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The 2026 college football campaign remains a long way off, and most supporters won’t seriously focus on the upcoming season until spring practices conclude and the NFL Draft has taken place.
However, there is already encouraging news for bettors. Leading sportsbooks have released their opening Heisman Trophy odds for the 2026 season, giving sharp bettors the chance to take early positions and potentially find value before the market fully adjusts.
Let’s look at the odds and contenders for the award from the best College Football betting sites.
| 26-27 Heisman Trophy Winner |  |  |  |
| Arch Manning | +750 | +750 | +800 |
| CJ Carr | +800 | +800 | +750 |
| Trinidad Chambliss | +800 | +800 | n/a |
| Josh Hoover | +1200 | +1200 | +1200 |
| Dante Moore | +1300 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Julian Sayin | +1300 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Jeremiah Smith | +1400 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Darian Mensah | +1500 | +1500 | +1500 |
| Gunner Stockton | +1800 | +1800 | +1500 |
| Sam Leavitt | +2000 | +2000 | +1600 |
CJ Carr
CJ Carr currently sits at +750 in the early betting market for the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
His position as the early favorite could catch some college football fans off guard, especially considering he wasn’t even the most heavily backed Heisman option on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish roster a year ago.
Carr, who played his true freshman season in 2025, proved highly efficient while directing the Irish offense throughout the campaign and is expected to take on an even larger role this season.
Even so, taking Carr at the top of the preseason market may not be the most appealing strategy. Bettors who believe he is a legitimate Heisman contender could find a more attractive price later in the season as the market continues to develop.
Trinidad Chambliss
Trinidad Chambliss is listed at +800 in the early betting for the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
The Ole Miss Rebels signal-caller received a court injunction in February granting him a sixth season of eligibility with the program. If that ruling remains in place for the duration of the year, Chambliss should emerge as a legitimate option. Given his situation and potential role, it’s easy to see why oddsmakers installed him near the top of the opening market.
Arch Manning
Arch Manning is currently priced at +800 in the early betting for the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
Expectations were sky-high before Manning’s first season as the full-time starter for the Texas Longhorns in 2025. His performance ultimately fell short of those lofty projections, though much of the scrutiny stemmed from the weight of his famous surname rather than his actual play.
Despite the uneven campaign, bettors remained heavily invested in Manning during the early stages of the 2025 season. On most betting sites, he continued to hold the most popular Heisman ticket well into October, even after it became clear he would not be in contention for the award.
It will be worth watching whether bettors approach Manning more cautiously in the preseason market this year. Some may still be willing to accept the risk of another underwhelming outcome if they believe the potential upside justifies it.
Dante Moore
Dante Moore is listed at +1300 in the early odds for the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
The dual-threat quarterback opted to return to Oregon Ducks for the 2026 season instead of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft. His decision is a major boost for fans in Eugene. It strengthens Oregon’s chances of reaching the College Football Playoff for a third consecutive year.
From a betting perspective, however, the current number on Moore may be slightly aggressive. Oregon quarterbacks have produced impressive statistics and gained significant CFP exposure in recent seasons, often making them popular Heisman wagers. Even so, the track record of the position in Eugene suggests consistently solid production but limited award-winning upside. This might make backing a proven player like Moore at a relatively short preseason price a difficult proposition for some bettors.
Julian Sayin
Sayin briefly held favorite status in November 2025. He remained a top choice for some analysts until the Big Ten Championship Game. Within Ohio State Buckeyes’s slower offensive tempo, his statistical production steadily improved as the season progressed, moving from solid to genuinely impressive.
The concern, however, was the level of competition. Ohio State entered the year as the reigning national champion and spent much of the season dominating weaker conference opponents. When Sayin faced greater defensive pressure against Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers, he looked more like a talented but still-developing freshman quarterback rather than a polished Heisman contender.
Sayin remains one of the most intriguing evaluations in this offseason Heisman market. Questions remain about how much of last season’s buzz was driven by narrative surrounding the team, how his performance might change with the offensive coordinator shift from Brian Hartline to Arthur Smith, and what level of improvement he can make in his transition from freshman to sophomore. The impact of Carnell Tate’s departure is another factor to consider. Depending on how those variables play out, Sayin could emerge as an appealing preseason wager with legitimate Heisman-winning potential.
Heisman Trophy Betting Pick
At this early stage of the market, Dante Moore looks like a strong candidate to claim the 2026 Heisman Trophy. The Oregon Ducks quarterback already operates in an offense that consistently produces eye-catching numbers. His dual-threat ability gives him multiple ways to build a compelling statistical résumé over the course of the season. Moore also chose to return to Eugene instead of declaring for the NFL Draft. This signals confidence in his chances to deliver a standout campaign. If Oregon remains a contender for the College Football Playoff and Moore continues to generate big performances in marquee games, he could quickly emerge as the leading name in the Heisman race.
Below are the best offshore sportsbooks where you can place your Heisman Trophy bets.
Sports betting sites 