The college football season is just over a month into the regular season schedule and the talent level we’re seeing across the college football landscape this season has been outstanding, and not just looking at the quarterback position.

Yet, there are only four players who have a legit argument to be in the Heisman conversation right now, and I will not listen to a single argument outside of these four. In no particular order: Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, Mississippi State QB Kamario Taylor, Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, and Florida RB Jadan Baugh.

That’s the list. Everyone else can wait.

Jeremiah Smith locked his seat at the ceremony

Frankly, I undervalued what Jeremiah Smith could produce in this Arthur Smith-led offense. What he just did against Illinois was insane. The fact that Illinois fired their defensive coordinator after four games because of what Smith did to that defense tells you everything you need to know.

That narrative alone locks his place to go to the Heisman ceremony. When you are single-handedly causing coaching changes on the other sideline, you are operating at a different level than everyone else in the sport. Not to mention the fact Smith ranks Top-5 in receptions, leads the FBS in receiving yards, and is tied for the lead with seven touchdowns. He’s a star and legit unguardable.

Trinidad Chambliss still belongs despite the recent step back

For Trinidad Chambliss, yes, he took a step back from what we saw against LSU, but he has the narrative of Kewan Lacy being out of that game last week.

And I’ve talked about it before: the way that Ole Miss has to win ball games, there’s so much responsibility on Trinidad. I still think he played fine. It was the Ole Miss defense that was the real culprit on why they lost that game. So he still definitely gets an invite to have a seat at the table and should continue to produce at a high-level moving forward.

Jadan Baugh just ran all over Ole Miss and might be the best player in the SEC

The player who has been dominating college football and just ran all over that Ole Miss team? Jadan Baugh. He definitely has a seat at the table at this point. He is one of the best players in the entire sport. He’s my personal favorite, and frankly, I may even have him as the favorite right now.

A running back hasn’t taken home the Heisman trophy since Derrick Henry in 2015 (although Ashton Jeanty certainly made a strong case in 2024). Henry’s 2015 season included 2,219 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns, both of which led the SEC. Right now, Baugh has totaled 600 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns through four games, both of which lead the SEC. If he stays at this pace, he’ll have a strong argument.

The real favorite is Kamario Taylor

But who am I kidding? The real favorite is Kamario Taylor. This guy is a superstar in the making. People have absolutely fallen in love with this Mississippi State team, and he has a defining moment against Alabama this weekend. If he wins that game in Starkville, Mississippi, he may be launching himself to legend status, which you have to be if you want to win the Heisman. That matchup is going to be so fun to watch.

And you may say, Tegan, you just told us Baugh is your personal favorite, and now you’re handing the crown to Kamario Taylor. Here’s the distinction: Baugh is who I’d vote for today, but Taylor has the trajectory and the signature-moment opportunity that could separate him from the pack. A win over Alabama in Starkville would give Taylor the kind of defining chapter that Heisman voters remember in December.