The Heisman race is starting to take shape, and after another wild weekend, my top five has plenty of star power. Jeremiah Smith just delivered a ridiculous performance, Kamario Taylor continues to explode onto the national scene, and Darian Mensah has Miami rolling. But for now, Trinidad Chambliss still holds my No. 1 spot.
1. Trinidad Chambliss — Ole Miss
Yes, Ole Miss just got blown out by Florida. But I’m not throwing away everything Chambliss has done because of one loss. Even in the defeat, he finished with 298 passing yards and three total touchdowns. He now has 1,222 passing yards and 12 total touchdowns this season.
His performance against LSU remains one of the biggest Heisman moments of the season. Chambliss may have lost some momentum, but he hasn’t lost my No. 1 spot yet.
2. Kamario Taylor — Mississippi State
College football’s best-kept secret isn’t a secret anymore.
Kamario Taylor has Mississippi State at 4-0 and ranked No. 16 after another huge performance. Taylor threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns against Missouri, bringing him to 1,192 passing yards and 14 touchdowns through four games. He’s also added 185 yards on the ground.
If Taylor keeps Mississippi State winning through its brutal SEC schedule, he could very easily become my No. 1.
3. Darian Mensah — Miami
Mensah has been ridiculously efficient. After throwing for 338 yards and four total touchdowns against Central Michigan, he’s firmly in the Heisman race with Miami sitting undefeated at No. 4.
The numbers are there, the wins are there, and Miami looks like a legitimate contender. Mensah isn’t going anywhere.
4. Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State
If this award were purely about finding the most dominant player in college football, Smith would have a serious argument for No. 1.
Smith just went nuclear against Illinois with 217 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He’s already up to more than 600 receiving yards through four games and has become the current betting favorite for the award.
A wide receiver winning the Heisman is always difficult, but Smith might be special enough to do it.
5. Malachi Toney — Miami
Don’t forget about Miami’s other superstar. Toney has been one of the most explosive receivers in the country and gives Miami something very few teams have: two legitimate Heisman candidates on the same offense.
He was already sitting at 444 receiving yards and five touchdowns through Miami’s first three games. Heisman If Miami keeps winning, Toney will remain right in the middle of this race.
Outside Looking In: Florida RB Jadan Baugh, Alabama QB Keelon Russell and Notre Dame QB CJ Carr are right there. Baugh’s stock exploded after 142 yards and three touchdowns against Ole Miss, while Russell and Carr continue putting together strong seasons for undefeated contenders.
The race is wide open, but right now my ballot is simple: Chambliss, Taylor, Mensah, Smith and Toney.
