The four players who receive the most votes head to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. If they stay healthy, here’s who’s likely punching their tickets to the Big Apple.
Jeremiah Smith
He’s the frontrunner. This 6-foot-4, 222-pound Ohio State junior is being called the best college wide receiver people have ever seen. And honestly, they’re not exaggerating.
Through seven games, Smith has 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, including back-to-back 200-yard performances. He’s got the speed to blow past defenders and hands so smooth that impossible catches look routine. He already owns Ohio State’s career receiving records. At this point, he’s collecting awards.
Darian Mensah
Miami looks like a national championship contender, and Mensah is central to why. The Duke transfer has thrown for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns through six games. That’s not a typo. He’s completing over 80 percent of his passes while averaging nearly 300 yards per game.
The Hurricanes’ undefeated record exists largely because of what Mensah does with the football. He’ll definitely be in New York come December.
Trinidad Chambliss
Ole Miss’s quarterback has one of college football’s best origin stories. After standing out at Division II Ferris State, he transferred to Mississippi and promptly made SEC defenses look unprepared. Last season showed promise. This season, he’s making it look easy.
Through six games, Chambliss has 1,676 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. But here’s what makes him special: he’s a legitimate dual threat with six rushing touchdowns. Going from Division II to knocking on the Heisman door is the kind of narrative that gets attention.
Malachi Toney
Only a sophomore, and he’s already making defensive coordinators rethink their game plans. Miami’s leading receiver has 758 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through six games. Against Florida State, he was unstoppable—11 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner in double overtime. That’s the kind of moment Heisman voters remember.
And because apparently catching passes isn’t enough, Toney also has 31 rushing yards and a two-point conversion pass. He’s playing offense like he’s trying to fill every position on the field. They call him Baby Jesus for a reason.
If one of these four doesn’t quite make it, there are others waiting in the wings. Alabama’s Keelon Russell has been impressive. Florida’s Jadan Baugh has been bulldozing defenses. And Oregon State’s Jesse Legree is leading the nation in receiving yards and touchdown catches.
So here it is: this Heisman Trophy ceremony will feature four Black finalists for the first time in 91 years. Given the award’s complicated history with race, that’s something worth celebrating.
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