With Week 11 in the books, the PCFB Heisman Trophy race has entered its most critical phase. November football has a way of sharpening narratives, separating true contenders from early-season darlings, and forcing voters to weigh consistency, team success, and signature moments. Using last week’s Heisman update as a reference point, this week’s watchlist reflects both continuity at the top and notable movement fueled by big performances and shifting team trajectories.
Quarterbacks still dominate the conversation, but an elite running back and the nation’s most dangerous wide receiver continue to make compelling cases. Let’s break down the Week 11 PCFB Heisman Trophy Top 5, who’s rising, who’s falling, and how each candidate’s path forward could ultimately decide college football’s most prestigious individual award.
1. Colton Joseph, QB – Notre Dame
2,624 passing yards | 28 TDs | 4 INTs | 311 rushing yards
Last week: #2 → This week: #1 (Rising)
Colton Joseph takes over the top spot in the Heisman race, and it’s hard to argue against the move. Notre Dame sits atop the national rankings, and Joseph is the engine driving that success. While his raw numbers don’t completely dwarf the field, the context matters — Joseph has delivered week after week against high-level competition, often when the Irish needed him most.
What separates Joseph right now is control. He doesn’t just put up stats; he dictates games. His ability to diagnose defenses pre-snap, manipulate safeties with his eyes, and deliver throws on time has elevated Notre Dame’s offense into one of the most efficient units in the country. Add in over 300 rushing yards, many of them coming on third-down scrambles and red-zone keepers, and Joseph’s total impact becomes clear.
Compared to last week, Joseph’s rise is tied directly to Notre Dame’s continued dominance. While other contenders have had eye-popping games, Joseph has avoided the slip-ups that can sink a Heisman campaign late. If the season ended today, voters would likely reward the quarterback leading the No. 1 team in the country — especially one doing it with poise, efficiency, and consistency.
2. Grayson Wilson, QB – UCF
3,424 passing yards | 28 TDs | 2 INTs | 442 rushing yards
Last week: #1 → This week: #2 (Slight fall)
Grayson Wilson slides to No. 2, but make no mistake — he remains very much in the Heisman hunt. Statistically, Wilson may still be the most productive quarterback in the nation. Over 3,400 passing yards combined with elite efficiency and nearly 450 rushing yards paints the picture of a true dual-threat superstar.
So why the drop? It’s less about Wilson’s play and more about narrative momentum. While he continues to post strong numbers, UCF’s overall positioning doesn’t quite match Notre Dame’s national prominence. In a tight race, voters often lean toward players leading championship-caliber teams, and that has slightly cooled Wilson’s edge.
That said, Wilson’s case is far from weakened. His ability to generate explosive plays both through the air and on the ground keeps him in every game, regardless of opponent. He’s also done an exceptional job protecting the football — just two interceptions on the season is an elite mark given his volume of attempts.
If Wilson closes the season with a few statement performances or UCF surges into the national spotlight, the pendulum could swing back quickly. He remains one of the safest bets to finish as a finalist.
3. Dylan Raiola, QB – Nebraska
2,941 passing yards | 27 TDs | 0 INTs | 249 rushing yards
Last week: #3 → This week: #3 (Holding steady)
Dylan Raiola remains the most fascinating quarterback in the Heisman race. Nearly 3,000 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and zero interceptions is a résumé that demands attention. In an era defined by risk-taking and aggressive throws, Raiola’s mistake-free football stands out.
Nebraska’s continued rise in the national rankings has kept Raiola firmly entrenched in the top three. He may not generate as many highlight-reel moments as Wilson, nor does he carry the top-ranked team label like Joseph, but his efficiency is unmatched. Every possession feels calculated, and Nebraska’s offense rarely beats itself.
Raiola’s Heisman argument hinges on discipline and execution. He’s shown the ability to take over games when necessary, but he’s also content to manage situations when the moment calls for it. That maturity has helped Nebraska win consistently, and voters are taking notice.
To climb higher, Raiola likely needs one or two signature performances — the kind of nationally spotlighted games that leave no doubt about his dominance. Still, his steady presence in the top three reflects just how respected his season has been.
4. Ak Dear, RB – Notre Dame
1,191 rushing yards | 17 rushing TDs | 119 receiving yards
Last week: Unranked → This week: #4 (Major riser)
Ak Dear storms into the Heisman Top 5 and becomes the first non-quarterback on the list. His emergence reflects Notre Dame’s offensive balance and further strengthens the Irish Heisman narrative.
Dear has been a touchdown machine, finding the end zone 17 times on the ground while approaching 1,200 rushing yards. What makes his candidacy intriguing is timing — his best performances have come during Notre Dame’s toughest stretch of games, when defenses know the run is coming and still can’t stop it.
While running backs often face an uphill battle in modern Heisman voting, Dear’s case benefits from team success and red-zone dominance. He’s been the closer in tight games, the player Notre Dame leans on when they need to bleed clock or punch in critical scores.
If Dear continues this pace and Notre Dame remains undefeated or near the top of the rankings, voters may be forced to seriously consider him as more than just a complementary star. At the very least, he has positioned himself as a legitimate finalist threat.
5. Mazeo Bennett Jr., WR – Tennessee
57 receptions | 915 yards | 13 TDs
Last week: #4 → This week: #5 (Slight fall)
Mazeo Bennett Jr. remains the premier wide receiver in the country, but he slips one spot as other candidates surge. That drop isn’t due to a decline in production — Bennett continues to deliver explosive plays and rack up touchdowns — but rather the result of quarterbacks dominating headlines this week.
Bennett’s numbers are elite for a receiver, especially his 13 touchdowns, which place him among the nation’s most dangerous red-zone threats. His ability to stretch the field vertically while also winning underneath routes has made him nearly impossible to scheme against.
The challenge for Bennett, as always for wide receivers, is positional bias. He needs monster performances or highlight moments to stay ahead of quarterbacks piling up yards every week. Still, if Tennessee leans on him down the stretch in high-stakes matchups, Bennett could easily climb back up the board.
Final Thoughts: A Race Far from Over
Week 11 has clarified the Heisman race, but it hasn’t settled it. Colton Joseph now leads the pack, backed by team success and consistent excellence. Grayson Wilson and Dylan Raiola remain firmly in striking distance, each offering a different flavor of quarterback dominance. Ak Dear’s emergence adds a refreshing wrinkle, while Mazeo Bennett Jr. continues to fight positional odds with elite production.
With several weeks still to play, the Heisman Trophy remains wide open. Signature moments, late-season pressure, and championship implications will ultimately decide who lifts the trophy. One thing is certain — the margin between first and fifth has never been thinner, and every snap from here on out matters.
