NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan's star-studded Heisman campaign returns for its 16th year, bringing new athletes, new vehicles and a bold new attitude to the college football season. The Nissan "Tell Them a Heisman Sent You" campaign takes a new approach to the fan-favorite content, centered around long-form video on YouTube with 30-second extensions on TV during games. The fresh, new episodic series features Heisman legends competing to be Nissan's top spokesperson, spotlighting the Nissan lineup through dynamic, character-driven storytelling that celebrates Nissan's relentless pursuit of performance and innovation.
"We took a new approach to this year's Heisman campaign, but one thing is unchanged: These spots reflect Nissan's passion for going the extra mile and matching the drive of America's favorite athletes," said Tiago Castro, senior vice president, U.S. Marketing & Sales, Nissan and INFINITI. "Just like Heisman winners on the field, Nissan's competitive spirit drives us to win customer hearts with high-quality products, outstanding customer experience and engaging communication."
For "Tell Them a Heisman Sent You," a deep bench of fresh and familiar talent brings their competitive drive to a new challenge: endorsing their favorite Nissan vehicles and proving who deserves the title of top spokesperson. The roster features Travis Hunter, Derrick Henry, Tim Tebow, Eddie George, Barry Sanders and Jim Plunkett. This year, the campaign also adds the newest Heisman Trophy winner and 2026 No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, who makes his debut later in the season alongside the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid.
"I grew up seeing Nissan's Heisman House commercials, so I was excited about the opportunity to join the campaign," said Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback and 2025 Heisman Trophy winner. "Getting to meet some of the football legends who helped shape the game was the coolest part for me. You grow up hearing about the impact they had on the field, so spending time around them and being part of the same campaign was really special."
For 2026, the Heisman story stars a squad of Nissan's most capable new vehicles – each chosen by the athletes for performance, capability and fan‑favorite appeal:
The Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, voted #1 Best Truck for Tailgating in USA Today Sports Readers' Choice Awards and backed by the confidence that 92% of Frontiers sold in the last 10 years are still on the road. Based on S&P Global Mobility Vehicles in Operation (VIO) data as of January 2026. MY16 Frontier through MY25 Frontier.
The premium, family-friendly Nissan Rogue Platinum, named the No. 1 Compact SUV for New-Vehicle Quality in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study℠ (IQS).
The three-row Nissan Pathfinder, named a "Best New Vehicle for Teens" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports.
And the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, which debuts later this year with Nissan's third-generation e‑POWER hybrid technology and dual-motor all-wheel drive.
The 2026 "Tell Them a Heisman Sent You" campaign kicks off with 30-second TV commercials during Week 1 of college football on September 4 and runs all season long on ABC, ESPN, Fox, NBC and Amazon Thursday Night Football. The fun continues with full-length versions of each episode released on YouTube and teased across Nissan social media channels.
Who's got the best Nissan pitch among the Heisman crew? Stay tuned for the episode that announces the winner as the season unfolds.
Nissan remains the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the U.S. over the past 11 months with 17 consecutive months of year-over-year retail sales increases – reinforcing the brand's momentum heading into the new football season. (Based on non-luxury automakers' U.S. retail sales growth percentage when comparing Sept 2025–July 2026 to the same period a year prior). Nissan was named second among mass-market brands in the JD Power 2026 U.S. Initial Quality Study 2026 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards™.
Q: Where can the Nissan Heisman campaign videos be seen?
A: This year's Heisman campaign is centered on long-form episodes on YouTube. It extends onto live college football broadcasts with 30-second TV spots shown all season on ABC, ESPN, Fox, NBC and Amazon Thursday Night Football.
Q: Which Heisman winners feature in Nissan's campaign?
A: The 2026 Nissan Heisman campaign stars Fernando Mendoza, Travis Hunter, Derrick Henry, Tim Tebow, Eddie George, Barry Sanders and Jim Plunkett.
Q: Which vehicles are included in the Nissan Heisman commercials?
A: The 2026 campaign features the Nissan Rogue Platinum, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X and the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid.
Q: What is Nissan's connection to Heisman?
A: Nissan has been a mainstay in college football season for nearly two decades with its fan-favorite Heisman campaigns, which feature some of the game's biggest stars authentically highlighting Nissan's latest vehicles. This is the 16th year of Nissan's Heisman campaign, bringing new athletes, new vehicles and a new content format to the familiar commercials.
Q: When do the Nissan Heisman commercials air?
A: The campaign kicks off with 30-second TV commercials during Week 1 of college football on September 4. Commercials will air all season long on ABC, ESPN, Fox, NBC and Amazon Thursday Night Football.
About Heisman
Heisman, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, empowers future generations to make an enduring impact on society by amplifying the legacy of excellence embodied by the Heisman Trophy and its Winners. Awarded annually since 1935, the Heisman Memorial Trophy honors the most outstanding college football player in the United States — a symbol of achievement that inspires young people nationwide. Rooted in excellence and empowerment, Heisman has evolved into a year‑round platform advancing youth leadership, expanding opportunity, and harnessing the power of sports to help future leaders learn and grow.
For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissanusa.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
Quick Q&A
- Who are the key people involved in the 2026 Nissan Heisman campaign?
- The campaign features Heisman legends Travis Hunter, Derrick Henry, Tim Tebow, Eddie George, Barry Sanders, Jim Plunkett, and newest Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza. Tiago Castro, senior vice president, U.S. Marketing & Sales, Nissan and INFINITI, also commented on the campaign.
- What is the main announcement regarding Nissan's Heisman campaign?
- Nissan announced the return of its "Tell Them a Heisman Sent You" campaign for its 16th year, introducing a new episodic series format centered on long-form YouTube videos and 30-second TV extensions. The campaign features Heisman legends competing to be Nissan's top spokesperson.
- When does the 2026 Nissan Heisman campaign begin and run?
- The campaign kicks off with 30-second TV commercials during Week 1 of college football on September 4, 2026. It will run all season long on ABC, ESPN, Fox, NBC, and Amazon Thursday Night Football, with full-length episodes released on YouTube.
- Why is the return of the Nissan Heisman campaign significant for the brand?
- The campaign reflects Nissan's competitive spirit and passion for matching the drive of athletes, aiming to win customer hearts with high-quality products. It also highlights Nissan's momentum as the fastest-growing mainstream brand in the U.S. over the past 11 months.
- What are the future implications or next steps for the Nissan Heisman campaign?
- The campaign will announce the winner of the "best Nissan pitch" among the Heisman crew as the season unfolds. Additionally, the all-new 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid will debut later in the season alongside Fernando Mendoza, featuring Nissan's third-generation e-POWER hybrid technology.