C.J. Carr, QB, Notre Dame
C.J. Carr is the definition of a field general, and he sits at the top of many preseason Heisman lists. After a stellar redshirt sophomore campaign where he proved his efficiency and poise, he enters 2026 as the leader of a top-five Notre Dame team. His
game isn't necessarily flashy, but it's incredibly effective, and NFL scouts are already talking about him as a potential top draft pick. For Carr, the path to the Heisman involves guiding the Fighting Irish through a favorable schedule and into the College Football Playoff. If he elevates his already impressive numbers and delivers in big moments, his polish and pro-readiness could make him the favorite who actually finishes on top.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
No player enters the season with more pressure or a brighter spotlight than Arch Manning. As football royalty, the expectations are astronomical, but he began to meet them with a fiery finish to last season. Manning’s case rests on his tantalizing dual-threat ability; he accounted for 36 total touchdowns last year, showcasing his arm and his legs. He commands an offense at Texas, a preseason top-five team, that features one of the deepest receiving corps in the nation. The narrative is almost too perfect: the heir to a football dynasty leading a historic program back to the promised land. If he builds on last year's momentum and leads Texas to an SEC title, the trophy might be his to lose.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Out on the West Coast, Dante Moore is the engine of the nation’s No. 2 ranked team. As the quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, Moore is in a prime position to put up eye-popping numbers in a high-powered offense. He's a consensus top-five candidate who combines a powerful arm with the ability to orchestrate one of the most explosive attacks in college football. For Moore, the Heisman campaign is tied directly to Oregon's national championship aspirations. Leading the Ducks to an undefeated or one-loss season, culminating in a Pac-12 title and a top playoff seed, would make his statistical production impossible for voters to ignore. He has the talent and the team to make a serious run.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
If you’re looking for a gunslinger who embodies the chaos and excitement of the SEC, look no further than Trinidad Chambliss. While he might not play for a top-five preseason team, Chambliss is a certified playmaker who consistently appears near the top of Heisman betting odds. He operates within a system at Ole Miss that encourages aggressive, high-yardage passing, giving him the opportunity to fill up the stat sheet every Saturday. His path to New York City involves leading the Rebels on a giant-killing run through the toughest conference in football. If he can pull off a few key upsets and keep Ole Miss in the playoff hunt deep into November, his highlight reel and sheer production could captivate voters.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Darian Mensah might be the most proven commodity on this list. Considered one of the best transfer acquisitions of the offseason, he arrives at Miami after leading his former team, Duke, to a conference championship with a spectacular season. Now, he's tasked with elevating a talented, top-10 Miami program to elite status. Mensah is a play creator who can extend plays and has a knack for the big moment. He's stepping into a system with a respected offensive staff, and the expectation is that he could throw for over 4,000 yards. If Mensah is the key that unlocks Miami's potential and turns them into a true national title contender, he will be a fixture in the Heisman conversation all year long.
The Sleeper: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
In a race dominated by quarterbacks, the true sleeper is the player so good he transcends his position: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Many analysts believe he is, pound-for-pound, the single best player in college football. The Heisman has become a quarterback's award, which is precisely what makes Smith's candidacy so compelling. He plays for the preseason No. 1 team in the country and is expected to be their primary offensive weapon. For him to win, he can't just be great; he has to be historically dominant. We're talking game-winning touchdowns, a highlight reel for the ages, and stats that force voters to rethink their QB bias. It’s a tall order, but if anyone has the talent to do it, it’s him.
