The Heisman Buzz — Checking Where The Media’s Hypothetical Votes Are Going

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• The Heisman fan vote uses a season-long weighted model, developed in partnership with the Carnegie Mellon Sports Analytics Center, that gives greater weight to votes cast later in the year as the body of work grows and conference races intensify. •

As we do weekly, let’s review where the media — which holds the lion’s share of the Heisman votes — is hypothetically casting their votes.

The folks at on3.com released their latest Heisman staff poll following Week 9 and have Miami quarterback Darian Mensah atop the rankings. The QB of the top-ranked team — which the Hurricanes are — will always get at least a modicum of Heisman love.

Mensah is getting that and more. He is also ranked first in Bleacher Report’s latest Heisman rankings and is second in The Athletic’s staff poll and in USA Today’s most recent rankings.

Mensah led the Canes to a 38-35 at North Carolina, holding off an upstart Tar Heel squad looking for its biggest win under Bill Belichick.

Said Bleacher Report on Mensah’s play: “Miami, you have a defensive problem. Injuries have wrecked the secondary, and the ‘Canes have allowed at least 400 yards and at least six yards per play in three consecutive games—despite winning all three. Good thing Darian Mensah is a problem for all defenses, huh?

“Miami only had seven possessions at North Carolina, yet the quarterback oversaw six scoring drives. He completed 22-of-29 attempts for 274 yards and three touchdowns, adding 36 yards on the ground and answering every UNC threat that arose.”

Mensah leads the country in completion percentage (80.7) and QB rating (202.67) with a 25-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He’s passed for 2,425 yards and has also scored twice on the ground.

He will get chance to bolster his Heisman resume Saturday when the Hurricanes travel to South Bend to take on No. 4 Notre Dame, which boasts its own Heisman candidate in CJ Carr.

One of the biggest challenges to Mensah’s burgeoning Heisman campaign is wide receiver teammate Malachi Toney, who is second nationally in receptions (73), TD catches (13) and is third in yards per game (128.4).

In fact, Toney is ahead of Mensah in The Athletic’s staff poll in second. The Athletic noted: “Toney remains the Hurricanes’ most potent weapon. His 9.1 catches per game rank second nationally. And his opportunity to create a Heisman moment is here, Saturday night at fourth-ranked Notre Dame.”

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is first in The Athletic’s poll and by USA Today, among others. Smith and the Buckeyes were upset at USC on Saturday, but the OSU standout was a security blanket for freshman backup QB Luke Fahey, catching 10 passes for 83 yards and one score.

He is second nationally with 13 TD receptions to go with 62 receptions for 1,067 yards. His scoring catch at USC was his Big Ten career record 40th.

Robert Griffin III released his latest Heisman Top 5 with Mensah in first followed by Smith, Mississippi QB Trinidad Chambliss, Toney and North Texas running back Jaheim White.

White, for the record, is second nationally in rushing yards (1,047) and has 13 rushing TDs.

Chambliss helped the Rebels improve to 6-2 with a blowout win over Auburn. He’s passed for 2,189 yards and an SEC-beset 18 scores while running in seven TDs.

He is listed fourth in the latest Bleacher Report and USA Today rankings and tied for fifth by The Athletic.

Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree continues his unlikely campaign, ranked fourth by The Athletic and fifth by On3 and BR. It’s not a shock why as he leads the country in reception yards (1,110) and TD catches (14).

Completing The Athletic’s poll was Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez (tied for fifth) and Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker (seventh), both also listed in On3’s Top 10. Lopez, who lost his QB job at North Carolina last year, has Wake Forest at 7-1 in part thanks to his 18 TDs and just one interception.

Becker has been a mainstay for Indiana after helping the Hoosiers in their historic 2025 title run. His 50 receptions for 875 yards and nine TDs are a step below the leading wideout numbers, but he’s been consistently clutch this season, including in Indiana’s overtime comeback win Saturday.

Utah QB Devon Dampier is making a move, now ninth in the On3 poll. The first-year Ute QB has surprising and unbeaten Utah ranked No. 3. Per On3: “Through eight games, Dampier is completing 69.6% of his passes for 1,876 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also been a weapon on the ground, running for 393 yards and five more touchdowns.”

LSU has won two Heisman Trophies in the last seven years. First-year Tiger QB Sam Leavitt would love to be the third in eight. He has had a bit of a roller coaster year but he’s led the Tigers to a 6-2 mark while passing for 2,173 yards and 17 scores. A date with fellow 2-loss Alabama looms Saturday as a big showcase.

Georgia QB Gunner Stockton is also playing at a high level for the No. 2 Bulldogs. He has passed for 1,671 yards and 16 scores and has also rushed for 205 yards. A 2025 Heisman Top 10 finisher, he’s again earning Heisman looks.