Which SEC Stars Top List of Way-Too-Early Heisman Candidates

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning rushes for a touchdown during 2025 regular season. | Texas Longhorns Athletics
By Jacob Davis
There was no argument to be made last season on who should win the Heisman Trophy.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza was the best player on the best team last season, but was certainly worthy of the award. Now, as focus shifts to the 2026 season there is a chance for several players in the SEC to take that next leap and not only contend for championships, but the greatest award in college football.

Mark Schlabach from ESPN released a list of the top potential contenders for the 2026 Heisman Trophy Race on Monday, which included six players from the SEC. While in no particular order, it’s very obvious which player will receive the most hype during the offseason.

Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
2025 stats: 69.7% completion pct, 2,894 passing yards, 462 rushing yards, 34 total touchdowns

The Bulldogs’ quarterback returns for another season in Athens, and signed a new NIL deal Monday. He never thought about leaving UGA during the offseason, and appears to be an all-around great teammate.
Stockton led Georgia to a 12-2 record in his first season as a starter while averaging nearly 32 points per game.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
2025 stats: 61.4% completion pct, 3,163 passing yards, 32 total touchdowns
So much for being the greatest recruiting bust of all-time right?
That’s why no one should judge any player until the end of the season, and Manning proved himself before narrowly missing out on a College Football Playoff bid.

Going into his redshirt junior season, there will certainly be national championship and individual award-winning expectations considering the weapons around him brought in through the transfer portal.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
2025 stats: 66.1% completion pct, 3,937 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns

The Rebels’ star quarterback was denied eligibility, but of course he will be seeking an injunction against the NCAA to allow him to play for the Rebels in 2026.

He almost led Ole Miss to a national championship appearance last season before a fourth quarter rally from Miami sent the Hurricanes instead. He may not have the measurables, best arm but has proven he can take care of business when the game is on the line.

There will be plenty of Heisman moments if he can keep the clutch gene going into next season.

Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
2025 stats: 1,649 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns

Missouri is putting on a clinic on how to plug-and-play small school running backs and helping them become household name in the SEC.

That was certainly the case for Hardy as he transitioned from UL-Monroe to Missouri last season. He’ll be up for an encore in Columbus next season after the Tigers probably fell short of in-house expectations in 2025.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
2025 stats: 62.1% completion pct, 3,169 passing yards, 493 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns

The Aggies’ star quarterback lost his offensive coordinator in Collin Klein this offseason, who returned to his alma mater of Kansas State. Coach Mike Elko didn’t go far in his search to replace him, promoting Holmon Wiggins from an assistant role

Wiggins will be challenged to help Reed improve upon his 2025 production after a disappointing home loss in the first round of the playoff to Miami in December.

Reed is talented enough to keep the Aggies offense afloat, and has a few favorite passing targets back in Ashton Bethel-Roman and Mario Craver returning.

Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss
2025 stats: 1,567 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns

If Lacy hadn’t suffered an injury during the Rebels’ playoff run, he likely could’ve been the key to a national title appearance after all.

The Missouri transfer was a pleasant surprise in Oxford in 2025, and will be looking to replicate his production by adding more in pursuit of a Heisman Trophy next season.

Lacy will have a strong chance at leaving Ole Miss as the all-time touchdown leader as he is just 13 touchdowns behind Deuce McAllister, who scored 37 times across four seasons.

He tied former Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins for single-season rushing yards with 1,567 in 2025.

Keep an Eye On

Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
Cam Coleman, WR, Texas
Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina

Jacob Davis
Jacob Davishttps://www.allsecfb.com
Lead recruiting reporter for allSECFB. He has worked in the sports media field in 2018 and has been published on Rivals, Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Saturday Down South.

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