The 2026 Heisman Trophy race is shaping up with notable candidates like Arch Manning and CJ Carr. With three of last year's finalists moving to the NFL, the competition appears wide open.
Key points
2026 Heisman Trophy race features strong candidates
CJ Carr is the favorite at +750 odds
Arch Manning follows closely with +800 odds
Three of last year's Heisman finalists are now in the NFL
Fifteen candidates identified from post-spring top 25
Heisman TrophyArch ManningCJ CarrNotre Dame
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic Miami vs Ohio State
Getty Images
Many of college football's brightest stars are back in 2026, which sets up a strong Heisman Trophy race. Three of the four Heisman finalists are off to the NFL, including the winner and No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza.
However, the race looks wide open early in the year. Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is the modest favorite at +750, but Texas quarterback Arch Manning is close behind at +800. Nine players overall have +1900 odds or better, and there's plenty more opportunity down the list.
Using Brandon Marcellio's post-spring top 25, we went through and identified the most likely Heisman Trophy candidates for every team. The list is slightly less quarterback-heavy than last year, with only 15 candidates. However, Mendoza's Hoosiers weren't even on the list last year; plenty is subject to change.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
1. Texas: QB Arch Manning
Odds: +800
Easiest pick on the board. Manning will be on the shortlist of betting favorites heading into the season after his strong finish to 2025, and Texas will have national championship expectations.
Smith is the best player in college football and should again play in one of the best offenses. Ironically, losing his running mate, Carnell Tate, to the NFL could help his case as more passes should come his way. At the same time, quarterback Julian Sayin will also get plenty of Heisman buzz after finishing as a finalist last year, and he has slightly better odds in May.
Moore would have likely been the No. 2 overall pick had he entered the draft last year, but instead opted to try and build on his sensational sophomore year. He completed nearly 72% of his passes and will have one of the nation's top receiving corps with Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart back on campus.
There are better players on Georgia's roster, but there's just something about Stockton. The senior is just a flat-out playmaker. Stockton threw 24 touchdowns to five interceptions during an SEC championship season, and also delivered 462 yards on the ground with 10 scores. Dare I say it, there's a Stetson Bennett quality to his playmaking.
By the end of the 2025 season, Carr was absolutely rolling. Outside of a head-scratching two-interception performance against Pitt, Carr threw eight touchdowns to zero interceptions in the home stretch of the season. If Carr can replicate that production from the start of the year, he has a chance to rank as the nation's best quarterback -- and maybe lead the undefeated No. 1 seed. Carr is the early favorite to win the Heisman.
Transfer quarterback Josh Hoover and fellow wide receiver Nick Marsh will have plenty to say, but Becker was one of the breakout stars of the national title run. The rising junior led the Big Ten with 20 yards per reception despite only an 11% target share. With more targets on the way, Becker could easily rank among the most productive receivers in the nation for another national contender. Hoover has much better listed odds, but does he have a pathway to replicating Mendoza's brilliance?
Last year, Carson Beck developed into a serviceable game manager. With Mensah coming to town, expect the Hurricanes' offense to more resemble the explosive unit led by Cam Ward. Mensah threw for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns while leading Duke to the ACC title last year. And frankly, adding Cooper Barkate next to superstar Malachi Toney is just ridiculously unfair for opposing defenses.
Reed was tracking to contend for the Heisman until a brutal finish to the season, where he threw for zero touchdowns and four interceptions in his final two games. Unfortunately, those matchups were a rival game against Texas and a first-round CFP loss to Miami. Transfer receiver Isaiah Horton helps solidify another stacked receiving corps for Reed to target.
The Tigers are reloading all over the field under first-year coach Lane Kiffin, and Leavitt takes center stage. The Arizona State transfer helped lead them to the Big 12 title and has a number of strong skill talents around him if he can stay healthy.
The Sooners quarterback was on a great trajectory before a hand injury muddied his junior season. He threw eight touchdowns to eight interceptions after undergoing his surgery. If he can get back to form, Oklahoma has top-five potential. The return of wide receiver Isaiah Sategna and the additions of Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris will give Oklahoma one of the first plus-receiver rooms they've had since the Lincoln Riley era.
The Red Raiders might be the toughest team to pick on this list. Brendan Sorsby would have been a natural pick, but he could be gone. Backup Will Hammond might not be ready for Week 1. The Red Raiders also have arguably the best running back room in America, so no player will get a bulk of carries. However, Dickey's finish to 2025 was so good that it may not matter. Dickey posted 1,124 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns while splitting carries, and will take on an even bigger role if the passing game is slow to develop.
Maiava put together a sneaky good season at USC last season, finishing top-five nationally in passing yards and scoring 30 total touchdowns. Now, USC has a playoff-caliber roster, and Maiava is ready for his second full season as the starting quarterback. Lincoln Riley consistently makes magic with quarterbacks, and Maiava is next in line.
Chambliss had to sue to win additional eligibility, but it will be well worth it if he can take another step in the SEC. The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native was one of the best stories in college football after transferring from Division II to post more than 4,000 total yards and leading Ole Miss to the national semis. Entering the season as a household name should only help build his legend.
With the quarterback battle left unresolved, how about a bounce-back for the former freshman All-American? Coleman-Williams' sophomore season left much to be desired, with nearly a quarter of his production coming against Wisconsin in Week 2. But when he's locked in, Coleman-Williams can be one of the nation's most explosive athletes.
Underwood's first season at Michigan was inconsistent, but he may have found himself in an extremely favorable situation. Offensive coordinator Jason Beck comes with Kyle Whittingham from Utah and he's done a masterful job maximizing dual-threat quarterbacks over the years. Underwood was the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country last year; under Beck, he could soon be playing on easy mode.
The Volunteers' quarterback room is a mess after Joey Aguilar was denied an additional year of eligibility. While Faizon Brandon is the future at the position, Bishop can be the much-needed steadying force. As a sophomore, he exploded for 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns on only 182 carries. Bishop will have to carry a much bigger role next season, in the mold of Dylan Sampson.
Martin might be the nation's most underrated running back, and he dramatically transformed BYU's Big 12 chances by announcing his return. The El Paso native recorded 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 36 touchdowns for 255 yards, during his first fully healthy season in Provo. With the loss of top wide receiver Parker Kingston, Martin will be a true all-purpose back and push for 2,000 all-purpose yards.
No Iowa players are listed in Heisman odds, but the Hawkeyes might quietly have themselves an interesting young back in Moulton. Across the first two years of his career, Mountain has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and cleared 1,200 yards on the ground for a steadily improving offense. While he will have to overcome turnover on the offensive line, Moulton could easily be a highly productive running back.
The Nittany Lions are starting from square one after Matt Campbell took over the program, but Becht will quickly become a fan favorite. While he took a slight step back in 2025, his dual-threat playmaking matches some of the most fun quarterbacks in recent Happy Valley memory. Putting up the statistical case could be a challenge, but he will decide close games.
Hardy is the best running back in the country. While Missouri probably won't win enough to give him a chance, it's mind-blowing that his odds are this low. Hardy blew his ULM freshman numbers out of the water, exploding for 1,649 yards and 16 touchdowns on only 256 carries. If Missouri's offense can take a step up around him, Hardy could easily push towards 2,000 yards rushing. How can you keep him out of New York?
Williams had an eventful offseason, trying to enter the transfer portal before making an emotional return to Seattle. But there's a reason Jedd Fisch welcomed him back: Williams is one of the best in the country. Williams completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns during his first year as the full-time starter. His junior numbers should be even better.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has been reluctant to use the transfer portal. But after landing a talent like Heldt last season, expect that opinion to defrost. The former Purdue star recorded 25.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons, and has a real first-team All-America case heading into 2026. If he can become an unstoppable force, Clemson's defense could help get the Tigers back in contention.
Baugh was set to become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal. Behind new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the Gators should have a dynamic running game with the star running back taking center stage. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on 220 carries for the Gators and is back for more.
Frankly, Utah is confusing. Nearly every one of the Utes' best players is gone, from defensive end John Henry Daley to first-round tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu. Dampier will also play under a new offensive coordinator after Jason Beck left for Michigan with Kyle Whittingham. Adding another layer of complication, Dampier could split some snaps with backup Byrd Ficklin. All that said, there isn't an obvious contender to overtake Dampier as a Heisman candidate on the roster, so by default, it's him.
Jennings comes into 2026 as one of the nation's most seasoned quarterbacks and leads an SMU squad with serious playoff upside. The senior has nearly 6,900 yards and 49 touchdowns over the past two years as SMU recorded 20 wins. If Jennings can cut down on his 13 interceptions from last season, the Dallas native already has Heisman-caliber numbers.
