The 2026 Heisman Trophy Award will be handed out in roughly six weeks. The Heisman historically goes to quarterbacks or running backs, and two-way players like Travis Hunter and Charles Woodson.

But more than halfway through the season, wide receiver’s Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Malachi Toney (Miami) have separated themselves from several frontrunners in the Heisman race. Only one true wide receiver, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, has won the Heisman since 1991. Simth’s historic season in 2020 ended with him capturing the sport’s most prestigious award.

Let’s take at how Toney and Jeremiah Smith compare to DeVonta Smith when he won the award five years ago. 

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How many WRs have won the Heisman?

There have been a total of just four wide receivers that have taken home the award. Former Notre Dame receiver Tim Brown was the first in 1987, and Michigan’s Desmond Howard did so in 1991.

DeVonta Smith broke a 29-year drought of a wide receiver not winning the award in 2020. All three players were also returners on special teams, which made them more worthy Heisman candidates.  

Hunter played both defensive back and receiver, but did not play on special teams at Colorado. 

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Malachi Toney vs. DeVonta Smith pace

Toney’s Miami team has played seven games so far, and the Canes are undefeated. 

Smith didn’t start returning punts for Alabama until late November, as a way to potentially boost his Heisman stock. 

Jeremiah Smith vs. DeVonta Smith pace

Smith has also played seven games, which makes for an easy sample size. Unlike DeVonta and Toney, Jeremiah Smith does not play as much on special teams 

DeVonta Smith Heisman season stats

Smith had the best season of his college career as a senior in Tuscaloosa in 2020. He finished with 117 receptions for 1,856 yards with 23 touchdowns, averaging 15.9 receptions per game. 

He had a Heisman-clinching game against Florida in the SEC Championship Game in 2020. He had a career-best 15 receptions for 184 yards with two touchdowns. His performance was an SEC title game record, and he was named the game’s MVP. 

After winning the Heisman, Smith also played two more games in the College Football Playoff. He showed no Heisman hangover. In the first round against Alabama, he finished with seven receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns during the Tide’s 31-14 win. In the national title game vs. Ohio State, he had 12 receptions for 215 yards and three touchdowns. 

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Making their cases for the Heisman

Both players have been asked about potentially winning the award.

“You’ve just got to [let] the Heisman voters or whoever it is know that I’m the best player in the country,” Smith said in early October earlier. “I’ve got to be there.”

Toney’s teammate, quarterback Darian Mensah, made the case for his favorite target to win the award. 

“The biggest thing that sets him apart from everybody else is his eagerness to go out and block for his teammates,” Mensah said on Oct. 28. “I think if you turn on the tape, he does it at such a high level that it’s different. He’s obviously a great person but he wants to see his teammates win. And I think he’s just a selfless person. I think that’s why he should win.”

Interestingly enough, Mensah has the best Heisman odds outside of Smith and Toney.

2026 Heisman Odds

(Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)

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