As the PCFB regular season wraps up and the playoff field begins to take shape, five players have separated themselves from the rest of the nation. Each has defined their team’s success with game-changing performances and jaw-dropping statistics. From dual-threat quarterbacks to explosive receivers and a dominant workhorse running back, this year’s Heisman race is loaded with talent. Here’s a breakdown of the five finalists:
DJ Lagway – Quarterback, Florida Gators
Stats: 3,851 passing yards, 35 TDs, 7 INTs; 1,028 rushing yards, 18 rushing TDs
Team Rank: #4
DJ Lagway has been the heartbeat of Florida’s playoff push. The junior signal-caller led the Gators to an 11-2 record, including an SEC Championship win over Georgia, and has combined elite passing efficiency with punishing running ability. Lagway’s dual-threat production is unmatched—responsible for over 50 total touchdowns while keeping turnovers low despite heavy defensive pressure all season.
Lagway’s signature moment came in the SEC title game when he shook off an early interception to engineer a comeback victory. His ability to deliver in big moments has Florida poised for a deep playoff run, and his name has been atop Heisman boards for much of the year.
If the award goes to the nation’s most valuable player, Lagway has a strong claim—his play has transformed Florida into a legitimate national contender.
Jeremiah Smith – Wide Receiver, Ohio State Buckeyes
Stats: 72 receptions, 1,636 yards, 21 touchdowns
Team Rank: Unranked
Jeremiah Smith put together one of the most electric receiving seasons in recent memory. Despite Ohio State’s struggles as a team, Smith was unstoppable every week—stretching defenses with elite speed, leaping ability, and route precision. His 21 receiving touchdowns lead the nation, and nearly every one of them felt like a highlight-reel play.
Smith’s Heisman candidacy is a testament to individual dominance. Even without a ranked team behind him, he consistently took over games, often as the Buckeyes’ lone offensive spark. While receivers rarely win the Heisman, Smith’s production forces voters to take notice—his numbers rival some of the best single-season performances in PCFB history.
Zachariah Branch – Wide Receiver, Georgia Bulldogs
Stats: 106 receptions, 1,584 yards, 18 touchdowns
Team Rank: #3
Georgia’s offensive engine has been wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who shattered the school record for receptions in a season. Branch’s speed and shiftiness in space make him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one, and his consistency in clutch moments has defined Georgia’s 11-2 campaign.
In a league loaded with talent, Branch’s 106 catches speak to both his durability and his central role in the Bulldogs’ scheme. Whether it’s third-and-long or a red zone fade, Branch is the go-to guy. He’s a true technician who pairs volume with efficiency—and his success has been a huge factor in Georgia securing a playoff spot.
Makhi Hughes – Running Back, Oregon Ducks
Stats: 233 carries, 1,423 rushing yards, 22 rushing TDs; 20 receptions, 229 yards
Team Rank: #1
When Oregon needs a big play, they hand it to Makhi Hughes. The Ducks’ star running back has been the cornerstone of the nation’s top-ranked team, combining vision, balance, and power to dominate defenses week after week. His 22 rushing touchdowns lead all running backs, and his contributions as a receiver make him one of the most complete backs in the country.
Hughes’s ability to control games on the ground has taken pressure off quarterback Dante Moore and helped Oregon maintain offensive balance. In critical late-season matchups, Hughes consistently wore down top defenses and closed out games with physicality and poise.
If the Heisman is about rewarding production that translates to winning at the highest level, Hughes’s résumé is hard to top.
John Mateer – Quarterback, Oklahoma Sooners
Stats: 2,973 passing yards, 33 TDs, 3 INTs; 548 rushing yards
Team Rank: #6
John Mateer has been the steady hand behind Oklahoma’s resurgence. The Sooners’ offensive leader combined elite decision-making with mobility, accounting for 36 total touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions all season. His efficiency and ball security have been unmatched, and his dual-threat ability kept defenses on their heels every week.
While Oklahoma narrowly missed a playoff bye, Mateer’s consistency and leadership were instrumental in guiding the Sooners to a 10-win season and a top-10 finish. He doesn’t have the flashiest stats in the field, but his precision and control embody the Heisman ideal of excellence on and off the field.
Final Thoughts
This year’s Heisman race is one of the closest in PCFB history. Each finalist brings a unique skill set: Lagway’s all-around brilliance, Smith’s individual dominance, Branch’s consistency, Hughes’s power, and Mateer’s efficiency.
If voters value total impact and team success, DJ Lagway and Makhi Hughes stand out as the frontrunners. But the sheer production from Smith and Branch could sway those seeking to reward the nation’s best playmakers. Mateer, meanwhile, remains the dark horse—a model of efficiency and leadership for an Oklahoma team that’s back in the national spotlight.
No matter who takes home the trophy, this group has delivered one of the most thrilling and statistically loaded Heisman races in PCFB history.
