BYU’s Bear Bachmeier had a Heisman game against Notre Dame (Photo by BYU Athletics)
Ohio State, Miami, and BYU have players leading the race for the Heisman!
1. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Junior
The top of the list last week, Smith’s Heisman chances may have peaked this week in Ohio State’s 19-15 win over Indiana. Not because of anything he did, but because his quarterback of the previous 21 games is out for a while, maybe indefinitely. That means Smith will have one of three options for throwing the ball to him moving forward. Either an undersized, three-star, true freshman, or a five-star sophomore who was beaten out in fall camp by the freshman, a senior journeyman, or a freshman star running back who played a lot of quarterback in high school last year. I don’t envy Ryan Day or Jeremiah Smith right now, but this is why they get paid the big bucks. Smith had four catches for 68 yards and another wild touchdown in Ohio State’s win at Indiana. Jeremiah Smith has 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Buckeyes through seven games.
2. Darian Mensah, Miami, Quarterback, Junior
Mensah is the best quarterback in the country right now, though there is a Bear on his heels at the moment. He led Miami to a 43-35 double overtime win over Florida State on Saturday. Mensah had 326 yards and three touchdowns. This season, he is 135 of 167 for 1,764 yards and 20 total touchdowns with only one interception. Mensah and the Hurricanes are at home again this week against Pitt.
3. Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback, Sophomore
BYU’s Bear had maybe the best Heisman-worthy game of any player in 2026. Against the #2 team in the country in primetime on a Saturday night, Bachmeier showed his quality as well as his gumption. Bachmeier was 23 of 36 for 224 yards and the game-winning passing touchdown. The BYU quarterback also had a 15-yard touchdown reception, and two touchdowns and 45 yards on the ground. This year, he has 100 completions on 152 attempts for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has 284 yards and six touchdowns rushing and his touchdown reception for the undefeated Cougars of BYU.
4. Connor Weigman, Houston, Quarterback, Senior
Another quarterback for another Cougar squad (but still in the Big 12) making waves is Houston’s Connor Weigman. Weigman and Houston got a big win on Saturday in a ranked matchup against Oklahoma State. In the 35-32 victory, Weigman was 24 of 33 for 343 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 52 rushing yards for Houston. This season, Weigman has 1,771 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in the air, and 229 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Houston’s playoff and Weigman’s Heisman hopes are on the line this week at Utah. A win, and both are very alive and well. Lose, and both are on life support.
5. Jesse Legree, Oregon State, Wide Receiver, Freshman
Legree had his lowest output of the season in yardage, in the win over Washington State. He still had eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Oregon State’s star has video game numbers this year. He has 46 catches for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns. If Oregon State had won their games against Houston and Texas Tech, he’d be in the top two of this race. They didn’t fall to the Cougars and Red Raiders because of Legree, who combined for 13 catches for 376 yards and three touchdowns in the two losses. Oregon State will have this week off before resuming play on Halloween against Fresno State.
On the radar are Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Charlie Becker of Indiana, Wayne Knight of UCLA,
Helmet Stickers
Michael Hawkins Jr. may have had the best statistical game of any player in college football in West Virginia’s 45-42 win over Cincinnati. If the Mountaineers and Bearcats had better records, Hawkins would be a Heisman candidate. At this rate with these video game numbers, he may become one anyway. Hawkins was 25 of 33 for 464 yards and three touchdowns against UC. WVU’s superstar quarterback also had 26 carries for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Hawkins has 1,519 passing yards and 10 touchdowns through the air and 749 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing this season.
Army quarterback Cale Hellums had 22 carries for 195 yards and an astounding five rushing touchdowns in the Black Knights’ win this weekend. Hellums and Army defeated Florida Atlantic 56-24.
Torrance Burgess Jr. of Texas State had a game to remember on Thursday night. Burgess had 24 carries for 224 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, with three catches for 51 yards in the passing game, helping Texas State win over Colorado State, 66-24.
