Which College Has Won the Most Heisman Trophies?

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Which College Has Won the Most Heisman Trophies?
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The Heisman Trophy is given yearly to "the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity."

The first Heisman Trophy winner came in 1935 when it was awarded to Jay Berwanger, a halfback from the University of Chicago. This year's list of candidates is impressive.

Here, we'll look at schools with the most Heisman trophy winners.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin celebrates Ohio State winning the Big Ten championship on Dec. 5, 2017.

Ohio State Buckeyes: 7

1944 | Les Horvath, Quarterback/Running Back

1950 | Vic Janowicz, Half Back/Punter

1955 | Howard Cassady, Half Back

1974 | Archie Griffin, Running Back

1975 | Archie Griffin, Running Back

1995 | Eddie George, Running Back

2006 | Troy Smith, Quarterback

Most Heisman trophy winners have been from the quarterback position. Still, Ohio State only had one full-time quarterback win it, Troy Smith in 2006. Smith would go on to get drafted in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL draft by the Baltimore Ravens. He ended his NFL career with 1,736 passing yards, eight touchdown passes, and added three more rushing.

Ohio State is the only school to have a single player win the Heisman Trophy twice, and that was running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.

According to online sportsbooks, current quarterback CJ Stroud is the odds-on favorite to win the award. If he did so, Ohio State would have the most Heisman winners.

Kyler Murray accepts the Heisman Trophy, Dec. 8, 2018.

Oklahoma Sooners: 7

1952 | Billy Vessels, Half Back

1969 | Steve Owens, Full Back

1978 | Billy Sims, Running Back

2003 | Jason White, Quarterback

2008 | Sam Bradford, Quarterback

2017 | Baker Mayfield, Quarterback

2018 | Kyler Murray, Quarterback

While the first three winners of Oklahoma were non-quarterbacks, the most recent four have been, including the school having back-to-back quarterback winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. 

These players would be the No. 1 overall pick in their draft classes. Mayfield is on his second team with the Carolina Panthers after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns, and Murray is still the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted No. 1 overall after the Cardinals invested a Top 10 pick in fellow quarterback Josh Rosen.

Oklahoma is one of three schools to have seven Heisman trophies.

Paul Hornung with the Heisman pose while at Notre Dame in 1956.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish: 7

1943 | Angelo Bertelli, Quarterback

1947 | John Lujack, Quarterback

1949 | Leon Hart, Defensive End

1953 | Johnny Lattner, Half Back

1956 | Paul Hornung, Quarterback

1964 | John Huarte, Quarterback

1987| Tim Brown, Wide Receiver

Several Heisman Trophy winners have gone on to be selected to the NFL Hall of Fame and the 1987 winner, wide receiver Tim Brown, was one of them. Brown was drafted No. 6 overall in the 1988 draft. He played from 1988 to 2004 and had 1,094 receptions, 14,934 receiving yards, and 100 touchdown catches.

John Lujack, the 1947 winner, is the oldest living Heisman recipient. He is 97 years old.

Southern Cal quarterback Matt Leinart accepting the Heisman Trophy on Dec. 11, 2004.

USC Trojans: 6

1965 | Mike Garrett, Half Back

1968 | O.J. Simpson, Half Back

1979 | Charles White, Half Back

1981 | Marcus Allen, Half Back

2002 | Carson Palmer, Quarterback

2004 | Matt Leinart, Quarterback

2006 | Reggie Bush, Running Back (vacated)

We can't talk about the USC Heisman trophy winners without discussing running back Reggie Bush's award. The Trojans would also be a school with seven Heisman winners. However, Bush had his award vacated in 2010 because of NCAA violations after an investigation concluded that Bush and his family received improper benefits while he was a student at the school. 

USC is the only school with six Heisman Trophy winners. Outside of Bush, quarterback Carson Palmer is the most recent winner to have success in the NFL. He went on to get drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals before eventually retiring to force a trade to the then-Oakland Raiders. His best season came in 2015 with the Arizona Cardinals, where he had 35 touchdown passes, nearly 4,700 passing yards, and 11 interceptions. He finished second in MVP voting that year.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry kisses the Heisman on the night of his award, Dec. 12, 2015.

Alabama Crimson Tide: 4

2009 | Mark Ingram II, Running Back

2015 | Derrick Henry, Running Back

2020 | DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver

2021 | Bryce Young, Quarterback

Considering all the recent success of the Alabama Crimson Tide, it's quite surprising to learn they hadn't had any Heisman Trophy winners until running back Mark Ingram in 2009. Quarterback Bryce Young won it in 2021 and was considered a favorite to repeat in 2022, but he missed a game with an injury and that might have hurt his chances. Should Young win it, he'd be the second Heisman winner with two awards. 

If you enjoy college football betting, Young currently has +2200 odds to win the award over at DraftKings Sportsbook. As with most seasons, Alabama is also one of the top college football picks to secure a college football playoff berth and win the championship.

Of all the Alabama quarterbacks, Young is the only one to have won the award. All four winners in Alabama history have come under coach Nick Saban.

Auburn running back Bo Jackson runs for a touchdown against Florida State on Oct. 12, 1985.

Auburn Tigers: 3

1971 | Pat Sullivan, Quarterback

1985 | Bo Jackson, Running Back

2010 | Cam Newton, Quarterback

Cam Newton took the football world by storm during his 2010 Heisman Trophy campaign. He essentially redefined the game of football. After just one season of playing for the Auburn Tigers, he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. He never won a Super Bowl, but he did make it in 2016, losing to the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos.

Before Newton, there was Bo Jackson. He is the only professional athlete to be named an All-Star in the NFL and MLB. He played just a few NFL seasons, but racked up nearly 2,800 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. In baseball, he had a lifetime batting average of .250 and hit 141 home runs.

Nebraska receiver Johnny Rodgers in action against Oklahoma on Nov. 25,1971.

Nebraska Cornhuskers: 3

1972 | Johnny Rodgers, Wide Receiver/Running Back

1983 | Mike Rozier, Running Back

2001 | Eric Crouch, Quarterback/Wide Receiver

If you look at Nebraska today, it's hard to imagine a time when they had such a dominant program. However, during the 1990s, Nebraska won three national championships.

Crouch, the 2001 winner, would go on to be selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft as a receiver to the St. Louis Rams. However, the rookie retired before ever playing a down. He retired because of injuries.

Army's Pete Dawkins poses with the Heisman Trophy in December 1958.

Army Black Knights: 3

1945 | Doc Blanchard, Full Back

1946 | Glenn Davis, Half Back

1958 | Pete Dawkins, Half Back

Army isn't a school you'd consider a powerhouse in 2022, but in the middle portion of the 1900s, the school enjoyed much success. It won back-to-back national championships in 1944 and 1945. Two of its Heisman trophy winners came in 1945 and 1946 before Pete Dawkins was the final recipient in 1958.

Today, none of their players are in the running for the Heisman, but defensive end Andre Carter looks to be a top prospect ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.

Florida quarterback Steve Spurrier poses with the Heisman Trophy in 1966.

Florida Gators: 3

1966 | Steve Spurrier, Quarterback

1996 | Danny Wuerffel, Quarterback

2007 | Tim Tebow, Quarterback

We all know Steve Spurrier as one of the more successful college football coaches, going 217-79-2 throughout his career, but yes, he was also a Heisman trophy winner in 1966.

We can't talk about Florida Gators football without Tim Tebow. Tebow played for one of the best college football programs during his time. He played all four years and racked up nearly 9,300 total passing yards, 88 touchdowns, and just 16 interceptions. Tebow added more production rushing, accumulating 2,947 yards on 692 carries for 57 touchdowns.

He famously had that "30 minutes for the rest of our lives speech" at halftime during the 2009 BCS Championship Game against Oklahoma. The Gators were tied 7-7 heading into halftime. Tebow's speech sparked momentum and the Gators would go on to win 24-14.

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Charlie Ward about to pass in a game on Aug. 28, 1993.

Florida State Seminoles: 3

1993 | Charlie Ward, Quarterback

2000 | Chris Weinke, Quarterback

2013 | Jameis Winston, Quarterback

All three Heisman trophy winners for the Florida State Seminoles have been quarterbacks. 

After a 13-year hiatus, current New Orleans Saints quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft Jameis Winston won the award in 2013. He was the first-ever freshman to win the award, racking up over 4,000 passing yards and 40 touchdowns and adding 219 more yards and four touchdowns on the ground.

Michigan receiver Desmond Howard returns a punt against Ohio State at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 23, 1991.

Michigan Wolverines: 3

1940 | Tom Harmon, Half Back

1991 | Desmond Howard, Wide Receiver/Punt Returner

1997 | Charles Woodson, Cornerback

Not only was Charles Woodson the last Michigan Wolverines player to win the Heisman Trophy, but he's also the last defensive player to win the award as of the 2022-23 college football season. 

Woodson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft and is a member of the college football and Pro Football Hall of Fame. He won NFL Defensive player of the year in 2009, is a Super Bowl champion, and had 65 career interceptions. He retired in 2015.

Heisman Trophy 2022 Predictions

The front-runner for this year's award is Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. Barring injury, Stroud appears poised to take home the award. Thus far, Stroud has 28 touchdowns, more than 2,000 passing yards, and just four interceptions.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker has 19 touchdowns with just one interception and more than 2,000 yards passing.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams has 19 passing touchdowns and has also 235 yards rushing and three touchdowns. 

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has 18 touchdown passes with three interceptions and just less than 2,000 yards passing. He missed a game with an injury or he would probably have the same numbers as the top guys.

 

FAQ

Has anyone won more than two Heisman Trophies?

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Who is the Heisman Trophy named after?

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Which College has the most Heisman Trophy Winners?

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Who are this year's top Heisman Trophy Candidates?

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Who will be this year's Heisman Trophy Winner?

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Updated by GDC - Icon - Black - Info

Richard Janvrin

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