Two weeks down, and the Heisman Trophy race is already chaotic. Star quarterbacks are putting up video-game numbers, dark horses are crashing the party, and the pressure is mounting. Let’s look at who is skyrocketing and who is sliding right now in the Week 3 Heisman Watch!

Toney and Mensah continue as 1/2, however, things behind them are quickly getting closer and the Heisman race isn’t going to be defined by blowouts against FCS opponents. It’s defined by dramatic 4th quarter comebacks, championship seasons and leading your team through the toughest games in the season.

Darian Mensah

Mensah has helped facilitate school records. He led the offense this weekend in their shortened 77-0 victory over Florida A&M. Darian accounted for 252 passing yards, going 14-15 and throwing 3 TDs. His season total is now 41-45 for 653 yards and 8 TDs. The schedule gets tougher this weekend with the Hurricanes heading to Winston Salem for a Friday showdown with Wake Forest.

Jeremiah Smith

16 catches, 315 yards, and 3 TDs so far this year, that’s just under Toney’s stats so far. However, Smith balled out in Austin this weekend. Despite the loss, he put up 8 catches for 164 yards, and a touchdown. The performance against Texas is why he’s placed here. He’s put up numbers against quality competition, while Toney hasn’t yet.

Malachi Toney

Toney’s up to 16 receptions for 330 yards and 4 TDs this season. 12/234/3 came from game 1. Game 2 against Florida A&M saw him put up “just” 4 catches for 96 yards and a TD. The downfall of playing teams who don’t compete is there just aren’t many opportunities. Toney falls a bit, mainly because of impressive performances that jump ahead of him.

Arch Manning

A top 5 win and a 20 point comeback is the start of a Heisman run for many guys. Can it be the start of a massive season for Manning? He’s up to 43-64 on the year for 500 yards, 5 TDs and 2 INTs. The Heisman, while an individual award has clearly become team success too. Texas is now the top team in the country after their comeback against OSU. While yes, Arch went just 23-37, 195 yards, and 1 TD. He’s climbing quickly but will need to be more efficient and cut out the turnovers before he can move up any further.

CJ Carr

Carr is up to 492 yards, 6 TDs and 0 INTs. He has put up 239 and then 253 yards the first two weeks, and has been relatively efficient, going 35-49. He will now get opportunities against better competition as we move forward.

Trinidad Chambliss

Chambliss seems to be running under the radar this season. That can all change if he impresses against Lane Kiffin and the Tigers on Saturday. He has thrown for 561 yards on 44-62 passing and 5 TD’s to 1 INT. He has 12 carries for 62 yards and a TD as well. The offense has put up 41 points in both games this year and they have a great neutral site win over Louisville from week 1.

Julian Sayin

598 yards, 4 TDs, and an INT. He’s 38-57 on the year and has not accumulated significant rushing impact. If Julian had hit McCuin in the 2nd half to put the Buckeyes up 26-3, we’re likely talking about OSU as the #1 team, a monumental win, and Sayin as the Heisman frontrunner. However, the team collapsed in the 4th, OSU lost, and fans (wrongfully) turned on Sayin as tensions rose. Sayin will have plenty of opportunity moving forward, and he’ll stay on this list.

Jayden Maiava

896 yards, 10 TDs and 1 INT. Yes, that’s the USC QB’s stat line after 3 games. The only reason he is not first on this list with those numbers is that they’ve played 3 games while the remaining guys have just 2. He’s 67-83 on the year and USC has dominated. As they continue to get into competition, USC will rise in the rankings and Maiava should continue to climb in the Heisman race.

Kamario Taylor

Taylor’s the newest addition to the Heisman watch this week. His 581 yard, 7 TD, 0 INT start to the year has gotten him national attention, quickly. Minnesota is a solid opponent, and he carved them up. This week, they head to South Carolina, and if he does continue his trend, he’s going to climb quickly. Mississippi State will likely be ranked if they can win in Columbia this weekend.

Josh Hoover

376 yards, 8 TDs, and 0 INTs all while going 19-27. The good news for IU is they haven’t had to use Hoover much at all this year. The bad news: His numbers just aren’t there yet. He’s on the list solely because 8 TD’s is a ton, and the Heisman is a winning QB award. This is their last buy game, and things should begin to pick up as games will get closer.

Gunner Stockton

28-32, 436 yards, 8 TD’s and no INTs. You cannot ask for more out of the Bulldog QB. However, similar to Hoover, they just haven’t played anyone and only time will tell if he keeps production like this up against quality competition. If he does, he’s got a line to NYC in December.

Others Considered

Sam Leavitt, Gunner Stockton, Dante Moore, Faizon Brandon, Bear Bachmeier, and Keelon Russell.