The race for the Heisman Trophy is heating up as we head into Week 10 of the college football season. This prestigious award—given each year to the most outstanding player in college football—still feels wide open with just five regular-season weekends left.
Looking at the top contenders, the competition is fierce. Several standout performances are making a strong case for the coveted trophy.
Let’s dive into the current Heisman rankings and see who might take home the hardware this year. It’s a wild ride, honestly.
Julian Sayin: The Undisputed Leader
The Ohio State quarterback, Julian Sayin, keeps dominating the Heisman conversation. He’s leading the nation with a 92.0 PFF grade, which is just wild.
His 85.5% adjusted completion rate and 80% overall completion rate? If he keeps this up, he could set an all-time record. The guy’s accuracy and consistency are something else.
Key Stats for Sayin
- PFF Grade: 92.0
- Adjusted Completion Rate: 85.5%
- Overall Completion Rate: 80%
Sayin’s stats are eye-popping. He’s performed under pressure and delivered results, which really sets him apart from the other FBS quarterbacks.
Mendoza: The Rising Star
Indiana’s quarterback, Mendoza, has taken his team to No. 2 in the AP Poll. That’s the highest ranking in program history—pretty incredible, right?
Coming in as a California transfer, Mendoza’s thrown 24 touchdown passes, the most in the country. His 134.3 passer rating is tops in the FBS, showing off his talent and leadership.
Key Stats for Mendoza
- Touchdown Passes: 24
- Passer Rating: 134.3
- Turnover-Worthy Play Rate: 1.2%
Mendoza’s turnover-worthy play rate is just 1.2%, tied for second-lowest in the Power Four. He protects the football and makes smart decisions, which has been huge for Indiana’s historic season.
Simpson: The Steady Performer
Simpson, a redshirt junior, is another strong Heisman contender. He’s thrown for 2,184 yards—ninth most in the country this season.
With 20 touchdown passes and only one interception, Simpson’s efficiency stands out. His 91.0 passing grade from a clean pocket just adds to his case.
Key Stats for Simpson
- Passing Yards: 2,184
- Touchdown Passes: 20
- Interceptions: 1
- Passing Grade from Clean Pocket: 91.0
He’s kept mistakes to a minimum and led his team with calm leadership. Simpson’s reliability makes him a real candidate for the Heisman.
King: The Dual-Threat Quarterback
Georgia Tech’s redshirt senior quarterback, King, has been a revelation. He’s led his team to its first 8-0 start in almost 60 years—how often do you see that?
King’s 88.2 PFF grade ranks eighth among all quarterbacks. And he hasn’t even committed a turnover-worthy play yet.
Key Stats for King
- PFF Grade: 88.2
- Adjusted Completion Rate: 82.6%
- Rushing Touchdowns: 12
- Rushing Yards: 680
As a dual-threat, he’s racked up 12 rushing touchdowns and 680 rushing yards. King’s unique skill set has been a huge part of Georgia Tech’s unbeaten run.
Rueben Bain Jr.: The Dominant Defender
The Heisman usually goes to offensive players, but Rueben Bain Jr. is making a case anyway. The Miami edge defender has a 94.6 PFF grade—the highest in the FBS.
With 39 pressures, Bain is second in the Power Four. His 90.7 run-defense grade makes him a force on the field.
Key Stats for Bain
- PFF Grade: 94.6
- Pressures: 39
- Run-Defense Grade: 90.7
Bain’s odds for the Heisman aren’t even listed anymore, but his season has been extraordinary. As a projected top-five pick, his defensive dominance is impossible to ignore.
The Heisman Trophy race? It’s wild this year. There are a few players who just keep raising the bar.
Julian Sayin is breaking records left and right. Mendoza’s showing real leadership, and Bain is a force on defense.
With the regular season winding down, it’s honestly tough to predict who’ll pull ahead. Guess we’ll just have to watch it all unfold.
For more updates and deeper dives into the Heisman contenders, check out Pro Football Focus.
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