As a matter of fact, if you haven't started prognosticating playoff brackets and award winners, you're already behind.Today, we are talking Heisman trophy hopefuls, but not in the traditional sense.Sure, anyone can sit here on the internet and say that Arch Manning or Jeremiah Smith will be in New York in December, but can you find the diamond in the rough that will shock everyone and become a household name by season's end?INDIANA'S FERNANDO MENDOZA WINS 2025 HEISMAN TROPHYSome of the most iconic Heisman winners are players who started the season as relative unknowns, with only the most hardcore college fans even knowing their names in September.I'm not sure many people outside of Bloomington figured Fernando Mendoza would light the nation on fire and take home that 45-pound bronze statue.Below are three "off-the-radar" picks to who I believe have the best chance to hoist the Heisman in 2026.FIVE SEC TRAP GAMES IN 2026 THAT COULD UPEND THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF RACE, FROM LSU TO GEORGIAIf you disagree, feel free to drop your Heisman pick in the comments below.Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt passes the ball against the Texas Longhorns during the first half of the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.(Brett Davis-Imagn Images)Most of you reading this will probably have the same reaction: "How can any quarterback being coached by Lane Kiffin be considered a long shot to win the Heisman?"You're right to feel that way, considering Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss Jr.
transformed Trinidad Chambliss from a relative unknown at Ferris State to an All-SEC quarterback in just one season.However, if you look at the Heisman odds, Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt ranks ninth among quarterbacks at +2200.Leavitt was the highest-rated quarterback in the transfer portal, and when you couple that with Kiffin, Weiss Jr.and a reported $40 million roster, and I like Leavitt's odds better than just about anyone on the board.Though he already has playo...