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The Heisman Trophy: A Legacy of Excellence in College Football

Since 1935, the Heisman Trophy has been synonymous with excellence in college football, recognizing the most outstanding player of the year. Among the many talented athletes who have taken home this prestigious award, one program stands out from the rest: the University of Southern California (USC). With an impressive eight Heisman winners, the Trojans have cemented their reputation as a powerhouse in college football.

The Top Heisman-Producing Programs

So, which schools have produced the most Heisman winners? Let’s take a closer look:

USC: The Heisman Dynasty

With eight Heisman winners, USC reigns supreme. From Mike Garrett in 1965 to Caleb Williams in 2022, the Trojans have consistently produced exceptional talent.

• RB Mike Garrett (1965)
• RB O.J. Simpson (1968)
• RB Charles White (1979)
• RB Marcus Allen (1981)
• QB Carson Palmer (2002)
• QB Matt Leinart (2004)
• RB Reggie Bush (2005)
• QB Caleb Williams (2022)

Oklahoma: A Close Second

The University of Oklahoma follows closely behind USC, with seven Heisman winners.

• RB Billy Vessels (1952)
• RB Steve Owens (1969)
• RB Billy Sims (1978)
• QB Jason White (2003)
• QB Sam Bradford (2008)
• QB Baker Mayfield (2017)
• QB Kyler Murray (2018)

Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Alabama: Heisman Powerhouses

Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Alabama round out the top four, each with a rich history of producing Heisman winners.

• Ohio State: HB Les Horvath (1944), RB Vic Janowicz (1950), RB Howard Cassady (1955), RB Archie Griffin (1974 and 1975), RB Eddie George (1995), QB Troy Smith (2006)
• Notre Dame: QB Angelo Bertelli (1943), QB John Lujack (1947), TE Leon Hart (1949), RB John Lattner (1953), QB Paul Hornung (1956), QB John Huarte (1964), WR Tim Brown (1987)
• Alabama: RB Mark Ingram (2009), RB Derrick Henry (2015), WR Devonta Smith (2020), QB Bryce Young (2021)

The Rest of the Heisman Elite

Other programs have also made their mark on the Heisman Trophy, including LSU, Florida State, Auburn, Florida, Nebraska, Michigan, Army, Texas A&M, Wisconsin, Texas, Miami (Fla.), Georgia, Navy, and Yale.

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