The award race takes shape
As the 2026 college football season looms, a handful of standout athletes have already emerged as front‑runners for some of the sport’s most coveted individual honors.
Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss is generating buzz as a leading candidate for the Doak Walker Award. In 2025 he amassed 1,567 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, setting single‑season program records and becoming the first Rebel to reach the finalist stage for the accolade.
At Ohio State, Jeremiah Smith is the top name on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. He has led the Buckeyes in receiving yards and scores since 2024, and his chemistry with the same starting quarterback gives him a distinct edge as the new campaign begins.
Defensively, Leonard Moore of Notre Dame is a unanimous All‑American and a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. His 2025 season featured five interceptions, anchoring a secondary that is expected to expand its role in the upcoming year.
Texas’ Colin Simmons has burst onto the Bednarik Award conversation after topping the SEC with 12 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2025. His pass‑rushing prowess positions him as a defensive standout for the Longhorns.
Iapani Laloulu of Oregon earned semifinalist status for the Outland Trophy and was named to the FWAA first‑team All‑America as a center. His consistency in the trenches adds a reliable anchor to the Ducks’ offensive line.
CJ Carr, also from Notre Dame, is projected as the Heisman Trophy favorite. He threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, even as the Irish fell short of the playoff. The coming season will test his ability to carry the offense after the loss of key running backs Jeremiah Love and Jadarian Price.
The departure of Love and Price adds a layer of intrigue to Carr’s Heisman pursuit. With the backfield depleted, his performance will be under a microscope, and his capacity to elevate the team could prove decisive in the award’s narrative.
Beyond individual accolades, these storylines reflect broader shifts in college football dynamics. The convergence of elite talent at skill positions, coupled with defensive standouts, suggests a competitive race that could redefine the traditional power structures heading into 2026.