Thanks to the transfer portal, premier talent is bouncing around college football in search of better opportunities.
This can make award races even more hectic, as more players blossom out of nowhere, making award winners even harder to predict. Who could’ve predicted Fernando Mendoza to win the Heisman Trophy, or Jacob Rodriguez to win four awards? I’m going to give these predictions my best shot. Here are the players, along with a coach, who I believe will take home some of the biggest awards in 2026.
Heisman Trophy
Prediction: Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Looking around college football media, you’ll see that most analysts are predicting Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith, Dante Moore, CJ Carr, and Julian Sayin. I’m here to cast my early vote for Darian Mensah. Mensah should’ve received more recognition for this award last year, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and totaling 34 TDs, leading Duke to its first ACC Championship in almost 40 years.
Knowing our Heisman voters, Mensah’s games were not watched. Now that he plays for Miami, I expect that to change. Mensah will have an elite weapon on the outside in Malachi Toney, as well as a great running game to support him. Miami will undoubtedly be in playoff contention again, putting a spotlight on Mensah’s performance.
Biletnikoff Award
Prediction: Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
As you can tell, I expect the Hurricanes to throw the ball at an elite level in 2026. Toney exploded onto the college football scene as a 17-year-old true freshman, catching for 1,211 yards and 10 TDs. He caught for 241 yards and 3 TDs in the College Football Playoff. Toney’s game has it all- great hands, route running, release, and YAC abilities.
Toney profiles as what you may call a playmaker. When the play breaks down, Toney has a knack for finding open spots in the defense. He pairs perfectly with Mensah, who thrives in chaos outside the pocket. Toney’s main competition will be Jeremiah Smith, but Toney’s pairing with Mensah gives him the edge for me.
Outland Trophy
Prediction: Carter Smith, OT, Indiana
Smith was perhaps college football’s most consistent pass-protector. He went 15 straight games without allowing a sack or a QB hit. He committed just seven penalties and earned an 87.7 pass-blocking grade from PFF. He also earned an 83.4 run-blocking grade.
Smith earned 1st Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and consensus All-American. It’s honestly a surprise that Smith didn’t win this award last year, losing to Spencer Fano, but I believe he’s the clear front-runner for 2026. This award has gone to an offensive tackle the past two seasons. Carter Smith is college football’s premier offensive tackle at the moment.
Butkus Award
Prediction: Rasheem Biles, LB, Texas
Biles has perhaps the best resume amongst linebackers spanning the last two seasons. He’s totaled 183 tackles, 31.5 TFLs, 10 sacks, 13 PDs, 3 FFs, and 3 INTs returned for touchdowns. He’s an elite in-the-box linebacker who also shows rangy coverage skills despite his undersized frame. In addition to his tackling and coverage skills, Biles is highly effective in pass-rush scenarios, posting an 82.9 pass-rush grade.
Biles had a season to rival Jacob Rodriguez in 2025, but his low-profile games at Pittsburgh earned no attention from voters. As a centerpiece of the Texas defense, Biles will frequently play in showcase games, beginning with Ohio State in week two.
Jim Thorpe Award
Prediction: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
The Jim Thorpe Award is the easiest prediction on this list. When you hear “best player in college football,” most people are talking about Jeremiah Smith. A few other names will be mentioned, but Leonard Moore is perhaps Smith’s biggest rival to this claim. Moore is the best DB in college football, and for my money, the best defensive player in college football.
Moore intercepted 5 passes in 2025, while earning a staggering 92.5 coverage grade. When targeted, Moore allowed a passer rating of just 45.9. He has 7 INTs and 18 PDs in two seasons, earning All-American honors in 2025. He also has 79 career tackles to pair with a 78 run-defense grade for his career.
Doak Walker Award
Prediction: Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville
Running back will be one of college football’s most loaded position groups in 2026. Players such as Kewan Lacy, Jadan Baugh, Isaac Brown, Justice Haynes, Mark Fletcher Jr, Bo Jackson, Nate Frazier, Caleb Hawkins, LJ Martin, Harlem Berry, and many others will contend for the Doak Walker Award. Out of all these names, Brown is my choice heading into 2026.
In 2025, Brown had 884 yards on 8.8 YPC. In 2024, he had 1,173 yards on 7.1 YPC. As usual, Louisville hit the transfer portal hard for new additions, including four on the offensive line. Head coach Jeff Brohm has made a killing on the ground since he got to Louisville. I expect that to continue. If Brown can just reach 200 carries, he’ll break the 1,400-yard mark.
John Mackey Award
Prediction: Jamari Johnson, TE, Oregon
In 2025, Johnson caught for 510 yards and 3TDs while sitting behind Kenyon Sadiq, the 16th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Those who watched Oregon games saw Johnson flash frequently. It’s hard to miss a 6’5 260-pound TE who can move like Johnson. His YAC ability is what separates him from other TEs. He’s big enough to break tackles on a consistent basis while also fast enough to separate from LBs in open space.
If you look at the top returning TEs across college football, Johnson has comparable numbers to all of them, despite being a backup. The return of QB Dante Moore boosts Johnson’s potential tremendously.
Coach of the Year
Prediction: Dan Lanning, Oregon
Winning Coach of the Year relies on two different outcomes: going 11-1 with a difficult schedule or going 12-0. If your team doesn’t finish in that range, you’re basically disqualified. Oregon will face off against Ohio State in November. In its other big games against USC and Michigan, Oregon is likely to be at least a touchdown favorite.
Oregon’s roster will rival Texas as the best roster in college football on the 247 talent rankings. Dante Moore at QB will be a top-10 pick. Jamari Johnson will be TE1 in the NFL Draft. Matayo Uiagalelei and A’Mauri Washington will be 1st round picks who lead arguably the nation’s best DL. Players such as Teitum Tuioti, Bear Alexander, Koi Perich, and Iapani Laloulu project as early day two picks. Dakorien Moore and Brandon Finney are sophomores who are virtual locks for the 1st round in two years.
