2026 Heisman Trophy Odds: Trinidad Chambliss Favored

Charlie Zschau Updated: 5 hours ago

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football.

Fernando Mendoza won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2025, becoming the first player in Indiana Hoosiers history to win the award.

Mendoza led Indiana to an undefeated regular season, capped off by a 27-21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes to win the first NCAA Football National Championship in school history.

In 2025, Mendoza passed for 3,535 yards, 41 touchdowns (Most in Division 1) while completing 72.0 percent of passes.

2026 Heisman Trophy Odds

Odds Updated 9/23/2026.

Trinidad Chambliss	+300	Darian Mensah	+350
Jeremiah Smith	+900	Arch Manning	+1100
Kamario Taylor	+1200	Malachi Toney	+1200
CJ Carr	+1400	Josh Hoover	+2500
Keelon Russell	+2500	Julian Sayin	+2800
Jayden Maiava	+3000	Gunner Stockton	+3000
Dante Moore	+5000	Lincoln Kienholz	+5000
Sam Leavitt	+5000

With Mendoza gone (Selected first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders), a number of quarterbacks will all be competing for the Heisman Trophy.

Trinidad Chambliss

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss has taken over as the Heisman Trophy favorite after a statement victory against his former coach, Lane Kiffin, in Oxford. Chambliss has continued to impress each and every week, and has risen from a Division II standout to a Heisman Trophy favorite.

Chambliss is not just talented, but he's also a true competitor with a chip on his shoulder. He wasn't even supposed to be a starting quarterback last season, but after an injury to Austin Simmons, the Ferris State transfer was pushed into a starting role, and led the Rebels to their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Through three games, Chambliss passed for 924 yards and seven touchdowns, while leading Ole Miss to two victories against ranked opponents.

Darian Mensah & Malachi Toney

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah is the second favorite to win the award.

Mensah has improved each season in college football, and shredded the Stanford defense in his first game of 2026. Mensah passed for 401 yards and five touchdowns, setting the tone for the rest of the country.

Mensah's top target, Malachi Toney also made his Heisman case known, catching 12 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns, while notably posing like the famous trophy in the end zone for two of the TDs.

Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith holds the best odds of any non-quarterback. The X-receiver possesses elite body control, a big frame, and soft hands, which has drawn comparisons to NFL legends Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones. Smith, a junior, has already become the all-time Ohio State receiving yards leader, passing some NFL Hall of Fame caliber Buckeyes.

Arch Manning

Arch Manning is the second favorite to win the Heisman this season. Nephew of NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch has been one of the most highly touted prospects for the majority of his career. Arch has shown flashes of his NFL caliber talent, but is yet to put it all together over the course of a season.

Manning earned his best win as a Longhorn in Week 2 when the Texas knocked off No. 1 Ohio State 24-23 in Austin.

Other Heisman Trophy Candidates

Kamario Taylor, CJ Carr, Josh Hoover, Keelon Russell, Julian Sayin, Jayden Maiava, Gunner Stockton, and Dante Moore are the next tier of quarterbacks in the Heisman race.

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor, a sophomore, has led the Bulldogs to a 3-0 record while passing for 832 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only 1 interception. Taylor has also ran for 178 yards and a touchdown on top of his impressive passing performances.