Bear Bachmeier's all-around performance for BYU shakes up the Heisman Watch originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier's late touchdown pass lifted the Cougars to a 28-24 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday and fueled his return to the Heisman Watch top contenders list.
Bachmeier threw a touchdown pass, ran for two scores and caught a touchdown pass in an all-around performance that shook up the Heisman race. The Cougars have climbed to No. 2 in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Oregon State receiver Jesse Legree is much more familiar with catching touchdown passes than Bachmeier. The true freshman joins the top contenders list this week for the first time after gaining more than 100 yards receiving for the seventh time in as many games.
Legree, a 5-foot-10 speedster, leads the nation with 14 touchdown grabs. He became the first player in the FBS to reach 1,000 yards receiving during a win over Washington State on Saturday.
Miami's Malachi Toney also returns to the top contenders list after a short absence. He caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a 43-35 double-overtime win over Florida State on Saturday. The Hurricanes are now ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25.
Miami quarterback Darian Mensah, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith have been mainstays.
Four players fell from the top contenders list to the fringe category after having subpar performances and/or results. Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover lost to Ohio State, Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton lost at home to Auburn, Missouri running back Jamal Roberts was held in check in a loss to Ole Miss and Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr lost to BYU.
Heisman Trophy voters Cliff Brunt and Jeff Hauser cover college football for The Sporting News. Hauser has voted since 2015 and Brunt since 2017. They have compiled an alphabetical watch list of players they would consider strongly for their top three if ballots were due today. The highlighted players are in the top five for one or both.
Below that is a list of fringe players that are being watched but did not crack the top five for either voter this week.
Heisman Watch
Top contenders
Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU
Season stats: Six games, 65.8% completions, 1,257 yards passing, nine TDs; 284 yards rushing, six TDs.
Last game: Completed 23 of 36 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, ran for 45 yards and two scores and caught a touchdown pass in the win over Notre Dame.
Next game: BYU visits Central Florida on Saturday.
BYU USED A TRICK PLAY TO TAKE THE LEAD OVER NOTRE DAME 🔥 (via: @ESPNCFB) https://t.co/YJRbUD4bq9
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 18, 2026
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Season stats: Six games, 67.6% completions 1,676 yards and 14 TDs passing; 127 yards and six TDs rushing.
Last game: Completed 20 of 36 passes for 241 yards and three TDs and ran for a score in a 31-3 win over Missouri on Saturday.
Next game: Ole Miss visits Texas on Saturday.
Jesse Legree, WR, Oregon State
Season stats: Seven games, 46 catches for 1,040 yards and 14 touchdowns. Has a touchdown reception of at least 70 yards in four different games.
Last game: Caught eight passes for 108 yards, including a 90-yard touchdown reception in a 48-30 win over Washington State on Saturday.
Next game: Oregon State has a bye before visiting Fresno State on Oct. 31.
JESSE LEGREE TOUCHDOWN OMG HE’S UP TO 1,000+ YARDS ON THE SZN https://t.co/y4qR6j0t3e
— GUCCE (@gucceCU) October 17, 2026
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami
Season stats: Six games, 80.8% completions, 1,764 yards, 18 touchdown passes to one interception; 204.2 passer rating.
Last game: Completed 23 of 34 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 43-35 double-overtime win over Florida State on Saturday.
Next game: Miami hosts Pitt on Saturday.
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
Season stats: Six games, 50 catches for 750 yards and eight TDs; 50 yards rushing.
Last game: Caught 11 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Florida State.
Next game: Miami hosts Pitt on Saturday.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Season stats: Seven games, nation-leading 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Last game: Caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown in a 19-15 win over Indiana on Saturday.
Up next: Ohio State has a bye before visiting USC on Oct. 31.
JEREMIAH SMITH WITH A HUGE TOUCHDOWN FOR OHIO STATE 😱 (via @FOXSports ) https://t.co/hRih7MzEVB
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 17, 2026
On the fringe: Braden Atkinson, Oregon State; Jadan Baugh, Florida; DeSean Bishop, Tennessee; CJ Carr, Notre Dame; Josh Hoover, Indiana; Kevin Jennings, SMU; Lincoln Kienholz, Louisville; Gio Lopez, Wake Forest; Jayden Maiava, USC; Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State; Jamal Roberts, Missouri; Julian Sayin, Ohio State; LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina; Nate Sheppard, Duke; Gunner Stockton, Georgia; Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State; Conner Weigman, Houston.