Heisman candidates for each top 25 team: Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith among favorites

Many of college football’s brightest stars are again in 2026, which units up a powerful Heisman Trophy race. Three of the 4 Heisman finalists are off to the NFL, together with the winner and No. 1 total choose, Fernando Mendoza. 

However, the race appears huge open early within the yr. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is the modest favourite at +750, however Texas quarterback Arch Manning is shut behind at +800. Nine gamers total have +1900 odds or higher, and there is a lot extra alternative down the record. 

Using Brandon Marcellio’s post-spring top 25, we went via and recognized the probably Heisman Trophy candidates for each group. The record is barely much less quarterback-heavy than final yr, with solely 15 candidates. However, Mendoza’s Hoosiers weren’t even on the record final yr; a lot is topic to vary. 

All odds are courtesy of FanDuel. 

1. Texas: QB Arch Manning

Odds: +800

Easiest choose on the board. Manning shall be on the shortlist of betting favorites heading into the season after his robust end to 2025, and Texas could have nationwide championship expectations. 

2. Ohio State: WR Jeremiah Smith

Odds: +1300

Smith is the most effective participant in school soccer and will once more play in among the best offenses. Ironically, shedding his working mate, Carnell Tate, to the NFL might assist his case as extra passes ought to come his means. At the identical time, quarterback Julian Sayin may even get loads of Heisman buzz after ending as a finalist final yr, and he has barely higher odds in May. 

3. Oregon: QB Dante Moore

Odds: +1200

Moore would have possible been the No. 2 total choose had he entered the draft final yr, however as a substitute opted to attempt to construct on his sensational sophomore yr. He accomplished almost 72% of his passes and could have one of many nation’s top receiving corps with Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart again on campus. 

4. Georgia: QB Gunner Stockton

Odds: +1600

There are higher gamers on Georgia’s roster, however there’s simply one thing about Stockton. The senior is only a flat-out playmaker. Stockton threw 24 touchdowns to 5 interceptions throughout an SEC championship season, and in addition delivered 462 yards on the bottom with 10 scores. Dare I say it, there is a Stetson Bennett high quality to his playmaking. 

5. Notre Dame: QB CJ Carr

Odds: +750

By the tip of the 2025 season, Carr was completely rolling. Outside of a head-scratching two-interception efficiency towards Pitt, Carr threw eight touchdowns to zero interceptions within the house stretch of the season. If Carr can replicate that manufacturing from the beginning of the yr, he has an opportunity to rank because the nation’s greatest quarterback — and perhaps lead the undefeated No. 1 seed. Carr is the early favourite to win the Heisman. 

6. Indiana: WR Charlie Becker

Odds: +17500

Transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and fellow huge receiver Nick Marsh could have a lot to say, however Becker was one of many breakout stars of the nationwide title run. The rising junior led the Big Ten with 20 yards per reception regardless of solely an 11% goal share. With extra targets on the best way, Becker might simply rank among the best receivers within the nation for one other nationwide contender. Hoover has significantly better listed odds, however does he have a pathway to replicating Mendoza’s brilliance? 

7. Miami: QB Darian Mensah

Odds: +1200

Last yr, Carson Beck developed right into a serviceable recreation supervisor. With Mensah coming to city, anticipate the Hurricanes’ offense to extra resemble the explosive unit led by Cam Ward. Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns whereas main Duke to the ACC title final yr. And frankly, including Cooper Barkate subsequent to famous person Malachi Toney is simply ridiculously unfair for opposing defenses. 

8. Texas A&M: QB Marcel Reed

Odds: +2700

Reed was monitoring to contend for the Heisman till a brutal end to the season, the place he threw for zero touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his remaining two video games. Unfortunately, these matchups have been a rival recreation towards Texas and a first-round CFP loss to Miami. Transfer receiver Isaiah Horton helps solidify one other stacked receiving corps for Reed to focus on. 

9. LSU: QB Sam Leavitt

Odds: +2000

The Tigers are reloading all around the area beneath first-year coach Lane Kiffin, and Leavitt takes heart stage. The Arizona State switch helped cause them to the Big 12 title and has numerous robust talent skills round him if he can keep wholesome. 

10. Oklahoma: QB John Mateer

Odds: +3500

The Sooners quarterback was on a fantastic trajectory earlier than a hand harm muddied his junior season. He threw eight touchdowns to eight interceptions after present process his surgical procedure. If he can get again to kind, Oklahoma has top-five potential. The return of huge receiver Isaiah Sategna and the additions of Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris will give Oklahoma one of many first plus-receiver rooms they’ve had for the reason that Lincoln Riley period. 

11. Texas Tech: RB Cam Dickey

Odds: +22500

The Red Raiders is perhaps the hardest group to select on this record. Brendan Sorsby would have been a pure choose, however he may very well be gone. Backup Will Hammond may not be prepared for Week 1. The Red Raiders even have arguably the most effective working again room in America, so no participant will get a bulk of carries. However, Dickey’s end to 2025 was so good that it could not matter. Dickey posted 1,124 yards dashing and 14 touchdowns whereas splitting carries, and can tackle a fair greater function if the passing recreation is gradual to develop. 

12. USC: QB Jayden Maiava

Odds: +2700

Maiava put collectively a sneaky good season at USC final season, ending top-five nationally in passing yards and scoring 30 whole touchdowns. Now, USC has a playoff-caliber roster, and Maiava is prepared for his second full season because the beginning quarterback. Lincoln Riley persistently makes magic with quarterbacks, and Maiava is subsequent in line. 

13. Ole Miss: QB Trinidad Chambliss

Odds: +1100

Chambliss needed to sue to win extra eligibility, however it is going to be effectively price it if he can take one other step within the SEC. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native was among the best tales in school soccer after transferring from Division II to submit greater than 4,000 whole yards and main Ole Miss to the nationwide semis. Entering the season as a family title ought to solely assist construct his legend. 

14. Alabama: WR Ryan Coleman-Williams

Odds: +22500

With the quarterback battle left unresolved, how a couple of bounce-back for the previous freshman All-American? Coleman-Williams’ sophomore season left a lot to be desired, with almost 1 / 4 of his manufacturing coming towards Wisconsin in Week 2. But when he is locked in, Coleman-Williams may be one of many nation’s most explosive athletes. 

15. Michigan: QB Bryce Underwood

Odds: +3500

Underwood’s first season at Michigan was inconsistent, however he might have discovered himself in an especially favorable scenario. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck comes with Kyle Whittingham from Utah and he is completed a masterful job maximizing dual-threat quarterbacks over time. Underwood was the No. 1 quarterback recruit within the nation final yr; beneath Beck, he might quickly be enjoying on simple mode. 

16. Tennessee: RB DeSean Bishop

Odds: +30000

The Volunteers’ quarterback room is a multitude after Joey Aguilar was denied a further yr of eligibility. While Faizon Brandon is the longer term on the place, Bishop may be the much-needed steadying power. As a sophomore, he exploded for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on solely 182 carries. Bishop must carry a a lot greater function subsequent season, within the mildew of Dylan Sampson. 

17. BYU: RB LJ Martin

Odds: +22500

Martin is perhaps the nation’s most underrated working again, and he dramatically reworked BYU’s Big 12 possibilities by asserting his return. The El Paso native recorded 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, together with 36 touchdowns for 255 yards, throughout his first totally wholesome season in Provo. With the lack of top huge receiver Parker Kingston, Martin shall be a real all-purpose again and push for 2,000 all-purpose yards. 

18. Iowa: RB Kamari Moulton

Odds: Unlisted

No Iowa gamers are listed in Heisman odds, however the Hawkeyes would possibly quietly have themselves an attention-grabbing younger again in Moulton. Across the primary two years of his profession, Mountain has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and cleared 1,200 yards on the bottom for a steadily enhancing offense. While he must overcome turnover on the offensive line, Moulton might simply be a extremely productive working again. 

19. Penn State: QB Rocco Becht

Odds: +6500

The Nittany Lions are ranging from sq. one after Matt Campbell took over this system, however Becht will rapidly turn into a fan favourite. While he took a slight step again in 2025, his dual-threat playmaking matches a number of the most enjoyable quarterbacks in current Happy Valley reminiscence. Putting up the statistical case may very well be a problem, however he’ll determine shut video games. 

20. Missouri: RB Ahmad Hardy

Odds: +10000

Hardy is the most effective working again within the nation. While Missouri in all probability will not win sufficient to offer him an opportunity, it is mind-blowing that his odds are this low. Hardy blew his ULM freshman numbers out of the water, exploding for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns on solely 256 carries. If Missouri’s offense can take a step up round him, Hardy might simply push in the direction of 2,000 yards dashing. How can you retain him out of New York? 

21. Washington: QB Demond Williams

Odds: +5500

Williams had an eventful offseason, making an attempt to enter the switch portal earlier than making an emotional return to Seattle. But there is a motive Jedd Fisch welcomed him again: Williams is among the greatest within the nation. Williams accomplished 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns throughout his first yr because the full-time starter. His junior numbers must be even higher. 

22. Clemson: DL Will Heldt

Odds: Unlisted

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been reluctant to make use of the switch portal. But after touchdown a expertise like Heldt final season, anticipate that opinion to defrost. The former Purdue star recorded 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 tackles for loss during the last two seasons, and has an actual first-team All-America case heading into 2026. If he can turn into an unstoppable power, Clemson’s protection might assist get the Tigers again in rivalry. 

23. Florida: RB Jadan Baugh

Odds: Unlisted

Baugh was set to turn into some of the sought-after gamers within the switch portal. Behind new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the Gators ought to have a dynamic working recreation with the star working again taking heart stage. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on 220 carries for the Gators and is again for extra. 

24. Utah: QB Devon Dampier

Odds: +8000

Frankly, Utah is complicated. Nearly each one of many Utes’ greatest gamers is gone, from defensive finish John Henry Daley to first-round tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. Dampier may even play beneath a brand new offensive coordinator after Jason Beck left for Michigan with Kyle Whittingham. Adding one other layer of complication, Dampier might cut up some snaps with backup Byrd Ficklin. All that mentioned, there is not an apparent contender to overhaul Dampier as a Heisman candidate on the roster, so by default, it is him. 

25. SMU: QB Kevin Jennings

Odds: +10000

Jennings comes into 2026 as one of many nation’s most seasoned quarterbacks and leads an SMU squad with critical playoff upside. The senior has almost 6,900 yards and 49 touchdowns over the previous two years as SMU recorded 20 wins. If Jennings can lower down on his 13 interceptions from final season, the Dallas native already has Heisman-caliber numbers.