CJ Carr

Notre Dame QB CJ Carr beats Miami, returns to Heisman Watch top contenders list originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr is back on the Heisman Watch top contenders list after delivering an award-worthy performance against Miami on Saturday night.

Carr passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 win over the Hurricanes -- then the No. 1 team in the Associated Press poll.

Carr has thrown 21 touchdown passes and just one interception this season, helping the Irish jump to No. 3 in the latest AP Top 25.

Carr was on the top contenders list until a loss to BYU. Since then, he has led the Fighting Irish to wins over Navy and Miami and thrown five touchdown passes with no interceptions.

Oklahoma State's Drew Mestemaker continues to strengthen his Heisman case, as well as his case to be the first quarterback taken in the 2027 NFL Draft. He threw four touchdown passes, ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in a 66-28 win over Kansas State on Saturday. He is responsible for 15 touchdowns the past three weeks, and the Cowboys are averaging 57.3 points in those games.

Georgia's Gunner Stockton has returned to the top contenders list after being responsible for five touchdowns in a blowout win over Ole Miss on Saturday.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier debuts after producing four touchdowns and delivering a highlight-reel catch to lead the Utes past BYU on Saturday.

THE QB MADE THIS CATCH 😱 https://t.co/xO0I3agCen

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) November 7, 2026

Heisman Trophy voters Cliff Brunt and Jeff Hauser cover college football for The Sporting News. Hauser has voted since 2015 and Brunt since 2017. They have compiled an alphabetical watch list of players they would consider strongly for their top three if ballots were due today. The highlighted players are in the top five for one or both.

Below that is a list of fringe players that are being watched but did not crack the top five for either voter this week.

Heisman Watch

Top contenders

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

Season stats: Nine games, 67.6% completions, 2,168 yards and 21 TDs passing, 1 int.; 3 TDs rushing.

Last game: Passed for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 win over then-AP No. 1 Miami on Saturday.

Next game: Notre Dame hosts Boston College on Saturday.

CJ Carr just handed undefeated No. 1 Miami its FIRST loss of the season. 27/37, 304 PASS YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT in a 31-24 win. Carr just made a MASSIVE statement in the Heisman race. https://t.co/iQqZiPTI7m

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) November 8, 2026

Devon Dampier, QB, Utah

Season stats: Nine games, 68.0% completions, 2,053 yards and 20 TDs passing; 480 yards and seven TDs rushing.

Last game: Passed for 177 yards and a touchdown and ran for 89 yards and two scores in a win over BYU on Saturday.

Next game: Utah visits Arizona on Saturday.

Michael Hawkins, QB, West Virginia

Season stats: Nine games, 57.7% completions, 1,901 yards and 12 TDs passing; 924 yards and 19 TDs rushing.

Last game: Passed for 301 yards and a touchdown on just 16 attempts and rushed for 88 yards and three scores in a 53-48 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday.

Next game: West Virginia hosts Kansas on Saturday.

Darian Mensah, QB, Miami

Season stats: Nine games, 76.8% completions, 2,701 yards, 28 TD passes, 2 ints.

Last game: Completed 24 of 43 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-24 loss at Notre Dame.

Next game: Miami hosts Duke on Saturday. Duke is near the top of the ACC standings, and running back Nate Sheppard will have his moment in the spotlight.

Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State

Season stats: Nine games, 66.7% completions, first nationally with 29 TD passes; second nationally with 2.962 yards passing; 177 yards and three TDs rushing. He has passed for at least 300 yards in eight straight games.

Last game: Was responsible for six touchdowns in win at Kansas State on Saturday.

Next game: Oklahoma State hosts Texas Tech on Saturday in a game that will affect the race for a spot in the Big 12 title game.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Season stats: Nine games, 69 catches; second nationally with 1,200 yards receiving, tied for second nationally with 14 TDs receiving.

Last game: Caught seven passes for 133 yards and a touchdown in a 41-28 loss to Oregon on Saturday.

Up next: Ohio State hosts Northwestern on Saturday.

Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia

Season stats: Nine games, 70.9% completions, 1,857 yards and 20 TDs passing; 233 yards and two TDs rushing.

Last game: Threw four touchdown passes on just nine completions and ran for a touchdown in a 42-7 win over Ole Miss on Saturday to help Georgia regain the No. 1 ranking.

Next game: Georgia hosts Missouri on Saturday.

OH MY GUNNER STOCKTON 😱 https://t.co/aLKqB3AGgj

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) November 8, 2026

On the fringe: Braden Atkinson, Oregon State; Bear Bachmeier, BYU; Jadan Baugh, Florida; DeSean Bishop, Tennessee; Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss; Noah Fifita, Arizona; Kevin Jennings, SMU; Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville; Jesse Legree, Oregon State; Gio Lopez, Wake Forest; Arch Manning, Texas; Easton Messer, Florida Atlantic; Dylan Riley, Boise State; Jamal Roberts, Missouri; Keelon Russell, Alabama; LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina; Nate Sheppard, Duke.

More College Football news:

  • 9/21 Heisman Update
  • 9/28 Heisman Update
  • 10/5 Heisman Update
  • 10/12 Heisman Update
  • 10/19 Heisman Update
  • 10/26 Heisman Update
  • 11/2 Heisman Update

Source: Yahoo Sports