Heisman Watch 2026: Ranking Top 5 Heisman Trophy Candidates Entering Week 6

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Who will win the Heisman Trophy in 2026? The Heisman Watch keeps getting a shake-up every Saturday, with the front-runner on an undefeated team claiming the top spot and then dropping after a rough performance in a loss. That changes this week, with the best player in college football making his case for the Heisman Trophy.

Let’s dive into our Heisman Trophy candidates rankings entering Week 6.

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes

Heisman Watch, Heisman Trophy Candidates Rankings, Jeremiah SMith, Ohio State Buckeyes — Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during a Big Ten college football game Oct. 3, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.

A few weeks ago, we were skeptical on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith’s chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. Why? While he’s the best player in college football, his numbers through the first three games (400 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns) weren’t quite good enough for an award that is predominantly given to quarterbacks. So, the Buckeyes have started hammering him with targets and he’s now coming off consecutive 200-yard performances, pulling down 23 receptions for 423 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in a two-week span. Oh, he also now owns every all-time Ohio State receiving record. We don’t expect the 200 ypg pace to continue, but Smith’s numbers are on track to be even better than what DeVonta Smith put up when he won the Heisman.

Jeremiah Smith stats 2026 (ESPN): 44 receptions (1st in FBS), 823 receiving yards (1st), 9 touchdowns (1st)

2. Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Heisman Watch, Heisman Trophy Candidates Rankings, Keelon Russell, Alabama Crimson Tide — Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) runs the ball as Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Fatt Forrest (0) makes the tackle during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The last three games from Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell have been jaw-dropping. In victories over Florida State, South Carolina and Mississippi State, the sophomore signal-caller sports a 10-0 TD-INT ratio with 3 rushing touchdowns, 970 passing yards (323.3 pass ypg) and he’s completed 76% percent of his passes while averaging 12.3 yards per pass attempt. So, not only does Russell have the statistics worthy of winning the Heisman Trophy, but he also has the signature performance (4 total touchdowns) in a road win over a ranked opponent. If Russell can beat Georgia in Week 6, for as dominant as Jeremiah Smith has been, there will be a new leader in the Heisman Watch.

Keelon Russell stats (2026): 71.2% completion rate, 1,414 passing yards, 10.7 yards per attempt, 11-2 TD-INT, 11 sacks taken, 184 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 91.0 ESPN QBR (3rd)

3. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami Hurricanes

Heisman Watch, Heisman Trophy Candidates Rankings, Darian Mensah, Miami Hurricanes — Oct 3, 2026; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah (10) passes the ball during the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ashley Tumlin-Imagn Images

By his standard, which is an insanely high bar, Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah is coming off a season-worst performance. Saturday’s 41-13 victory at Clemson marked the first time this season that Mensah didn’t record three-plus passing touchdowns, complete over 80 percent of his passes and post an ESPN QBR of 85-plus. In fact, after a hot start to the game, his performance really tailed off. It also doesn’t help that Mensah hasn’t faced a ranked opponent this season, although Wake Forest is trending in that direction. Still, the collective numbers from Miami’s passer right now warrant top-five votes on early Heisman Trophy ballots.

Darian Mensah stats 2026 (ESPN): 84.2% completion rate, 1,438 passing yards, 10.8 yards per attempt, 15-0 TD-INT, 4 sacks taken, 92.0 ESPN QBR (2nd)

4. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Heisman Watch, Heisman Trophy Candidates Rankings,, CJ Carr, Notre Dame Fighting Irish — Oct 3, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes the ball in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

On a day when the Notre Dame Fighting Irish jeopardized a win in Chapel Hill, quarterback CJ Carr made sure that didn’t happen. He almost single-handedly carried this offense, accounting for five total touchdowns while completing 72.4 percent of his pass attempts against Bill Belichick’s defense. Carr has been almost flawless through five games this season and his accuracy has been on point since the Wisconsin game, all the while taking just one sack over the last month. With Stanford coming to town this weekend, Carr could easily deliver another four-touchdown performance.

CJ Carr stats 2026 (ESPN): 71% completion rate, 1,197 passing yards 9.7 yards per attempt, 13-1 TD-INT, 2 sacks taken, 3 rushing touchdowns, 90.4 ESPN QBR (4th)

5. Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia Bulldogs

Heisman Watch, Heisman Trophy Candidates Rankings, Gunner Stockton — Oct 3, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

After a rough showing against Oklahoma (1-1TD-INT, 56% completion rate and 171 passing yards on 25 attempts), Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton rebounded nicely against Vanderbilt. The senior has been remarkably efficient this season and while he’s not asked to tuck and run very often, he showed against Arkansas (97 rushing yards) that he does have that proverbial club in his bag when it’s needed. Stockton doesn’t necessarily have the numbers or the signature win right now to be higher than fifth in the Heisman Watch, but the campaign will start making a lot more noise if he beats the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa this Saturday.

Gunner Stockton stats 2026 (ESPN): 75.5% completion rate, 1,049 passing yards, 10.3 yards per attempt, 13-1 TD-INT, 5 sacks taken, 122 rushing yards, 88.7 ESPN QBR (6th)

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos