Which college has won the most Heisman trophies? It's a four-way tie.
Who will win the coveted Heisman Trophy this year?
We have to wait until December to find out, but early predictions are already underway. USA TODAY analysts named Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon among the potential contenders. Quarterbacks have won 20 of the 23 Heismans this century, USA TODAY previously reported.
Here’s everything you need to know about past winners of the prestigious award.
Which college has won the most Heisman Trophies?
Four colleges have won seven Heisman Trophies, the highest number for any given school since the award was founded in 1935:
Notre Dame: 1943, 1947, 1949, 1953, 1956, 1964, 1987
Ohio State: 1944, 1950, 1955, 1974, 1975, 1995, 2006
Oklahoma: 1952, 1969, 1978, 2003, 2008, 2017, 2018
USC: 1965, 1968, 1979, 1981, 2002, 2004, 2022
The University of Alabama has four Heismans while the University of Michigan, Army West Point, the University of Florida, Auburn University, the University of Nebraska, Louisiana State and Florida State have three.
Ohio State’s Archie Griffin is the only player to have won more than one Heisman. He won his first trophy as a junior in 1974 and made history in 1975 with his second. After college, he played with the Cincinnati Bengals for seven seasons.
What is the Heisman Trophy?
The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding college football player and their school. The New York-based Downtown Athletic Club started the award in 1935. It was originally named the DAC Trophy until the death of player and coach John W. Heisman in 1936 when it was renamed the Heisman Trophy as a tribute to his “inventiveness and contribution to football strategy.”
“The Trophy remains a national symbol of collegiate football experience, prowess, and competitiveness, awarded annually to an athlete designated as the Outstanding College Football Player in the United States,” the Heisman Trophy Trust writes on its site.
The selection process is complicated – six individuals appoint state representatives, who select voters in the form of impartial sports journalists, former Heisman winners and one fan. Voters nominate three players on the ballot, and the player with the highest points wins:
First choice: three points
Second choice: two points
Third choice: one point
Why was Reggie Bush stripped of his Heisman Trophy?
The 2005 Heisman was famously vacated amid NCAA violations. Reggie Bush returned his Heisman Trophy after an investigation found that he and his family accepted cash, travel expenses and a home while he was a student. As of 2021, NCAA athletes can now profit from their name, image and likeness.
Who won the Heisman Trophy in 2023?
LSU senior quarterback Jayden Daniels took home the prize last year, calling the honor "a dream come true."
The 22-year-old led the nation in total offense, passing efficiency, points responsible for, and rushing yards per carry. He also tied the lead in touchdown passes (40) with Oregon quarterback Bo Nix. Daniels also became the first player in college football history to amount 12,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career.
When is the Heisman Trophy awarded?
December is Heisman season every year. Expect to hear finalists on Dec. 9 and the 2024 Heisman winner will be telecast live on ESPN on Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heisman trophy winners of the past: Who has won the most?
