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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 /
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Jan 30, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars football coaches Ty Detmer and Kalani Sitake are introduced during halftime at the game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Pepperdine Waves at Marriott Center. Brigham Young Cougars won the game 88-77. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 30, 2016; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars football coaches Ty Detmer and Kalani Sitake are introduced during halftime at the game between the Brigham Young Cougars and the Pepperdine Waves at Marriott Center. Brigham Young Cougars won the game 88-77. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Ty Detmer, 1990

Over a decade prior to spread passing offenses really catching on across the college football world, Detmer re-wrote the NCAA record book in one of the most impressive seasons ever by a Heisman winner from a purely statistical standpoint.

Detmer was a highly touted recruit as the 1986 Texas Player of the Year and chose a BYU team that was two years removed from a national championship. BYU featured one of the most prolific offenses in the nation under LaVell Edwards, who was a major influence on Hal Mumme, Mike Leach and other air raid offense leaders.

After sitting out a year to redshirt, Detmer looked promising while splitting time as a freshman in 1988. Detmer won the starting job the next season and set a sophomore record with 4,560 yards, although he was somewhat overshadowed nationally by an even better season from Heisman winner Andre Ware of Houston.

The Heisman hype started early in 1990, as Detmer threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns over top-ranked Miami in the second game of the year. Detmer finished the season with 5,188 passing yards, a Heisman record, along with 45 total touchdowns.

That won Detmer the Heisman comfortably over Notre Dame receiver Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, and he added a third place finish to his resume in 1991 with another 4,000-yard season. By the time he finished college, Detmer was all over the all-time leaderboard in just about every offensive category, including a then-NCAA record 15,031 passing yards.

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