2026 Heisman Trophy Odds: Manning, Carr Lead as Co-Favorites

• 2026 Heisman Trophy odds are available for the upcoming NCAAF season
• Arch Manning and CJ Carr are co-favorites at +750 odds
• Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy in a landslide over Diego Pavia

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The 2026 Heisman Trophy race is wide open. After Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza ran away with the 2025 vote over Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, the betting board has reset with a pair of co-favorites at the top. Arch Manning and CJ Carr both sit at +750, followed by a stacked group of returning quarterbacks and one of the best wide receivers in the country.

Check out the 2026 Heisman Trophy odds available at our most trusted sportsbooks below. The graphs underneath the table show each player’s average odds to win the 2026 Heisman.

2026 Heisman Trophy Odds

Arch Manning and CJ Carr share the top spot at +750. Manning opted to return to Austin instead of declaring for the draft, and Texas loaded up the offense with transfers Cam Coleman (Auburn) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State). Carr jumped into the favorite slot after a strong freshman season at Notre Dame. Both sit at roughly an 11.8% implied probability.

Trinidad Chambliss (+950) has emerged as a surprise contender at Ole Miss. Julian Sayin (+1000) and Dante Moore (+1000) are the top returning Power 4 quarterbacks with title-contending offenses behind them. Jeremiah Smith (+1400) remains the best non-QB bet on the board after another 1,000-yard season in Columbus.

Josh Hoover moved from TCU to Indiana (+1200) to replace Mendoza in Curt Cignetti’s offense. Darian Mensah (+1500) leads a stacked Miami offense that returns Malachi Toney (+4000). Bryce Underwood (+3500) is the highest-priced freshman on the board after an uneven first year at Michigan.

*Heisman odds above are updated every 15-60 minutes from top-rated college football betting apps, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM.

Odds to Win 2026 Heisman Trophy

Here are some notes on the Heisman Trophy odds movement:

• [April 19] CJ Carr climbed into a tie for the top spot at +750 alongside Arch Manning. Trinidad Chambliss jumped onto the board at +950 after winning the Ole Miss starting job in spring practice. Jeremiah Smith’s odds moved from +1100 to +1400 with the WR premium factored in. Josh Hoover landed at +1200 after his transfer to Indiana to replace Fernando Mendoza.
• [March 10] Spring transfer portal activity shook up the middle of the board. Josh Hoover dropped from +1400 to +1250 after landing at Indiana. Byrum Brown shortened from +5000 to +4500 after following Alex Golesh to Auburn. Gunner Stockton drifted slightly from +1300 to +1600 as Georgia’s offensive questions lingered.
• [February 20] CJ Carr shortened from +800 to +775 after Notre Dame locked in its offensive line returners. Jeremiah Smith stayed at +1100 as the top non-QB on the board. Dante Moore drifted to +1200 after Oregon’s OC Will Stein officially departed for Kentucky.
• [January 15] Arch Manning opened as the lone favorite at +750. CJ Carr sat just behind at +800. Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and Josh Hoover shared the next tier at +1100. Gunner Stockton, Sam Leavitt, and Dante Moore opened at +1300.

2026 Heisman Trophy Favorites

Arch Manning, Texas QB (+750)

The preseason favorite entering 2025, Manning turned it on late for the Longhorns with multiple touchdowns in four of his final five games. He had key November wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M before opting to return to Austin instead of declaring for the 2026 draft.

The big reason to bet Manning is the Texas offensive reload. Auburn transfer Cam Coleman and NC State transfer Hollywood Smothers both project as top-10 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. If the Manning-to-Coleman connection clicks early, Manning has a clear path to New York.

CJ Carr, Notre Dame QB (+750)

Carr jumped into co-favorite status after taking over the starting job at Notre Dame. The Irish return a loaded offense and project as a CFP contender, which is exactly the profile that wins Heismans. Jeremiyah Love’s presence in the backfield keeps defenses honest and opens up the passing game.

Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB (+1000)

A 2025 Heisman finalist, Sayin threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns as a true sophomore. He led the nation in completion percentage and total completions. Ohio State will likely be the 2026 championship favorite, and his top target Jeremiah Smith is back in Columbus.

Returning quarterbacks on title-contending teams check every box Heisman voters look for. Sayin fits the profile perfectly.

Dante Moore, Oregon QB (+1000)

Moore surpassed 3,500 passing yards and 30 touchdowns in 2025, leading Oregon to an 11-1 regular season and a No. 5 CFP ranking. He threw for at least 250 yards with multiple touchdowns in each of his last three regular season games.

The one concern is OC Will Stein leaving for Kentucky. Moore will have to learn a new offense, but the returning talent around him is high-end. Sophomore receiver Dakorien Moore could pop after a solid true freshman year.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss QB (+950)

Chambliss finished 8th in 2025 Heisman voting after throwing for 3,937 yards and 22 touchdowns at Ole Miss. He returns to a Lane Kiffin offense that routinely puts up huge passing numbers. If he builds on last year’s production, he has a real shot at climbing the board.

2026 Heisman Longshots to Consider

Byrum Brown, Auburn QB (+4500)

Brown transferred from USF to follow head coach Alex Golesh to Auburn. In his two healthy seasons (2023 and 2025), he topped 3,100 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 800 rushing yards, and 10 rushing touchdowns. Match that production in the SEC and he’s a real contender.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Cal QB (+8000)

Sagapolutele completed 63.6% of his passes for over 3,100 yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman. He finished the 2025 season with a 330-yard performance to shock SMU. Year two jumps are common for young quarterbacks, and he has the physical tools to make one.

Non-Quarterbacks to Watch

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State WR (+1400)

The best player in college football and a true junior in 2026. Smith has back-to-back 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown seasons in Columbus. He led the Big Ten in receiving yards and touchdowns as a freshman, then posted 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 scores as a sophomore.

The Sayin-Smith connection often pushes the quarterback to the Heisman, see Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in 2019. But Smith’s path could look more like DeVonta Smith’s 2020 Heisman run at Alabama.

Malachi Toney, Miami (FL) WR (+4000)

The best true freshman in 2025, Toney racked up 1,059 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season. He also threw multiple touchdowns and returned punts for the Hurricanes. Miami projects as a CFP contender, and Toney is the focal point regardless of who plays quarterback.

He had three games with 125+ receiving yards in 2025 and topped 1,000 receiving yards during Miami’s CFP run.

Heisman Trophy Betting Trends

• A quarterback has won 21 of the last 25 Heisman Trophies
• Fernando Mendoza is the fourth straight transfer QB to win the Heisman
• Two of the last four winners won the Heisman in their first year at a new school (Williams, Mendoza)
• Winners typically come from teams that win at least 10 games

Who Usually Wins the Heisman Trophy?

Quarterbacks have owned the Heisman for years. Travis Hunter broke through in 2024 as a two-way player, but Mendoza put the award right back in a quarterback’s hands in 2025.

Recent Heisman Winners

Since 2000, quarterbacks have won 21 of 25 Heismans. The other four winners: Derrick Henry (RB), DeVonta Smith (WR), Travis Hunter (CB/WR), and Reggie Bush (RB).

Where Can You Bet on the Heisman Trophy?

All the main sports betting apps offer Heisman Trophy betting, including BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, bet365, and ESPN Bet among others. Some sites pull their Heisman odds on Saturdays during games but they’ll be back once the books adjust for the day’s results.

Heisman Trophies by Conference

The SEC leads all conferences with nine Heisman winners since 2000. The Big Ten picked up its third with Mendoza’s win for Indiana. Conference realignment has shaken up the traditional pecking order.

Heisman Odds FAQ

Who's the favorite to win the 2026 Heisman?

Arch Manning and CJ Carr are co-favorites at +750. Manning returns to Texas after opting out of the 2026 NFL Draft, while Carr takes over as the full-time starter at Notre Dame. Both quarterbacks play for likely CFP contenders.

Who won the 2025 Heisman Trophy?

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy in a landslide over Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia. Mendoza picked up 643 first-place votes to Pavia’s 189. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love finished third, and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin rounded out the New York-bound finalists.

Who are the best non-QB Heisman bets?

Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (+1400) is the best non-quarterback bet on the 2026 Heisman board. Smith has back-to-back 1,000-yard, 10-TD seasons in Columbus. Miami WR Malachi Toney (+4000) is the next best non-QB option after a huge freshman year.

Has a freshman ever won the Heisman?

Only two freshmen have won the Heisman Trophy. Johnny Manziel (2012) was the first, as a redshirt freshman. Jameis Winston (2013) is the only true freshman ever to win the award.

When is the 2026 Heisman Trophy awarded?

The Heisman Trophy is awarded in December at the end of the regular season and conference championship games. The 2026 ceremony will take place in New York City in December 2026. Exact date and time will be announced closer to the event.

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Archived Heisman Trophy Odds:

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