Heisman watch 2026
Big Ten Heisman candidates
| # | Player | Season line | Rec. | Pts/g | Nat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 rec, 823 yds, 9 TD | 4-1 | 27.4 | 11 | |
| 2 | 445 rush yds, 9 TD | 4-0 | 26.8 | 15 | |
| 3 | 94/143, 1,142 pass yds, 13 TD, 2 INT · 249 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-0 | 26.1 | 20 | |
| 4 | 103/142, 1,530 pass yds, 13 TD, 1 INT · 6 rush yds, 2 TD | 4-1 | 24.8 | 30 | |
| 5 | 81/143, 1,132 pass yds, 10 TD, 5 INT · 262 rush yds, 3 TD | 4-1 | 23.9 | 34 | |
| 6 | 63/89, 900 pass yds, 6 TD, 0 INT · 41 rush yds, 5 TD | 3-1 | 23.5 | 40 | |
| 7 | 131/191, 1,744 pass yds, 15 TD, 3 INT · -4 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-1 | 22.6 | 49 | |
| 8 | 76/107, 1,101 pass yds, 15 TD, 0 INT | 5-0 | 22.4 | 50 | |
| 9 | 110/163, 1,327 pass yds, 8 TD, 3 INT · 191 rush yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 21.6 | 61 | |
| 10 | 33 rec, 628 yds, 7 TD | 1-4 | 21 | 64 | |
| 11 | 102/155, 1,246 pass yds, 11 TD, 3 INT | 2-3 | 20.9 | 66 | |
| 12 | 40 rec, 546 yds, 8 TD | 2-3 | 20.8 | 68 |
National top 25
| # | Player | Season line | Rec. | Pts/g |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Michael Hawkins Jr. QB · West Virginia | 47/83, 836 pass yds, 7 TD, 1 INT · 574 rush yds, 11 TD | 3-2 | 35.8 |
| 2 | 644 rush yds, 6 TD | 4-0 | 30.9 | |
| 3 | 136/196, 1,827 pass yds, 16 TD, 2 INT · -6 rush yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 29.8 | |
| 4 |  Eli Gillman RB · Montana | 783 rush yds, 11 TD · 12 rec, 160 yds, 3 TD | 4-1 | 29.7 |
| 5 | 98/151, 1,377 pass yds, 10 TD, 1 INT · 193 rush yds, 5 TD | 4-1 | 28.5 | |
| 6 | 47/73, 619 pass yds, 10 TD, 1 INT | 2-3 | 28.1 | |
| 7 | 96/139, 1,394 pass yds, 9 TD, 1 INT · 158 rush yds, 6 TD | 2-3 | 27.9 | |
| 8 |  Conner Weigman QB · Houston | 91/135, 1,185 pass yds, 11 TD, 1 INT · 156 rush yds, 6 TD | 4-1 | 27.8 |
| 9 |  Ashton Daniels QB · Florida State | 70/116, 1,111 pass yds, 6 TD, 6 INT · 278 rush yds, 9 TD | 3-2 | 27.6 |
| 10 | 112/133, 1,438 pass yds, 15 TD, 0 INT · 79 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-0 | 27.5 | |
| 11 | 44 rec, 823 yds, 9 TD | 4-1 | 27.4 | |
| 12 | 94/132, 1,414 pass yds, 11 TD, 2 INT · 184 rush yds, 4 TD | 5-0 | 27.2 | |
| 13 | 102/154, 1,450 pass yds, 17 TD, 4 INT · 159 rush yds, 1 TD | 4-1 | 27.2 | |
| 14 |  Avery Johnson QB · Kansas State | 88/133, 910 pass yds, 7 TD, 2 INT · 291 rush yds, 3 TD | 3-1 | 26.9 |
| 15 | 445 rush yds, 9 TD | 4-0 | 26.8 | |
| 16 | 81/140, 1,164 pass yds, 10 TD, 2 INT · 259 rush yds, 5 TD | 2-3 | 26.5 | |
| 17 | 571 rush yds, 8 TD · 21 rec, 155 yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 26.5 | |
| 18 |  Trinidad Chambliss QB · Ole Miss | 102/144, 1,222 pass yds, 8 TD, 3 INT · 108 rush yds, 4 TD | 3-1 | 26.4 |
| 19 |  Jadan Baugh RB · Florida | 613 rush yds, 11 TD | 4-1 | 26.2 |
| 20 | 94/143, 1,142 pass yds, 13 TD, 2 INT · 249 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-0 | 26.1 | |
| 21 |  Joshua Wood QB · Idaho | 88/151, 1,320 pass yds, 5 TD, 2 INT · 211 rush yds, 7 TD | 0-4 | 26 |
| 22 |  Noah Fifita QB · Arizona | 123/167, 1,398 pass yds, 13 TD, 3 INT · 103 rush yds, 3 TD | 4-1 | 26 |
| 23 |  Jaylon Tolbert QB · Alcorn State | 138/211, 1,882 pass yds, 18 TD, 7 INT · 180 rush yds, 1 TD | 3-2 | 25.9 |
| 24 | 79/133, 1,068 pass yds, 8 TD, 0 INT · 270 rush yds, 5 TD | 3-2 | 25.9 | |
| 25 | 28 rec, 741 yds, 9 TD | 3-2 | 25.6 |
2026 season totals to date from CollegeFootballData via our data hub, players with three or more games. Production points per game: 1 per 25 passing yards and per 10 rushing or receiving yards, 4 per passing TD, 6 per other TD, minus 2 per interception or lost fumble. Not a prediction of voting.
The 2026 Heisman watch ranks every FBS quarterback, running back and receiver by production per game, with each team's record next to it, and pulls out the Big Ten's best candidates. It updates weekly with the stats. Full profiles are on each player page; for the weekly polls see the rankings.
The Big Ten Report
One conference, in your inbox every Tuesday.
Standings, the title race and one opinion on the Big Ten. No filler.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Big Ten's top Heisman candidate?
Jeremiah Smith, WR for Ohio State (4-1): 44 rec, 823 yds, 9 TD. That is 27.4 production points per game, No. 11 nationally on this list.
Who leads the Heisman race on production in 2026?
Michael Hawkins Jr. of West Virginia, at 35.8 points per game (47/83, 836 pass yds, 7 TD, 1 INT · 574 rush yds, 11 TD).
How is this Heisman watch ranked?
By production points per game: 1 point per 25 passing yards and per 10 rushing or receiving yards, 4 per passing touchdown, 6 per rushing, receiving or return touchdown, minus 2 per interception or lost fumble, with at least three games played. It measures production only. Heisman voters also weigh team success, shown as each team's record.