Ranking the most dominant Heisman campaigns of the last 25 years

20. Charles Woodson 

It’s difficult to compare the only primarily defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy to others in terms of dominance, but Woodson’s 1997 campaign will certainly live forever in college football history.

The Fremont, Ohio native showed off his athletic versatility in high school by becoming the state’s Mr. Football while playing point guard and starring as a track and field sprinter. Upon arriving at Michigan in 1995, Woodson took over as a starting cornerback by the second game of his freshman year while also getting a few snaps as a wide receiver and punt returner.

Woodson emerged as a star defender as a sophomore with 15 pass breakups en route to being named a first team All-American. Michigan gave Woodson more opportunities on offense in 1997 and he responded with one of the greatest all-around seasons ever, piling up seven interceptions to rank second in the nation, nine pass breakups, 11 catches for 231 yards and two scores, plus a punt return touchdown to help beat Ohio State.

The Wolverines finished the regular season undefeated and went on to capture the national championship, making Woodson a definite Heisman contender as the most important player on the best team. Woodson topped legendary quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee by 272 points, a result that still doesn’t sit well with some college football fans around the nation.

As Woodson just can’t quite take over a game or season like the many quarterbacks who have won Heismans over the years, his campaign isn’t quite as dominant as some. Still, no other defensive player is likely to join Woodson as a Heisman winner, and his 1997 season deserves to be honored.