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Robert Griffin III, the former Heisman Trophy winner turned college football analyst, has unveiled his revised Heisman Trophy frontrunners following Week 8 of the season. Griffin's perspective carries weight given his own storied career as a player and his current role in media.
At the top of Griffin's list sits Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who is also widely regarded as the Heisman favorite among voters. Smith has been instrumental in keeping the Buckeyes in the national championship conversation, and his 2026 campaign has seen him rewrite Ohio State's record books. He already holds the program's career records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. This season, Smith's 52 catches rank 10th nationally, while his 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns are each second in the country, trailing only Oregon State's Jesse Legree.
Two new names have entered Griffin's top five since last week: Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney at No. 4 and Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson at No. 5. Toney has been a statistical powerhouse, leading the nation with 66 receptions, while his 952 yards and 11 touchdowns are both third nationally. Atkinson, a lesser-known signal-caller, tops the country in passing yards and touchdown passes, with only two interceptions to his name. He is averaging 372 passing yards per game.
Two repeat performers on Griffin's list, quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Jesse Legree, both moved up. Last week, Mensah was third and Legree fifth, but BYU's Bear Bachmeier and Ole Miss's Trinidad Chambliss dropped off the top five entirely. Mensah, who leads all FBS quarterbacks in passer rating, has thrown 22 touchdowns against just one interception for Miami. His 2,151 passing yards rank ninth nationally, and with the Hurricanes in the thick of the national title race, his Heisman candidacy could gain further traction.
Legree, a freshman wide receiver, has been one of college football's biggest surprises. He has made an immediate impact at Oregon State, leading the nation with 1,040 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on 46 catches. Last week, Legree announced his intention to return to the Beavers next season, solidifying his future in Corvallis.
Key Analysis
Griffin's updated list reflects the fluid nature of the Heisman race, with standout performances from unexpected candidates like Toney and Atkinson shaking up the conversation. While Smith remains the clear frontrunner, the emergence of Mensah and Legree as legitimate contenders adds depth to the chase. As the season progresses, these players' abilities to sustain their production and lead their teams to success will be crucial in determining the final Heisman outcome.
Originally reported by headtopics.