College Football Week 1 Passing Leaders: Darian Mensah Vaults Heisman Campaign

The early jockeying in the Heisman Trophy race is underway after a handful of college football’s leading quarterbacks provided huge efficiencies in Week 1.

Here’s a take a look at the 10 finest passing outputs from recently, consisting of a lot of familiar names however likewise a couple surprises.

Mason Heintschel showcased his fondness for respected passing efficiencies as a real freshman last season, however never ever rather to this level.

Heintschel set profession highs in Pittsburgh’s season-opening 59-14 win over Miami (Ohio)with 453 passing lawns, 7 goals and 0 interceptions. The 7 goal tosses (all to various targets)connected the Panthers ‘program record, set by Pete Gonzalez versus Rutgers in 1997.

It was the 2nd profession 400-yard passing efficiency for Heintschel and the 5th time in 10 starts he’s tossed for more than 300 backyards.2. SMU’s Kevin Jennings( 430 )

Kevin Jennings passed for 430 lawns, 3 TDs and 2 INTs in SMU’s 27-24 win at Florida State. Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect

Kevin Jennings has actually passed for more than 6,800 backyards over the last 2 seasons at SMU, so it was not a surprise to see the fifth-year senior fill the stat sheet Monday night.Jennings finished 26 of 36 passes for 430 lawns, 3 TDs and 2 INTs, getting rid of the turnovers to lead the Mustangs to a 27-24 win at Florida State.He passed for 50 backyards(and ran for 8) on SMU’s game-winning 71-yard basket drive in the subsiding minutes.3. Miami’s Darian Mensah(401)

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah stands in the pocket

versus the Stanford Cardinal throughout the 3rd quarter at Stanford Stadium. Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES by means of Reuters Connect

Darian Mensah’s transfer from Duke to Miami was among the greatest advancements of the offseason and placed the Hurricanes to construct off their go to the championship game video game in 2015. Mensah figured to be an upgrade even over Carson Beck, and it sure looked that method in his Hurricanes launching as he finished 27 of 30 passes for 401 lawns, 5 TDs and 0 INTs in a 45-6 win at Stanford.The backyards and goals were both career-highs for Mensah, who tossed for 3,973 lawns, 34 TDs and 6 INTs last season at Duke after beginning his profession at Tulane.

After his magnificent Miami launching, Mensah is noted as the early Heisman Trophy favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook at +600 chances

4. Arizona State’s Cutter Boley( 387)

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley hangs back versus the Morgan State Bears at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.|U.S.A. TODAY Network through Reuters Connect

After a hard season at Kentucky in 2015, Cutter Boley is trying to find a reset at Arizona State and left to a strong start in his Sun Devils launching.Boley finished 21 of 27 passes for 387 lawns, 6 TDs and 0 INTs in a 70-7 win over FCS-level Morgan State.

— Big 12 Studios( @big12studios )September 6, 2026

The lawns and goals were career-highs for Boley, who got his possibility as Kentucky’s starter in 2015 however passed for simply 2,160 lawns, 15 TDs and 12 INTs.

5. Oregon’s Dante Moore( 378 )

Heisman confident Dante Moore passed for 387 lawns and 3 TDs in Oregon’s come-from-behind win over Boise State. Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES by means of Reuters Connect

Dante Moore returned to Oregon for a last season to take his chance at some incomplete organization after leading the Ducks to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2015.Oregon discovered itself in a Week 1 difficulty vs. Boise State on Saturday, routing by 10 points in the very first half, however Moore assisted lead the Ducks back to a 34-27 success.

He finished 28 of 37 passes for 378 lawns, 3 TDs and 0 INTs, consisting of the consent 62-yard goal connection with Dakorien Moore midway through the 4th quarter.

Moore, who passed for 3,565 lawns, 30 TDs and 10 INTs last season for the Ducks, is connected for the sixth-best Heisman Trophy chances( +1300 )on DraftKings Sportsbook.6. Oregon State’s Braden Atkinson (376)

Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson passed for 376 backyards and a goal in a loss to Houston.

Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect

After setting up huge numbers as a real freshman at FCS-level Mercer last season, Braden Atkinson moved to Oregon State and continued to reveal huge capacity in his arm while passing for 376 lawns and a TD (plus a hurrying rating)in his Beavers launching.Oregon State lost 33-20 at No. 23 Houston, however Atkinson provided Beavers fans factor for optimism with his efficiency.He passed for 3,611 lawns, 34 TDs and 11 INTs in 2015 for Mercer.7. Coastal Carolina’s Deuce Bailey( 373)

Redshirt-freshman Duece Bailey had a motivating efficiency for Coastal Carolina with 373 passing backyards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs at West Virginia. Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect

Deuce Bailey followed coach Ryan Beard from Missouri State to Coastal Carolina this offseason and made a strong impression as the Chanticleers ‘brand-new quarterback Saturday.The redshirt-freshman finished 21 of 37 passes for 373 backyards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs in a competitive 31-24 roadway loss at West Virginia.

. @DeuceBailey1 leaves the pocket & gets in touch with @iam_lilclay[ for the very first @CoastalFootball goal of the @Ry_Beard period. ☀ pic.twitter.com/8Di6yd4IdH– Sun Belt (@SunBelt)September 5, 2026

8. Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor(354)

Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor hangs back to pass throughout the 2nd quarter versus the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES through Reuters Connect

Kamario Taylor made 2 starts late last season as a real freshman for Mississippi State, however in those video games the dual-threat quarterback mainly flashed his running capability.

In his 2026 launching, Taylor displayed his arm, finishing 22 of 34 passes for 354 backyards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs while likewise hurrying for 59 backyards and a rating in a 62-13 win over Louisiana Monroe.

9. Wake Forest’s Gio Lopez (350)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Gio Lopez (3) jumps over Akron Zips protective back Catrell White (21) throughout the very first half. Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images|IMAGN IMAGES by means of Reuters Connect

Gio Lopez’s very first season in the ACC didn’t go rather as hoped as he moved from South Alabama to North Carolina and fought with the Tar Heels, passing for simply 1,747 lawns, 10 TDs and 5 INTs.Lopez moved once again in the offseason to Wake Forest and looked restored in 2026 launching, finishing 21 of 32 passes for 350 backyards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs while likewise hurrying for 39 backyards in a 38-16 win over Akron on Thursday. 10. USC’s Jayden Maiava (349)

Get utilized to seeing Jayden Maiava on this list as the Heisman Trophy hopeful had a 2nd excellent efficiency to begin the season.

He finished 23 of 25 passes for 349 lawns, 3 TDs and 0 INTs while playing just 3 quarters in USC’s 39-0 supremacy of Fresno State on Friday.

Through 2 video games, Maiava has actually finished 48 of 54 passes for 635 lawns, 5 TDs and 0 INTs, plus a hurrying rating.

The redshirt senior, in his 2nd complete season as the Trojans’ starter after taking control of late in the 2024 project, has the 10th-best Heisman chances at +1750 on DraftKings.