As the PCFB season barrels into its final stretch, the Heisman Trophy race has transformed from a crowded field into a five-man brawl featuring two elite running backs, three precision-passing quarterbacks, and a level of statistical dominance rarely seen this deep into the year. With statement games, season-defining performances, and November pressure mounting, every snap becomes a résumé builder — or a résumé killer.
What separates this year’s Heisman race from others is the diversity of styles at the top. You’ve got big-play backs ripping off 70-yard runs, dual-threat quarterbacks crafting highlight reels on the ground and through the air, and laser-accurate pocket passers putting up video-game numbers. There’s no clear favorite yet, but there is a frontrunner — and that’s where we begin.
1. Caden Durham – RB, LSU
157 Carries • 1,668 Rushing Yards • 13 TDs
Heisman Status: The Front-Runner
Durham is having one of the most explosive rushing seasons in modern PCFB history. At 1,668 yards on just 157 carries, his 10.6 yards per carry mark is beyond elite — it’s absurd. Defenses know it’s coming, stack the box anyway, and still can’t slow him down. The LSU star has become the most feared open-field player in the country, leading virtually every major rushing metric.
More impressive? Durham has been the engine of LSU’s offense. When he touches the ball, momentum shifts. When he breaks free, the game tilts. He has ripped off long run after long run, torching top-25 defenses with the same ease he does average ones.
The only lingering question is volume. His carry count is low for a Heisman-leading RB — but efficiency this historic might be enough. If Durham posts another 200-yard performance or two down the stretch, he may be impossible to catch.
Right now, the Heisman is his to lose.
2. DJ Lagway – QB, Florida
2,755 Pass Yards • 30 TD • 4 INT
866 Rush Yards • 8 Rush TD
Heisman Status: Gaining Ground FAST
The defending Heisman winner is not going quietly.
Lagway’s season hasn’t just been great — it’s been spectacular. His 2,755 passing yards and 30 touchdowns speak for themselves, but the real separator is his rushing: 866 yards and 8 more touchdowns on the ground. Lagway is the most complete offensive weapon in the country, and his dual-threat impact keeps Florida firmly in the top-three nationally.
What’s keeping him from reclaiming the No. 1 spot? Consistency early in the year — and Durham’s unbelievable numbers. But Lagway has something no one else in the race does: Heisman moments. Multiple clutch fourth-quarter drives. Highlight-reel plays in monsoon weather. Game-saving scrambles.
If Florida keeps winning, and if Lagway drops another 400-yard passing/100-yard rushing game — something only he seems capable of doing — he could absolutely leap back into the pole position.
He isn’t the favorite yet, but he’s the most dangerous man on this list.
3. Kevin Jennings – QB, SMU
2,846 Pass Yards • 34 TD • 2 INT
324 Rush Yards
Heisman Status: The Silent Assassin
No quarterback in the nation is playing cleaner football than Kevin Jennings. His stat line is almost unreal: 34 touchdowns to 2 interceptions, plus nearly 3,000 passing yards before mid-November. Jennings isn’t just productive — he’s efficient at a level national analysts rarely see.
SMU’s shocking rise into the Top 10 is largely thanks to Jennings and his surgical decision-making. He runs Rhett Lashlee’s offense like it was written specifically for him, spreading the ball to every section of the field and punishing defenses that dare to blitz. And while he doesn’t have the rushing totals of Lagway or Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, Jennings’ mobility has kept drives alive and forced defenses to stay honest.
The knock on Jennings? He lacks the Heisman-defining moments that voters love. His dominance has been steady, not flashy. But if SMU finishes with one loss or less — and Jennings keeps tossing three to five TDs per game — he could easily jump Lagway into the No. 2 spot.
He’s the dark horse who might not be a dark horse much longer.
4. Nate Frazier – RB, Georgia
135 Carries • 807 Rush Yards • 18 TD
198 Receiving Yards
Heisman Status: Touchdown Machine Keeping Georgia Alive
Frazier is the purest “goal-line weapon” in the Heisman race. His 18 rushing touchdowns lead all Power 5 running backs, and he has been the only consistent bright spot in a shaky Georgia offense that has struggled mightily with turnovers and stalled drives.
While his total yardage lags well behind Durham’s, Frazier’s touchdown production is Heisman-level. He is automatic near the red zone, and defensive coordinators have spent weeks failing to slow down Georgia’s inside power rushing attack. His receiving ability adds another dimension, giving him just enough versatility to stay in the top tier of candidates.
What hurts Frazier’s candidacy is Georgia’s recent skid — team performance matters. If the Bulldogs fall out of the Top 25 entirely, history suggests his chances will crater. But if Georgia rebounds and Frazier hits the 1,200+ yard mark with 22–25 total touchdowns, he’ll remain a legitimate contender.
5. Dylan Raiola – QB, Nebraska
2,697 Passing Yards • 32 TD • 1 INT
141 Rush Yards
Heisman Status: The Most Efficient QB in the Nation
If efficiency won the Heisman outright, Raiola might be holding the trophy already. His 32 touchdowns to 1 interceptionis the cleanest ratio in the sport, and he’s doing it in a Nebraska system that doesn’t lean on explosive passing plays. Raiola plays smart, patient football. He takes what the defense gives him, and when he strikes deep, he rarely misses.
Nebraska’s rise into the top eight nationally is directly tied to Raiola’s development. He’s commanding the offense like a veteran, protecting the football, and converting crucial third downs. He’s also a little more athletic than opponents expect, giving the Cornhuskers enough mobility to keep drives alive.
Why isn’t he higher? Voters value big counting stats, and Raiola’s numbers — while elite — don’t pop quite like Jennings or Lagway. Another issue: his highlight reel is small compared to the rest of the field.
But if Nebraska keeps winning, Raiola could surge late just like Lagway did last season.
THE RACE WITHIN THE RACE
Durham vs. Lagway: A Heavyweight Duel
This year’s Heisman is shaping up to be a true two-man race:
- Durham has the historic yardage.
- Lagway has the best all-around résumé.
Both have team success. Both have monster numbers. Both have “wow” plays.
Lagway won last year because of his late-season rampage. If he repeats that again, Durham’s lead could evaporate overnight.
Jennings vs. Raiola: The Efficiency Kings
If voters shift toward rewarding turnover-free production and elite situational football, these two quarterbacks could skyrocket into the top tier. A massive late-season win by either could rewrite the Heisman script.
Frazier: The Touchdown Titan
He’s not leading the race, but he matters — especially because he siphons votes away from Durham. If Georgia rebounds, Frazier’s production could steal some spotlight from the LSU star.
WHAT EACH PLAYER NEEDS TO DO TO WIN
Durham
- Hit 2,000 rushing yards
- Maintain 9+ YPC
- Add one truly iconic primetime performance
Lagway
- Keep Florida in the playoff hunt
- Get to 3,500 pass / 1,000 rush yards
- Limit turnovers and provide more clutch highlights
Jennings
- Push SMU into the top 8
- Stay under 4 total interceptions
- Add one signature, marquee win
Frazier
- Reach 20–25 total TDs
- Get Georgia back into top 15
- Deliver a breakout 150+ yard game
Raiola
- Lead Nebraska to 10+ wins
- Finish with under 3 total interceptions
- Produce a big-time statistical explosion late
FINAL VERDICT — WEEK 10 RANKINGS
- Caden Durham (LSU) – Still the most unstoppable force in the country
- DJ Lagway (Florida) – The only challenger with a chance to catch Durham
- Kevin Jennings (SMU) – Best pure passer, big riser
- Nate Frazier (Georgia) – TD machine keeping Georgia alive
- Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) – Hyper-efficient, quietly dominant
