We've been hearing about the loaded quarterback class of 2026 for three years, so it's no surprise that the collection of passers headlines our preseason Heisman watch list.
Arch Manning, Trinidad Chambliss, and Dante Moore are no strangers to the Heisman committee, and Jeremiah Smith is almost undoubtedly the best player in the sport. However, a different name sits No. 1 on both the oddsboard and our rankings.
Here's how we view the race entering the season.
7. Josh Hoover, Indiana (+1500)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3472 | 4 | 31 | 13 |
A transfer quarterback won the Heisman in Curt Cignetti's offense last year, so there's no reason to think Hoover can't double-dip and keep the trophy in Bloomington. Hoover was a bit of a gunslinger at TCU, putting up 71 touchdowns across three years while throwing 33 interceptions. That's where his decision to join the Hoosiers should help. Indiana's last two signal-callers, Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza, combined to throw just 11 interceptions in 699 passing attempts over their respective 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
6. Darian Mensah, Miami (+1000)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3873 | -32 | 35 | 6 |
Miami represents Mensah's third stop in three seasons and by far the best collection of talent that's surrounded him. After dragging Duke to the ACC title last year, the junior quarterback will now work alongside the unguardable Malachi Toney in addition to fellow Duke transfer Cooper Barkate. In 2024, the Hurricanes ranked first in the nation in points per game (42.9) with Cam Ward under center. This year's offense, led by Mensah, could surpass that number.
5. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State (+1500)
| Receptions | Receiving yards | Total TDs |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | 1243 | 13 |
It seems unfair that the courts are letting guys on NFL preseason rosters return to college, yet Smith is unable to leave early for the pros. The Ohio State star has been ready for the NFL since he stepped on campus three years ago, considering he's proven to be the best offensive player in the country each of the last two seasons. The Buckeyes' receiver room is again loaded, but without Carnell Tate on the other side, Smith should garner an even bigger target share in what's sure to be his final go-around in Columbus.
4. Dante Moore, Oregon (+1100)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3565 | 156 | 32 | 10 |
Moore opted against the NFL draft to return to Oregon and chase a national championship. Don't be shocked if he adds some individual hardware in the process. The Ducks have a wealth of talent at receiver with the explosive trio of Evan Stewart, Dakorien Moore, and Jeremiah McClellan, not to mention a head coach who likes to pile up points on opponents. The only real question around Moore is whether he can raise his game in the biggest moments after throwing four interceptions in Oregon's playoff run last year.
3. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (+1300)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3937 | 527 | 30 | 3 |
The legal system of Mississippi granted Chambliss a sixth year of eligibility - shocking, I know - which gives him another chance to become Ole Miss' first Heisman winner. Chambliss is as electric as any quarterback in the country, but he's also elite in avoiding turnovers; the former Division II standout threw just three picks in 445 passing attempts last season. The Rebels' former pair of offensive gurus - Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. - is gone, so Chambliss has a new play-caller in coordinator John David Baker. However, given his athletic gifts, Chambliss could reach Heisman contention with a fan wearing the headset.
2. Arch Manning, Texas (+800)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3163 | 399 | 36 | 7 |
CJ Carr might hold a slight edge over Manning on the oddsboard, but it's Arch's world in the eyes of media coverage. The Texas star will once again be the most discussed player in the sport. Yes, he struggled early in his first season as the Longhorns' starter, but Manning was electric down the stretch. From November on, he threw 11 touchdowns against one interception while adding four scores on the ground and delivering three wins versus ranked opponents. And now he gets to throw to Cam Coleman.
1. CJ Carr, Notre Dame (+750)
| Passing yards | Rushing yards | Total TDs | INT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2741 | 33 | 27 | 6 |
If you want to sound smart at your Week 1 watch party, ask the room which quarterback with a grandfather in the College Football Hall of Fame is the preseason Heisman front-runner. While Manning is one of the favorites to claim the trophy, Notre Dame's Carr actually sits atop the oddsboard at +750. Carr, whose grandfather is legendary Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, looked like a seasoned veteran in his first year as a starter. In 2026, he stands to shoulder more of the offensive workload with the running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price now in the NFL.
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