Jesse Legree the Pac-12’s Heisman candidate (Photo by Oregon State Athletics)
A pair of wide receivers at OSUs are making Heisman Watch highlights!
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Junior
Mr. Everything at Ohio State just keeps doing what he does best. You know you’re playing at an elite level, maybe even the best level, when four catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns is a ‘quiet day.’ Smith’s quiet day led to the Buckeyes 45-16 win over Maryland. A solid game and a win this Saturday at Indiana would separate Smith from what is right now a closer Heisman race than most realize. Smith has 48 catches for 916 yards and 11 touchdowns this season for the Buckeyes.
2. Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Miami and Mensah had the week off, but he’s still the most impressive-looking quarterback of the 2026 season. Though there are more guys entering that conversation. Mensah is still completing 84.2 percent of his passes, has 1,438 passing yards, 15 touchdown passes, and no interceptions for the 5-0 Hurricanes. Miami battles FSU for the Florida Cup this week.
3. Wayne Knight, UCLA, Running Back, Senior
Knight and Bob Chesney, arriving in Pasadena from James Madison, are the biggest reasons UCLA is undefeated and ranked in the top-10. UCLA beat Oregon in no small part because of Wayne Knight. Knight had 23 carries for 103 yards with a rushing touchdown and caught three passes for 12 yards and another touchdown in UCLA’s 17-15 win over Oregon in Eugene. Knight has 77 carries for 548 yards and 10 touchdowns and has 11 catches for 100 yards and a receiving touchdown. UCLA takes on Wisconsin this Saturday at home in the Rose Bowl.
4. Jesse Legree, Oregon State, Wide Receiver, Freshman
The best player in the Group of Six is one of the best in the nation, and he’s a true freshman. Oregon State’s Jesse Legree is having a fantastic year. In OSU’s 66-14 win over San Diego State, he had 10 catches for 191 yards and three touchdowns. This season, he has 38 catches for 932 yards and 12 touchdown catches. Oregon State fans better enjoy every play, because if he keeps playing like this, some big-time programs are going to write some big-time checks to try and get him to leave Corvallis. I know I’d be thrilled if he came to the OSU that is WRU.
5. Connor Weigman, Houston, Quarterback, Senior
Weigman is a dynamic quarterback and is the biggest reason Houston is 5-1 and ranked. Connor Weigman is 110 of 165 for 1,428 yards and 15 touchdowns through the air. He’s also an effective runner. Weigman has 177 rushing yards and six more touchdowns on the ground. If Houston can keep winning and beat Oklahoma State on Saturday, Weigman will continue to climb in the Heisman race like Houston is in the rankings.
On the radar are Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor, Charlie Becker of Indiana, BYU’s Bear Bachmeier, and Keelon Russell of Alabama.
