The List of Big 10 Heisman Trophy Winners

By pauloconnor
Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the Heismann.

The Big 10 is well represented in Heisman Trophy lore with 13 winners taking home 14 trophies.

The Big 10 can claim the only player to win two Heisman Trophies in Archie Griffin of Ohio State. The Big 10 also has the only true defensive player to win the award when Charles Woodson of Michigan won, although in the era when players wore leather helmets many played both ways.

Ohio State has won six Heisman Trophies, Michigan players have won three while both Wisconsin and Minnesota have had two winners.

Big 10 Heisman Trophy Winners

  • 1939, Nile Kinnick, RB, Iowa. Kinnick is an Iowa icon and known as the greatest Hawkeye ever. Kinnick was a runner, passer and punter- he even made 11 drop-kicks. He died in WWII and Iowa now plays in Kinnick Stadium.
  • 1940, Tom Harmon, RB, Michigan. Great three year run as starter. Signature game came against Ohio State when Harmon ran for two touchdowns, passed for two and intercepted three passes a couple weeks before Heisman ballots were due.
  • 1941, Bruce Smith, RB, Minnesota. Star player of Golden Gophers best era and led his team to two consecutive National Championships. His Heisman presentation came 48 hours after Pearl Harbor.
  • 1944, Les Horvath, QB, Ohio State. Nicknamed the “Players Coach,” Horvath played both ways and ran for 12, and passed for six touchdowns.
  • 1950, Vic Janowicz, RB, Ohio State. Another multiple threat player who passed, ran, played safety and handled kicking chores.
  • 1954, Alan Ameche, FB, Wisconsin. One of only two fullbacks to win the Heisman. The “Iron Horse” led his team to 26 victories in three years while setting a slew of rushing and scoring records.
  • 1955, Howard Cassady, RB, Ohio State. “Hopalong” Cassady scored 37 touchdowns in only 36 games and also played a stellar safety position as no passes were completed over him in four years.
  • 1974 & 1975, Archie Griffin, RB, Ohio State. The only two-time Heisman winner and considered by many the greatest college player of all-time. Griffin closed out his career with a streak of 31 straight 100 yard games. Still works in the athletic department of his alma mater.
  • 1991, Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan. Wide receiver and kick-returner who had signature touchdown with a fourth quarter, diving catch against Notre Dame. Howard also went on to win a Super Bowl MVP.
  • 1995, Eddie George, RB, Ohio State. George won one of the closest Heisman votes. He highlighted his season with a 300 yard game and averaged over 150 per game. He went on to multiple Pro-Bowls in the NFL.
  • 1997, Charles Woodson, CB, Michigan. The only true defensive player to win the Heisman as he edged out Peyton Manning. Woodson had eight interceptions and returned kicks while leading Michigan to a 12-0 record, a Rose Bowl victory and a National Championship.
  • 1999, Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin. Dayne ran away with the voting as he did from defenders rushing  for over 1,800 yards and becoming the all-time rushing leader among Heisman winners.
  • 2006, Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State. Second largest voting margin in Heisman voting, Smith passed for 30 touchdowns and led his team to the BCS National Championship Game.
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