A quick look at the 2026 Heisman Trophy race

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza — who led the No. 1 Hoosiers to a perfect 13-0 regular-season record, their first Big Ten title since 1967 and eventually their first national title — captured the 91st Heisman Trophy.

Mendoza completed 71.5% of his pass attempts for 2,980 yards in the regular season and 39 total touchdowns after transferring to the Hoosiers after two seasons at Cal. He beat out quarterbacks Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) and Julian Sain (Ohio State) and running back Jeremiah Love (Notre Dame) to take home the trophy during the annual ceremony in New York.

With Mendoza, Pavia and Love headed to the NFL after this season, there’s a whole new crop of Heisman Trophy candidates for 2026.

Here’s a look at some of the top potential contenders (in no particular order):

2025 statistics: 87 catches, 1,243 receiving yards, 12 total touchdowns

Smith’s highlight reel of acrobatic, one-handed catches continues to grow, and he was the best player in college football last season. He is the fastest Buckeyes player to reach the career mark of 2,000 receiving yards (24 games), 100 catches (20) and 25 touchdown receptions (25).

2025 statistics: 78.4% completion pct, 3,323 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 6 interceptions

Saine could have captured the Heisman Trophy this season had Ohio State’s offense not flopped in a 13-10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. In his first season as a starter, Sain challenged the NCAA pass completion record of 77.4% set by Oregon’s Bo Nix in 2023, but finished at 77.0% after the Cotton Bowl.

2025 statistics: 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Moore shocked many when he decided to return to Oregon for the 2026 season instead of entering the NFL draft. He was projected to be one of the first prospects off the board. But Moore and his team chose to gain another season of experience, and the Ducks will be among the top CFP title contenders because of it. He completed 71.8% of his attempts but needs to cut down on his turnovers.

2025 statistics: 69.7% completion pct, 2,894 passing yards, 462 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns

In his first full season as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Stockton helped lead the Bulldogs to a 12-2 record and the SEC title. His legs and right arm were a big reason the Bulldogs averaged 31.9 points despite enduring countless injuries on the offensive line. Stockton was at his best when the game was on the line — he completed 83.6% of his passes in 2025 with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the fourth quarter.

2025 statistics: 11.1 yards per catch, 23 receptions on third down, 298 punt return yards

Tony’s teammates call him “Baby Jesus” and the true freshman delivered in a big way in his first season with the Hurricanes. He led the FBS with 109 catches and ranked fifth with 1,211 receiving yards. Tony even threw for two scores. Not bad for an 18-year-old who will be a high school senior if not reclassified in the class of 2025.

2025 statistics: 61.4% completion pct, 3,163 passing yards, 32 total touchdowns

Even with all the hand-wringing about Manning being overrated at the start of the season, the former five-star recruit finished with a good campaign in 2025. He enters his junior season as the projected No. 1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The Longhorns needed to find some offensive linemen (he was sacked 23 times), but the additions of former Auburn receiver Cam Coleman and tailbacks Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Ralick Brown (Arizona State) should help.

2025 statistics: 2,800 passing yards, 580 rushing yards, 61.6% completion pct.

After totaling 3,380 yards of offense and 36 touchdowns in Cincinnati last season, Sorsby was the No. 1 quarterback on the transfer portal. The Red Raiders invested heavily in landing him, and they’re counting on him to do more than former starter Behren Morton. Sorsby is a three-year starter, and his dual-threat ability brings another dimension to the Texas Tech offense.

2025 statistics: 3,973 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, 6 interceptions

Many eyes will be on Mensah after he broke his multi-year contract with Duke and moved to Miami on the final day of the transfer portal window. The Blue Devils sued to prevent him from leaving but eventually reached a financial settlement over his buyout. He’s another plug-and-play starter for the Hurricanes, who reached last season’s CFP title game along with former Georgia starter Carson Beck.

2025 statistics: 66.1% completion pct, 3,937 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns

The NCAA denied Ole Miss’ waiver request to give Chambliss another year of eligibility, so now the sides will battle it out in a Mississippi court. Chambliss played his first three seasons at Division II Ferris State before transferring to Ole Miss in 2025. He was named SEC Rookie of the Year after taking over the starting job in the third game of the season.

2025 statistics: 1,649 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns

A transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, Hardy was second in the FBS with 126.9 rushing yards and 1,649 rushing yards per game. He had eight 100-yard games for the Tigers, including a 300-yard effort with three touchdowns in a 49–27 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 15.

2025 statistics: 62.1% completion pct, 3,169 passing yards, 493 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns

Reid returning to Texas A&M is great news for the Aggies. Last season he was a threat every time he took the ball as he helped them win their first 11 games. He needs to improve his decision making so that he can reduce his 12 obstacles. He completed just 49.4% of his attempts with five picks on third down, another area for improvement.

2025 statistics: 64.2% completion pct, 3,454 passing yards, 22 touchdowns

There’s a reason new Bears coach Tosh Lupoi took a late-night flight to Hawaii to make sure Sagapolutele stayed at Cal. He is just the second true freshman in FBS history to pass for 200 yards or more in each of his first 11 starts. The Bears’ late-season upset of then-No. 21 SMU and No. 15 Louisville, Sagapolutele passed for a combined 653 yards with six touchdowns and no picks.

2025 statistics: 1,567 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns

After transferring from Missouri, Lacy helped the Rebels win 11 regular season games and two CFP games for the first time. He was second in the FBS in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards. That’s why former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin wanted Lacy to join him at LSU.

2025 statistics: 65.8% completion pct, 3,711 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns

Maiava’s return to USC gives Trojans coach Lincoln Riley’s team a big jump in 2026. Mayawa was second in the FBS last season with a 91.2 total QBR and fifth in passing yards. He also needs to reduce his 10 interceptions — seven of which came in four losses to USC in 2025.

2025 statistics: 1,090 rushing yards, 7 total touchdowns

Jackson became the fifth true freshman in OSU history to produce a 1,000-yard season, joining Robert Smith (1990), Maurice Clarett (2002), JK Dobbins (2017) and Trevion Henderson (2021). It’s good company. And, of course, he’ll be the second Bo Jackson to collect a strong-armed trophy.

2025 statistics: 68.9% completion pct, 9.5 yards per attempt, 39 total touchdowns

The messmaker is one of college football’s greatest stories. He didn’t start a single game in high school, then attended North Texas as a walk-on. During the 2025 season, he led the FBS with 4,379 passing yards, helping him capture the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s leading walk-on. He will join former Mean Green coach Eric Morris at Oklahoma State in 2026.

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

2025 begins: 66.6% completion pct, 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns

Irish coach Marcus Freeman assigned Carr to his offense after a heated battle in preseason camp. The decision paid off as Carr put together one of the best performances by a starter for the first time in Notre Dame history. He threw for at least one touchdown in each of his first 12 starts, becoming the first Irish player since Everett Golson in 2012-14. Carr’s 24 passing touchdowns in his first 12 starts are the most by a Notre Dame player since 1966.

2025 statistics: 69.5% completion pct, 3,065 passing yards, 611 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns

Williams is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the FBS, and his ability to run and throw was on display in the Huskies’ 38-19 win over Rutgers on Oct. 10. He is the first player in school history to pass for at least 400 yards (400) and score in at least 63 games (100). Williams was second on the team with 595 rushing yards. He’ll have to do some damage control with his teammates and UW fans after almost leaving LSU.

Other Viewings: Sam Levitt, QB, LSU; John Matter, QB, Oklahoma; Cam Coleman, WR, Texas; Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana; Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia; LJ Martin, RB, BYU; Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU; Lanris Sellers, QB, South Carolina; Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan