The race for the 2026 Heisman Trophy is wide open, with quarterbacks dominating the top of the board. CJ Carr leads, just ahead of Arch Manning. Josh Hoover, Jeremiah Smith, and Julian Sayin form the next tier, with Dante Moore, Darian Mensah, and Trinidad Chambliss right behind them. Smith’s inclusion near the top is notable — as a wide receiver, he’s bucking the trend of a race that’s leaned almost entirely on quarterback play in recent years.
Behind that group, Gunner Stockton and Sam Leavitt sit further back, with John Mateer, Marcel Reed, and Jayden Maiava rounding out the names most likely to factor into the conversation once the season gets underway. As always with the Heisman market, national team success plays a huge role — a strong start for any of these players’ teams can move their price significantly. College football odds at BetUS will keep the board updated throughout the season.