WAY Too Early 2026 Heisman Trophy Finalist Predictions: Will Arch Manning Get Consideration in December?
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We are just a few weeks away from the start of the 2026 college football season, which also means the battle to be the next Heisman Trophy winner begins soon. While we won’t figure out who gets the award until December, there are a boatload of talented players that will certainly be in the debate to be a finalist as the season unfolds.
But which college football stars will be in New York later this year hoping they join the fraternity of Heisman Trophy winners? Many believe Texas quarterback Arch Manning will be among that group. We don’t. However, we feel pretty good about these five stars being in the running for the award this winter.
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC
When healthy, USC’s Jayden Maiava is one of the most dangerous passers in the country. He showed that last season when the Trojans star posted 3,711 passing yards with 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.
The QB has a quick release and may be the best deep ball thrower in the nation. Maiava’s biggest issue has been his riskiness with the ball. We expect that to end in 2026 as he looks to bolster his NFL Draft stock with his most efficient season yet as he throws for close to 4,000 yards and a career-best 32 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith made a huge statement during his freshman season at Ohio State in 2024. The wide receiver tallied over 1,300 yards and played a major role in their memorable run to the National Championship. However, he dealt with injuries that limited him during the season.
Despite playing in three fewer games in 2025 compared to the previous year, the stud pass catcher had a career-high 87 catches and over 1,200 yards. With Smith looking to make a case to be the top pick in April’s draft, expect him to have a monster year in a second season with 2025 Heisman finalist QB Julian Sayin.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
One of the biggest signings in the transfer portal this spring was Miami replacing Carson Beck with Duke star Darian Mensah. The former Blue Devils QB had a dynamite year in his lone season at Durham as he finished second in the nation in passing yards (3,973) and touchdowns (34).
If he can put up those numbers at Duke, with even better talent around him at the U, Mensah is primed to become a household name and Heisman Trophy finalist this year.
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
In his first season at Missouri after transfering from Louisiana-Monroe, Ahmad Hardy was probably the best running back in the nation not named Jeremiyah Love. The Tigers RB finished second in the country with 1,649 rushing yards and sixth in TDs with 16.
Hardy has been one of the top RBs in the nation the last two years. He is poised to take the No. 1 spot in 2026 as well as be a Heisman Trophy finalist in the winter.
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
Outside of Miami landing Mensah, Lane Kiffin making Sam Leavitt his first starting QB at LSU was one of the top stories that came out of the transfer portal. Heading into the 2025 season, the former Arizona State QB was on a lot of early Heisman candidate lists. However, a Lisfranc injury limited him to just seven games last year.
Not only is Leavitt dangerous in the passing game, but he can also put the ball down and make plays with his feet. He will have even better weapons around him in Baton Rouge and will end up getting serious Heisman Trophy consideration by the end of the year.
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