2026 Heisman dark horses: Keelon Russell, Malachi Toney among 6 long shots who could end up in New York
Six under-the-radar college football stars are suddenly reshaping Heisman Trophy odds for 2026.
Velocity
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The brief
Coverage highlights six players identified as dark horses for the 2026 Heisman Trophy, including Virginia’s Keelon Russell and Miami’s Malachi Toney. CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, and Yahoo Sports have spotlighted these long-shot contenders amid early predictions for the season.
The focus is on standout performances from lesser-discussed prospects, with CBS Sports and On3 emphasizing their potential to disrupt traditional frontrunner narratives.
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Quick answers
Who are the six dark horses mentioned?
Coverage from CBS Sports and Bleacher Report names Keelon Russell, Malachi Toney, and four others as potential dark horses for the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
Which outlets are covering this trend?
CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, On3, and Canes Warning are among the sources analyzing these dark horses.
Is there any indication of frontrunners being challenged?
Coverage suggests these dark horses could disrupt expectations, but no specific frontrunners are named in the current reports.
Coverage (5)
- Two Most Likely Heisman Trophy Contenders For Virginia in 2026 Yahoo Sports · 1d ago
- CBS Sports puts this Miami star among its 6 biggest 2026 Heisman dark horses Canes Warning · 1d ago
- Early 2026 Heisman Trophy Odds, Predictions and Sleepers Bleacher Report · 1d ago
- CBS Sports lists six Heisman Trophy 'dark horses' for 2026 college football season On3 · 1d ago
- 2026 Heisman dark horses: Keelon Russell, Malachi Toney among 6 long shots who could end up in New York CBS Sports · 1d ago
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