College football never sits still. One week it anoints, the next it tests resolve. The Heisman Trophy race is not a straight line; it is a shifting tide, an endless dance of brilliance, mistakes, and redemption. After two weeks, the top five candidates remain the same, but the order has been reshuffled.
This is the Heisman Heat Index, where one Saturday can elevate a star and another can remind us how fragile greatness can be.
1. Thomas Castellanos — Florida State QB
Week 2 Stats: 8/11, 237 yards, 3 TDs
Result: Florida State 77, Texas A&M–Commerce 3
Sometimes a quarterback doesn’t just win a game; he bends it to his will. Castellanos needed only 11 throws to craft a masterpiece, three of them touchdowns, nearly flawless in execution.
Yes, it came against Texas A&M–Commerce, a program far removed from the big stage, but perfection is rare at any level. Castellanos continues to look like the nation’s most electric dual-threat, a player capable of detonating defenses and pulling the Seminoles into playoff contention.
For now, he wears the crown.
2. Arch Manning — Texas QB
Week 2 Stats: 19/30, 295 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Result: Texas 38, San Jose State 7
A week ago, Manning staggered under the spotlight against Ohio State, the Manning legacy pressing heavy on his shoulders. But in Week 2, he breathed again. Against San Jose State, Manning delivered the performance Texas needed: sharp throws, decisive reads, and four touchdown passes that reminded the world why his Heisman hype is not misplaced.
Manning is not defined by perfection but by resilience, by his ability to right the ship when needed. The Longhorns’ playoff hopes depend on it, as well as his Heisman campaign.
3. Jeremiah Smith — Ohio State WR
Week 2 Stats: 5 catches, 119 yards, 2 TDs
Result: Ohio State 70, Grambling State 0
Last week, Texas cornerbacks pressed and frustrated him. This week, Jeremiah Smith reminded us why he is the most dangerous receiver in college football. With two touchdowns on just five receptions, Smith showcased the size, speed, and artistry that made him a legend-in-the-making as a freshman.
As Ohio State’s season unfolds, his ability to carve out a Heisman moment looms larger with every target.
4. LaNorris Sellers — South Carolina QB
Week 2 Stats: 11/19, 128 yards, 1 TD, 23 rush yards
Result: South Carolina 38, South Carolina State 10
Sellers wasn’t dazzling, but he was steady, and sometimes steadiness is the mark of a true Heisman contender. Against South Carolina State, he managed the game, made plays when needed, and left with another win.
Critics may point to his modest stat line, but the eye test tells a different story. Sellers moves with calm authority, balancing efficiency with just enough danger to keep defenses on edge. His dual-threat skillset makes him one of the most intriguing candidates on this list, and if he peaks in conference play, the Heisman conversation could tilt his way.
5. Garrett Nussmeier — LSU QB
Week 2 Stats: 26/41, 237 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Result: LSU 31, Louisiana Tech 21
Nussmeier didn’t dazzle against Louisiana Tech, and that’s exactly why he fell to the back of the pack. His performance was pedestrian by Heisman standards, the kind of game that wins on the scoreboard but raises eyebrows in the Heisman race.
And yet, he remains in the top five for one reason: composure. Against Clemson in Week 1, he showed a champion’s poise. Week 2 may not have been a highlight reel, but it was a reminder that this is a marathon, not a sprint. If Nussmeier sharpens his play against SEC defenses, his case will strengthen.
The dance continues
The beauty of the Heisman race is its volatility. This week, the five contenders remain the same, but that could all change next week.
The season is long, and the Heisman is never won in September. But in these early weeks, the foundation is laid.
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