Heisman watch 2026
American Conference Heisman candidates
| # | Player | Season line | Rec. | Pts/g | Nat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 571 rush yds, 8 TD · 21 rec, 155 yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 26.5 | 17 | |
| 2 | 90/123, 1,371 pass yds, 14 TD, 3 INT · 152 rush yds, 0 TD | 4-1 | 24 | 33 | |
| 3 | 28/49, 337 pass yds, 3 TD, 1 INT · 301 rush yds, 6 TD | 2-2 | 22.4 | 51 | |
| 4 | 120/168, 1,510 pass yds, 10 TD, 4 INT · 35 rush yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 20.8 | 71 | |
| 5 | 127/174, 1,425 pass yds, 12 TD, 2 INT | 4-1 | 20.2 | 77 | |
| 6 | 513 rush yds, 6 TD | 4-1 | 19.8 | 81 | |
| 7 | 17/40, 344 pass yds, 3 TD, 0 INT · 273 rush yds, 4 TD | 1-3 | 18.8 | 99 | |
| 8 | 7/20, 71 pass yds, 0 TD, 1 INT · 299 rush yds, 4 TD | 1-3 | 18.2 | 105 | |
| 9 | 58/96, 564 pass yds, 4 TD, 1 INT · 56 rush yds, 2 TD | 3-2 | 18.1 | 109 | |
| 10 | 35/66, 403 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT · 495 rush yds, 4 TD | 1-4 | 17.9 | 111 | |
| 11 | 40/72, 631 pass yds, 6 TD, 0 INT · 234 rush yds, 3 TD | 2-3 | 17.3 | 125 | |
| 12 | 393 rush yds, 6 TD | 4-1 | 16.3 | 145 |
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 |  Giovanni Lopez QB · Wake Forest | 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 | 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 | 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 |  Wayne Knight RB · UCLA | 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 | 102/144, 1,222 pass yds, 8 TD, 3 INT · 108 rush yds, 4 TD | 3-1 | 26.4 | |
| 19 | 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 |  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 American Conference'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 American Conference's top Heisman candidate?
Jahiem White, RB for North Texas (3-2): 571 rush yds, 8 TD · 21 rec, 155 yds, 2 TD. That is 26.5 production points per game, No. 17 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.