Recruiting: How last 10 Heisman Trophy winners ranked as recruits

Dec 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel poses for a photo with the Heisman Trophy during a press conference before the announcement of the 2012 Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis in downtown New York City. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

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NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Running back Mark Ingram (R) #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with Head coach Nick Saban (L) and the Heisman Trophy during a press conference after being named the 75th Heisman Trophy winner at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images) /

Mark Ingram – 2009 Heisman Winner

There are many reasons why Alabama is such a great program, but being “RBU” is certainly one of them. Only two running backs have won the Heisman in the last 10 years, and they both went to Alabama. While not all of them go on to have a successful NFL career, looking at you Trent Richardson, they still dominate at the collegiate level.

Ingram split his time between Grand Blanc Community High School and Flint Southwestern Academy, although he only attended the latter for his senior year. He doubled as both a running back and a cornerback, even racking up eight interceptions in his senior year. But it was at running back where he turned the most heads, partly because he ran track while at Flint.

Ingram’s composite ranking in 2008 was 218. He was listed as a running back but was ranked No. 24 at the position. He only received one offer, but it was the only offer he needed as he committed to Alabama in February of 2008.

For a school as prestigious as Alabama, you’d think that Ingram would have a ton of Heisman winners to live up to. That was not the case, as Ingram delivered Alabama its first Heisman in the award’s closest ever vote. Garnering only 46.99 percent of possible points, Ingram is the only player on this list to not win the popular vote. However, he was a unanimous first-team All-American and helped the Crimson Tide win the National Championship over Texas.

Ingram was drafted 28^th overall to the New Orleans Saints and has since become a steady option in Sean Payton’s offense. He hit both the 1,000 yards rushing mark and the 10 touchdown mark this season and has also proven to be a reliable pass-catcher. While Ingram’s been blessed to play in two outstanding systems, he’s also got a ton of individual talent to succeed at the NFL level.

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