Bold claim: the 2026 Heisman race could diverge from recent trends and spotlight players from programs outside the traditional powerhouses. But here’s the twist: a handful of highly talented contenders already look poised to carry the debate early and often. ESPN’s early-look list gathers the names fans should watch as the 2026 season approaches, giving readers a clearer sense of the field and the stakes involved.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
2025 stats: 80 receptions, 1,086 yards, 12 total touchdowns.
Smith’s production dipped slightly from a sensational freshman year, yet he remained the central threat opponents had to game-plan for every week. Even with that shared scrutiny, he delivered repeatedly, hinting at a trajectory that could place him among Ohio State’s all-time great receivers by the time he leaves Columbus.
QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State
2025 stats: 3,323 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, 6 interceptions.
Sayin finished as a Heisman finalist in 2025, making a repeat bid a logical step. His first season as a starter showed the Buckeyes’ offense has plenty of room to grow with him at the helm, and home-field advantages set to boost his national profile in 2026.
QB Gunner Stockton, Georgia
2025 stats: 2,691 passing yards, 442 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns.
Stockton posted a solid year, with some peak performances standing out in big games. Notable moments include: 289 passing yards and four touchdowns against Ole Miss, and three passing touchdowns (no interceptions) in the SEC Championship Game against Alabama. Those outings illustrate the ceiling he could reach in 2026.
WR Malachi Toney, Miami
2025 stats: 84 receptions, 970 yards, 8 total touchdowns.
Toney burst onto the scene as a freshman and became a recognized playmaker by midseason. Miami’s adjustments to use him as a backfield threat only amplified his versatility, suggesting a future where he could be among the nation’s most dynamic offensive weapons.
QB Arch Manning, Texas
2025 stats: 2,942 passing yards, 32 total touchdowns.
Manning started slowly, with five early interceptions, but rebounded significantly. Over the final seven games, he threw just two interceptions and logged multiple 300+ yard games and multi-TD performances. Consistency will be the key for a fuller 2026 run.
QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
2025 stats: 3,016 passing yards, 24 total touchdowns.
After stepping in as Ole Miss’s starter midseason due to an injury, Chambliss delivered a strong campaign and has requested an extra year of eligibility. If granted, his experience and efficiency could keep him in the Heisman discussion, especially given Ole Miss’s renewed offensive momentum.
RB Ahmad Hardy, Missouri
2025 stats: 1,560 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns.
A transfer from Louisiana-Monroe, Hardy emerged as one of the nation’s top rushers. His breakout performance, including a dominant 300-yard, three-TD game against Mississippi State, demonstrates the kind of peak output that can power a Heisman bid when paired with a high-profile offense.
QB Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
2025 stats: 2,932 passing yards, 466 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns.
Reed led Texas A&M to the College Football Playoffs in 2025 and showed a knack for big-play moments. While turnovers remain an area to clean up, his overall production and the team’s stability under a growing program presence position him as a serious contender in 2026.
QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, California
2025 stats: 3,117 passing yards, 20 total touchdowns.
A standout true freshman who started 11 straight 200+ yard games, Sagapolutele has drawn attention as one of the top young quarterbacks. California’s new coach has prioritized keeping him in the fold, and a revitalized offense could amplify his Heisman case in 2026.
RB Kewan Lacy, Ole Miss
2025 stats: 1,279 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns.
Lacy made an immediate impact as a transfer, carving out a prominent role in Ole Miss’s backfield. If Chambliss joins him in serving as a dual-threat threat, Ole Miss could become a hostile matchup and a strong platform for a Heisman campaign.
QB Jayden Maiava, USC
2025 stats: 3,431 passing yards, 29 total touchdowns.
USC’s 2025 season didn’t ignite national headlines, but Maiava proved he can thrive under pressure and excel in tough spots. If USC returns to title contention and Maiava remains productive, he’ll be in the Heisman mix again in 2026, especially given his proven ability to generate big plays under duress.
RB Bo Jackson, Ohio State
2025 stats: 1,035 rushing yards, 6 total touchdowns.
Jackson follows a storied name into a potentially loaded OSU offense. With questions about personnel surrounding him, his role could be pivotal in determining how explosive Ohio State’s rushing attack looks next season.
QB Drew Mestemaker, North Texas
2025 stats: 4,129 passing yards, 36 total touchdowns.
On sheer numbers alone, Mestemaker belonged in the Heisman discourse. North Texas’s CFP-busting regular season wasn’t enough to push him over the top, but his story as a walk-on-turned-elite passer adds compelling narrative power to his candidacy for 2026.
QB CJ Carr, Notre Dame
2025 stats: 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns.
After a hotly contested preseason, Carr anchored Notre Dame’s late-season surge to a near-playoff appearance, including a stretch with 10 straight wins to end the year. His steady play—especially the streak of touchdown passes at the start of many games—kept him on the Heisman radar.
QB Demond Williams, Washington
2025 stats: 2,850 passing yards, 595 rushing yards, 27 total touchdowns.
Williams stands out as one of the nation’s premier dual-threat quarterbacks, bringing a distinct style that fits well with Washington’s offense. The next hurdle is performing at a higher level in bigger games: in the team’s four losses, his TD-to-INT ratio lagged behind what Heisman contenders typically demonstrate. If he rises to those big-game moments, his candidacy could take off.
Takeaway:
The 2026 Heisman field looks poised to feature a mix of established programs and rising stars. If several of these players maintain or elevate their production, we could see another year where a non-traditional power conference contender breaks through, echoing the 2025 outcome. Which players do you think have the clearest path to a Heisman run, and who sparks the most debate about being under- or overrated for 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments.
