2026 Heisman Poll Week Ten

Welcome to the 2026 Heisman Poll Week Ten. We have four weeks remaining before the Heisman Trophy vote, and oh, how the Heisman race has changed in the past couple of weeks. We have lost Dante Moore to a season-ending injury. We lost Julian Sayin, who was also Jeremiah Smith’s QB1. Jesse Legree still doesn’t have enough eyes on him to get him the votes needed to win the cherished Heisman. Don’t fret; Legree is a true freshman and has plenty of time to win a Heisman. If you want to see all the movement from last week, then head over to the Week Nine poll.

Quick reminder: the poll is weighted. The player gets 5 points for every 1st-place vote, 4 points for every 2nd-place vote, 3 points for every 3rd-place vote, and so on. Let’s get to it, then: our Heisman Poll After Week Ten.

2026 Heisman Poll Week Ten

#5 Drew Mestemaker, Quarterback, #25 Oklahoma State

Drew Mestemaker was once a walk-on who didn’t even start for his high school team. However, he threw for nearly 4,400 yards and 34 touchdowns at North Texas in 2025. Mestemaker followed his North Texas coach Eric Morris to Stillwater and quickly became one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country. After nine games, Mestemaker has thrown for 2,962 yards and 29 touchdowns. He now has more passing touchdowns than Mensah. Last week, against Kansas State, Mestemaker completed 22 of 28 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception, in his third straight game with at least four touchdown passes. The week before, in a 51-49 loss to Iowa State, Mestemaker was 27-of-42 passing for 323 yards and five touchdowns. If he keeps up this pace, there is no reason he cannot earn an invitation to New York in December.

• Next game: vs. #12 Texas Tech, Saturday, November 14th, 8:30 pm CST

#4 Jesse Legree, Wide Receiver, Oregon State

Jesse Legree has passed Jeremiah Smith in receptions. He has 1,209 yards in 61 receptions, while Smith has 1,200 yards in 69 receptions. They both have 14 touchdowns. The last non-Power Four player to win the Heisman was Ty Detmer in 1990. Legree is definitely gaining some traction, but he will have to overcome the power-conference bias. As well, the kickoff times are completely normal in the Pacific Time zone and late in the Eastern Time zone. Did we mention that he is a TRUE freshman? Legree has a lot of college football ahead of him.

• Next game: at Boise State, Saturday, November 14th, 5:00 pm CST

#3 Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver, #20 Ohio State

Ohio State has officially kicked off the “JJ 4 It All” awards campaign to support star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as he goes for the Heisman Trophy as well as the Biletnikoff, Maxwell, and Walter Camp awards. Smith is still a Heisman favorite despite the Buckeyes dropping their last two games and ending their hopes for a playoff run. His stats have suffered since the loss of Julian Sayin. Smith’s stats are neck and neck with fellow Heisman hopeful Legree. As we all know in college football, anything can happen. So, with three games left, we are sayin’ there’s a chance…

• Next game: vs. Northwestern, Saturday, November 14th, 11:00 am CST

#2 CJ Carr, Quarterback, #5 Notre Dame

CJ Carr had his “Heisman Moment” last Saturday when he led Notre Dame in a 31-24 win to upset No. 1 Miami. He had 40 completions for 319 yards and 3 touchdowns against Miami. Carr now has 2,168 passing yards with 24 total touchdowns to one interception this season. Notre Dame has Boston College, SMU, and Syracuse in the final three weeks. Carr could secure the Heisman if he keeps playing with the same surgical efficiency he had versus the Canes. He is also keeping the Fighting Irish firmly in the playoff hunt.

• Next game: vs. Boston College, Saturday, November 14th, 2:30 pm CST

#1 Darian Mensah, Quarterback, #7 Miami

Darian Mensah hasn’t had a big signature win yet. This season, he has thrown for 2,694 yards, with 28 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Miami is coming off a 31-24 loss at the hands of Carr and Notre Dame. Mensah was without his star receiver, Malachi Toney, and he had to rally the Hurricanes in the second half from a 21-point deficit with three touchdown passes. The Canes are 6-0 in the ACC and have their eyes on the ACC Championship game as well as the college football playoffs. Next up, Mensah will face his former Duke squad.

• Next game: vs. Duke, Saturday, November 14th, 11:00 am CST

The Last Word

The Heisman race is heating up, and the herd is thinning. Because college football is as unpredictable as it gets, Week 11 will be sure to have another set of surprises. Be sure to check back next week to see where your favorite player lands on our weekly Heisman Poll. Also, the Heisman Fan Favorite Vote is live. Vote for your favorite player.

Main Photo: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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