Colleges with Most Heisman Winners

As a budding football player myself, I am curious! Do we know which colleges have produced the most Heisman Trophy winners? This might help me decide where to apply.

Indeed, being a football player can certainly influence your college search process, and following the footsteps of some of the best in the game is a great idea. As your question likely points to, the Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in collegiate football.

Historically, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California (USC) have each produced the most Heisman Trophy winners, with a total of 7 each. To be specific:

- Notre Dame's Heisman winners are Angelo Bertelli (1943), Johnny Lujack (1947), Leon Hart (1949), Johnny Lattner (1953), Paul Hornung (1956), John Huarte (1964), and Tim Brown (1987).

- USC's Heisman winners include Mike Garrett (1965), O.J. Simpson (1968), Charles White (1979), Marcus Allen (1981), Carson Palmer (2002), Matt Leinart (2004), and Reggie Bush (2005). However, it is important to note that Reggie Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy after the NCAA ruled he had accepted inappropriate benefits while playing for USC.

It's worth noting that although these universities have high numbers of Heisman winners, they are not the only institutions where you can pursue a successful football career. Other colleges, including Oklahoma University and Ohio State University, also have a rich football culture and have produced multiple Heisman Trophy winners. In fact, Oklahoma State University has had back-to-back winners before!

Finally, keep in mind that while these data points can give you a rough idea of universities' football programs' historic successes, they should not be the only factor in your college choice. You should also consider factors such as the academic programs, campus culture, financial aid packages, etc.