2026 Heisman Trophy Watch: CJ Carr, Arch Manning Amongst Early Favorites

[ad_1] This faculty soccer season is loaded with prime‑tier expertise, making the 2026 Heisman race one of the vital aggressive. Under is an inventory of the highest six candidates projected to win the Heisman, in addition to their odds, per FanDuel as of Could 2nd.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is at the moment the favourite to win this 12 months's Heisman Trophy. After his first season as beginning quarterback, Carr was part of a proficient Combating Irish offense subsequent to former working backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Worth, in addition to former vast receiver Malachi Fields. Carr completed final season with 271 passing yards, 27 whole touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Even with Notre Dame lacking the School Soccer Playoff final season, Carr is a crucial returning piece for his or her 2026 staff. Carr enters the season with +750 to win the Heisman.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning was one among final season’s most anticipated signal-callers and a projected 2025 Heisman finalist. Nevertheless, a gradual begin to the season rapidly took him out of the race. The previous five-star prospect is getting into his redshirt junior season underneath coach Steve Sarkisian, with hypothesis that he'll enter the 2027 NFL Draft. He additionally added 399 speeding yards and 10 touchdowns on the bottom. Manning sits at +800 to win the respect.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss entered the 12 months as a backup and took over for former quarterback Austin Simmons as a consequence of harm in Week 3, and immediately stole the present. Chambliss led the Rebels to their first-ever CFP look following former coach Lane Kiffin’s departure, the place they fell within the semifinals to Miami (FL). Chambliss grew to become a sensation in brief order, and now returns to Oxford with the instruments to assist the Rebels attain one other CFP. Chambliss completed the 12 months with 3,937 passing yards, 26 passing touchdowns and simply three interceptions. He additionally put up 527 yards on the bottom and eight speeding touchdowns. Chambliss is listed at +1100 to take residence the Heisman Trophy.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is the one returning Heisman finalist from final season’s group and is already drawing consideration as a possible repeat contender. Sayin was one of the vital environment friendly quarterbacks within the nation final season, and led Ohio State again to the CFP in his first beginning season. He additionally returns Biletnikoff finalist vast receiver Jeremiah Smith and provides five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. to his air-raid offense, which might be one of the vital harmful models come this fall. Sayin completed the 12 months with 3,610 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Sayin sits at +1200 to win the Heisman.

Following the departure of former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, head coach Curt Cignetti discovered his subsequent prodigy from the portal in former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover. Hoover performed 4 seasons with the Horned Frogs and can use his ultimate season of eligibility taking part in for Cignetti within the Large Ten. Hoover capped off final season with 3,472 passing yards, 27 whole touchdowns and 13 interceptions, and a 19-8 report as a beginning quarterback. Hoover enters his ultimate season with +1200 to turn into Indiana’s second Heisman winner following Mendoza.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore shocked the school soccer world when he introduced he'd return to Oregon for one ultimate season, particularly after the Geese had simply signed former Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola. Moore was one of the vital spectacular quarterbacks in school soccer, the place he led the Geese again to the CFP, however fell to eventual champions Indiana within the semifinals. Moore closed out final season with 3,565 passing yards, 32 whole touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Moore is at the moment +1200 to win the Heisman.