Underclassmen with Best Shot at 2026 Heisman Trophy

Though the Heisman Trophy ceremony tends to see a junior or senior hoist the coveted award, underclassmen will sometimes crash the party.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and USC signal-caller Caleb Williams won the Heisman in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Plus, Ohio State QB Julian Sayin landed a finalist invitation in 2025 balloting.

The crowd of top 2026 underclassmen is quite strong, too.

While the choices are subjective, they are based on past production and projected opportunity this season. Redshirt sophomores are considered.

Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

First task? Win the job.

Austin Mack, the backup to Ty Simpson in 2025, stands as the main competition for Keelon Russell. They'll be battling for QB1 at Alabama in spring practice and perhaps deeper into the summer or fall.

Let's project, though, and call Russell the guy. He would command a talented offense with Ryan Williams—an elite receiver if his drop problems lessen—Lotzier Brooks, North Carolina State transfer Noah Rogers, tight end Kaleb Edwards and some combination of young wideouts who develop this offseason.

There's no shortage of talent at Bama, and the coaching staff—despite the simmering frustration after how 2025 ended—is a proven offensive group.

Russell is a longer shot, but a Heisman-level year is a real best-case scenario.

Malachi Toney, WR, Miami

CFP/Getty Images

Historically speaking, non-quarterbacks are infrequent Heisman winners. However, when a player has an established reputation, voters pay attention earlier.

Malachi Toney certainly has that recognition.

As a true freshman in 2025—one who reclassified to arrive early—he set Miami records with 109 receptions and 1,211 yards. He rushed for 113 yards, returned punts at a 13-yard average and accounted for 13 touchdowns, flashing his high school QB experience with two as a passer.

Duke duo Darian Mensah and Cooper Barkate have an established connection, and they should keep producing at a high clip. That's a good problem for Miami, even if that affects Toney's statistical upside.

Toney, however, is undeniably one of the country's most dynamic players.

Bryce Underwood, QB, Michigan

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

This conversation is largely a credit to Bryce Underwood's individual talent.

Previewing the receiving corps, there are questions. Andrew Marsh had 651 yards as a freshman, so he's a decent top target. Utah transfer JJ Buchanan is an exciting option but needs to elevate his play after posting 427 yards in 2025. Texas transfer Jaime Ffrench Jr. has great potential, yet he caught just one pass last year.

Underwood, nevertheless, is the caliber of quarterback who, at his absolute best, can elevate an entire team.

The bright side is that improvement is not entirely on him. New coordinator Jason Beck should bring a more productive system to Ann Arbor, and Underwood's mobility works beautifully in Beck's schemes. That is decidedly good news.

Because the 2026 schedule looks very difficult, expecting Underwood to contend for the Heisman is a lofty ask. Again, though, his talent must be respected.

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

Ric Tapia/Getty Images

After a relatively slow start to the 2025 season, CJ Carr turned in a tremendous year. He passed for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns to only six picks, guiding Notre Dame to a 10-2 record and the brink of a College Football Playoff berth.

Carr lacked the marquee performance needed to deserve award attention, but he was a steady, productive QB on a strong team.

And in 2026, he should be the featured player.

Gone are excellent backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, who combined for 2,413 scrimmage yards and 29 rushing scores. It's unreasonable to anticipate ND's new backfield will match them, so Carr's contributions must rise.

The reality is ND's receivers—led by Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse—need to become a more effective group for Carr to reach his potential. Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter are part of that discussion, too.

But if that supporting cast raises its collective game, the Irish should be CFP contenders with Carr in the thick of the Heisman race.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Given that Julian Sayin finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting last season, it would be senseless to not include him.

Also, it doesn't hurt to still have Jeremiah Smith on the roster!

That connection thrived in 2025, as Smith—along with NFL-bound wideout Carnell Tate—played a key role in Sayin throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns. He paced the FBS with a 77.0 completion rate, as well.

One funky piece of Sayin's upside is whether Ohio State has another key receiver emerge. The hope is Brandon Inniss, who caught 36 passes last season, adequately fills the void Tate leaves. If not, Smith may command an even heavier target share than he already deserves and would bolster his own Heisman case.

But the point remains the same: Sayin has superstar upside.