Before the showdown-filled slate arrived in Week 10, the Heisman Trophy had already undergone a major change.
News broke of an injury sidelining Miami receiver Malachi Toney, who then needed surgery to address his ankle issue. His absence was certainly felt Saturday night when the Hurricanes lost to Notre Dame.
And that very matchup also served as a key moment for ND's CJ Carr.
Miami QB Darian Mensah, despite the loss in South Bend, is still a prime contender for the Heisman. Carr, though, is solidly in the race alongside him.
While the latest FanDuel odds are listed, the rankings are more subjective as a snapshot of this moment in the season.
Week 11 Heisman Odds
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- CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (+150)
- Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (+340)
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (+340)
- Devon Dampier, QB, Utah (+1200)
- Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (+1500)
- Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama (+1900)
- Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia (+2500)
- LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (+5500)
- Nate Sheppard, RB, Duke (+8000)
Odds via FanDuel.
On the Radar
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Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU: Now that LSU has dropped three games, Leavitt has reached a make-or-break moment. If the Tigers beat Texas and Tennessee over the next two weeks, expect Leavitt's stock to surge. With a loss in either tilt, however, he'll drift from the conversation.
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami: This is probably a final mention for Toney, who assembled an incredible two months. He'd dealt with on-and-off ankle problems all season, and an unfortunate injury led to him needing surgery. Miami is hoping Toney can return for the College Football Playoff, should the 'Canes make it.
Jesse Legree, WR, Oregon State: Legree has been fantastic, racking up 61 catches for 1,209 yards and 14 touchdowns—those last two totals both lead the FBS. Oregon State is now 5-4, though, with a trip to Boise State up next. Voters typically don't prioritize a player on a five-loss team, no matter his production.
DeSean Bishop, RB, Tennessee: Bishop, meanwhile, has been on a heater with five straight 100-yard performances. He just rushed for 109 yards and two scores in the rout of Kentucky, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Tennessee heads to Texas A&M this weekend before hosting LSU. Two more victories for the Vols, and Bishop's candidacy may ascend. If not, never mind.
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC: Sitting at 2,524 yards with 20 touchdowns through the air, Maiava has decent numbers. USC, despite the noise, is 7-2 with a marquee trip to Indiana in Week 11 and to unbeaten UCLA in a couple weeks. Again, if the Trojans lose, write off Maiava. But his path to contention is evident.
Next Players Up
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Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama: In a battle of attrition, Russell is surviving thanks to Alabama's 7-2 record. He just threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns in a critical win at LSU, too. Since the Crimson Tide have a remaining slate of Vanderbilt, FCS team Chattanooga and rival Auburn, Russell is unlikely to win the Heisman but might snag a few votes if Bama finishes 10-2.
Nate Sheppard, RB, Duke: After a five-touchdown day against Boston College, Sheppard ripped apart NC State's defense for 217 yards and three scores. He ranks second and fourth in the nation, respectively, with 1,189 yards and 17 touchdowns on the ground. Week 11's trip to Miami is a decisive game for Sheppard and Duke.
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State: Mestemaker has thrown for 2,962 yards and stands atop the FBS with 29 touchdown passes. That production has kept him in the conversation despite OSU's three losses, but on Saturday the Pokes host 8-1 Texas Tech. It's a huge opportunity—possibly good or bad—for the quarterback's award upside.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina: Since a three-game skid earlier this season, South Carolina has rattled off four consecutive wins. Sellers has played an integral role in that streak, looking more like the dynamic dual-threat QB of his breakout 2024 campaign. He has passed for 2,100 yards, scampered for 637 and totaled 24 touchdowns for the 6-3 Gamecocks, who play at Arkansas this weekend.
Gio Lopez, QB, Wake Forest: The staff understandably sat Lopez due to a leg injury as Wake Forest cruised past FCS school Merrimack. Although he missed a valuable opportunity to pad his stats, Saturday's clash at SMU is far more important for the Demon Deacons' hopes of winning the ACC and making the CFP.
5. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
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The cleanest path to the SEC Championship Game belongs to Georgia, the conference's only program with one league loss in 2026.
Gunner Stockton is a major beneficiary of that outlook.
As usual, his production is a bit behind other top contenders. He has thrown for 1,857 yards with 20 touchdowns to four interceptions, adding 233 yards and two scores as a runner. Not elite, but certainly good.
Beyond the Dawgs' 8-1 record, however, Stockton just helped himself immensely. He totaled 214 yards and five touchdowns in UGA's 42-7 walloping of Ole Miss.
Stockton is a tier or two below the next players, but he's firmly in the running as Missouri comes to town in Week 11.
4. Devon Dampier, QB, Utah
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Welcome to the spotlight, Devon Dampier.
For several weeks, we've highlighted Utah's quarterback as a player on the radar or just outside the Heisman Top 5. Dampier has routinely passed for 200-plus yards, made a notable impact as a runner and totaled three-ish touchdowns while helping the Utes remain unbeaten as a team.
Dampier lacked a signature moment on his résumé, however, preventing him from commanding more attention. That changed in a 28-20 triumph over BYU.
While throwing for 177 yards and two scores, Dampier added 87 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. Plus, he impressively reeled in a contested 29-yard reception on a fourth-down trick play.
Dampier can bolster his appeal with a strong showing at Arizona this weekend, though a loss may nearly close any door to winning the Heisman.
3. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
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The good news is Jeremiah Smith has continued to produce after a shoulder injury sidelined OSU quarterback Julian Sayin.
Smith corralled 10 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown at USC, then notched seven receptions for 133 yards and a score against Oregon. He's still an absolute weapon for the Ohio State offense.
The bad news is the Buckeyes lost both games.
Plenty of voters will recognize Smith's individual excellence and factor in Sayin's absence. At his current pace, Smith is still trending toward 85-plus catches with more than 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. That's a spectacular year.
Historically, though, team success is a real factor. If OSU loses a fourth game, choosing Smith as the winner would be a tough sell for many.
2. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
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Shortly before halftime, CJ Carr scrambled right, turned to evade two Miami defenders, sprinted to the middle of the field and somehow found Aneyas Williams to convert a 3rd-and-4. Five plays later, Carr hit Micah Gilbert for a 17-yard touchdown that handed the Fighting Irish a 17-3 lead at halftime.
That moment is probably a bit underappreciated.
However, it was nothing short of essential in ND's 31-24 victory over top-ranked Miami. The game, as a whole, is now the selling point of Carr's candidacy.
Carr completed 29-of-40 passes for 319 yards with three touchdowns and zero turnovers. He's now thrown for 2,168 yards this season, totaling 24 scores to one interception while guiding ND to an 8-1 record.
Notre Dame hosts Boston College in Week 11, and a valuable game against a now-ranked SMU team looms afterward.
1. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
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Had the Hurricanes not battled back in the second half at Notre Dame, we could be having a very different conversation.
During the first 30 minutes of Miami's first game without Toney, the 'Canes looked lost. The offensive line struggled, allowing constant pressure that limited Mensah's effectiveness. Notre Dame extended its lead to 24–3 early in the third quarter.
But a furious comeback eased the narrative around Mensah.
Ultimately, he finished 24-of-43 with 276 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Mensah also put Miami in position to even the score, only for replay to determine Elija Lofton didn't quite complete his catch in the end zone.
Mensah's grip on the front-runner label is tenuous—Miami must avoid a second loss—but he remains a deserving pick with 2,831 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Duke, from which he transferred this offseason, is next for Mensah and the 'Canes.
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