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From Tebow to Cam to Lamar: Ranking every Heisman winner this century

By Cody Williams

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 29, 2008: Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the University of Florida Gators football team celebrates after a big play during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on November 29, 2008. The Gators won 45-15. (Photo by Jim Burgess/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 29, 2008: Tim Tebow, #15 quarterback of the University of Florida Gators football team celebrates after a big play during the game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on November 29, 2008. The Gators won 45-15. (Photo by Jim Burgess/University of Florida/Collegiate Images/Getty Images) /
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13 Nov 1999: Eric Crouch #7 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers carries the ball during a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Wildcats 41-15. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport
13 Nov 1999: Eric Crouch #7 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers carries the ball during a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Wildcats 41-15. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport /

19. Eric Crouch, Nebraska (2001)

Narrative and the success of the Cornhuskers was a big reason why Eric Crouch was able to win the Heisman Trophy in one of the closer races that we’ve seen in quite some time. He was good but, looking back at his numbers, it’s clear that his dual-threat abilities simply enamored many voters and they ran with it.

Crouch’s passing was downright bad as he completed only 55.6 percent of his throws for just 1,510 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions — yes, he had more interceptions than scores through the air. Though he did rush for 1,115 yards and 18 scores, his overall production is an outlier among other winners, which is why he ranks at the bottom of the 21st century winners.

18. Troy Smith, Ohio State (2006)

Make no mistake, Troy Smith was a great leader, great player and a guy who helped the Buckeyes to a great deal of success when he was at the helm of the Ohio State offense. But let’s also make no mistake that his overall numbers really leave a lot to be desired from the 2006 season.

Smith threw only 311 passes on the year for 2,542 yards. And while he had 30 touchdowns and only six interceptions, the lack of volume and yardage just makes it lackluster in these rankings, especially when you consider his rushing dipped 400 yards and 10 touchdowns from the previous season. While he was deserving of the Heisman, Smith’s winning season is just shy of the worst of the 21st century.

17. Matt Leinart, USC (2004)

Back in the dynastic days of USC before they were reeling off eight-win seasons and keeping their head coach around, Matt Leinart took over for Carson Palmer and never looked back. However, the odd part of his Heisman-winning 2004 season is the simple fact that it was the least productive of his three years with the Trojans.

In that season, he threw for 3,322 yards, 33 touchdowns and a career-low six interceptions, adding three rushing scores. Other than the interceptions, though, he bettered those numbers either as a sophomore or a senior. And considering how it compares to other winners, that just makes him a bit uninspiring when stacking everyone up against one another.

16. Carson Palmer, USC (2002)

Simply due to the fact that he was productive and good for four seasons with the USC Trojans, we tend to think of Carson Palmer as a world-beater as it pertains to the numbers he put up. And while he was undoubtedly a top-tier player, his 2002 season was not one that stacks up all that favorably to other winners this century.

That year, Palmer threw for 3,942 yards while completing 63.2 percent of his passes, both of which are solid numbers. He also had 33 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, which is also good to see. But good isn’t great when you’re talking about the best of the best in college football. Thus, Palmer’s season belongs in the bottom four.

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