Alright, so the 2026 Heisman Trophy race just got flipped on its head, because Keelon Russell has officially snatched the top spot in the odds, kicking Jeremiah Smith out of first place as of Saturday morning. Fernando Mendoza had his perfect 2025 season, winning the Heisman and leading Indiana to an undefeated national championship before heading to the Raiders as the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but now we’ve got a new crew battling it out for the trophy, and one guy just made a HUGE move.
Russell’s Crimson Tide Takeover Leaves Everyone Else Chasing
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell, just a sophomore, absolutely torched No. 16 Mississippi State last Saturday, and it wasn’t even close. We’re talking 285 yards and three touchdowns, leading the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide to a dominant 56-23 win in Starkville. This dude didn’t just play well, he stole the show, especially after Mississippi State’s own Kamario Taylor was getting all the Heisman hype heading into the weekend. Russell’s three touchdowns pushed him to 14+ TDs responsible for through the team’s first five games, putting him in elite company as only the fifth Alabama QB since 2000 to hit that mark, joining names like Tua Tagovailoa, Ty Simpson, Jalen Milroe, and Bryce Young. That performance saw his Heisman odds skyrocket from +1600 all the way to the favorite at +350. Now he’s gunning to be the next Crimson Tide quarterback to hoist the Heisman, a feat Bryce Young accomplished in 2021.
Jeremiah Smith Slips But Is Still Balling Out
On the flip side, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who just last week looked like he was stamping his case to be the first pass-catcher since DeVonta Smith to win the award, now finds himself in second place at +360. He actually entered last Saturday as the +290 favorite, after climbing from third place at +1000. But don’t sleep on this guy. Smith continued to torch defenses against Illinois, setting his personal receiving yards record with 217 yards. He also snagged his first-career three touchdown game *before halftime*, racking up 150 receiving yards in the first half alone! He finished the game with four touchdown catches, joining an exclusive club as only the fifth Ohio State wide receiver to hit that mark. Remember when he had 187 receiving yards as a true freshman in the Rose Bowl against Oregon? He’s already up to 605 yards on the season, making crazy highlight plays, like that 72-yard touchdown where he made Illinois defensive back Mac Resetich look absolutely silly, and winning two jump balls on fade routes in the red zone. This guy is still a major threat.
The Rest of the Board: Who’s Lurking?
While Russell and Smith are leading the charge, there are still some serious contenders on the board. Miami teammates Darian Mensah (+500) and Malachi Toney (+3000) have already made their mark this season, and Trinidad Chambliss (+1100) surged big time after a historic performance against his former coach, Lane Kiffin, and LSU. Other names in the mix include CJ Carr (+700), Jadan Baugh (+1300), and even Arch Manning (+3000). But for now, the spotlight is firmly on Russell.
What’s next? Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State have a crucial game coming up against No. 14 Iowa. You know he’s going to be looking to put on another show to try and reclaim that top spot. The Heisman race is a marathon, but Keelon Russell just sprinted to the lead and put everyone on notice. This is gonna be a wild one all season long!
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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