College football Heisman Trophy watch after Week 5

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Week 5 of the 2026 college football season is officially in the books.

Texas is still the top team in the AP Top 25, followed by Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami and Ohio State. Alabama, Indiana, BYU, Ole Miss, and LSU round out the top 10.

Great individual performances continued throughout the season, including this past Saturday in Week 5. It’s a big deal because some of these players could be in the running for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the year.

Which players are on the Heisman Trophy watch list? Well, let’s take a look:

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith has arguably been the best wide receiver in the country this year and had another insane game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday, finishing with 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns.

The Iowa defense tried throwing different looks at him, but it didn’t matter. He shredded that unit by himself.

Smith has hauled in 44 passes for 823 yards and nine touchdowns. He is Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards. He’ll only add to those numbers as the season goes on.

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah

Darian Mensah had another great game against Clemson on Saturday, throwing for 227 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 27 yards and one touchdown.

He’s been ridiculous this season, completing 84.2 percent of his passes for 1,438 yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s led Miami to a 5-0 start and looks like one of the top contenders for this year’s national title.

He’s everything Miami could’ve asked for and more.

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell

Keelon Russell has been electric as Alabama’s quarterback this season, throwing for 1,414 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions.

He outdueled fellow Heisman Trophy contender Kamario Taylor on Saturday when Alabama played Mississippi State, finishing with 285 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 56-23 win. He also added a rushing touchdown.

In Russell’s last three games, he has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 10/0. If he keeps this up, he could be a Heisman finalist by year’s end.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr

CJ Carr has quietly gone about his business this year, throwing for 1,197 yards with 13 touchdowns and only one interception. He was fantastic against North Carolina on Saturday, racking up 234 passing yards and four touchdowns.

He can make any throw you want and can threaten with his legs at times. Keep an eye on him throughout the rest of the year.

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor

Yes, Taylor didn’t play that well against Alabama on Saturday, but we’re not going to let one game doom his Heisman Trophy chances.

He’s still been fantastic this season, throwing for 1,450 yards, 17 touchdowns and four interceptions.

He’ll still have a chance to redeem himself when Mississippi State travels to Baton Rouge for the Oct. 17 game against LSU. That game will be one of the day’s top matchups.

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