Yardbarker
x
Five players who can make Heisman statements in Week 6
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Five players who can make Heisman statements in Week 6

By Eric Smithling  |  Last updated Sep 30, 2025 6:19 PM ET

As the calendar turns to October in Week 6 of the college football regular season, the 2026 Heisman race is as wide open as any in recent memory. 

We're only two months away from this year's ceremony, and it's anyone's guess who'll end up as the four finalists. But some players can begin to set themselves apart this weekend. Here are five players who can make Heisman statements in Week 6.

Miami quarterback Carson Beck

The sixth-year senior's decision to forgo the 2025 NFL Draft and transfer to Miami from Georgia has proved to be wise, with Beck leading the ACC in completion percentage (73.2 percent) and the Hurricanes to a perfect 4-0 record entering a massive conference game against Associated Press No. 18 Florida State (3-1, 0-1 in ACC).

Beck won his previous start against Florida State in the 2023 Orange Bowl as Georgia Bulldogs quarterback, 63-3. No. 3 Miami (4-0) can not only position itself as the clear-cut favorite to win the ACC and earn a College Football Playoff auto-bid by defeating Florida State, but Beck could get closer to receiving an invite to New York for the Heisman ceremony in December.

Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver

Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith isn't the only wideout who deserves Heisman consideration. Craver, a 2025 transfer portal addition, can't be overlooked following his brilliant start to the season. In four games, Craver has 24 receptions, 477 yards (19.9 yards per reception) and four touchdowns. He had a monster performance earlier this season at Notre Dame, finishing the 41-40 Week 3 win with 207 receiving yards on seven receptions, including a highlight-reel 86-yard touchdown when he avoided a tackle at the 50-yard line and broke free down the sideline.

Despite head coach Mike Elko's claims that Saturday's SEC home game against Mississippi State (4-1, 0-1 in SEC) is "just another game," it carries added significant to Carver, who transferred from Starkville this offseason. He'll look to have similar success as Tennessee wideouts Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews had against Mississippi State in Week 5's 41-34 overtime win, with the duo each recording over 100 receiving yards.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love

The explosive junior back scored four touchdowns in a 56-13 win at Arkansas last Saturday and has at least two in each of his past three games. Love, who has 66 carries for 341 yards this season, can add to his strong at home against Boise State (3-1, 1-0 in Mountain West), which produced a Heisman finalist running back (Ashton Jeanty) just one season ago. The opportunity's there for Love to have a monster game. This year, Boise State ranks No. 81 against the run, allowing 152.8 rushing yards per game. It's also tied for No. 101 in rushing touchdowns allowed (nine).

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson

In the SEC's game of the week, Vanderbilt will look to win consecutive games against Alabama for the first time since 1955-56. If so, Pavia, who had 308 total yards and two touchdowns in last year's stunning 40-35 victory, could vault his way into Heisman conversation. Through five games in 2025, he leads the SEC in passing touchdowns (13) while completing a career-high 74.6 percent of his pass attempts. Pavia has also added 294 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries.

Simpson has rebounded from a rough performance in a Week 1 loss to Florida State and enters Saturday's ranked SEC battle with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions on 127 pass attempts. Over his last three games, Simpson has a 77.4 percent completion rate. He's been integral to Alabama weathering the early loss, and if he keeps it up, Simpson could become the first Crimson Tide quarterback since Bryce Young to become a Heisman finalist.

Eric Smithling
Twitter/X Muck Rack

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.