Way-Too-Early Heisman Odds: Top College Football Stars Emerge

Betting sites release early favorites for the 2026 Heisman Trophy

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Several major sports betting sites have released their initial odds for the 2026 Heisman Trophy, with Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr and Texas quarterback Arch Manning leading the pack at +800. Other top contenders include Indiana's Josh Hoover, Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith, and Ohio State's Julian Sayin.

Why it matters

The Heisman Trophy is college football's most prestigious individual award, and these early odds provide a glimpse into which players are expected to emerge as the top stars in the upcoming season. These projections can influence recruiting, media coverage, and fan excitement leading up to the 2026 campaign.

The details

According to the odds compiled from FOX Sports, FanDuel, and Covers.com, the top Heisman contenders for 2026 are: CJ Carr (+800) of Notre Dame, Arch Manning (+800-950) of Texas, Josh Hoover (+1100) of Indiana, Jeremiah Smith (+1100-1300) of Ohio State, and Julian Sayin (+1100-1300) of Ohio State. The college football season is set to kick off on August 29.

  • The 2026 college football season starts on August 29.

The players

CJ Carr

A quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team.

Arch Manning

A quarterback for the Texas Longhorns football team.

Josh Hoover

A quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers football team.

Jeremiah Smith

A wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

Julian Sayin

A quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.

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The takeaway

The early Heisman odds suggest the 2026 college football season could feature a number of high-profile quarterback and skill position battles, with several top programs like Notre Dame, Texas, Indiana, and Ohio State expected to have leading contenders for the sport's most prestigious individual award.