Week 1 2026 Heisman candidates: Miami, Ohio State receivers make early case, ACC record-setter crashes the party

The effort recalled Chambliss's heroics in last season's College Football Playoff, when he dazzled against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl with a string of sensational plays early in the fourth quarter and later nearly pulled off a semifinal win over the Miami Hurricanes. If only that game had Big Ten officials, maybe Chambliss and the Rebels may have won.

In close games, Chambliss is increasingly becoming the quarterback everyone in the country wants. He'll have plenty more opportunities for Heisman moments this season, and if he continues to deliver like in the past, he'll be a shoo-in for the award.

Finalists: Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney • Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith • Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Mason Heintschel

Toney turns 19 next week (Sept. 17), but he already has NFL scouts drooling following a brilliant Week 1. The sophomore got off to a roaring start in a 45-6 win over the Stanford Cardinal (1-1), finishing with 12 receptions on 13 targets for a Miami-program record 234 yards and three touchdowns.

He made an instant impact, gaining 48 yards on Miami's first play from scrimmage, then hauling in a 23-yard touchdown to cap the drive.

With Clemson (0-1) and Florida State (1-1) appearing aimless, Miami doesn't have many marquee games this season outside of a Week 10 trip to No. 4 Notre Dame (1-0). But Toney's numbers could be so eye-popping he commands a ticket to NYC. He's already manifesting it.

Following Toney's monster performance, Smith (eight receptions, 151 yards, two touchdowns) had his own strong start to the season in a 56-3 win over Ball State, giving No. 1 Ohio State a 7-0 lead on a 48-yard touchdown.

He capped a 28-3 first half with a toe-tapping three-yard touchdown, punctuated by his own Heisman pose. Ohio State's Week 2 showdown at No. 5 Texas gives Smith a major chance to add to his candidacy.

Heintschel is a surprising addition to the mix, but we couldn't possibly omit the sophomore quarterback after an historic performance in a 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio). He finished 31-of-41 for 453 yards and an ACC-record seven passing touchdowns, becoming the first FBS QB to throw for at least 450 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions since former LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow, who accomplished the feat during his 2019 Heisman season.

It will take a lot for Heintschel to remain in the conversation. Out-dueling former James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III in Week 2 versus the UCF Knights would help.

Dark horse: LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt

Perhaps the scariest part of No. 11 LSU's 51-10 demolition of Clemson was that Leavitt wasn't particularly sharp, throwing an interception on his second pass and starting 8-of-18 before completing eight of his final 10 attempts.

He still had an impressive Tigers debut, finishing Week 1 as the only FBS quarterback with at least 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards. LSU's last dual-threat QB, Jayden Daniels, ran all the way to a Heisman win in 2023. Leavitt may be on the same track.