Full Breakdown
CBS Sports Names Six Heisman Dark Horses for the 2026 College Football Season
6/29/2026, 6:36:28 AM
The Six Dark Horse Candidates
CBS Sports highlighted six players it believes could contend for the 2026 Heisman Trophy. The list comprises SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier, Alabama sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney. Five are quarterbacks; Toney is the only non-quarterback.
2025 Performance Metrics
Jennings posted 3,641 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, plus 54 rushing yards and four rushing scores. Brown threw for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 1,008 yards and 14 scores. Bachmeier recorded 3,033 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions and added 527 rushing yards with 11 scores. Russell managed 143 passing yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on limited action, plus three carries for 17 yards. Sellers accumulated 2,437 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and rushed for 270 yards and five scores. Toney logged 109 receptions for 1,211 yards and 10 touchdowns, added 23 rushes for 113 yards and one score, completed four of seven passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns, and returned 23 punts for 298 yards.
Historical Context: Heisman Position Trends
Quarterbacks have dominated Heisman voting since the award’s inception. Only two full-time wide receivers—Desmond Howard (1991) and DeVonta Smith (2020)—have ever won. Toney’s inclusion as the sole non-quarterback underscores the rarity of a receiver entering the race.
Official Statements & Responses
SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee emphasized that Jennings is under-recognized as a top ACC quarterback. Auburn’s hiring of Alex Golesh and Brown’s transfer were cited as moves to pursue a 10-plus-win season, the program’s first since 2017. Alabama has not confirmed a starter, leaving Russell’s role uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This offseason, SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee claimed that Jennings was ‘not talked about enough as the best quarterback in the ACC’.” — Rhett Lashlee, SMU coach
- “Quarterbacks dominate the Heisman Trophy in college football, so Toney will need both a massive individual season and a Miami team that stays in the CFP picture.” — CBS Sports
- “Just two full-time wide receivers (Desmond Howard and Devonta Smith) have won the award, dating back to 1991.” — CBS Sports
What’s Next
The 2026 season will reveal whether any dark horse can translate 2025 production into Heisman-level impact. Early-season quarterback battles at Alabama and South Carolina, Auburn’s pursuit of a 10-plus-win campaign, and Miami’s ability to remain in College Football Playoff contention will shape each candidate’s narrative.
