If you're looking to place a bet on the 2026 Heisman Trophy winner, the odds are heavily stacked in favor of a quarterback. Names like Arch Manning (Texas), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Sam Leavitt (LSU), and Dante Moore (Oregon) are already dominating the conversation. But ESPN college football insider Heather Dinich is pushing back hard against that narrative.
Dinich took to the airwaves on Thursday with a clear message for Heisman voters: this is not a quarterback award. Her plea comes as the trophy has increasingly become a quarterback's prize—eight of the last ten winners have been signal-callers, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Dinich argues that the real frontrunner should be Ohio State's wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith. She made her case emphatically, pointing to Smith's production and physical gifts. "No, Jeremiah Smith is the better player," Dinich said. "I'm looking at you Heisman voters. It's NOT a quarterback award. Jeremiah Smith said that yesterday. When you look at what he's done and you combine his physical attributes and his athleticism with the fact that as a freshman and a sophomore, over 1,000 yards each year."
Smith's numbers are hard to ignore. He's already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two college seasons. If he hits 1,200 yards again this fall, he'll be on track to shatter every Ohio State receiving record. That kind of production, paired with his elite athleticism, makes him a compelling candidate—if voters are willing to look beyond the quarterback position.
Dinich also highlighted the legacy factor, noting that Smith has a chance to leave an indelible mark at Ohio State. "Ryan Day said this yesterday… he has a chance to leave a legacy at that school with two national titles. And, they can do it," she added.
While Smith may be the most talented player on the field, history suggests the Heisman voters will ultimately gravitate toward Sayin, the Buckeyes' quarterback. The last non-quarterback to win the award was Alabama's DeVonta Smith in 2020, and before that, running back Derrick Henry in 2015. The bias is real, and Dinich is calling it out.
This isn't the first time a Heisman debate has sparked controversy. Earlier this year, Kay Adams got roasted for her awkward Heisman pose, showing how closely fans scrutinize every aspect of the award. And former Heisman finalist Diego Pavia recently saw his NFL dreams take a hit when the Ravens cut him just before training camp.
As the 2026 season approaches, the debate over who deserves the Heisman will only intensify. Dinich's plea is a reminder that the award is meant to honor the best player in college football, regardless of position. Whether voters heed her call remains to be seen.
