completed 15-of-16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the 63-3 win. A Bulldogs run to the national championship could land him in Heisman contention.
Player of the week: Mason Heintschel, QB, Pittsburgh
Could a Kenny Pickett-like season be in store for returning Pitt starter Mason Heintschel? The sophomore flashed as a true freshman last season, and is set to take an even bigger jump this season.
Heintschel lit up Miami (Ohio) in Week 1, passing for 453 yards while tying a school record with seven touchdown passes (to seven different receivers) in the 59-14 win. The 6-foot-2 quarterback could be a sneaky dark horse candidate this season if Pitt can make some noise in the ACC.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman Trophy momentum meter: Miami's QB-WR duo shakes up Week 1 power rankings
