If there’s one award outside of College Football’s National Championship that every player grows up wanting to win, it’s the Heisman trophy.
The most prestigious award given for the best individual player of that respective season, and now with the 2026 campaign just a few weeks away, a fresh batch of athletes will look to compete for one of the sport’s richest prizes.
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With its current teams, the SEC has 27 Heisman winners dating back to 1942 when Georgia’s Frank Sinkwich won, and the most recent being LSU’s Jayden Daniels in 2023.
Now, as programs gear up for the season just a few weeks away, let’s take a look at every SEC team’s top player who has a chance at winning the Heisman trophy in 2026.
Genuine Contenders
Arch Manning, QB, Texas Longhorns
Arch Manning enters as a betting favorite for the Heisman trophy and a fan favorite to land firmly in the top five of next year’s NFL Draft.
With Texas adding Cam Coleman to their offense that already features Ryan Wingo on the outside, Manning will have some of the best weapons in college football at his disposal.
A big season for Manning and a winning season in the SEC for the Longhorns could definitely take the quarterback to New York this fall.
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss Rebels
If Trinidad Chambliss can recreate the same magic that he and Ole Miss sparked last season, then it may be hard to ignore the Rebels’ gunslinger for the Heisman award this season.
Named the preseason first-team All-SEC quarterback, Chambliss has high expectations for the season, and a push to the playoffs firmly puts the Ole Miss QB in firm contention as one of the best arms in college football.
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia Bulldogs
Not only is Georgia the preseason favorite to win the SEC, but Gunner Stockton is also a legitimate Heisman-contending option for several sports books, and although the percentage is low for the quarterback to win it, it’s certainly not impossible.
If Stockton can put together a respectful season statistically, the Bulldogs gunslinger could definitely see his Heisman odds increase as the season rolls on.
Not to mention, a team winning narrative is always a big boost to Heisman odds, especially for the team’s QB.
Dark Horses
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina Gamecocks
LaNorris Sellers has all the tools to be a Heisman-caliber talent and potentially a first-round selection, but have the Gamecocks done enough to put a proper supporting cast around him?
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma’s John Mateer was firmly in the Heisman conversation last season before an injury derailed his campaign.
As a dual-threat quarterback, Mateer will look to reignite that spark from 2025 and put himself back into top QB conversations.
Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri Tigers
He’d need a historic season, but after notching a First Team All-SEC honor last season, Ahmad Hardy put himself on notice as college football’s top running back.
Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide
It’s not out of the question, considering we’ve seen Devonta Smith win the award in 2020; however, Ryan Coleman-Williams would need to basically replicate that season or better if he wants to be considered as a Heisman contender.
Still, he might be the only Alabama receiver capable of doing so.
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&MAggies
Marcel Reed showed plenty of flashes last season as a high-caliber quarterback.
Now with his No. 1 receiver Mario Craver back in the fold, they both might be able to turn the Aggies offense up a notch, which could put Reed’s name in Heisman conversations.
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU Tigers
Entering a new system and having the LSU brand behind his name, Sam Leavitt could be a legitimate dark horse for this award, especially when you consider the talent blocking for him at offensive line, and weapons at his disposal, like one of the top tight ends in the country, Trey’Dez Green.
Long Shots
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida Gators
Byrum Brown, QB, Auburn Tigers
Faizon Brandon, QB, Tennessee Volunteers
Jared Curtis, QB, Vanderbilt Commodores
Kenny Minchey, QB, Kentucky Wildcats
KJ Jackson, QB, Arkansas Razorbacks
Kamario Taylor, QB, Mississippi State Bulldogs