The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prominent and recognizable awards in all of sports. Each year, players compete to win the award to cement their legacy and improve their draft stock for the NFL. In the 2025 season, quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the prestigious award, but fans were upset with the lack of competition in the award race.
We were blessed with one of the best Heisman Trophy races ever in 2024, with Ashton Jeanty almost beating Barry Sander’s record for most rushing yards in a season, and Travis Hunter playing stellar on both sides of the ball. Even after a subpar 2025 Heisman Trophy race, 2026 could be one for the ages.
With CFB, as well as other college sports, becoming NIL heavy (read my article on NIL), top talent is moving from team-to-team each season. Players are finding new and better situations to help their draft and their chance to win awards. 2026 could become one of the most competitive CFB seasons ever, as well as the Heisman Trophy race.
After looking at Heisman Trophy winning odds for each player, I have compiled a list of players that I love to win the award in 2026. Whether they play quarterback, running back, or receiver, these players have great situations and are coming off terrific 2025 seasons.
Here are my picks for the 2026 Heisman Trophy race.
*Odds are coming from FanDuel and statistically research is from Sports Reference.
QB Darian Mensah: +1500
2025 (Duke) Season Stats:
- 14 Games
- 3973 Passing Yards
- 66.8 Completion %
- 35 Total TDs
- 6 INTs
Mensah had a terrific freshman season at Tulane in 2024, throwing 22 touchdowns before transferring to the Duke Blue Devils. Somehow, Duke stayed alive down the stretch and played against Virginia for the ACC Conference Title. They would take down Virginia in overtime and win an ACC Title, despite not having the resume to make the College Football Playoffs.
The sophomore quarterback decided to transfer this offseason, causing a lot of commotion at Duke, which led Duke to buy him out. He transferred at the perfect time, as Miami was looking for its next quarterback for the 2026 season.
Miami is coming off a College Football Championship appearance, nearly pulling off an upset against Indiana, but fell short 27-21. However, Miami has made it loud and clear that they are just getting started, putting together one of the best transfer portals in the country. While solving their issue at quarterback, they also helped him out by bringing his No. 1 wide receiver from Duke, Cooper Barkate. Barkate and Malachi Toney should be able to make Mensah’s job one of the easiest in the country.
With Mark Fletcher and Malachi Toney making their return to Miami, this offense should be one of the best in the country, giving Mensah an even better chance to win the Heisman trophy.
QB Dante Moore: +1500
2025 Season Stats:
- 15 Games
- 3565 Passing Yards
- 71.8 Completion %
- 32 Total TDs
- 10 INTs
Dante Moore transferred to Oregon after an unsuccessful tenure at UCLA, and after sitting for one season, he became one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Moore led Oregon and the Ducks to another College Football Playoffs appearance. They would win their first-round matchup against James Madison and then dominate Texas Tech. Unfortunately, their success ran out, getting demolished by would be National Champion Indiana Hoosiers.
Oregon recruited top transfer quarterback Dylan Raiola as Dante Moore looks destined to forgo his senior season to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. In a shocking turn of events, Moore decided to stick around for his senior season, even though he would be a for sure top-5 pick.
Head coach Dan Lanning has put together another stellar recruiting class and transfer portal. Moore has arguably the best situation in the country, with returning talent and new top talent coming in. With one of the best head coaches in CFB, Oregon should be in play for a Big Ten title and a near lock for the College Football Playoffs.
Moore will more than likely be a first-round pick next draft cycle, but it is a risk going back to school. Draft stock could drop, somebody could leap-frog Moore, or injuries could happen. To me, Moore going back to Oregon shows how confident he is in winning a National Championship in 2026.
RB Kewan Lacy: +8000
2025 Season Stats:
- 15 Games
- 306 Attempts
- 1,567 Rushing Yards (177 Receiving Yards)
- 24 TDs
- 5.1 Yards/Carry
As a freshman, Kewan Lacy did not get much playing time at Missouri. Things would change drastically in his sophomore season. Lacy rushed for over 1,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the nation in touchdowns and finishing in the top five in rushing yards. Even with the controversy with head coach Lane Kiffin, Lacy and the Rebels would go on an incredible run in the College Football Playoffs.
Ole Miss demolished Tulane in the first round, cruising to an SEC rematch against Georgia. After being down double-digits at one point, Ole Miss would storm back and win in incredible fashion, becoming one of four teams left in the College Football Playoffs. For a chance to play for a National Championship, Lacy had a great game against the Miami Hurricanes, exploding for the first touchdown of the game for the Rebels. However, his effort was not enough to overcome Miami’s talent, losing by just one score.
Even with losing Lane Kiffin and multiple players, Lacy chose to stay with Ole Miss as many questioned if he would make the move to LSU. This offense will look much different in 2025, and Trinidad Chambliss has been denied another year of eligibility.
Many wonder if Ole Miss will have the same success they had just a season ago, but with Kewan Lacy, they should be amongst one of the best teams in the SEC and compete for another College Football Playoff appearance.
WR Malachi Toney: +2700
2025 Season Stats:
- 16 Games
- 109 Receptions
- 1,211 Receiving Yards
- 13 Total TDs (10 Receiving, 1 Rushing, 2 Passing)
Malachi Toney committed to the University of Miami after just sneaking into the top-50 in the country at his position. As the season progressed, Toney became one of the most electric players in the country, becoming an explosive, big-play threat anytime he touched the football. As a freshman, he would surpass 1,200 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns. Even later in the season and into the College Football Playoffs, the lights never shone too bright for Toney, and he was arguably the best player on the field in every game he played in.
Carson Beck transferred to Miami before the 2025 season, giving Toney a reliable option at quarterback. Throughout the season, Miami would defeat any top-25 opponent they played; however, lost two ACC games to subpar teams like Louisville and SMU. They were able to sneak into the College Football Playoffs, and they would go on a Cinderella run. They would defeat Texas A&M in a defensive battle, upset Ohio State, win a thriller against Ole Miss, and then lose by just one touchdown in the National Championship. Miami had an incredible 2025 season, but they are set to be even better in 2026.
If you scroll up, Malachi Toney has already been mentioned once. With Darian Mensah transferring to Miami, Toney will have a chance to be the top target for one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Mark Fletcher is coming back as well, making the rushing attack deadly. Offensively, Miami should be one of the most electric offenses in the country.
With so much talent surrounding him and an elite quarterback, Toney has the chance to improve on his standout freshman season. If he were to win the Heisman Trophy, he would be the first receiver since Devonta Smith in 2020.
Who Will Win the 2026 Heisman Trophy?
These players are coming off of great 2025 seasons and have an even better chance to win the award in 2025. Being on top teams will help, but it also helps their case when they are the top player at their position. The Heisman Trophy race will be one to remember, and outside of the top Heisman winners (according to FanDuel), I believe these players have a great chance of winning the award.
