Heisman Race: 2026 Season
Rankings: Updated 2026 NCAA football review
Statistics through games played around October 15–16, 2026. The season is still in progress, so totals will change.
1. Braden Atkinson — Oregon State QB
2,262 passing yards · 21 TD · 2 INT
Atkinson leads the country in passing yards and passing touchdowns in the 2026 season with six games played.
2. Jayden Maiava — USC QB
2,045 passing yards · 18 TD · 3 INT
Maiava has kept USC's passing offense productive, placing near the top of the national
passing leaderboard through seven games.
3. Darian Mensah — Miami QB
1,438 passing yards · 15 TD · 0 INT
Mensah has combined strong passing production with excellent ball security in Miami's
undefeated start through five games, making him one of the notable early-season quarterback performers.
4. Nate Sheppard — Duke RB
743 rushing yards · 8 rushing TD
Sheppard is among the leading rushers nationally and adds value as a receiver, with 161
receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in five games.
5. Colin Simmons — Texas DE
9.5 sacks · 12 tackles for loss
Simmons has been one of the most disruptive defenders in the country, leading the available national sack statistics through five games.
6. Jadan Baugh — Florida RB
672 rushing yards · 12 TD
Baugh has emerged as a major scoring threat, with 12 rushing touchdowns this season. His production has made him a notable running back in the early Heisman discussion.
7. Julian Sayin — Ohio State QB
1,772 passing yards · 17 TD · 2 INT
Sayin has delivered efficient passing for Ohio State and is among the national leaders in passefficiency and touchdown production.
8. Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State WR
916 receiving yards · 11 TD
Smith has been a leading offensive playmaker nationally. His receiving production gives Ohio State a second major offensive name alongside Sayin.
9. Kingston Lopa — California DB
5 interceptions
Lopa leads the available national interception statistics, making him a standout in the
defensive backfield this season.
10. EJ Smith — Nevada LB
59 total tackles
Smith leads the FBS in total tackles with 59 tackles through five games, highlighting his importance to Nevada's
defense.
Honorable mention: Keelon Russell — Alabama QB
Russell has thrown for 1,129 yards and eight touchdowns, with two interceptions. He has also contributed three rushing touchdowns.
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