2026 Heisman report: New front-runner? 3 wide receiver finalists? Assessing race entering final month of CFB season

With five weeks until the 2026 Heisman Trophy finalists are revealed, there's a new leader atop our leaderboard.

Over the first two months of the season, Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Jeremiah Smith spent time as our presumptive 2026 Heisman favorites. Each had mesmerizing moments in early meaningful games. 

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah remained a steady presence in the race, and that consistently has finally paid off. He heads into the final month of the regular season with a firm grasp as the 2026 Heisman front-runner, but who's in line to join him? 

Below, we take a closer look at Mensah's status as the favorite, three possible finalists and a dark horse candidate who can still shake up the race.

The front-runner: Miami quarterback Darian Mensah

Entering November, Mensah is at the top of the Heisman list after a nearly flawless first eight games of the season. Following a 38-35 win at North Carolina, the junior two-time conference champion leads the nation with an 80.7 percent completion percentage while throwing for 2,425 yards (10.4 yards per attempt), 25 touchdowns and one interception.

His candidacy has been dulled by a lack of a signature moment, but that could change in Week 10 when No. 1 Miami plays at the No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-1). Or, if the Irish prevail, Mensah could be the next favorite to fall.

The finalists: Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith • Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney • Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Jesse Legree

Could three wide receivers seriously make the invite list? If there was ever a year where it would not only be possible but justified, we're living in it.

Smith, despite failing to eclipse 100 receiving yards in three consecutive games, still has four touchdowns over the stretch, giving him a Big Ten-high 13 through eight games. He also leads the conference in receptions (62) and receiving yards (1,067). He'll be even more important to Ohio State down the stretch with quarterback Julian Sayin (right arm) out indefinitely, although a compromised quarterback situation could hurt his Heisman case if it prevents Smith from putting up gaudy stats.

Toney is likely to join his quarterback in New York thanks to his own brilliant season. The star sophomore has 73 receptions, 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns — all ACC-leading numbers — heading into the massive Week 10 showdown at Notre Dame.

In only his freshman season, Legree is somehow having an even better statistical season than Smith and Toney, leading the FBS in receiving yards (1,110) and touchdowns (14). His streak of seven consecutive 100-yard games to begin his collegiate career came to an end in Week 9, however, when he tailed 70 yards on seven receptions in a loss at Fresno State. Legree may need a bounce back over the next month to end up in New York in December along with his peers.

Dark-horse: LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt

Since a Week 3 loss at Ole Miss, Leavitt has been outstanding, keeping No. 16 LSU's playoff hopes alive following a 4-2 start. Over his last five games, the Arizona State transfer is 122-of-163 (75.5 percent) for 1,441 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and three interceptions while also adding 126 rushing yards and an additional two touchdowns on 32 carries.

With a November schedule that includes home games against the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-2, 4-2 in SEC), No. 11 Texas Longhorns (6-2, 3-2 in SEC) and a road trip to the No. 16 Tennessee Volunteers (6-2, 3-2 in SEC), few teams will be in the spotlight as often as the Tigers. If Leavitt keeps up his torrid pace, he could become LSU's third Heisman-winning quarterback since 2019.