Heisman Rankings: Jeremiah Smith Takes Lead from Kamario Taylor

Robert Griffin III designated a new frontrunner in his Heisman rankings on October 6, 2026, at 8:37 p.m. ET, following a remarkable outing by Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith against Iowa. Smith's performance secured him the top position, prompting admiration for his achievements this season. Currently, his closest competitors include Miami quarterback Darian Mensah and Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell. Mensah maintained a strong season with a notable victory over Clemson, while Russell's efforts contributed to Alabama's recent win against Mississippi State.

Griffin's top five Heisman candidates through the first five weeks of the 2026 college football season are:

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Smith strives to become the first wide receiver to earn the Heisman Trophy since Alabama’s Devonta Smith. Griffin stated, "Jeremiah Smith is absolutely balling. He's the best player in the sport right now. What he just did to Iowa was unfair — 11 catches, 206 yards, two touchdowns. But it's really all the records he's breaking, and what he's done in the last five games. His first five games of the year: 44 catches, 823 yards, 18.7 yards per catch, nine touchdowns. He broke the career marks at Ohio State for receptions, receiving touchdowns, yards — 3,381 career yards. I mean back-to-back 200-yard games."

2. Darian Mensah, QB, Miami (FL)
Mensah leads the FBS with an 84.2% completion percentage. Griffin remarked, "He might be the first quarterback taken. He has a fight with Jeremiah Smith to be the first overall pick in the draft. Right now, he's playing out of his mind. Darian Mensah is absolutely balling."

3. Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama
Russell accounted for four total touchdowns in a 56-23 triumph over Mississippi State. Griffin commented, "I love what I'm seeing from him because he looks like he's playing free. Every game, he's getting better. His completion percentage is getting better. His ability to take shots down the field is getting better. And he makes Alabama feel like they can be a dominant outfit again."

4. Kamario Taylor, QB, Mississippi State
Taylor's perfect season ended with a defeat against Alabama. Griffin noted, "I know they lost a bad one against Alabama. But he was No. 1 on the list, and from what he's done this year, he's not worthy of falling off that list. He's not healthy. He was not healthy against Alabama. That's not an excuse. It's just a fact. Now he gets a bye week."

5. CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame
Carr surpassed 230 passing yards in all five games for Notre Dame. Griffin shared, "He's been quiet, but Notre Dame is ruthless, man. This guy has completed 71% of his passes, 13 touchdowns, only one interception. I want to continue to see how he grows. And that's why he's at No. 5."