Here are the 2026 Heisman Trophy odds: the favorites, contenders, and sleepers to win college football’s top individual award. Notre Dame’s CJ Carr and Texas’s Arch Manning open as co-favorites atop a quarterback-heavy board, with Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith the best bet to break the QB monopoly. Below is the full odds board plus a tier-by-tier read. Lines are representative of mid-2026 futures and move fast, so treat them as a snapshot.
How to Read These Odds
These are American futures odds to win the Heisman Trophy. A plus number is the profit on a 100 stake, so CJ Carr at +700 pays 700 on a winning 100 bet. Shorter numbers mean the market sees a player as more likely to win. Heisman odds move fast during the season, especially after big performances, and they vary by sportsbook.
2026 Heisman Trophy Odds: Full Board
| Rank | Player | Team | Pos | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CJ Carr | Notre Dame | QB | +700 |
| 2 | Arch Manning | Texas | QB | +750 |
| 3 | Darian Mensah | Miami | QB | +1050 |
| 4 | Trinidad Chambliss | Ole Miss | QB | +1075 |
| 5 | Dante Moore | Oregon | QB | +1100 |
| 6 | Julian Sayin | Ohio State | QB | +1150 |
| 7 | Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State | WR | +1225 |
| 8 | Josh Hoover | Indiana | QB | +1425 |
| 9 | Gunner Stockton | Georgia | QB | +1750 |
| 10 | Sam Leavitt | LSU | QB | +2025 |
| 11 | Keelon Russell | Alabama | QB | +3125 |
| 12 | Malachi Toney | Miami | WR | +3275 |
The Favorites: CJ Carr and Arch Manning
CJ Carr (+700) and Arch Manning (+750) are the co-favorites, two of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the sport on teams built to contend for the Playoff. Heisman voters reward production on winning teams, and both check that box, which is why they sit clear of the field. The value question is whether you would rather back one of them at a short price or hunt a bigger number below.
The Contenders
Darian Mensah (+1050), Trinidad Chambliss (+1075), Dante Moore (+1100), and Julian Sayin (+1150) headline a bunched contender tier, all quarterbacks a big season away from New York. The one to watch is Jeremiah Smith (+1225), the Ohio State receiver who is the rare non-quarterback with a real path if he puts up historic numbers.
Sleepers and Longshots
Josh Hoover (+1425) and Gunner Stockton (+1750) lead the next group, with Sam Leavitt (+2025), Keelon Russell (+3125), and Malachi Toney (+3275) as longer darts. This is where Heisman value often hides: a fast start on a ranked team can collapse a triple-digit price in a hurry, so a small preseason ticket on a breakout candidate can pay off big.
The 2026 Heisman Race
The Heisman has become a quarterback award: signal-callers dominate the board, and the winner almost always plays for a Playoff contender. That makes the race as much about team success as individual stats. Watch the futures move after big early games, and remember the eventual winner often is not the preseason favorite. For the bigger picture, see our College Football Playoff odds and the full 2026 college football odds hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the 2026 Heisman Trophy favorite?
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (+700) and Texas quarterback Arch Manning (+750) are the co-favorites at the top of the board.
Is a non-quarterback a real Heisman contender in 2026?
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (+1225) is the highest-priced non-quarterback and the most likely player to break the position’s recent quarterback stranglehold.
What does +700 mean in Heisman odds?
Plus odds show the profit on a 100 stake. A player at +700 returns 700 in profit on a winning 100 bet, plus your stake. Shorter numbers mean a more likely winner.
Do Heisman odds change during the season?
Yes. Heisman futures move constantly, often swinging after marquee games and Saturday performances, and they differ from sportsbook to sportsbook.
More 2026 College Football
- 2026 College Football Odds (conference + national title)
- 2026 College Football Playoff Odds
- 2026 College Football Schedule Hub
Odds are for entertainment and informational purposes and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Must be 21+.
