Robert Griffin III, the man who brought home the Heisman Trophy himself in 2011 with an insane 4,293 passing yards and 37 touchdowns, just dropped his top five candidates for college football’s most prestigious award through Week 5 of the 2026 season. As a FOX Sports analyst, RGIII knows what he’s talking about when he sizes up who’s got the goods to join him on that legendary list. And right now, the talk starts with Kamario Taylor.
Kamario Taylor and Jeremiah Smith Are Running Wild
RGIII is absolutely buzzing about Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor, and honestly, who wouldn’t be? Last week, Taylor went off, slinging it 27-for-38 for 360 yards and three touchdowns, including a clutch 24-yard game-winner with just 3:57 left on the clock to beat No. 19 Missouri. That’s not just a win, folks, that’s Mississippi State’s first top-25 victory since Dak Prescott was doing his thing back in 2014. Taylor’s season numbers are ridiculous: a 69.2% completion percentage, 1,192 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and only two picks. Oh, and he’s added another 185 rushing yards for good measure. RGIII said it best, “He’s ruining the SEC right now.” And you know what? He’s not wrong.
Then there’s Jeremiah Smith. We’re talking about a guy RGIII called “a monster,” someone who “could have went pro his freshman year.” That tells you everything you need to know about the talent on display. Last week against Illinois, Smith went for career highs across the board with 12 catches, 217 yards, and four touchdowns. Unstoppable? RGIII thinks so, calling him “unguardable.” When a former Heisman winner throws out praise like that, you better believe this guy is making waves.
Baugh’s Dominance, a Record-Setter, and a Name to Know
Don’t sleep on Florida’s Jadan Baugh, who RGIII is officially welcoming to the Heisman conversation. This dude had 29 carries for 142 yards and three touchdowns in what sounds like an “absolute beatdown” against Ole Miss. That’s not a fluke, either. Baugh has stacked up four straight 130-yard games and a mind-blowing 11 touchdowns in just four weeks. He’s averaging 7.2 yards per carry and 150 yards a game for the season. Florida’s definitely “back” with that kind of production on the ground.
Another quarterback is making serious noise, though RGIII wants to see him against stiffer competition. This guy went 23-for-27 for 338 yards and three passing touchdowns, plus a rushing score, against Central Michigan. He’s “rewriting all the quarterback record books” right now. The stats are insane, but the question remains: can he do it when the lights are brightest against a ranked opponent? That’s the challenge RGIII has laid out.
Rounding out the list is Nate Sheppard, a name you might not know yet, but RGIII says he’s “got game.” Sheppard leads the entire FBS in rushing yards, which is wild. Last week, he turned just nine carries against William & Mary into 116 yards and a score, averaging an incredible 12.9 yards per carry. This guy is electric, and if he keeps putting up numbers like that, everyone will know his name soon enough.
This Heisman race is heating up early, and these players are setting the bar ridiculously high. Week after week, we’re gonna be watching to see if Taylor can keep “ruining the SEC,” if Smith remains “unguardable,” and if Baugh’s dominant streak continues. Can the unnamed QB rise to RGIII’s challenge against top-tier competition? And can Sheppard keep leading the FBS in rushing? Get ready, because the road to the Heisman is just getting started, and it’s looking like it’ll be a wild one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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