CFB Weekly heisman tracker: four non-quarterbacks that entered the heisman race after week one

Everybody knows that the Heisman Trophy has been, and always will be, an award for quarterbacks. However, this is not a steadfast rule, and non-receivers can make as big of an impact as quarterbacks do for their teams. In this article, we examine four non quarterbacks who's week one performances threw themselves into the Heisman conversation in week one.

Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss

After an impressive end to his 2025 campaign, Kewan Lacy looks to bring that momentum to this season. He began his season with 61 yards rushing and a touchdown, along with 4 receptions for 19 yards against Louisville. While this was definitely not his best game, this is not a performance that knocks him out of the race altogether. Lacy benefits from the fact that opposing defenses have to gameplan around Trinidad Chambliss, creating a plethora of non-stacked boxes that Lacy can use to run all over the SEC this fall. The former transfer from Missouri totaled 1,567 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first season with the Rebels a year ago. Ole Miss will have a high-powered offense led by Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and is set up to compete in all of their games this year, allowing Lacy the oppurtunity to play himself even higher up the heisman leaderboard

Malachi Toney, WR, Miami

As mentioned earlier with Darian Mensah, Miami’s offense showed out vs Stanford. Malachi Toney is truly making a real case for the number one wide receiver in the entire country against Jeremiah Smith. Toney had 12 receptions for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns in week one despite not playing the whole game, and is still the number one focus in the Miami offense after a strong true freshman campaign.  If Toney duplicates his week one performance each and every week this season, he will run away with the Heisman trophy undoubtedly

Deuce Alexander, WR, Ole Miss

Another Heisman candidate for the Rebels is the receiver who turned the most heads in his Week 1 game. With the departures of Harrison Wallace and De’Zhaun Stribling to the NFL, someone had to step up in the Rebel pass-catching group. Deuce certainly rose to the occasion, achieving 159 yards receiving on 5 receptions, including two separate 62-yard touchdown receptions to help lead Ole Miss to a shootout win over Louisville on Sunday. Outshadowed by Lacy and Trinidad Chambliss, do not sleep on Alexander as a legit heisman candidate this season, as the group's WR1

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

It would be surprising if arguably the best player in the sport doesn’t make a trip to the Heisman ceremony in his three seasons at Ohio State. The star receiver performed in Week 1, to no surprise, tallying 151 yards and 2 touchdowns off 8 receptions vs Ball State. In his first two seasons at Ohio State, Smith totaled 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns, but has still not found himself at the Heisman Trophy ceremony. Julian Sayin returns for Ohio State after his freshman season, and having a returning quarterback for the first time in his college career could potentially help Jeremiah Smith leap the hurdle and find his way into New York in December.