The 2025 Heisman debate has been settled, with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza taking home the trophy in a year when a frontrunner didn’t emerge until the very end. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt wouldn’t be surprised if we have a similar race next season.
In the latest episode of the “Joel Klatt Show,” Klatt listed 25 players whom he feels are legitimate candidates for the Heisman Trophy in 2026.
“Here’s the thing, it was really difficult to pick [a top-five] record as a result of there’s plenty of nice names,” Klatt mentioned. “This is among the advantages of title, picture, and likeness (NIL), the income sharing that we have in faculty soccer, is that guys are going to remain in faculty soccer longer. I feel that we will have an unimaginable quantity of stars.
“So, I began making an attempt to make this record earlier, and also you begin itemizing guys out, and you are like, ‘Maintain on a second, he might most likely be in a top-five Heisman lis, he might be in a top-five Heisman record.’ Hastily, the record is like 15 names.”
Klatt started rattling off names that we all know shall be again in faculty soccer subsequent season as potential Heisman candidates. He talked about rumored quarterback switch Sam Leavitt, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, Miami (Fla.) broad receiver Malachi Toney, Missouri working again Ahmad Hardy, Ohio State working again Bo Jackson and USC working again Waymond Jordan.
Joel Klatt’s 2026 Heisman Favorites
There are another gamers Klatt thinks might be candidates relying on in the event that they return and their state of affairs. He listed South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, a pair of Oregon working backs (Jordon Davison, Dierre Hill Jr.) and a trio of Michigan stars (QB Bryce Underwood, WR Andrew Marsh, RB Justice Haynes) as gamers from that group.
There are additionally three different quarterbacks Klatt famous in Alabama’s Ty Simpson, Oklahoma’s John Mateer and Texas‘ Arch Manning. All three are eligible to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft, with Simpson going within the first spherical of FOX Sports activities NFL Draft skilled Rob Rang’s newest mock draft.
Not one of the aforementioned gamers make up Klatt’s prime 5 candidates to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy, although. So, let’s check out Klatt’s top-five 2026 Heisman candidates.
Demond Williams was one of many Massive Ten’s greatest quarterbacks in his first full season as a starter. (Photograph by Kevin Terrell/Getty Photographs)
Klatt opened his record of Heisman contenders with a reputation which may shock some.
“Be careful for Demond Williams,” he mentioned. “That is a man that might be up there.”
Williams had a reasonably robust season as a real sophomore in 2025, rating among the many Massive Ten’s prime passers in a number of stats. His 3,065 passing yards ranked fourth within the convention, whereas his 25 passing touchdowns have been the third-most amongst Massive Ten quarterbacks.
Williams has some dual-threat means as nicely. His 611 speeding yards have been probably the most amongst Massive Ten quarterbacks, and his six speeding touchdowns have been tied for the second-most amongst quarterbacks within the convention.
What might work as a double-edged sword for Williams’ Heisman candidacy is the expertise round him. Washington’s main rusher, Jonah Coleman, is a senior, and the workforce’s main receiver, Denzel Boston, is projected to be a prime choose within the 2026 NFL Draft. If Williams is ready to put up productive numbers and lead Washington to wins with these two departing this system, that may seemingly assist his Heisman case.
So far as Washington’s schedule, it may need a better slate of video games than most different Massive Ten groups. It avoids Michigan and Ohio State, whereas it will get to host Indiana and Penn State. Washington does have highway video games towards USC and Oregon, although, which might present him with a Heisman second or two.
Marcel Reed helped Texas A&M publish an 11-1 report within the common season. (Photograph by Alex Slitz/Getty Photographs)
Reed earned some Heisman buzz in the course of the Aggies’ 11-1 season. He did not end within the prime 10 of Heisman voting this yr, however Klatt thinks Reed may have a stronger Heisman case in 2026 due to among the surrounding expertise.
“He will have [wide receiver Mario] Craver again, most certainly,” Klatt mentioned of Reed’s Heisman candidacy.
Craver was a giant motive for Reed’s breakout as a passer this yr, logging 52 receptions for 825 yards. However Reed was additionally capable of make some magic as a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for two,932 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions to go together with 466 speeding yards and 6 speeding touchdowns. Reed’s 31 whole touchdowns are tied for the second-most amongst SEC quarterbacks who’re anticipated to return in 2026.
Reed, who’ll be a redshirt junior subsequent yr, has just a few video games on the 2026 schedule that would function Heisman moments. Texas A&M performs at LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma, whereas it hosts Arizona State, Tennessee and Texas. So, the competitors will definitely be robust sufficient to spice up Reed’s Heisman buzz.
Dante Moore had a robust season for Oregon in 2025, however he might be a prime choose within the 2026 NFL Draft. (Photograph by Steph Chambers/Getty Photographs)
Much like Reed, Moore earned some Heisman buzz earlier within the 2025 season as he helped Oregon go 11-1. The redshirt sophomore is likely to be NFL-bound, although. Rang had Moore getting chosen with the No. 2 general choose in his most up-to-date mock draft. Nonetheless, a number of scouts and executives just lately informed FOX Sports activities’ Ralph Vacchiano that they assume Moore may benefit from remaining in faculty for an additional yr.
If Moore returns to Eugene for an additional yr, he’ll clearly be one of many prime quarterbacks within the nation forward of the 2026 season. His 72.5% completion share was the third-best mark amongst all quarterbacks within the nation as he threw for two,733 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
With Oregon anticipated to be a prime workforce once more in 2026, Moore ought to have the encompassing expertise to succeed. Oregon additionally has a reasonably loaded schedule, with video games towards Boise State, Michigan, Washington, Ohio State and USC on its slate. So, there needs to be loads of alternatives for Moore to spice up his Heisman case.
Jeremiah Smith had one other robust season at Ohio State in 2025. (Photograph by Luke Hales/Getty Photographs)
Smith has been regarded by some faculty soccer specialists as the perfect participant within the sport for the final two seasons, and he simply turned 20. The true sophomore has one other yr of eligibility after posting one other standout common season, the place he ranked sixth within the nation in receptions (80), seventh in receiving yards (1,086) and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (11). He additionally had the sixth-highest reception share (share of targets caught), per Professional Soccer Focus (min. of fifty targets).
The numbers helped Smith end sixth within the Heisman vote this yr, receiving probably the most Heisman votes amongst all broad receivers. And he’ll have loads of shine to presumably rise in 2026, with Ohio State set to have video games at Texas, at Indiana and at USC, whereas internet hosting Oregon and Michigan.
Ohio State’s Julian Sayin was one of many nation’s prime quarterbacks in 2025. (Photograph by Michael Reaves/Getty Photographs)
As Klatt has Smith No. 2 on his early 2026 Heisman contenders record, he has the man who’ll throw him the ball as the one participant forward of him.
“It is actually exhausting not to take a look at a man who was a finalist in Julian Sayin and a man who completed sixth within the voting, Jeremiah Smith,” Klatt mentioned. “They might be my No. 1 and a couple of.”
Sayin completed fourth within the Heisman vote this previous yr, arguably having a greater season than Will Howard did at quarterback final yr when he led the Buckeyes to a nationwide championship. Sayin, a redshirt freshman, was one of many prime passers within the nation in 2025, throwing for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. To not point out, Sayin’s 78.4% completion share would even be the very best completion share in a single season in faculty soccer historical past if Ohio State’s season ended right this moment.
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