Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell briefly became the betting favorite to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy following an impressive performance in the No. 7 Crimson Tide's 56-23 road win over the No. 16 Mississippi State Bulldogs on Saturday.
His run as the solo favorite didn't last long, though, as Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith scored a pair of touchdowns and set the school's receiving touchdown record in the process to reclaim his spot atop the Heisman leaderboard.
Here is where things currently stand with the Heisman odds, courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook, through the late afternoon window on Saturday:
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: +105
- Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama: +700
- Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (Fla.): +700
- CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame: +750
- Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss: +1500
- Arch Manning, QB, Texas: +3000
- Malachi Toney, WR, Miami (Fla.): +3000
- Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia: +3000
- Kamario Taylor, QB, Mississippi State: +3500
- Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State: +3500
Smith made himself the strong favorite with another incredible showing for Ohio State in a 31-14 win over Iowa. The phenom racked up 11 catches, 206 yards and two touchdowns.
Smith's performance moved him into first place in all three major receiving categories (receptions, yards, receiving touchdowns) in Ohio State history.
Russell turned in another dominant performance on Saturday, going 16-of-22 for 285 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions, while also rushing for 16 yards and a touchdown.
The sophomore signal-caller has Bama off to a 5-0 start, and he has been especially strong over the past three games, which saw the Tide beat Florida State, South Carolina and Mississippi State.
Per Bryan Fischer of Sports Illustrated, Russell has been nearly perfect during that stretch, accounting for 13 total touchdowns and no interceptions:
While Russell strengthened his Heisman case Saturday, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor saw his take a hit.
Taylor entered Saturday's contest having thrown 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions on the season. In the loss to Alabama, he managed to throw for 258 yards and another three scores, but he was picked off twice, including a pick-six.
There is a clear separation in the Heisman race with four players at 7-1 odds or better and six at 13-1 or better. After Florida running back Jadan Baugh at 13-1, the next closest players sit at 30-1.
Russell may indeed be the player to beat for the Heisman right now, but he has some tough competition.
Smith is now up to 44 receptions, 823 yards and nine touchdowns through five games, while Darian Mensah and CJ Carr have led their teams to undefeated starts and look like national title contenders.
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