While the ultimate goal for any elite college football program is a national championship, the individual pursuit of hardware defines a player’s legacy. From the prestige of the Heisman Trophy to the specialized honors of the Biletnikoff and Butkus Awards, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a battle of returning superstars and emerging phenoms.
As the landscape of the Power 4 evolves, several players have already positioned themselves as frontrunners for the sport’s most coveted trophies. Here is the definitive breakdown of the top national award candidates heading into the 2026 campaign.
The Heisman Trophy: The Race for the Most Outstanding Player
The Heisman race typically centers on high-volume quarterbacks, and 2026 is no different. Several signal-callers are returning with the experience and supporting casts necessary to make a run at the trophy.
- Dante Moore (QB, Oregon): After a dominant 2025 campaign featuring 3,565 yards and 30 touchdowns, Moore opted to return to Eugene rather than enter the NFL draft. With targets like Dakorien Moore and Evan Stewart remaining in the Ducks’ offense, Moore enters the season as a primary favorite.
- Gunner Stockton (QB, Georgia): A physical presence who finished seventh in the 2025 Heisman voting, Stockton led the Bulldogs to a 12-2 record and an SEC title. He posted a 69.7% completion rate with 2,894 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, complemented by 462 rushing yards and 10 scores.
- Arch Manning (QB, Texas): Manning finished the 2025 season on a tear, recording 3,163 yards, 26 passing touchdowns, and 10 rushing touchdowns. With a full year as a starter and the addition of wide receiver Cam Coleman, Manning is a legitimate threat for the award.
- Trinidad Chambliss (QB, Ole Miss): The former Division II Ferris State transfer was the SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2025, racking up 3,937 passing yards and 527 rushing yards for 30 total touchdowns.
- Kevin Jennings (QB, SMU): One of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country, Jennings brings nearly 8,000 career passing yards and 65 touchdowns to the 2026 season.
- Other Key Contenders: Rocco Becht (Penn State), Demond Williams Jr. (Washington), and Devon Dampier (Utah) all possess the dual-threat capabilities and team success required to capture voters’ attention in New York.
Offensive Specialists: Biletnikoff, Doak Walker, and Outland
Beyond the Heisman, the best players at specific positions fight for specialized recognition. The 2026 field features a mix of seasoned veterans and “electric” true freshmen.
The Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver)
Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) is the name to beat. After shattering freshman records in 2024 and recording 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, Smith is the favorite to win the award before heading to the NFL. He is challenged by Amare Thomas (Houston), who ranked second in the Big 12 in receiving yards (966) and touchdowns (12) in 2025, and Malachi Toney (Miami), who posted 1,704 all-purpose yards in his true freshman season.
The Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back)
LJ Martin (BYU) enters 2026 as the reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after a 1,305-yard campaign. He faces stiff competition from DeSean Bishop (Tennessee), who recorded 1,076 yards and 16 touchdowns during his sophomore year.
The Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
Carter Smith (OT, Indiana) is the consensus favorite. A consensus All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2025, Smith has started 38 consecutive games at left tackle, anchoring a line that allowed one or zero sacks in eight different games last season.
Defensive Powerhouses: Jim Thorpe, Butkus, and Bednarik
Defensive awards often go to the players who disrupt the game’s rhythm. The 2026 slate features several “all-everything” defenders.
The Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Leonard Moore (Notre Dame) is a top candidate after earning unanimous All-America honors in 2025. Moore led the Irish with five interceptions and posted a 92 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus. Other strong candidates include Dalton Brooks (Texas A&M), Zach Lutmer (Iowa), and Jamel Johnson (TCU), who led the Big 12 with five interceptions last year.
The Butkus Award (Best Linebacker)
The race for the Butkus is wide open. Ben Roberts (Texas Tech) comes off a junior season with 90 tackles and four interceptions. Meanwhile, Whit Weeks (LSU) returns as a preseason All-American after a 2024 season where he recorded 125 tackles. Yhonzae Pierre (Alabama) also looms large, having posted 14.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2025.
The Bednarik and Hendricks Awards (Best Defensive Player/End)
Clev Lubin (Louisville) is a burgeoning star with a 16.3% pressure rate, ranking sixth among Power 4 defenders. He is a primary candidate for the Bednarik Award. For the Ted Hendricks Award, John Henry Daley (Michigan) is the man to watch; he tied for seventh nationally in 2025 with 11.5 sacks.
Specialists: The Lou Groza Award
Kicking remains a critical component of winning, and two names stand out for the Lou Groza Award. Tate Sandell (Oklahoma) is the returning winner, having led the nation in field goals of 50-plus yards (eight) last season. He is challenged by Ryon Sayeri (USC), who set a school single-season record for field goals and was 21-of-25 on attempts as a redshirt freshman.
Key Takeaways: 2026 Award Watch
| Award | Top Candidate | School | Key 2025 Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heisman Trophy | Dante Moore | Oregon | 3,565 Yards, 30 TDs |
| Biletnikoff | Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State | 1,243 Yards, 12 TDs |
| Butkus | Whit Weeks | LSU | 125 Tackles (2024) |
| Jim Thorpe | Leonard Moore | Notre Dame | 5 Interceptions |
| Outland | Carter Smith | Indiana | Consensus All-American |
| Lou Groza | Tate Sandell | Oklahoma | 8 FG of 50+ Yards |
As we move toward the 2026 kickoff, these players represent the gold standard of collegiate athletics. Whether it’s the precision of Tate Sandell’s leg or the versatility of Leonard Moore’s coverage, the coming season will determine who cements their place in college football history.