Ranking the most dominant Heisman campaigns of the last 25 years

17. Eddie George 

In a loaded year for running backs, George turned in an impressive 1995 campaign to capture a well-deserved Heisman Trophy.

George spent five years in prep school, improving his recruitment status as a senior at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia as a senior. Ohio State gave George playing time right away as a true freshman in 1992 and he was able to score five touchdowns, although fumbling problems cost him a chance at more snaps.

Those problems were addressed by the time George was a junior in 1994 when he was finally able to break through to the top of the depth chart. As a senior, George developed into college football’s best running back, piling up 328 carries for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns, including a 314-yard performance to set a school record in a win over Illinois.

Those numbers certainly put George in the Heisman race all season long, although there was little to separate the Ohio State running back from Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier and a number of other running backs who turned in huge seasons. Voters went with George, giving him a 264-point victory over Frazier and future Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel of Florida in third place.

George didn’t dominate the Heisman race like a few others, but standing out as the best of five running backs to average at least 150 yards per game during the 1995 season is impressive nonetheless.