12 Schools With The Most Heisman Trophy Winners

The Heisman trophy is the most prestigious award in college football. Given annually to the best player in the sport, it recognizes individual achievement on the gridiron.

The trophy has been awarded yearly dating back to 1935. The inaugural champion was halfback Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago, who also happened to be the first ever NFL Draft pick.

In all, 90 trophies have been handed out to 89 winners, with Ohio State’s Archie Griffin being the lone two-time victor.

Over those last nine decades, a handful of schools stand out in terms of producing success. Below are the 12 teams with the most Heisman trophy winners in college football history.

LSU Tigers

The Tigers have three Heisman trophy winners with the last being quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2023.

Four years earlier, Joe Burrow took home the hardware while the program’s first winner was Billy Cannon in 1959.

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska has three all-time winners with the last being Eric Crouch. The dual threat quarterback threw for 1,510 yards and rushed for 1,115 more in 2001.

Johnny Rodgers was the Cornhuskers’ first Heisman winner in 1972 with Mike Rozier following in 1983.

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan, too, has three all-time Heisman trophy winners. Charles Woodson became the first victor to play predominantly on defense in 1997.

Before that, Desmond Howard earned the honor in 1991 while Tom Harmon was the first Wolverine to win in 1940.

Florida State Seminoles

The Seminoles have three Heisman trophy winners in program history. All are quarterbacks who also won national titles.

Jameis Winston landed his award in 2013. Charlie Ward (1993) and Chris Weinke (2000) preceded him.

Florida Gators

The Gators have three Heisman trophy winners. Like the rival Seminoles, each is a quarterback.

Steve Spurrier won the program’s first in 1966. He then coached the next winner, Danny Wuerffel, in 1996. Tim Tebow won the most recent trophy in 2007.

Army Black Knights

Army has three award winners in its storied history. Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis went back-to-back in 1945 and 1946.

Pete Dawkins was the last Black Knight to claim a Heisman trophy in 1958.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn has three all-time winners with the first being Pat Sullivan in 1971. Bo Jackson followed in 1985.

Cam Newton was the last Tiger to win during his national championship season in 2010.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama has four Heisman trophy winners, all of which have come since the 2009 season.

Running back Mark Ingram won the first. Derrick Henry followed in 2015. Devonta Smith became the fourth wideout to win in 2020 before quarterback Bryce Young won the next year.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame has seven Heisman trophy winners in school history, though none have come in the last 35 years.

Tim Brown is the most recent winner (1987). Angelo Bertelli, John Lujack, and Leon Hart won in the 1940s, followed by John Lattner (1953), Paul Hornung (1956), and John Huarte (1964).

Oklahoma Sooners

Oklahoma has seen seven players win the prestigious award with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray going back-to-back in 2017 and 2018.

Billy Vessels (1952) was the school’s first winner. Steve Owens (1969), Billy Sims (1978), Jason White (2003), and Sam Bradford (2008) complete the list.

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes technically have six winning players, but they boast seven trophies. Archie Griffin is a two-time winner (’74, ’75).

Les Horvath (1944) was Ohio State’s first winner. Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard Cassady (1955), Eddie George (1995), and Troy Smith (2006) followed.

USC Trojans

USC is the school with the most Heisman winners. The Trojans claim eight trophies with the last being Caleb Williams in 2022.

Reggie Bush won in 2005 after teammate Matt Leinart in 2004. Carson Palmer (2002), Marcus Allen (1981), Charles White (1979), OJ Simpson (1968), and Mike Garrett (1965) round out the lengthy list.