The Worst Heisman Trophy Winners Ever!
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Dec 11 2016, 10:12 AM
Lamar Jackson captured the coveted Heisman Trophy, college football's top prize, on Saturday night in New York. Despite a blazingly hot start to the season, Jackson rapidly tapered off as the year went on and left the door slightly ajar for a surprise upset winner. In the end, however, Jackson took home the prize and - his pro career pending - faces the very real possibility of being one of the least noteworthy winners in Heisman Trophy history. In his honor, below we rank a few of the other Heisman winners that look a bit less great in hindsight. And despite the end of the regular season, if you're looking to keep the action going during Bowl season be sure and visit our friends at 12BET.
Andre Ware (Houston, 1989) - Ware set a ridiculous 26 NCAA records during the 1989 season, utilizing a trendy run-and-shoot offense. Most famously, Ware laid the smackdown on in-state rival SMU with a 95-21 victory that put his Southwest Conference campaign on the map. Ware took the trophy, was drafted by the woeful Detroit Lions and was never heard from again.
Gary Beban (UCLA 1967) - Beban lead a top-ranked UCLA team into an epic showdown with crosstown rival USC, losing in a classic heartbreaker - and propelling the hated Trojans to a National Championship - that haunts Westwood to this day. It was Beban's stats in that high profile game - 16 for 24 passes for 301 yards and two TD's - that gave him the momentum to take the Heisman, despite the amazing stats compiled by O.J. Simpson, who had compiled a much better season overall statistically. Simpson would be avenged, however, winning the trophy the next year before going on to later infamy.
Gino Toretta (Miami, 1992) - Marshall Faulk put the San Diego State Aztecs on his back, racking up 1,630 yards and 15 touchdowns and establishing himself as an all-time great. Meanwhile, somehow, Gino Toretta won the Heisman. Amazingly pulling off a feat that fellow Hurricanes Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinnie Testaverde never could, Toretta benefitted from playing for a high profile national title contender with a ridiculously strong defense. Toretta went on to have a middling NFL career, while Faulk remains a legend to this day.
George Rogers (South Carolina, 1980) - Despite a stunning performance by freshman running back Herschel Walker for the eventual National Champions, it was South Carolina's George Rogers who squeaked out the Heisman win. Despite an 8-4 record for the Gamecocks, Rogers was able to knock off Walker (who would eventually go on to win the award) and stud defensive end Hugh Green to take home the award. Decades later, Walker is still considered one of the best to ever play the game while Rogers is nearly forgotten.
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Lamar Jackson captured the coveted Heisman Trophy, college football's top prize, on Saturday night in New York. Despite a blazingly hot start to the season, Jackson rapidly tapered off as the year went on and left the door slightly ajar for a surprise upset winner. In the end, however, Jackson took home the prize and - his pro career pending - faces the very real possibility of being one of the least noteworthy winners in Heisman Trophy history. In his honor, below we rank a few of the other Heisman winners that look a bit less great in hindsight. And despite the end of the regular season, if you're looking to keep the action going during Bowl season be sure and visit our friends at 12BET.
Andre Ware (Houston, 1989) - Ware set a ridiculous 26 NCAA records during the 1989 season, utilizing a trendy run-and-shoot offense. Most famously, Ware laid the smackdown on in-state rival SMU with a 95-21 victory that put his Southwest Conference campaign on the map. Ware took the trophy, was drafted by the woeful Detroit Lions and was never heard from again.
Gary Beban (UCLA 1967) - Beban lead a top-ranked UCLA team into an epic showdown with crosstown rival USC, losing in a classic heartbreaker - and propelling the hated Trojans to a National Championship - that haunts Westwood to this day. It was Beban's stats in that high profile game - 16 for 24 passes for 301 yards and two TD's - that gave him the momentum to take the Heisman, despite the amazing stats compiled by O.J. Simpson, who had compiled a much better season overall statistically. Simpson would be avenged, however, winning the trophy the next year before going on to later infamy.
Gino Toretta (Miami, 1992) - Marshall Faulk put the San Diego State Aztecs on his back, racking up 1,630 yards and 15 touchdowns and establishing himself as an all-time great. Meanwhile, somehow, Gino Toretta won the Heisman. Amazingly pulling off a feat that fellow Hurricanes Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar and Vinnie Testaverde never could, Toretta benefitted from playing for a high profile national title contender with a ridiculously strong defense. Toretta went on to have a middling NFL career, while Faulk remains a legend to this day.
George Rogers (South Carolina, 1980) - Despite a stunning performance by freshman running back Herschel Walker for the eventual National Champions, it was South Carolina's George Rogers who squeaked out the Heisman win. Despite an 8-4 record for the Gamecocks, Rogers was able to knock off Walker (who would eventually go on to win the award) and stud defensive end Hugh Green to take home the award. Decades later, Walker is still considered one of the best to ever play the game while Rogers is nearly forgotten.
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