College football’s Week 9 was filled with some excellent performances around the nation, and several players continued to improve their Heisman Trophy stock as we inch closer to the end of the season.
While this list might feature three familiar names from last week, two new gun slingers have added their names to the hat. With only five weeks until the college football playoff, this Heisman trophy race will surely heat up.
1) Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Just when it looked like the Alabama Crimson Tide would suffer its second season loss, junior quarterback Ty Simpson rallied his offense and helped keep the Tide at a perfect 5-0 in SEC play. Throwing for a modest 253 yards and two scores against South Carolina, it would be Simpson’s fourth-quarter heroics that move him into the No. 1 spot this week as Alabama adds yet another conference win.
As we pass the halfway point of the season, this tight Heisman race will force voters to nitpick things like strength of schedule and opponents. In Simpson’s case, I do not think anyone in this list has bigger wins than the Crimson Tide. With a bye week before Alabama’s matchup against LSU next weekend, Simpson will have an opportunity to recover and gear up for the remainder of the season.
2) Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Through nine weeks, Indiana Hoosiers’ quarterback Fernando Mendoza has remained a top Heisman contender and gained a whole lot of traction as a potential top ten pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza’s 24 passing touchdowns lead college football, and his 92.9 completion rating ranks fifth among all quarterbacks.
RELATED: Fernando Mendoza NFL Draft Profile: Week 10 Scouting Report for the Indiana Quarterback
With the Hoosiers having a relatively favorable schedule as the season winds down, Mendoza will have plenty of opportunities to boost his Heisman campaign. Indiana will likely be a favorite to make the Big Ten championship through the rest of the regular season. With an undefeated record potentially on the Hoosiers’ horizon, Mendoza is sure to stay in front of the Heisman race.
3) Julia Sayin, QB, Ohio State
In week nine, Julian Sayin proved once again why he is the best underclassman quarterback in the nation as the Ohio State Buckeyes plowed through Wisconsin 34-0. Sayin threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns, now putting the redshirt freshman at 19 passing scores this season, tied for eighth in the country.
The Buckeyes’ remaining schedule is very favorable for them to finish the regular season undefeated. With no ranked opponents until their matchup against Michigan at the end of November, Sayin will have a chance to boost his Heisman resume against some of the best quarterbacks in the nation.
4) Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies’ Marcel Reed has been a fast riser through the Heisman contention as the team sits with an undefeated record. Reed and the Aggies’ recent road win at LSU helped pivot the sophomore’s campaign into the top five after he put together a solid stat line of 202 passing yards, 108 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns in a dominant win over the Tigers.
Reed’s sophomore season has been a true testament to the hard work he’s put in during his time in College Station. Now sitting with over 1,900 passing yards and almost 350 rushing yards, Reed has become one of the premier offensive players in the nation. A&M will be on the road again this weekend, facing off against No. 19-ranked Missouri. Another ranked win could surely help boost Reed’s Heisman odds.
5) Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
Considered the dark horse at this point for the Heisman race, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ Haynes King is also the beneficiary of an undefeated team, as they sit 7-0. King’s 651 rush yards rank third among all quarterbacks, and his 12 rushing scores rank second in the nation.
Now, in his final year of eligibility, it is essentially his last chance as the Yellow Jackets quarterback plays each game as if it is his final one for Georgia Tech. King’s dual-threat playstyle has continued to fuel his team’s offense, with the quarterback already tallying over 2,000 total yards. With a winnable schedule up until their heavyweight matchup against Georgia, King can continue to accumulate statistics and wins to enhance his Heisman resume.
