Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026

College football is just around the corner.

And we are helping you get ready here at SB Nation.

Our month-long preview series began with a look at our Top 25 entering the year. Up next? A look at the players to watch when it comes to the most prestigious award in all of college football, the Heisman Trophy. After Fernando Mendoza’s rise last season, who joins the list of Heisman winners in December?

Here are the players to watch, grouped by tiers.

Note: Within each tier, players are listed alphabetically.

We start with the favorites for the Heisman Trophy. If any of these athletes brings home the hardware, it would not be a surprise.

If you are reading this, you probably know the names. But given these are the favorites, we will spend a little more time on this tier.

Again working alphabetically, we start with Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr. He won the starting job as a redshirt freshman and put up an NCAA Passer Rating of 168.1, throwing 24 touchdowns against just six interceptions. Expect his production to take a big step forward this season, given his experience and the departure of Jeremiyah Love.

Trinidad Chambliss exploded onto the national stage a year ago at Ole Miss, when former head coach Lane Kiffin turned to the Ferris State transfer after an injury to Austin Simmons. Chambliss hit the ground running and did not look back, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors and vaulting into the NFL Draft discussion following a standout performance in the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia. He is headed back to campus following a protracted battle over a sixth season of eligibility, and begins the year firmly in the Heisman mix.

Arch Manning was on lists like this one before he even took a snap, as he enrolled at Texas with a world of hype behind him. Now, with a full season as a starter under his belt, that hype can transform into reality.

Oregon passer Dante Moore stunned the football world when he passed on the 2025 NFL Draft, passing up a chance to be the first-overall selection — or at worst the second — to return to campus. But with the talent around him, and the talent that could have made him the second player picked last spring, Moore certainly can be counted among Heisman favorites to start the year.

Ohio State’s dreams of another title rest in large part on the shoulders of quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. There is a world where Smith is the first-overall player selected in the 2027 NFL Draft, depending on how the board falls, because he is that good. But despite the talent the accolades have not truly followed, as he has failed to generate true Heisman buzz the past few seasons and he has yet to win the Biletnikoff Award, given to the top WR in the nation.

That has to change this year.

As for Sayin, he was in New York City a season ago to watch Fernando Mendoza take the Heisman home, and there is no reason to think he will be anywhere else next December.

While these players might not begin the season among the favorites, one big game or two out of the gate and they will be rising up lists like this one.

Yes, this is a big group that includes two players — Reed and Stockton — that were in the running a season ago.

Malachi Toney might be a player to truly watch in this category. The dynamic Miami wide receiver is so explosive, and if he gets on the same page with Duke transfer Darian Mensah during training camp, those two could vault into the next tier by the time the massive November 7 tilt with Notre Dame rolls around.

Speaking of Mensah, he starts out in this tier but again, one or two big games for the new Miami quarterback and he will be rocketing up these rankings.

If you are wondering who the “next Fernando Mendoza” could be, keep an eye on Drew Mestemaker. The North Texas passer is now in Stillwater, led the nation in passing yards last year, and could put up similar numbers this year. If the Cowboys surprise, he will be leading the way.

In this next tier we find players, that could ride to Heisman glory thanks to a tremendous season of work. This tier also includes several running backs that could run their way to New York City in December.

Yes, we are hedging a bit with the Alabama quarterback battle. While redshirt freshman Keelon Russell is considered the favorite to win the job, and has the higher ceiling, Austin Mack’s experience might give him the nod coming out of summer camp. But the quarterback that starts for Alabama is going to be someone to watch for the Heisman Trophy.

The three running backs — Mark Fletcher, Ahmad Hardy, and Kewan Lacy — could rise up these rankings with big seasons. And do not count out Rocco Becht, who brings a ton of experience to Penn State and will be one of perhaps six former Iowa State players to start for Matt Campbell in his first season in Happy Valley. Becht is the most experienced starting QB in all of the FBS, and has some of his favorite targets with him from Iowa State, including tight end Benjamin Brahmer.

One could call this the “Fernando Mendoza Tier.” With a magical season, a Heisman Trophy could follow.

In another era, Bo Jackson might be considered among the favorites. The Ohio State running back put up big numbers last year for the Buckeyes, rushing for 1,090 yards and six touchdowns, averaging over six yards per attempt. But with the dominance of quarterbacks in Heisman voting in recent years, how many votes does he lose to teammate Julian Sayin if Ohio State has a great season? Then there is the Isaiah West factor, as Jackson will be getting significant opportunities in the Ohio State backfield this upcoming season.

Cam Coleman is an intriguing name to watch as well. The Auburn transfer caught 56 passes for 708 yards and five touchdowns last year with the Tigers, and now gets to catch passes from Manning in the Texas offense.