2026 Heisman Trophy Odds: Carr, Manning Setting the Preseason Pace

The 2026 Heisman Trophy odds saw plenty of preseason drama due to the Brandon Sorsby saga. But we are past that now, and it's CJ Carr and Arch Manning maintaining their spots atop the board.

Below are the latest college football odds to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy.

Heisman Trophy odds

Player Name	Probability	American Odds
CJ Carr	13%	+669
Arch Manning	12%	+733
Darian Mensah	7%	+1329
John Mateer	7%	+1329
Julian Sayin	7%	+1329
Trinidad Chambliss	7%	+1329
Dante Moore	6%	+1567
Josh Hoover	6%	+1567
Jeremiah Smith	5%	+1900
Marcel Reed	5%	+1900

Odds as of 7-23. Percentages courtesy of Kalshi.

Kalshi is a regulated financial exchange where you trade on real-world event outcomes. Instead of traditional odds, prices are listed as percentages (0-100%), representing the market’s estimated probability of an event occurring.

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Heisman Trophy favorites

CJ Carr had a golden arm for the "Golden Domers" last year, throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Notre Dame man competed 66.6% of his passes, and will front a team that's toward the top of the college football win totals in 2026.

Arch Manning, who was favored in the 2025 preseason Heisman odds, is a close second choice despite a disappointing 2025 campaign for Texas.

Trinidad Chambliss leads a quartet on players tied for third-choice status. The Mississippi signal caller threw for 22 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while running for another eight scores.

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Heisman Trophy prediction

Keelon Russell to win Heisman (+3233)

Neither Keelon Russell nor Austin Mack has been named the starting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback yet. Mack has more experience in Kalen DeBoer’s system dating back to Washington. However, Russell has more upside.

In this year’s spring game, Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards, with four touchdowns and an interception. Russell also extended several plays with his legs despite wearing a non-contact jersey.

Pick made by Brad Powers on 7-20.

2026 Heisman Trophy opening odds

• Arch Manning +800
• CJ Carr +800
• Jeremiah Smith +1000
• Julian Sayin +1000
• Josh Hoover +1200
• Gunner Stockton +1200
• Sam Leavitt +1200
• Marcel Reed +1500
• Jayden Maiava +1600
• Dylan Raiola +1600

Heisman Trophy winners by position

Running backs won the Heisman Trophy 11 straight times from 1973 to 1983.

Heisman Trophy trends

Here are a few trends to keep in mind for the biggest individual award of the college football season.

• Quarterbacks have dominated this award over the last 20 years, with 16 Heisman winners playing under center.
  
  
• The Heisman trophy winner usually comes from a team with a shot at winning the national title, even though it is a regular season award. Since 2000, 14 Heisman trophy winners have played for teams that made it to the national championship game. If you're handicapping the Heisman, you might want to consider looking at which teams have the best chance of winning the title on the NCAA futures odds board.
  
  
• Even though DeVonta Smith won the Heisman in 2020, he is one of only five seniors to win the Heisman in the last 20 years.

Heisman Trophy history

Heisman Trophy Odds FAQs

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