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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Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet showing a sticker honoring the grandson of former University of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of an Ohio State Buckeyes helmet showing a sticker honoring the grandson of former University of Michigan coach Lloyd Carr during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /

Howard Cassady 1955 Season Statistics

  • Games: 9
  • Rushing Attempts: 161
  • Rushing Yards: 958
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 106.4
  • Yards Per Carry: 6.0
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 15
  • Receptions: 1
  • Receiving Yards: 6
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 0
  • Passing: 2-for-10, 39 YD, 2 INT

Howard “Hopalong” Cassady won the 1955 Heisman Trophy, becoming the third player in Ohio State football history to do so.

After earning consensus All-American honors and finishing third in the Heisman voting as a junior for the Buckeyes’ 10-0, national championship squad in 1954, Cassady exploded in 1955 with 958 rushing yards (an average of 106.4 yards per game) and 15 rushing touchdowns. Though Ohio State fell to 7-2 that season, the Buckeyes were still Big Ten champions and finished ranked fifth in the final AP Poll.

In addition to posting outstanding offensive numbers in an era dominated by defense and the kicking game, Cassady was also a standout defensive back. Cassady won the Heisman in dominant fashion, having earned 594 first place votes and 2,219 total points. Runner-up Jim Swink, a quarterback from TCU, had 128 No. 1 votes and 742 total points. Cassady also won the Maxwell Award and was named AP Player of the Year in 1955 and was named an All-American for the second time.

A native of Columbus, Cassady also played baseball for Ohio State. After a nine-year career in the NFL, “Hop” became a scout for the New York Yankees and was a long-time first base coach for the Columbus Clippers, which served as the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.

Billy Vessels 1952 Season Statistics

  • Games: 10
  • Rushing Attempts: 167
  • Rushing Yards: 1,072
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 107.2
  • Yards Per Carry: 6.4
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 17
  • Receptions: 7
  • Receiving Yards: 165
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 16.5
  • Receiving Touchdowns: 1
  • Pass Completions: 7
  • Pass Attempts: 20
  • Completion Percentage: 35
  • Passing Yards: 209
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 20.9
  • Passing Touchdowns: 2
  • Interceptions: 3

The first player in Oklahoma history to win the Heisman Trophy, running back Billy Vessels was the first Heisman winner to run for more than 1,000 yards in a single season. His 1,072 rushing yards in 1952 stood as the record for Heisman winners until USC’s Mike Garrett broke it in 1965.

More than just a ball carrier, Vessels both threw passes and caught them in head coach Bud Wilkinson’s T-formation offense. Vessels completed seven passes for 209 yards (29.9 yards per completion) and two touchdowns and was also on the receiving end of a TD pass among his seven receptions for 165 yards.

In addition to his overall strong statistics, Vessels may have been the first player to produce a “Heisman Moment” by putting together his greatest performance on a national stage. According to his Heisman bio:

"The 6-foot, 190-pound Vessels might have won the Heisman based on his huge game against Notre Dame in November. The game was telecast nationally and was broadcast on radio by Mel Allen. Vessels ran for 195 yards on 17 carries and scored on a pass reception and two long runs, but he also fumbled late in the game at the Notre Dame 20. Notre Dame, a heavy underdog, won by 27-21, handing Oklahoma its only loss of the season, but Vessels’s performance brought him national acclaim."

Oklahoma finished the 1952 season 8-1-1 and ranked No. 4 in the final AP poll.

Earlier in his career, Vessels was a key cog in Oklahoma’s 1950 national championship team. He ran for 870 yards and 13 touchdowns that year as a sophomore and also caught 11 passes for 229 yards and two scores.

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