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Ranking Heisman Trophy winners from 1-81

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Dec 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy is seen during a press conference before the announcement of the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2013; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy is seen during a press conference before the announcement of the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; A general view of Michigan Stadium during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; A general view of Michigan Stadium during the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Tom Harmon 1940 Season Statistics

  • Games: 8
  • Rushing Attempts: 191
  • Rushing Yards: 852
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 106.5
  • Yards Per Carry: 4.5
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 15
  • Pass Completions: 43
  • Pass Attempts: 94
  • Completion Percentage: 45.7
  • Passing Yards: 506
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 63.3
  • Passing Touchdowns: 6
  • Interceptions: 11

After accumulating 994 yards of total offense and leading the nation in scoring, Michigan halfback Tom Harmon nearly won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 1939, but instead finished as the runner-up to Iowa’s Nile Kinnick.

In 1940, Harmon became the first Michigan player to win the Heisman, and he was the first of what would eventually be six players that won the award and finished as the runner-up during his career. A dual-threat ball handler in Michigan’s single-wing offense, Harmon averaged 106.5 rushing yards per game and scored 15 rushing touchdowns during his senior season and also completed 43 of 94 pass attempts for 506 yards and six touchdowns through the air.

Nicknamed “Old Ninety-Eight” because of his jersey number, Harmon led the Wolverines to a 7-1 record and a No. 3 final ranking in 1940. In his final game, Harmon accounted for five total touchdowns and intercepted three passes as Michigan blasted archival Ohio State 40-0 in Columbus, which motivated the rival crowd to stand and applaud Harmon afterwards. The only blemish on the season was a 7-6 loss to national champion Minnesota.

Harmon had a spectacular college career and finished with 3,438 yards of total offense and 49 total touchdowns in just three seasons. He also kicked two field goals and 33 extra points, which pushed his career total to 237 points, and also played defense for the Wolverines.

Les Horvath 1944 Season Statistics

  • Games: 9
  • Rushing Attempts: 163
  • Rushing Yards: 924
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 102.7
  • Yards Per Carry: 5.7
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 12
  • Pass Completions: 14
  • Pass Attempts: 32
  • Completion Percentage: 43.8
  • Passing Yards: 344
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 38.2
  • Passing Touchdowns: 3
  • Interceptions: 4
  • Receiving: 1 REC, 17 YD

Six Ohio State football players have won seven Heisman Trophies, which gives the Buckeyes a share of the all-time lead for producing Heisman winners. The first Ohio State player to receive the honor was Les Horvath, a quarterback and halfback for the Buckeyes that led the team to a 9-0 record, the Western Conference championship and a No. 2 final ranking in the AP poll as a senior in 1944.

Horvath’s impact on the Buckeyes can be plainly seen when comparing the team’s fortunes during his time in Columbus. In 1940, Horvath’s freshman season, Ohio State finished 4-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play. The following year, the Buckeyes improved to 6-1-1. In 1942, with Horvath playing halfback, Ohio State finished 9-1 and won the national championship. However, in what would have been Horvath’s senior season in 1943, Ohio State fell to 3-6 while the star ball-handler sat out and attended dental school.

With Horvath back in action, and showing no rust from a year away from the gridiron, Horvath ran for 924 yards and 12 touchdowns in nine games in 1944 and also threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns for the undefeated Buckeyes. Horvath’s impact and overall production made him a consensus All-American and helped him defeat two future Heisman winners – Army’s Glenn Davis (who scored 14 TDs while averaging an eye-popping 11.5 yards per carry) and Doc Blanchard – in the Heisman race.

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