By Zion Murray
Two weeks into the 2026 college football season, the Heisman Trophy race is already starting to take shape. Players have begun to place their names in the mix for the prestigious award due to early-season production and their individual impact on their teams.
While the award will not be decided until December, the opening portion of the season has already produced several standout performances. Quarterbacks have dominated the early conversation, but skill-position standouts have also established themselves as legitimate candidates. Here are a few names to look out for in the Heisman race after the first two weeks of the season.
10. Jadan Baugh, Running Back, Florida
Jadan Baugh has opened the season as one of the nation’s top running backs. Before the season began, Baugh was firmly in the mix as one of the premier backs in the Southeastern Conference. After two impressive performances in The Swamp, Baugh has placed his name in national conversations.
Through Florida’s first two games, Baugh has recorded 28 carries for 296 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 10.6 yards per carry. His first two performances included a 160-yard, three-touchdown outing against Florida Atlantic and a 136-yard, two-touchdown performance against Campbell.
Baugh’s biggest strength is his ability to generate explosive plays. The Florida running back has already produced multiple runs of 20 or more yards while averaging nearly 150 rushing yards per game. His ability to break tackles and make defenders miss has helped solidify the Gators’ standout as a top talent to watch down the stretch.
Baugh’s ability to remain productive once SEC play begins will be crucial to his Heisman candidacy. Florida’s upcoming matchup against Auburn provides an early opportunity to demonstrate that his production can continue against stronger competition.
9. Josh Hoover, Quarterback, Indiana
Josh Hoover has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country during the opening two weeks. Filling the shoes of Indiana legend and last year’s Heisman winner, Fernando Mendoza, is a tough task for the fifth-year senior. However, if the first two weeks are any indication, Hoover will do just fine for the Hoosiers in Bloomington.
With a 70.4 percent completion rate, Hoover has completed 19 of 27 passes for 376 yards and eight touchdowns without an interception. The Indiana quarterback has also averaged nearly 14 yards per attempt and holds one of the highest QBR ratings in the nation at 95.8.
The touchdown production stands out immediately. Hoover impressed by throwing four touchdowns on his first five completions in Indiana’s matchup against Howard. He has thrown four touchdown passes in each of Indiana’s first two games, giving him one of the nation’s highest touchdown totals despite attempting fewer than 30 passes.
The next stage of Hoover’s Heisman case will come against stronger competition. Early-season production provides a foundation, but performances in conference play will determine whether he can remain among the nation’s leading candidates.
8. CJ Carr, Quarterback, Notre Dame
CJ Carr has provided Notre Dame with an efficient start to the 2026 campaign. The early Heisman favorite for many has started the season with strong play, showing significant growth so far.
Through two games, Carr has completed 35 of 49 passes for 492 yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception. His 71.4 percent completion rate has been accompanied by a 195.8 passer rating.
Carr’s performance against Rice was particularly productive: He completed 16 of 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-0 victory. That followed a solid season opener against Wisconsin, in which Carr threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
The lack of turnovers has been one of the most significant aspects of Carr’s early production. His stat line and his ability to move through progressions and distribute the ball efficiently keep his name firmly in the race.
7. Kamario Taylor, Quarterback, Mississippi State
As a player few expected to be in this conversation, Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has emerged as one of the most intriguing early-season candidates. After being left off most preseason Heisman ballots, Taylor has commanded attention with his performance.
Through two games, Taylor has demonstrated an ability to contribute both as a passer and a rusher. He has thrown for 581 yards and seven touchdowns while completing 67.9 percent of his passes. In addition, Taylor has rushed for 145 yards and one touchdown.
Taylor’s performance in Week 2 against Minnesota added a key line to his resume. Mississippi State defeated the Gophers 38-13 on the road, with Taylor completing 16 of 22 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 86 yards on 13 carries, giving him 313 total yards of offense.
Taylor’s size allows him to beat defenses in multiple ways. In addition to delivering throws from the pocket, he has the speed to outrun defenders. Like other candidates on this list, Taylor must sustain this production once SEC play begins.
6. Jayden Maiava, Quarterback, USC
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava entered the 2026 season with high expectations as he began his third season with the Trojans. The Southern California quarterback also benefited from an additional game on the schedule due to USC opening in Week 0.
Through three games, Maiava has thrown for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing 80.7 percent of his passes. He is averaging nearly 299 passing yards per game with only one interception.
Maiava threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns against San Jose State, 349 yards and three touchdowns against Fresno State, and 261 yards and five touchdowns against Louisiana. His 10 touchdown passes put him among the national leaders.
With Big Ten play approaching, Maiava’s first three performances have established one of the strongest statistical resumes in the country.
5. Arch Manning, Quarterback, Texas
As one of the most highly anticipated quarterbacks entering the 2026 season, Arch Manning faces lofty expectations. After two weeks, his Heisman candidacy has been shaped by both statistical production and a major victory.
Through two games, Manning has completed 43 of 64 passes for 500 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. His performance in the season opener against Texas State was effective, resulting in 305 passing yards and four touchdowns.
The defining moment of his Heisman case came in Week 2 against Ohio State. Texas erased a 20-point deficit to defeat the top-ranked Buckeyes 24-23. Manning finished with 195 passing yards and one touchdown. While not his most prolific statistical game, his leadership during the comeback was notable.
With Texas off to a 2-0 start, Manning remains firmly in the conversation.
4. Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith entered the 2026 season as a top prospect and has continued to prove himself as one of the most productive offensive players in the country.
Through two games, Smith has caught 16 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns. He is averaging 19.7 yards per reception and 157.5 receiving yards per game. His top performance came against Texas, where he recorded eight receptions for 164 yards and one touchdown in a 24-23 loss.
Smith continues Ohio State’s trend of producing standout receivers. His catch radius and strong hands make him a constant threat downfield.
The Heisman Trophy traditionally favors quarterbacks, making Smith’s path more difficult, but his early production keeps him among the leading candidates.
3. Malachi Toney, Wide Receiver, Miami
Malachi Toney is the second wide receiver on this list, and his performance over the first two weeks makes him a strong skill-position candidate for the award.
Toney gained national attention during his freshman season in 2025 and has carried that momentum into his sophomore year.
Through two games, Toney has recorded 16 receptions for 330 yards and four touchdowns. His 20.6 yards per reception and 165 receiving yards per game mark an exceptionally productive start.
Toney’s Week 1 performance against Stanford set the tone: He caught 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-6 victory. He followed that with four receptions for 96 yards and another touchdown against Florida A&M.
Toney’s speed and route-running make him a versatile threat. Paired with quarterback Darian Mensah, he helps anchor one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
2. Trinidad Chambliss, Quarterback, Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss gained national prominence during the College Football Playoff in 2025 and has built on that momentum to start 2026. After resolving offseason eligibility questions, Chambliss has taken full advantage of his return to Ole Miss.
Through two games, Chambliss has completed 44 of 62 passes for 561 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He has added 62 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
In the season opener against Louisville, Chambliss threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown in a 41-38 victory. He followed that by completing 23 of 26 passes (88.5 percent) for 225 yards and two touchdowns against Charlotte.
The Rebels’ upcoming schedule offers further opportunities for Chambliss to strengthen his case, starting with a matchup against LSU in Oxford.
1. Darian Mensah, Quarterback, Miami
Miami finds itself in a rare position with two legitimate Heisman candidates. Darian Mensah’s transfer to Miami sparked conversation, and his play through two games has validated the move.
Through two games, Mensah has completed 41 of 45 passes for 653 yards and eight touchdowns without a turnover. He holds a 91.1 percent completion rate and is averaging 14.5 yards per attempt.
In a Week 2 victory against Florida A&M, Miami set a school record with 856 total yards in a 77-7 win. Mensah finished with just one incompletion, more than 250 passing yards, three touchdowns, and a 96.8 QBR.
Mensah’s early efficiency and high-volume production make him a frontrunner early in the season.