Who is Miami's true Heisman frontrunner? Making the case for Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney

Miami’s high-powered offense has fueled a title run, but the race between two Hurricanes stars could define the Heisman Trophy chase

The Miami Hurricanes have established themselves as the clear No. 1 team in the country, avoiding the chaos that's defined the 2026 season and entering Week 9 as one of three undefeated teams left in the FBS. Miami is in that position in large part due to their two stars on offense, quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney, who currently sit No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in Heisman Trophy odds (only trailing Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith) at every major sportsbook. It's a throwback to "The U's" heyday to have a pair of Heisman frontrunners on the No. 1 team in the nation, but Miami fans will also remember how that can work against both players by splitting the votes.

In 2002, Willis McGahee and Ken Dorsey finished No. 4 and No. 5 in Heisman voting, with the two splitting 223 first-place votes almost evenly — 122 and 101 — which, if combined, would've pushed one of them into the No. 2 spot behind Carson Palmer. In 2026, it's Mensah and Toney who many voters will find themselves trying to pick between, and as the season wears on, the debate between the two stars of Miami's passing attack figures to pick up steam. Both Mensah and Toney will spend the back half of the season shrugging off Heisman