A report published October 13 provides an update on the Heisman Trophy race, highlighting top contenders and recent performances. The roundup includes rankings from various media outlets and details upcoming matchups for several high-profile players.
In a recent Top 5 Heisman rankings, Robert Griffin III listed Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State as his first choice, followed by Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, and Georgia's Gunner Stockton. Smith, who is second nationally in touchdown receptions (11), reception yards per game (152.7), and receptions (48), recently helped lead the Buckeyes to a 45-16 victory over Maryland. Smith faces upcoming matchups against Indiana and USC on Halloween.
Other standout performers include Oregon State freshman Jesse Legree, who leads the nation in receiving yards per game (155.3) and touchdown catches (12). Legree recently recorded 191 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over San Diego State. Additionally, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, who ranks sixth nationally in QB rating, led the No. 2 Irish to a 58-7 win over Stanford. Carr faces No. 8 BYU this Saturday, with a matchup against No. 3 Miami scheduled for early November.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, ranked fourth in Griffin's list, threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-10 win over Iowa State. In the SEC, Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss is ranked third by On3 and fourth by The Athletic after a 52-17 win at Vanderbilt. Other notable players include USC's Jayden Maiava, who ranks second nationally in passing yards (2,045) and touchdown passes (18), and UCLA running back Wayne de Knight, who leads the Big Ten with 109.6 rushing yards per game.
College football fans can vote daily at hopefuls.heisman.com. The fan vote uses a season-long weighted model developed with the Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Center, which gives greater weight to votes cast later in the year as conference races intensify.
