Alabama’s Keelon Russell and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr have cracked the Sporting News’ Heisman Watch top contenders list after strong performances in Week 5.
Russell outdueled Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor on Saturday to earn his spot. He passed for three touchdowns and ran for another as the Crimsom Tide rolled to a 56-23 win over the Bulldogs. We’ll find out soon if Russell should stay — Alabama hosts Georgia on Saturday.
Carr threw four touchdown passes and led Notre Dame past Bill Belichick’s North Carolina squad. He’s two weeks away from a showdown with BYU and star quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
While Russell and Carr ascended, Bachmeier, Texas quarterback Arch Manning, Florida running back Jadan Baugh and Miami receiver Malachi Toney dropped into the fringe category.
Bachmeier was held to 62 yards passing in a 17-10 win over TCU. He ran for 66 yards and two scores, but it still wasn’t enough to maintain his standing.
Baugh was held to 13 yards on 12 carries in a 45-17 loss to Missouri on Saturday. Toney was held to 40 yards on five catches against Clemson on Saturday. Manning was idle.
Meanwhile, Missouri’s Jamal Roberts ran for 211 yards and three touchdowns and moved up into the fringe category.
Nebraska’s Anthony Colandrea also moved up into the fringe category after passing for 238 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 108 yards and another score as the Cornhuskers routed Maryland 48-23. Nebraska hosts defending national champion Indiana on Saturday.
Heisman Trophy voters Cliff Brunt and Jeff Hauser cover college football for The Sporting News. Hauser has voted since 2015 and Brunt since 2017. They have compiled an alphabetical watch list of players they would consider strongly for their top three if ballots were due today. The highlighted players are in the top five for one or both.
Heisman Watch
Top contenders
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Season stats: Five games, 72.4% completions, 1,197 yards, 13 TDs; three rushing TDs.
Last game: Completed 21 of 29 passes for 234 yards with four touchdowns in a 37-26 win over North Carolina.
Next game: Notre Dame hosts Stanford on Saturday.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Season stats: Four games, 70.8% completions, 1,222 yards, eight TDs; 28 carries, 108 yards, four TDs.
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Last game: Chambliss followed the emotional win over LSU with another good performance, despite the loss to Florida. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 298 yards with a touchdown and an interception and ran seven times for 44 yards.
Next game: Ole Miss has a bye before visiting Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana
Season stats: Five games, 71% completions, 1,101 yards, 107 passes without an interception. Passer rating of 203.8, 15 TD passes.
Last game: Completed 20 of 27 passes for 251 yards and four touchdowns in a 47-15 win over Rutgers.
Next game: Indiana visits Nebraska on Saturday.
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Season stats: Five games, 84.2% completions, 1,438 yards, 15 TDs without an interception. Passer rating of 212.1.
Last game: Completed 18 of 27 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown and ran three times for 27 yards and another score.
Next game: Miami has a bye before visiting Florida State on Oct. 17.
Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama
Season stats: Five games, 71.2% completions, 1,414 yards, 11 TDs.
Last game: Completed 16 of 22 passes for 285 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions against Mississippi State.
Next game: Alabama hosts Georgia on Saturday.
Ryan Coleman-Williams finds the endzone to put Alabama on top 🐘 (via @AlabamaFTBL) https://t.co/QgrQWuV30z
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 3, 2026
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Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Season stats: Five games, 44 catches, 823 yards, nine TDs.
Last game: Snagged 11 passes for 206 yards and two scores in a 31-14 win over Iowa and its respected defensive unit. It was his second straight game with at least 200 yards receiving.
Next game: Ohio State hosts Maryland on Saturday.
JEREMIAH SMITH CAN NOT BE STOPPED 😤 (via @CBSSports) https://t.co/XadLJR89p1
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 3, 2026
On the fringe: Anthony Colandrea, Nebraska; Reed Harris, Arizona State; Kevin Jennings, SMU; Gio Lopez, Wake Forest; Jayden Maiava, USC; Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State; Jamal Roberts, Missouri; Julian Sayin, Ohio State; Austin Simmons, Missouri; Colin Simmons, Texas; Gunner Stockton, Georgia; Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State; Malachi Toney, Miami.
