Heisman watch 2026
Pac-12 Heisman candidates
| # | Player | Season line | Rec. | Pts/g | Nat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 136/196, 1,827 pass yds, 16 TD, 2 INT · -6 rush yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 29.8 | 3 | |
| 2 | 47/73, 619 pass yds, 10 TD, 1 INT | 2-3 | 28.1 | 6 | |
| 3 | 28 rec, 741 yds, 9 TD | 3-2 | 25.6 | 25 | |
| 4 | 92/138, 1,226 pass yds, 13 TD, 5 INT · 186 rush yds, 1 TD | 2-3 | 22.7 | 48 | |
| 5 | 87/132, 1,058 pass yds, 11 TD, 0 INT | 4-1 | 20.7 | 72 | |
| 6 | 685 rush yds, 5 TD | 4-1 | 20.4 | 75 | |
| 7 | 315 rush yds, 5 TD | 2-3 | 16.9 | 131 | |
| 8 | 91/137, 1,034 pass yds, 6 TD, 1 INT | 4-1 | 15.9 | 156 | |
| 9 | 234 rush yds, 2 TD | 4-1 | 15.7 | 163 | |
| 10 | 614 rush yds, 1 TD | 2-3 | 14 | 212 | |
| 11 | 409 rush yds, 3 TD | 2-3 | 14 | 213 | |
| 12 | 24 rec, 367 yds, 4 TD | 2-3 | 13.7 | 227 |
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 |  Nate Sheppard RB · Duke | 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 | 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 |  Lincoln Kienholz QB · Louisville | 96/139, 1,394 pass yds, 9 TD, 1 INT · 158 rush yds, 6 TD | 2-3 | 27.9 |
| 8 | 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 |  Darian Mensah QB · Miami | 112/133, 1,438 pass yds, 15 TD, 0 INT · 79 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-0 | 27.5 |
| 11 |  Jeremiah Smith WR · Ohio State | 44 rec, 823 yds, 9 TD | 4-1 | 27.4 |
| 12 |  Keelon Russell QB · Alabama | 94/132, 1,414 pass yds, 11 TD, 2 INT · 184 rush yds, 4 TD | 5-0 | 27.2 |
| 13 |  Kamario Taylor QB · Mississippi State | 102/154, 1,450 pass yds, 17 TD, 4 INT · 159 rush yds, 1 TD | 4-1 | 27.2 |
| 14 | 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 |  Kalieb Osborne QB · UConn | 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 | 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 |  Anthony Colandrea QB · Nebraska | 94/143, 1,142 pass yds, 13 TD, 2 INT · 249 rush yds, 2 TD | 5-0 | 26.1 |
| 21 | 88/151, 1,320 pass yds, 5 TD, 2 INT · 211 rush yds, 7 TD | 0-4 | 26 | |
| 22 | 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 Pac-12's best candidates. It updates weekly with the stats. Full profiles are on each player page; for the weekly polls see the rankings.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the Pac-12's top Heisman candidate?
Braden Atkinson, QB for Oregon State (3-2): 136/196, 1,827 pass yds, 16 TD, 2 INT · -6 rush yds, 2 TD. That is 29.8 production points per game, No. 3 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.