One week into the season, the Heisman race already looks completely different.
Some preseason favorites handled business, but a few players exploded onto the scene with performances that were impossible to ignore.
Here are my five Heisman favorites after Week 1.
1. Darian Mensah — Miami
Nobody had a better Week 1 than Darian Mensah.
In his Miami debut, Mensah completed an absurd 27-of-30 passes for 401 yards, five touchdowns and zero interceptions in a 45-6 win over Stanford.
That’s a 90% completion percentage with five touchdowns.
If Miami remains a national championship contender and Mensah keeps putting up numbers anywhere close to this, he’s going to be incredibly difficult to beat.
He’s my Heisman favorite right now.
2. Malachi Toney — Miami
Yes, my top two players are on the same team.
That’s how ridiculous Miami’s offense looked.
Malachi Toney caught 12 passes for a Miami-record 234 yards and three touchdowns against Stanford—and did it without even playing in the fourth quarter.
The biggest problem for Toney’s Heisman campaign might actually be Mensah.
But if Toney keeps producing video-game numbers, voters aren’t going to be able to ignore him.
3. Sam Leavitt — LSU
Sam Leavitt’s LSU debut wasn’t perfect.
His second pass was intercepted.
Everything after that was pretty convincing.
Leavitt finished with 230 passing yards, 113 rushing yards and three total touchdowns as LSU demolished Clemson 51-10.
The biggest thing working in his favor is Lane Kiffin.
If LSU becomes one of the best teams in America and Kiffin’s offense continues putting up huge numbers, Leavitt will have plenty of opportunities to build a Heisman résumé.
4. Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State
Don’t forget about the best receiver in college football.
Jeremiah Smith needed only one half against Ball State to catch eight passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns before Ohio State shut him down for the second half of its 56-3 win.
Now comes the game that could really launch his campaign.
Ohio State at Texas. Prime time. No. 1 vs. No. 5.
If Smith dominates on that stage, he could quickly move up this list.
5. CJ Carr — Notre Dame
CJ Carr didn’t put up the ridiculous numbers some of the others did, but he’s still firmly in my top five.
Carr threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns without an interception as Notre Dame pulled away from Wisconsin for a 41-13 victory.
He’s already one of the biggest names in the Heisman race, and playing quarterback for a Notre Dame team with national championship expectations gives him a clear path to New York.
It’s incredibly early.
But after Week 1, Mensah and Toney have separated themselves for me, while Leavitt, Smith and Carr are right behind them.
And with the massive games coming later this season, this list could change very quickly.
