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] checklist as a result of there’s quite a lot of nice names,” Klatt stated. “This is without doubt one of the advantages of identify, 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’ll have an unbelievable quantity of stars.
“So, I began making an attempt to make this checklist earlier, and also you begin itemizing guys out, and you are like, ‘Maintain on a second, he may in all probability be in a top-five Heisman lis, he might be in a top-five Heisman checklist.’ Unexpectedly, the checklist is like 15 names.”
Klatt started rattling off names that we all know can be again in faculty soccer subsequent season as attainable Heisman candidates. He talked about rumored quarterback switch Sam Leavitt, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, Miami (Fla.) large receiver Malachi Toney, Missouri operating again Ahmad Hardy, Ohio State operating again Bo Jackson and USC operating 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 scenario. He listed South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, a pair of Oregon operating 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 professional 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 Huge Ten’s finest quarterbacks in his first full season as a starter. (Picture by Kevin Terrell/Getty Photos)
Klatt opened his checklist of Heisman contenders with a reputation that may shock some.
“Be careful for Demond Williams,” he stated. “That is a man that might be up there.”
Williams had a fairly sturdy season as a real sophomore in 2025, rating among the many Huge 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 Huge Ten quarterbacks.
Williams has some dual-threat means as properly. His 611 dashing yards have been essentially the most amongst Huge Ten quarterbacks, and his six dashing touchdowns have been tied for the second-most amongst quarterbacks within the convention.
What may 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 crew’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 will seemingly assist his Heisman case.
So far as Washington’s schedule, it might need a neater slate of video games than most different Huge Ten groups. It avoids Michigan and Ohio State, whereas it will get to host Indiana and Penn State. Washington does have street video games towards USC and Oregon, although, which may present him with a Heisman second or two.
Marcel Reed helped Texas A&M submit an 11-1 file within the common season. (Picture by Alex Slitz/Getty Photos)
Reed earned some Heisman buzz through the Aggies’ 11-1 season. He did not end within the prime 10 of Heisman voting this 12 months, however Klatt thinks Reed may have a stronger Heisman case in 2026 because of a few of the surrounding expertise.
“He’ll have [wide receiver Mario] Craver again, most probably,” Klatt stated of Reed’s Heisman candidacy.
Craver was an enormous motive for Reed’s breakout as a passer this 12 months, 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 dashing yards and 6 dashing 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 12 months, has a couple of 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 sturdy 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. (Picture by Steph Chambers/Getty Photos)
Just like Reed, Moore earned some Heisman buzz earlier within the 2025 season as he helped Oregon go 11-1. The redshirt sophomore could be NFL-bound, although. Rang had Moore getting chosen with the No. 2 total choose in his most up-to-date mock draft. Nonetheless, a number of scouts and executives lately informed FOX Sports activities’ Ralph Vacchiano that they assume Moore may benefit from remaining in faculty for an additional 12 months.
If Moore returns to Eugene for an additional 12 months, 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 crew once more in 2026, Moore ought to have the encompassing expertise to succeed. Oregon additionally has a fairly loaded schedule, with video games towards Boise State, Michigan, Washington, Ohio State and USC on its slate. So, there must be loads of alternatives for Moore to spice up his Heisman case.
Jeremiah Smith had one other sturdy season at Ohio State in 2025. (Picture by Luke Hales/Getty Photos)
Smith has been regarded by some faculty soccer consultants as the very best participant within the sport for the final two seasons, and he simply turned 20. The true sophomore has one other 12 months 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 12 months, receiving essentially the most Heisman votes amongst all large receivers. And he’ll have loads of shine to probably 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. (Picture by Michael Reaves/Getty Photos)
As Klatt has Smith No. 2 on his early 2026 Heisman contenders checklist, he has the man who’ll throw him the ball as the one participant forward of him.
“It is actually onerous not to have a look at a man who was a finalist in Julian Sayin and a man who completed sixth within the voting, Jeremiah Smith,” Klatt stated. “They’d be my No. 1 and a couple of.”
Sayin completed fourth within the Heisman vote this previous 12 months, arguably having a greater season than Will Howard did at quarterback final 12 months 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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