2026 Heisman Odds and Predictions – Who Will Strike the Heisman Pose?

C.J. Carr (+700)

Carr had an excellent freshman season in 2025, completing 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, the Fighting Irish will ask him to do more this season. Notre Dame averaged 203.4 yards on the ground last season as Jeremiyah Love was a Heisman finalist, and went third in the NFL Draft. Backup Jadarian Price went 32nd.

First look at CJ Carr connecting with WR transfer Mylan Graham from Ohio State.

Graham played in nine games last season with the Buckeyes, hauling in six receptions for 93 yards. pic.twitter.com/C9vsMXW5TU

— Talia Baia (@taliaontv) August 11, 2026

Carr will have targets as the Fighting Irish got receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham in the transfer portal. Tight end Cooper Flanagan is also returning from an Achilles injury. The offensive line is deep and talented.

The Fighting Irish have national-title aspirations this season. If they’re going to get there, Carr will be the driving force. A strong run combined with impressive numbers could be enough for him to land the Heisman Trophy.

However, the odds on Carr feel short, given how competitive the race for the award should be this year.

Arch Manning (+850)

Which Arch Manning will we see in 2026? The one who threw 12 touchdowns and five interceptions in his first six games of the season? Or the one who threw 14 touchdowns and two picks in the last seven games? Three of his four 300-yard games came in the second half of the season, and he ran for 155 yards and two scores against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.

TRENDING: Arch Manning has been absolutely SLINGING IT at fall camp.

Several NFL scouts reportedly believe Manning has “first overall pick” potential in the 2027 NFL Draft.

The Texas Longhorns QB is looking SCARY ahead of next season 😳 pic.twitter.com/1CKB8EokOQ

— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) August 6, 2026

Manning has the burden of his last name, and playing Ohio State on the road in the first game of the season didn’t help much. But he improved throughout the season, and receiver Cam Coleman had two good seasons at Auburn before heading to Austin. Transfers Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown should help the ground game. The offensive line needs to be better, however.

Still, Manning should improve in 2026, and despite the lofty pedigree, the Texas quarterback could still be the first in his family to win the Heisman! I don’t rule that out, but he was inconsistent last year, so I want +1000 or better to consider him for a bet in 2026.

Darian Mensah (+1000)

Miami came up just short in the national championship game against Indiana, and then replaced Carson Beck under center with Darian Mensah. The former Duke quarterback threw for 3,973 yards, 34 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He had five 300-yard passing games, but Mensah threw for 327 yards, four scores, and a pick in a 42-39 Sun Bowl win over Arizona State.

🚨Miami QB Darian Mensah to WR Malachi Toney is going to be a SHOW…⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OcKWzjk6y6

— Life and Football (@LifeandBall) August 6, 2026

Receiver Malachi Toney (+3500) is back and a Heisman candidate in his own right. Cooper Barkate was Mensah’s favorite target at Duke, and followed his quarterback to Miami. The ground game isn’t explosive, but they get the job done. The biggest issue could be a line that lost three starters to the NFL Draft.

Mensah has the tools, but is now in a more high-profile situation. Will the spotlight be too bright? He’s a favorite in the Heisman odds, but there’s a little value in Mensah’s odds. He can certainly win, but the question marks around him make this a risky bet.

Dante Moore (+1500)

Moore returned to Oregon for his junior season after a great season. He completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns, and ten interceptions. The picks were a problem as Moore threw half of his interceptions in the last five games of the season. Oregon still went to the CFP semifinal, where they were trounced 56-22 by Indiana in the Peach Bowl.

Moore has receiver Jeremiah McClellan back, although he lost wideout Malik Benson and tight end Kenyon Sadiq to the NFL. Receiver Dakorien Moore (no relation to Dante) had a fine freshman season. The offensive line lost two starters to the NFL.

Still, Moore has enough tools to be successful. The Ducks have to play better against high-profile players as Moore’s worst games came against Indiana and Ohio State, who are both in the Big Ten with Oregon.

If Moore can reduce turnovers and deliver a few big games in a late season stretch that includes a trip to Ohio State and a home game against Michigan, he will be in the mix. The odds on him are quite high, too, so backing the quarterback is a good option from a betting perspective.

Jeremiah Smith/Julian Sayin (+1500)

I’m going to pair these Buckeyes together as both are essential to the team’s success and a big reason why they top the college football championship odds. Sayin completed 77% of his passes, which topped the nation, for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight picks. Smith’s 1,243 yards was fourth in the country on 87 receptions, along with 12 touchdowns.

Two of Sayin’s interceptions came in the CFP quarterfinal loss to Miami in the Cotton Bowl, although Smith had 157 yards on seven catches and a touchdown.

The Heisman odds seem good for both players, but like last season, they could end up splitting votes. Sayin finished fourth in the Heisman voting, while Smith finished sixth. Smith is the best NFL prospect, but Sayin is the quarterback and controls where the ball goes.

That’s always going to be the dilemma when looking at the prices for a quarterback/receiver combo, which is why I would probably avoid this talented duo. If I had to choose between the two, I would go with Smith, who could be the #1 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

Trinidad Chambliss (+1500)

Chambliss battled with the NCAA and won a sixth year of eligibility to return to Ole Miss, where he led the Rebels to their first 13-win season. The quarterback completed 66.1% of his throws for 3.937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three picks. He also added 527 yards on the ground with eight scores.

Ole Miss replaced head coach Lane Kiffin with Pete Golding, but there is still talent on the field around Chambliss. Running back Kewan Lacy, who was third in the nation in rushing, has returned. The receivers need some help as Harrison Wallace III and De’Zhaun Stribling are gone, although the offensive line looks good.

The onus is on Chambliss to be as good, or even better, than last season. Ole Miss made it to the CFP semifinal, where they lost 31-27 to Miami. If Chambliss can navigate his team to the top of the SEC, he’ll definitely be in the mix for the Heisman odds.

Still, he needs to deliver truly special performances to earn the Heisman Trophy.

Jayden Maiava (+2800)

Maiava was spectacular for the Trojans last season, finishing fifth in the country with 3,711 yards, adding 24 touchdowns, but also ten interceptions. The Trojans lost three games in the regular season, all on the road to ranked opponents, and to TCU in the Alamo Bowl. Seven of Maiava’s picks came in those losses.

The USC signal-caller has to tighten up on those mistakes in big games, but there is no doubt that the talent is there. Maiava is behind a strong offensive line. Even though Makai Lemon and Ka’kobi Lane are gone, Tanook Hines and Zacharyus Williams are still there.

If the defense can improve and help with the team success, and Maiava limits his mistakes, his current Heisman betting odds might look like a bargain.

Marcel Reed (+3500)

Reed was the engine behind Texas A&M’s best season since 2012, throwing for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns, but he did have 12 interceptions. The Aggies still made it to the CFP playoff, where they fell 10-3 in the first round to Miami.

While the offensive line has to sort itself out quickly, Reed will have a versatile group at running back, led by Reuben Owens. Mario Craver has to step up at receiver with K.C. Concepcion in the NFL.

But Reed is the key as he can’t throw two picks as he did in a loss at Texas with a spot in the SEC championship game on the line, and the playoff loss to Miami. Reed is a junior now, and he has to be calmer in those situations to improve his Heisman odds.