Bear Bachmeier is BYU’s Heisman Candidate (Photo by BYU Athletics)
A lot of dynamic duos are highlighting college football’s early Heisman conversation this season!
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback, Sophomore
LJ Martin, BYU, Running Back, Senior
BYU’s rushing attack is led by their sensational senior LJ Martin and sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier. BYU bruised defenses behind these two last year. This year, the Cougs are a little more balanced early in the season. Bachmeier has 415 passing yards with six touchdown passes, and 67 rushing yards with two touchdowns. Martin’s numbers are a little more modest with 184 yards of total offense, but expect more this year from this duo as BYU tries to continue their success from 2024 and 2025.
Devon Dampier, Utah, Quarterback, Senior
Wayshawn Parker, Utah, Running Back, Junior
Bachmeier and Martin certainly aren’t the only duo on this list, and they’re not the only duo in the Big 12 or even the Beehive State. Their rivals to the north, Dampier and Parker, are just as good of a quarterback-running back duo. Dampier had 261 passing yards and two touchdowns in the air, and 49 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in their 43-10 victory over Arkansas. Parker had 108 total yards of offense and three total touchdowns. Dampier has 437 passing yards with five touchdowns, and 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Parker has 212 total yards of offense and six total touchdowns.
DeSean Bishop, Tennessee, Running Back, Junior
Tennessee’s hometown hero has been strong for the Vols early in this season. In Tennessee’s 45-24 victory at Georgia Tech, Bishop had 20 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns. He has 244 yards and three touchdowns this season. The Vols will need a lot from him this season, especially in two weeks when Texas comes to town for the Battle of the Orange T’s.
Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville, Quarterback, Redshirt Junior
Louisville’s quarterback was 16 of 21 for 332 yards and two touchdowns passing the ball. He also had six carries for 42 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. In two solid games, he is 34 of 50 for 639 yards and 20 carries for 111 yards and three touchdowns for the U of L offense. Kienholz has had a matchup with one guy on this list and will have another soon with another guy on this list when Louisville and SMU meet in Kentucky.
Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
Mensah was 14 of 15 for 252 yards and three touchdowns, slinging the rock. His stats early in the season are 41 of 45 for 653 yards and eight touchdowns. Malachi Toney had four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown in the 77-7 win over Florida A&M. So far he’s had 16 catches for 330 yards and four touchdowns. It’s early, but Mensah and Toney are in sync, on the same page, and look almost untouchable!
Josh Hoover, Indiana, Quarterback, Senior
Charlie Beccker, Indiana, Wide Receiver, Junior
Hoover only completed six passes in Week 2, but four of them went for touchdowns. Hoover was 6 of 11 for 145 yards and those four touchdowns. Josh Hoover is 19 of 27 for 376 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Josh Hoover’s favorite target was Becker. Becker only had three catches, but all three were touchdowns, and he had 81 yards. Charlie Becker has seven catches for 145 yards and five touchdowns!
Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State, Quarterback, Sophomore
Caleb Hawkins, Oklahoma State, Running Back, Sophomore
I expected a lot from these two and the trio with their head coach Eric Morris, so I was shocked when they lost their opener to Tulsa, but was less surprised by what they did in Week 2. Seeing these guys thrive at North Texas last year made me a believer, and they vindicated me in upsetting Oregon, 39-31. Mestemaker was 26 of 43 for 317 yards and two touchdowns in the air against Oregon, and added six carries for 109 yards and a touchdown on the ground, including one that belongs on a Heisman reel. Hawkins had 23 carries for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Kevin Jennings, SMU, Quarterback, Senior
People forget this guy took SMU to the College Football Playoff as a sophomore back in 2024. He’s a talented player who you can tell has worked on his craft over the seasons as a starter at SMU. He’s going to get them some more big wins before this year is over. He is currently 40 of 52 for 767 yards and eight touchdown passes.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Quarterback, Senior
I’m so glad he’s at Ole Miss and not one of the schools in his native state up north. Chambliss is off to a good start in his senior and final season of college football. He is 44 of 62 for 561 yards and six total touchdowns. His Heisman candidacy has a huge moment this week as he and Ole Miss host former head coach Lane Kiffin and LSU.
Wayne Knight, UCLA, Running Back, Senior
Another guy who was a Curt Cignetti guy early in his career at James Madison and became and still is a Bob Chesney guy. Knight followed Chesney from JMU to UCLA, and so far things are paying off for the both of them. Knight has 21 carries for 168 yards in the Bruins’ 2-0 start, but has a whopping six rushing touchdowns already, three in each victory. It’ll be interesting to see how Knight, Chesney, and the Bruins do this season.
