Malachi Toney and Darian Mensah are two Heisman contenders for Miami (Photo by Miami Athletics)
A couple of beasts from Miami are showing they want the Heisman the most this season
1. Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Being the quarterback on the #1 team in the nation that’s undefeated always helps in a Heisman race. Frankly, though, Mensah doesn’t need any help. His resume is strong even without his team’s success being factored in. He was 22 of 29 for 274 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s victory over North Carolina. Mensah is 188 of 233 for 2,425 yards and 25 touchdowns with only one interception. He also has two rushing touchdowns. It’s his race to lose right now.
2. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Junior
Down from the last couple of weeks, #4 was one of the few things that went right for Ohio State in their laid egg against USC. He had 10 catches for 83 yards and Ohio State’s only touchdown. In a year like 2026, Smith could get Heisman votes for his impressive career, where he’s the leading career receiver in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for both Ohio State and the Big Ten. Smith has 62 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns. If Ohio State loses again before December, Smith’s chances would be essentially gone.
3. Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
Toney is climbing despite having a teammate at the top. He’s been that good and that important to Miami. In their battle against North Carolina, Toney had seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-35 win. Malachi Toney has 73 catches for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns.
4. Jesse Legree, Oregon State, Wide Receiver, Freshman
Legree’s longshot hopes took a hit with Oregon State’s loss to Fresno State. For the first time this season, Legree had fewer than 100 receiving yards and no touchdowns. He had seven catches for 70 yards. He still is the leader in receiving yards and touchdowns with 1,110 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
5. Devon Dampier, Utah, Quarterback, Senior
Dampier is entering this race because Utah is undefeated and because he has the chance to have an iconic Heisman moment this weekend. If he defeats BYU in a top ten matchup and is the reason the Utes win, he’s all of a sudden in this race. He doesn’t have much room for error, though. A loss to BYU and he’s out. Dampier has 1,876 passing yards and 18 touchdowns this season. He also has 393 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Helmet Stickers
Justin Powe, the cornerback for the Troy Trojans, had the best Thursday night of his life. Powe had seven tackles, six of them solo, and was a one man army in the Trojan secondary. Powe picked off the James Madison passer three times- yes, three! He returned one for a touchdown, and that wasn’t even his biggest play of the game! That came at the gun. With the score tied, James Madison threw a Hail Mary into the end zone, and a Dukes receiver got two hands on the ball and was in the process of reeling it in when Powe knocked it loose, saving the game for his team and forcing overtime. Troy would triumph 24-21 to win it in overtime, thanks to Justin Powe.
Charlie Becker, Indiana’s best wide receiver, was clutch for the Hoosiers. Becker had eight catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in the Hoosiers’ win over Minnesota. Becker scored Indiana’s overtime touchdown in the 23-16 win.
Aiden Flora, the running back of Iowa State, had a big game in the Cyclones’ upset of Oklahoma State. Flora had 29 carries for 221 yards and two touchdowns in ISU’s 51-49 win at home.
CJ Hicks of South Florida had a monster game for the Bulls in their victory over UAB. The defensive end had five tackles, four sacks, four tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, and a pass deflection in USF’s 30-10 victory over UAB.
