Ohio State’s record-setting wide receiver Jeremiah Smith Jr. is the new favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, according to DraftKings’ latest update.
Smith Jr. shortened to +245 (29% implied probability) after he became the first OSU receiver with double-digit receptions for at least 200 yards and four touchdowns in one game.
Key Takeaways
- Smith Jr.’s Heisman campaign gained 21.3% likelihood compared to last weekend.
- Mensah has more passing touchdowns (14) than he does incompletions (12).
- Baugh had a 1.6% chance just last week and was not listed in preseason odds.
| Player | Opening Odds | Last Week’s Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah Smith Jr. | +1,400 | +1,050 | +245 |
| Darian Mensah | +1,150 | +370 | +400 |
| Kamario Taylor | +12,500 | +1,150 | +480 |
| Trinidad Chambliss | +1,300 | +290 | +1,150 |
| Jadan Baugh | N/A | +6,000 | +1,200 |
| CJ Carr | +700 | +1,500 | +1,300 |
| Keelon Russell | +2,800 | +2,500 | +1,600 |
| Malachi Toney | +3,800 | +1,300 | +1,750 |
| Arch Manning | +750 | +1,400 | +3,000 |
Saturday typically belongs to college football as a whole — but this weekend, it belonged to a few select individuals.
The excellent Smith Jr., a star since he stepped onto campus in Columbus as a true freshman, saw his Heisman Trophy odds improve from +1,050 to a leading +245 after he snagged 12 catches for 217 yards and four TDs against Illinois. He now leads the country in receiving yards (617) and TDs (7) despite sitting out during the second half of two of his four games.
Sayin and Smith showing off their ELITE connection@OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/zVgqFFDBRf
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 26, 2026
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah held onto second place, dropping slightly from +370 to +400. He spent the weekend lighting up Central Michigan’s defense for 338 yards and three touchdowns. The junior has 14 TDs to only 12 incompletions on the year, leaving him with the best QBR in the country.
Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor was another big winner over the weekend. The true sophomore put up 360 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception to help his team stay perfect and win a conference game against No. 19 Mizzou. He now sits third in Heisman odds at +480 (17.2% chance) despite opening at +12,500 (0.8% chance).
I love Kamario Taylor. pic.twitter.com/7HF44ckrOn
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) September 27, 2026
Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss took a huge hit on Saturday after the Rebs were slaughtered in the swamp by Florida, 52-28. Last week’s leader in the Heisman race went 25-34 for 298 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and ran for 44 yards and another two scores. Chambliss dropped from +290 to +1,150 after the performance.
On the other side, Florida running back Jadan Baugh took his first leap into national stardom. The junior ran 29 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns, taking him into second in yards for the year (600) and first in TDs (11). He hasn’t run for fewer than 136 yards in a game this season.
🚨🚨 #Florida RB Jaden Baugh has been nearly UNSTOPPABLE through 4 games
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) September 26, 2026
160 YDS, 3 TD
136 YDS, 2 TD
162 YDS, 3 TD
142 YDS, 3 TD pic.twitter.com/C54IQLXJQN
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The chase pack falls behind
Just outside the top five, Alabama’s Keelon Russell played the best game of his young career in a thumping of South Carolina. The sophomore went 21-27 for 365 yards and five total touchdowns, helping to push him from +2,500 to +1,600.
Russell was the last major candidate to take a noticeable step closer to the award. The shortening Heisman odds of several top players meant that there was less total probability to go around, and others had to take a fall.
Texas QB Arch Manning was one of the individuals to feel the effects of the tight race. He went 14-19 for 201 yards and an interception in the Longhorns’ win against Tennessee.
Kayin Lee picks off Arch Manning! pic.twitter.com/L51sax3GeP
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) September 26, 2026
OSU QB Julian Sayin also fell down the board despite putting up excellent numbers against Illinois. His 367 yards, four passing touchdowns (all to Smith Jr.), and one rushing touchdown couldn’t prevent him from dropping from +2,500 to +3,000.
Finally, Indiana QB Josh Hoover lengthened from +2,500 to +4,400 after he went 19-29 for 201 yards and two total touchdowns in a closer-than-expected win over Northwestern.
