Fansided

10 best Heisman Trophy winners in history

By Nathaniel Reeves

Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry name appears on the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the trophy during the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry name appears on the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the trophy during the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 10
Next

With the 2016 Heisman Trophy ceremony set for Saturday, who are some of the top winners of the award in college football history?

One player will have their name forever etched into the college football history books when the 2016 Heisman Trophy is awarded next Saturday night in New York City.

The Heisman Trophy has been awarded to the nation’s top individual player every season dating back to 1935. Fans around the nation will never forget some of the Heisman races over the years, as the award is one of the most prestigious accolades in all of sports.

Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson is the heavy favorite to win on Saturday night after piling up 51 total touchdowns this season. Jackson will be joined by Michigan do-it-all playmaker Jabrill Peppers, Clemson quarterback Deshuan Watson as well as Oklahoma duo Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook for the finalist ceremony in New York.

Any Heisman season is special, as standing out as the top individual in the nation is an incredible feat in any given year. Players like Archie Griffin, the only individual to win two Heismans, and Bo Jackson, who could have put up even bigger numbers in 1985 if he was healthy, stand out in the award’s history.

As memorable as those greats are, a few winners have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. From college record setters to future NFL Hall of Famers, these are the 10 greatest Heisman winners in history.

10. Tim Tebow, 2007

While a few will remember Tebow more for the hype surrounding his NFL failures and comeback attempt as a professional baseball player, it shouldn’t be forgotten that he put together one of the best seasons ever from a college quarterback en route to a Heisman victory in 2007.

One of the top recruits in the nation, Tebow joined Florida as a freshman in 2006 and played a key role on the team despite being a backup to starting quarterback Chris Leak. Urban Meyer primarily used Tebow as a rushing threat in red zone situations, and he tallied a pair of touchdowns in the BCS National Championship Game to help the Gators crush Heisman winner Troy Smith and Ohio State.

Tebow won the starting job over future Heisman winner Cam Newton and put together the best season of his legendary career. While the Gators would finish at 9-4 in the worst season of the Meyer era, Tebow tallied over 4,000 total yards with an incredible 55 touchdowns while throwing just six interceptions. Tebow’s 22 rushing touchdowns set a new SEC record that would later be broken by running backs Tre Mason and Derrick Henry.

That performance earned Tebow the Heisman nod over Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, with a number of underclassmen following in his footsteps in the following years.

Florida won another national championship with Tebow under center in 2008, and he came close to joining Griffin in the history books with a third-place finish in the Heisman voting.

Home/College Football