Which college has won the most Heisman Trophies? It’s a question that has intrigued college football fans for decades, and as we enter 2023, it’s a topic that’s hotter than ever. With so many talented players taking the field every year, the race for college football’s most prestigious award is always close. So, let’s dive in and explore which college has genuinely dominated the Heisman Trophy race over the years.
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The Heisman Trophy – History & Popularity
Every year, the best college football player in the United States is honored with the Heisman Trophy. The John Heisman Trophy, named after a legendary college football coach, is among the highest individual prizes in all American sports.
History:
There has been an annual presentation of the Heisman Award since 1935. John Heisman was a legendary football coach and player. Several offensive and defensive methods he developed as a coach at schools like Georgia Tech, Clemson, and Rice are still in use today.
The Downtown Athletic Club in New York City developed the concept for the Heisman Trophy in the 1930s to recognize the best college football player in the nation. John Heisman was enlisted to assist in the trophy’s creation and gladly did.
Jay Berwanger, a running back for the University of Chicago, won the inaugural Heisman Trophy. Since then, it’s been given to the best American college football player yearly.
Popularity:
The Heisman Trophy has recently become one of college football’s most prestigious honors. Thousands of college football players fight for the title of a national champion every year.
The ceremony is a highlight of the college football season in December. A group of sports writers and previous Heisman Trophy winners decide on the award winner a few weeks before the event.
There is a little cash reward and a bronze statue of John Heisman that goes to the winner of the Heisman Trophy. The award’s actual worth, however, lies in the reputation and status it provides its recipient. The recipient of the Heisman Trophy is universally regarded as one of the best college football players ever.
Several Heisman Trophy winners throughout history have gone on to prominent NFL careers. Tim Tebow, O.J. Simpson, Herschel Walker, and Bo Jackson are some of the most well-known Heisman Trophy winners.
Several additional college football prizes and recognitions have emerged due to the Heisman Trophy’s immense notoriety. Examples include the Walter Camp Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Doak Walker Award.
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Which College Has Won The Most Heisman Trophies In 2023
The University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious university in the United States. It has a rich history of academic excellence and athletic achievement. USC is particularly famous for its football program, which has a long and successful history. One of the hallmarks of this program is its impressive collection of Heisman Trophies, with USC being the college with the most Heisman Trophies won by its players.
USC has won eight Heisman Trophies, more than any other college or university. Mike Garrett was the first USC player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1965. Garrett was a running back for USC and helped lead the team to two national championships during his time there. He rushed for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season and remains one of USC’s most celebrated football players.
The following USC player to win the Heisman Trophy was O.J. Simpson in 1968. Simpson was a running back who set numerous records at USC, including rushing for over 1,700 yards and 22 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season. He went on to have a prosperous professional career in the NFL, and despite his controversies later in life, he remains a beloved figure in USC football history.
Charles White won the Heisman Trophy for USC in 1979. White was another running back who rushed for over 2,000 yards and scored 22 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season. He went on to play professionally in the NFL and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1996.
Marcus Allen was the next USC player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1981. Allen was a running back who set numerous records at USC, including rushing for over 2,400 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning season. Allen also had a booming professional career in the NFL, with a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2003.
Carson Palmer was the fifth USC player to win the Heisman Trophy in 2002. Palmer was a quarterback who led USC to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Orange Bowl during his Heisman-winning season. Palmer had a successful professional career in the NFL and was named the league’s MVP in 2005.
In 2004, Matt Leinart was the sixth Trojan to win the Heisman Award. Leinart was the quarterback who led USC to a national title in 2004 while passing for over 3,800 yards and 28 touchdowns. Leinart went on to play in the NFL professionally and is currently a Fox Sports commentator.
In 2005, Reggie Bush earned his sixth Heisman Trophy. Bush had a fantastic season as a running back, rushing for over 1,700 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns. Bush was eventually implicated in a controversy that ended in his forfeiting the Heisman Prize, but USC supporters continue to appreciate his outstanding field performance.
Caleb Williams was the most recent USC athlete to win the Heisman in 2022. The former five-star prospect from the Washington, D.C., region wowed throughout all 13 games, passing for 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns with just four interceptions and running for 372 yards and ten scores.
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Colleges With The Most Heisman Trophy Winners
The Heisman Trophy is among American college football’s most prestigious individual awards. Over the years, a handful of colleges have produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners, with some schools standing out above the rest. Let’s take a closer look at the top 5 colleges with the most Heisman Trophy winners:
#1. University of Southern California (USC)
The big award goes to the Trojans! The University of Southern California has an impressive number of seven Heisman trophies!
Their first win dates back to 1965 by Mike Garrett 1965. Since Garret’s win in ’65, several athletes have gone to prove themselves worthy of returning the trophy to the trojans!
#2. University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame has one of the most famous college football teams in history, and its players have won several Heisman Trophies.
Seven Heisman Trophy winners have come from Notre Dame, tied for second place with Ohio State University. In 1943, Angelo Bertelli was the first player from Notre Dame to win the Heisman Trophy. Bertelli was the quarterback for the Fighting Irish. In 1943, the team went unbeaten and won the national championship under his leadership. During that season, he threw for ten touchdowns and 1039 yards. He also ran for 110 yards and three touchdowns.
Paul Hornung was another well-known Notre Dame Heisman winner. He won the award in 1956. Hornung was a versatile player who did a lot for the Fighting Irish. He was the quarterback, played halfback, and even kicked and punted. During that season, he scored 94 points, a school record.
In 1964, another Notre Dame quarterback, John Huarte, won the Heisman Trophy. Huarte had a great season. He threw for 2,062 yards and 16 touchdowns, which helped the Fighting Irish go 9-1.
Tim Brown’s 1987 Heisman win may be the most well-known Notre Dame Heisman win. Brown was a wide receiver and kick returner for the Fighting Irish. He had a great season in which he caught 39 passes for 846 yards and three touchdowns. He also took 34 punts and ran them back for 401 yards and three touchdowns.
Johnny Lujack won the Heisman Trophy for Notre Dame in 1947, Leon Hart won it in 1949, and John Lattner won it in 1953. All these players had great careers at Notre Dame and made a mark that will last for a long time.
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#3. Ohio State University
Ohio State University has produced several excellent football players. The college has equaled Notre Dame with 7 Heisman Trophy winners.
Ohio State’s first Heisman winner was 1944’s, Les Horvath. Buckeyes quarterback, halfback, and safety Horvath was a versatile player for the team. He helped Ohio State win the Big Ten and go a record 9-0-0.
In 1974 and 1975, Archie Griffin won the Ohio State Heisman. He ran for 1,695 yards and 12 touchdowns in his Heisman-winning seasons. Archie Griffin is the first College football’s first two-time winner.
1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George ran for Ohio State. George carried for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns to help the Buckeyes win the Big Ten with an 11-2 record. Other winners of the Heisman trophy at Ohio state university include Troy Smith (2006), Janowicz (1950), Howard “Hopalong” Cassady (1955), and Roger Staubach (1963).
#4. University of Oklahoma
The fact that the University of Oklahoma has produced seven Heisman Trophy winners attests to the excellence of its football program over the years. In addition to being terrific athletes, these players have been outstanding representations of Oklahoma. Undoubtedly, the Sooners will continue producing exceptional football players for many years.
Billy Vessels was the first Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma, receiving the honor in 1952. That season, Vessels was a running back who carried 1,073 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping the Sooners to an 8-1-1 record and the conference title.
Another prominent Oklahoma Heisman winner Steve Owens won the trophy in 1969. Owens was a running back who led the Sooners to a 7-4 record that season by rushing for 1,523 yards and 23 touchdowns.
William Sims was an additional Oklahoma running back to win the Heisman Trophy, doing so in 1978. Sims carried for 1,762 yards and 20 touchdowns that season, guiding the Sooners to an 11-1 record and the conference title.
Barry Switzer, the famous head coach of Oklahoma, assisted two Sooners in winning the Heisman Award. In 1975, quarterback Steve Davis was the first. Davis passed for 1,388 yards and 11 touchdowns that season, guiding the Sooners to an 11-1 record and the conference title. As previously said, the second was running back Billy Sims in 1978, who had a fantastic season.
Previous Heisman Trophy winners from Oklahoma include Jason White (2003), Sam Bradford (2008), and Kyler Murray (2018). White and Bradford were exceptional quarterbacks who led the Sooners to conference titles and BCS bowl victories. Murray, also a quarterback, led the Sooners to a 12-2 record and a conference title by throwing for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns.
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#5. University of Texas
The University of Texas is one of the country’s most prestigious college football programs and has produced several legendary players over the years. The Longhorns have won four national championships and produced four Heisman Trophy winners.
The college has proven itself severally in the athletic field since the Texas Heisman win of 1977 by Earl Campbell. The quality of the athletic performance of the Longhorns is superb!
The most Heisman win of the Longhorns was Quarterback Colt McCoy in 2009. McCoy threw for 3,512 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing for 348 yards and three touchdowns that season, leading the Longhorns to a 13-0 record and a berth in the BCS National Championship game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which college has the most Heisman Trophies in 2023?
The University of Southern California has the highest Heisman trophy wins.
Who was the first Heisman Trophy winner from Notre Dame?
Angelo Bertelli was Notre Dame’s first Heisman Trophy winner, winning the award in 1943.
Who was the first Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State?
Les Horvath was Ohio State’s first Heisman Trophy winner, winning the award in 1944.
Who was the first Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma?
Billy Vessels was Oklahoma’s first Heisman Trophy winner, winning the award in 1952.
Conclusions
The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious college football awards annually to the most outstanding player. Over the years, several colleges have produced exceptional talent and won multiple Heisman Trophies.
It will be interesting to see which college will produce the next Heisman Trophy winner and how it will impact their program’s legacy. As the sport evolves, these colleges will undoubtedly continue to produce exceptional talent and add to their impressive collection of Heisman Trophies.
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