With Week 12 in the books, the Heisman race is beginning to take real shape. The stat lines are growing heavier, the pressure is mounting, and separation is finally starting to appear between true contenders and players simply having great seasons. Using last week’s watchlist as a reference point, this update highlights who’s rising, who’s slipping, and who is positioning themselves for a late-season Heisman push.
Quarterbacks still dominate the conversation, but a wide receiver and a running back continue to force their way into the spotlight with production that simply can’t be ignored.
1. Grayson Wilson – QB, USF (⬆️ Up from #2)
Week 12 Stats:
3,732 passing yards | 31 TDs | 2 INTs
452 rushing yards
Grayson Wilson has officially taken control of the Heisman race.
After sitting just behind the top spot last week, Wilson’s continued excellence vaults him into the No. 1 position. His numbers are now undeniable: elite efficiency, explosive passing production, and legitimate dual-threat impact. The combination of over 3,700 passing yards and 450+ rushing yards puts him in rare territory nationally.
What separates Wilson from the pack right now is consistency. While other contenders have had uneven weeks or relied on supporting casts to carry them at times, Wilson has been the engine for USF’s offense every single game. He protects the football, attacks all levels of the field, and punishes defenses that overcommit with his legs.
At this stage of the season, Wilson isn’t just compiling stats — he’s setting the standard. If he maintains this pace and avoids late-season slip-ups, he enters the final stretch as the clear favorite.
2. Colton Joseph – QB, Notre Dame (⬇️ Down from #1)
Week 12 Stats:
2,874 passing yards | 29 TDs | 4 INTs
339 rushing yards
Colton Joseph slides one spot, but make no mistake — he is still firmly in the Heisman conversation.
Joseph’s production remains outstanding, and his ability to lead Notre Dame week after week has not diminished. His passing efficiency continues to shine, and his rushing totals quietly separate him from most pocket passers in the race. However, compared to Wilson’s explosive surge, Joseph’s recent performances have been more steady than spectacular.
This drop is less about Joseph falling off and more about Wilson forcing the issue. Joseph still has the benefit of playing for a high-profile program with championship aspirations, which always matters in Heisman voting. A signature late-season performance could easily swing momentum back in his favor.
For now, Joseph sits in prime striking distance.
3. Dylan Raiola – QB, Nebraska (➡️ Holding at #3)
Week 12 Stats:
3,246 passing yards | 31 TDs | 0 INTs
304 rushing yards
If there’s a quarterback making the strongest “efficiency over everything” argument, it’s Dylan Raiola.
Raiola remains at No. 3, but his case grows stronger by the week. The headline stat remains jaw-dropping: zero interceptions. In a season where turnovers have plagued many elite quarterbacks, Raiola’s mistake-free football stands out dramatically.
Add in over 3,200 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and legitimate rushing production, and Raiola’s résumé stacks up with anyone. What’s holding him just outside the top two is narrative — Nebraska’s offensive identity leans more balanced, and Raiola hasn’t always been required to carry games on his shoulders.
Still, if voters lean toward precision, decision-making, and quarterback purity, Raiola may be the most complete signal-caller in the country.
4. Mazeo Bennett Jr. – WR, Tennessee (⬆️ Up from #5)
Week 12 Stats:
65 receptions | 992 yards | 16 TDs
Mazeo Bennett Jr. is forcing his way into Heisman history.
Wide receivers rarely climb this high without truly outrageous production, and Bennett is doing exactly that. Nearly 1,000 receiving yards, 16 touchdowns, and consistent game-breaking impact have made him impossible to ignore. He has moved up from fifth to fourth, overtaking a quarterback in the process.
Bennett’s biggest strength is his scoring frequency. Defenses know where the ball is going, and it hasn’t mattered. He wins contested catches, creates separation after the catch, and thrives in the red zone. Tennessee’s offense runs through him, and opposing game plans revolve around slowing him down — usually unsuccessfully.
For a receiver to stay this high, he’ll need one or two signature performances down the stretch, but Bennett is absolutely in the race.
5. Ak Dear – RB, Notre Dame (⬆️ New Momentum at #5)
Week 12 Stats:
212 rushing attempts | 1,299 yards | 19 rushing TDs
150 receiving yards
Ak Dear holds firm in the top five, and his case is becoming stronger with every carry.
In a quarterback-heavy field, Dear stands out as the rare true workhorse running back. Nearly 1,300 rushing yards on just over 200 carries shows both volume and efficiency, while 19 rushing touchdowns underscore his value in scoring situations.
What makes Dear particularly intriguing is his role alongside Colton Joseph. While Joseph orchestrates the offense, Dear finishes drives and controls game flow. He wears down defenses, closes out wins, and consistently produces when Notre Dame needs stability.
Running backs often need a dominant narrative to stay in the Heisman race late, but Dear’s production — paired with Notre Dame’s success — gives him a legitimate path to New York.
Biggest Risers and Fallers
Biggest Riser:
Grayson Wilson’s jump to No. 1 headlines the week, but Mazeo Bennett Jr.’s rise into the top four is nearly as significant. A receiver cracking the upper tier this late in the season speaks volumes about his impact.
Slight Fall:
Colton Joseph’s drop from first to second is notable, but far from alarming. He remains one elite performance away from reclaiming the top spot.
Final Thoughts
As Week 12 closes, the Heisman race is tightening at the top while still leaving room for late drama. Wilson has seized momentum, Joseph and Raiola remain elite and dangerous, and Bennett and Dear continue to challenge positional expectations.
With rivalry games and postseason implications looming, every snap matters more than ever. The margin between history and heartbreak is shrinking — and the race is far from over.
