Heisman Trophy: Ranking the last 15 Heisman winners
By Gabe Encinas
2002 Heisman Stats: 309/489, 3,942 yards, 33 touchdowns, 10 interceptions
All but four opponents on USC’s schedule in 2002 season were ranked, which included three ranked non-conference games vs. No. 18 Colorado, No. 25 Kansas State, and No. 7 Notre Dame. This non-conference schedule also included the Auburn Tigers, who went out to finish the season out at 9-4.
This was a two-loss team, but Palmer still led this team to the Orange Bowl, in a convincing 38-17 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the two losses, both of them came from ranked opponents, on the road, ending in a one possession game.
At the time of the Heisman voting, he beat Iowa quarterback Brad Banks, Penn State’s Larry Johnson, Miami’s Willis McGahee and Ken Dorsey. Palmer lead an offense that averaging nearly 35 points a game and had two 1,000 yards receivers in Mike Williams and Keary Colbert, with Williams earning consensus All-American honors.
Unlike many other quarterbacks on this list, Palmer didn’t have the mobility, he would just beat you with his smarts and his arm. Although he did pick up four rushing touchdowns on the ground.
Next: 5. Marcus Mariota