Fansided

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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AUBURN, AL - 1985: Halfback Bo Jackson #34 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball upfield circa 1985 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Auburn/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL – 1985: Halfback Bo Jackson #34 of the Auburn Tigers runs the ball upfield circa 1985 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Auburn/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /

Terry Baker 1962 Season Statistics

  • Games: 10
  • Pass Completions: 112
  • Pass Attempts: 203
  • Passing Yards: 1,738
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 173.8
  • Passing Touchdowns: 15
  • Interceptions: 5
  • Rushing Attempts: 115
  • Rushing Yards: 538
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 53.8
  • Yards Per Carry: 4.7
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 9

One of the most surprising Heisman winners of all-time, Oregon State quarterback Terry Baker overcame a slow start to the season and a soft schedule to win college football’s biggest individual honor in 1962.

Baker led the nation in touchdown passes (15), total touchdowns (24), total yards (2,276), passing efficiency rating (146.5) and yards per pass attempt (8.6). Baker ranked second nationally with 1,738 passing yards in ten regular season games, and helped the Beavers win six straight to finish 8-2 and earn a spot in the Liberty Bowl. A dual-threat signal caller, Baker added 538 rushing yards and nine TDs on the ground – both of which were more than LSU running back and Heisman runner-up Jerry Stovall.

A consensus All-American for his performance as a senior, Baker also won the Maxwell Award.

Unfortunately, Baker’s professional career fell well short of the expectations that came with him winning the Heisman. After being selected with the first overall pick of the 1963 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Baker threw for just 154 yards and four interceptions without a touchdown in his three-year NFL career.

Bo Jackson 1984 Season Statistics

  • Games: 11
  • Rushing Attempts: 278
  • Rushing Yards: 1,786
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 162.4
  • Yards Per Carry: 6.4
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 17
  • Receptions: 4
  • Receiving Yards: 73
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 6.6
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 0

It should go without saying that Bo Jackson, who is the only person to be a Major League Baseball All-Star and an All-Pro performer in the NFL, is one of the greatest athletes in history.

Jackson, who is also regarded as one of the best running backs ever to play college football, accumulated 1,786 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a senior at Auburn, and led the Tigers to an 8-4 record on his way to the 1984 Heisman Trophy.

Bo won the Heisman by a very narrow margin that made it the second closest race in the history of the award. With 317 first-place votes and 1,509 total points in the voting, Jackson secured the Heisman ahead of Iowa quarterback Chuck Long, who garnered 286 No. 1 votes and 1,464 points. Jackson also outlasted a field that included prolific BYU quarterback Robbie Bosco, Michigan State running back Lorenzo White (who ran for 2,066 yards and 17 touchdowns), and future Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde.

A unique blend of power and speed made Jackson one of the most highly sought-after pro prospects in history. He was selected No. 1 overall in the 1986 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but instead decided to concentrate on playing baseball in the Kansas City Royals organization. Jackson was later drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders, and spent four years splitting time between the two sports before a hip injury ended his football career.

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