Heisman Trophy Watch: 5 leading college football candidates entering Week 8

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Week 7 of the 2026 college football season is officially in the books.

It was a crazy week, with major upsets, including losses by No. 1 Georgia, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 6 Alabama and No. 7 Texas. No. 5 Indiana also lost, although the Hoosiers entered the game against No. 4 Ohio State as a home underdog.

The upsets shook up the AP poll, which now features Miami in the top spot, followed by BYU, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Georgia. There were more great individual performances on Saturday, which is a big deal because some of these players are still in the race to win the Heisman Trophy.

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

MORE: College football top 25 rankings 2026: AP Top 25 poll entering Week 8

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) leaves the field following the NCAA football game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium Stadium in Bloomington, Ind. on Oct. 17, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Jeremiah Smith helped lead Ohio State to a 19-15 win over Indiana, finishing with four receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. He has been the nation’s top wide receiver this year, compiling 52 receptions for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He has already equaled his 2025 touchdown total and is only 16 yards away from his third straight 1,000-yard season. He’ll get it soon and stay in the Heisman Trophy race all season.

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah

Darian Mensah was huge in Miami’s 43-35 double-overtime win against Florida State on Saturday. Yes, he did throw his first interception of the season in that game, but he also passed for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

He has been fantastic in his first season as a Hurricane and has led Miami to the No. 1 ranking going into Week 8. He’s also completing 80.8 percent of his passes to start the season.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss

NCAA Football: Missouri at Mississippi — Oct 17, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Missouri Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Trinidad Chambliss has been money since he struggled against the Florida Gators three weeks ago. In his last two games, he has thrown a combined six touchdowns and only one interception and has two total rushing touchdowns.

For the season, Chambliss is completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 1,676 yards, 14 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

He is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and will likely remain in the race for the rest of the year.

Oregon State wide receiver Jesse Legree

Jesse Legree is only a freshman but is already one of the best wide receivers in the country. He’s the first wideout to eclipse 1,000 yards this year and has started his collegiate career with seven straight 100+ yard games and one touchdown.

He helped Oregon State beat Washington State 48-30 on Saturday, finishing with eight receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

He’s not getting enough attention for the Heisman Trophy, and that should change. He deserves to be a top candidate.

Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney

Like Smith and Legree, Malachi Toney is one of the nation’s top wideouts. He was electric against Florida State, finishing with 11 receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns.

Toney has 50 receptions for 758 yards and eight touchdowns and can make any catch in the book. Saturday was his third game of the year with at least 11 receptions and 100 yards.

He’ll look to keep it going when Miami plays Pittsburgh in its next game.

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