Who was the last Heisman Trophy winner from USC?

Caleb Williams has a chance to be USC’s first Heisman Trophy winner in over a generation.

USC Trojans star quarterback Caleb Williams is one of four finalists for the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

While the Oklahoma transfer is widely seen as the favorite to win this year’s award, a down performance vs. the Utah Utes in the Pac-12 Championship Game has at least made this an interesting race. Williams is up for the Heisman, alongside Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett IV, TCU quarterback Max Duggan and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. All of whom have a case.

With Williams still the favorite to win it, when was the last time a USC player won the Heisman?

Caleb Williams for Heisman: Who was USC’s last Heisman Trophy winner?

To date, USC has had seven players win the Heisman, including one that had to be vacated. Fate would have it, the Trojans’ seventh Heisman winner was the one who had to vacate it in 2005 winner running back Reggie Bush. Fortunately, USC had its sixth Heisman winner only the year prior with quarterback Matt Leinart taking home college football’s most distinguished honor.

Should Williams win the award, he would join Leinart (2004), quarterback Carson Palmer (2002), running back Marcus Allen (1981), running back Charles White (1979), running back O.J. Simpson (1968) and running back Mike Garrett (1965) in Trojans lore. That would tie Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma for the most ever with seven, technically surpassing it at eight with Bush…

Overall, the Trojans are in a good spot to overtake the Fighting Irish, the Buckeyes and the Sooners for the most Heisman Trophy winners all time in a few seasons because quarterback whisperer Lincoln Riley is their head coach. He had fantastic success during his initial run at Oklahoma, one where Baker Mayfield won it in 2017, Kyler Murray in 2018 and Jalen Hurts as 2019’s runner-up.

Even if Williams does not win the 2022 Heisman Trophy, he is not yet draft-eligible for the Trojans.

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