Early 2026 Heisman Trophy Odds, Predictions and Sleepers

Fall camp is just starting to peek over the horizon. Only about two months stand between us and the start of the 2026 college football season.

And so, soon enough, a new Heisman Trophy race will begin.

As always, the initial list of contenders is centered on quarterbacks. Although non-QBs have received more attention lately—running back Jeremiah Love and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in 2025, for example—the buzz around CFB's most prestigious award is still dominated by the signal-callers.

However, it would be foolish to ignore one popular non-QB.

Predictions are subject to change—you never know the next headline in this wacky sport—but early perceptions have taken hold as the offseason steadily fades.

2026 Heisman Trophy Odds

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Trinidad Chambliss

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: +750
Arch Manning, QB, Texas: +800
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami: +1100
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss: +1100
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State: +1300
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: +1300
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon: +1300
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana: +1500
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia: +1600
Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama: +2200
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU: +2700
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC: +2700
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami: +3000
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M: +3000

Complete list of odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Early Front-Runners

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Darian Mensah

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (+750)

In his first year as the starter, CJ Carr passed for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. Those are modest numbers, but an elite defense and rushing attack artificially capped his statistical upside. He may be tasked with shouldering a larger share of the offense in 2026. Now, will the Irish finally have a true breakout receiver? Not since 2021 has a wideout even topped 800 yards in South Bend.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas (+800)

Arch Manning opened the 2025 campaign as the Heisman favorite, struggled early and quickly fell out of award contention. During the second half, though, his production soared. Manning ended the season with 3,562 total yards, accounting for 37 touchdowns on a 10-3 team. The hype is back, understandably, but Manning isn't viewed as a sure thing, either.

Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (+1100)

While propelling Duke to an ACC title last season, Darian Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 scores to just six interceptions. Expectations are only higher for Mensah at Miami, which returns second-team AP All-American wideout Malachi Toney and also brought in 1,100-yard receiver Cooper Barkate from Duke. As long as a revamped blocking unit holds up, Mensah can be a prime contender.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss (+1100)

Granted a sixth season of eligibility, Trinidad Chambliss is back for a second year at Ole Miss. He roared into the national conversation after replacing an injured Austin Simmons in 2025, totaled 4,464 yards and 30 touchdowns and guided the Rebels to the CFP semifinals. Chambliss is an electric dual-threat QB, and his projected usage is very much conducive to a Heisman chase.

Sleepers

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Bear Bachmeier

Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU (+6500)

As a true freshman, Bear Bachmeier surpassed 3,000 yards through the air, 500 on the ground and totaled 26 touchdowns while leading BYU to an 11-2 record. That performance has inspired plenty of optimism for his encore in 2026. The main issue is he wears No. 47, which is just atrocious for a QB. The second, perhaps more believable, challenge is BYU's unproven receiving corps.

Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (+8000)

We could do far worse than believing in the player who paced the nation with 4,379 passing yards and tossed 34 touchdowns in 2025. Drew Mestemaker put up those numbers at North Texas, then followed his coach—along with 1,200-yard receiver Wyatt Young—to Oklahoma State. This would be an incredible leap for OSU as a program, but Mestemaker's individual upside is apparent.

Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri (+12500)

In a recognition sense, Ahmad Hardy is not a sleeper. He's a returning first-team AP All-American who finished second in the country with 1,649 yards and scored 16 times. Talent, clearly, is not an issue. The obstacle is whether Mizzou will win enough games to meet the typical criteria of a Heisman winner.

Early Prediction

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Jeremiah Smith

The "safe" money is on a quarterback. In six months, after a QB hoists the Heisman, I will kick myself.

Jeremiah Smith, nevertheless, has a major opportunity ahead.

Already a two-time All-American, the junior wide receiver has collected at least 76 catches, surpassed 1,200 yards and totaled 13-plus touchdowns in both seasons at Ohio State. Provided he's healthy, Smith will be a dominant player.

The additional appeal for Smith is Ohio State—while loaded with highly recruited talent at receiver—might not have a Carnell Tate-level complement. Unless someone like Brandon Inniss or true freshman Chris Henry Jr. becomes that, Smith is set to command a greater target share in 2026.

Also, the schedule seems tougher this season. Julian Sayin rarely had to throw passes in the fourth quarter, which limited their statistical upsides. More competitive games can be a boost to the box score, too.

Smith would be just the second WR-only player to win the Heisman in the last 35 years, potentially joining Alabama's DeVonta Smith (2020).