By : Ethan Horner
(Photo/ Kameron Taylor-Albany Herald)
The college football season starts this weekend, and there is a lot of returning talent primed for great years. I will give my winner and my finalists!
Your 2026 winner of college football's most prestigious award will be Miami QB Darian Mensah. I personally think this is a no-brainer with how loaded the Hurricanes roster is, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Miami is bringing back phenom Malachi Toney, as well as Mensah's favorite target at Duke, Cooper Barkate. At Duke, Mensah totaled 3,973 yards through the air with 34 passing touchdowns. Mensah did all of this while being at Duke, and with Miami having a favorable schedule and him having Barkate and Toney out wide, I expect this Miami offense to average 40 points a game, which would, at the very least, send Mensah to New York as a finalist.
2. Trinidad Chambliss- I expect Chambliss to not miss a beat starting this year. I personally think he is the best quarterback in the entire country. Chambliss totaled over 4,000 yards last season, as well as 30 total touchdowns, and he didn't even play the entire season. He also led the Rebels to the College Football Semifinal! I am expecting a lot of numbers from Trinidad and the Ole Miss offense this season.
3. Jeremiah Smith- What do I even say for this guy? Smith has arguably been the best player in the sport over the last two seasons. I find it hard to believe he won't be in New York at least once in his collegiate career. Jeremiah would have been a top-five pick as a freshman, and there's no doubt he will be in the 2027 NFL Draft. I am excited to see what he can do in his third year at Ohio State.
4. C.J. Carr- Carr comes into this season a year smarter and with a veteran presence after having a full year of being the starter under his belt. Carr's leadership and IQ are off the charts. I expect good numbers from him as the Fighting Irish look to avenge that feeling they felt at the end of last season. Carr also has a favorable schedule where he will light up some opponents.