Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss (Photo by Ole Miss Athletics)
A lot of early Heisman candidates shine in the opening week of college football!
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Sophomore
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Junior
Sayin was 22 of 25 for 320 yards and tossed three touchdown passes. He also ran one in on a scramble. All of his stats but 25 yards passing came in the first half. He didn’t play after the opening drive of the second half. Sayin now has to be ready for Texas on the road in Austin.
Smith only played in the first half of Ohio State’s 56-3 win over Ball State. He had eight catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns in that half. Smith and Sayin’s candidacy will take a huge boost or a huge hit next week in Austin, Texas. Ryan Day’s philosophy at Ohio State is to conserve his stars for big games like this as much as possible. That means, win or lose, if Smith or Sayin struggle against Texas, they’re less likely to make up that ground in other games in the season.
Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
Granted, it was against a rebuilding Stanford program, but Mensah looked better than Carson Beck did last year. He was 27 of 30 for 405 yards and threw five touchdowns. This week the Canes will have another weeknight game on Friday. They’ll host a team that should be a win for them in Florida A&M.
Like, Mensah, Toney had ridiculously good stats in their win on the West Coast. Toney and Mensah played a quarter longer than Sayin and Smith, and in this instance it showed up in the stat sheet. Still, the margin between which quarterback-receiver duo is the best is so razor thin it’s not even funny.
Braxton Woodson, Navy, Quarterback, Senior
Woodson was three of six passing for 21 yards, but in Navy’s triple-option offense he had 23 carries for 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Woodson would have to have that stat line almost every game to be a Heisman winner, but Bryson Daly and Blake Horvath showed a service academy quarterback can be a Heisman candidate.
Josh Hoover, Indiana, Quarterback, Senior
Indiana’s new quarterback was sharp in their win over North Texas. Hoover was 13 of 16 for 231 yards and four touchdowns passing. Josh Hoover also looked like the toughest guy out there after his helmet was twisted and torn off when he was tackled by his facemask. Hoover stayed in the game with blood running down his face and kept leading Indiana’s offense to a 52-16 victory.
Arch Manning, Texas, Quarterback, Junior
Manning was solid in Texas’ opening win over Texas State. He was 20 of 27 for 305 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. A lot of people think Arch gets the love he does because his last name is Manning. I’m not one of them. He is a legit quarterback, and it’s only a matter of time before he puts it all together. Texas is going to win some games this year because they have him. I just hope it’s not against my Buckeyes.
Dante Moore, Oregon, Quarterback, Senior
Oregon brings out the best in Boise State, and they were able to hold on against their Pacific Northwest rival thanks to Moore. He was 28 of 37 for 378 yards and three touchdown passes as the Ducks won 34-27. Moore and the Ducks go on the road to Oklahoma State this week, and that will likely be an easier matchup than Boise State was.
Sam Leavitt, LSU, Quarterback, Junior
Leavitt threw an interception on his opening drive but was balling after that one miscue. He would throw for 230 yards and a touchdown. He’d then add 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Clemson isn’t the same as they once were, but 342 yards and three touchdowns rushing and passing is good no matter who you’re playing against.
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback, Sophomore
BYU’s super sophomore only played the first half in their win over Utah Tech but was still great. Bachmeier was 16 of 20 for 198 yards and three touchdowns in the air and added 30 yards and another touchdown on the ground for the Cougars. BYU would win easily, 63-7. BYU hosts Arizona this week in an important Big 12 contest.
Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss, Quarterback, Senior
Chambliss was great on Sunday night in Nashville. He had 336 yards and three touchdowns passing. He added 60 yards and a touchdown on the ground as Ole Miss got the win in the first game between two ranked teams in 2026. Chambliss showed why he’s a Heisman contender. Watch for his Sunday night opponent, Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz. If Kienholz plays as well as he did against Ole Miss, he’ll be a Heisman candidate, too.
