Heisman Trophy: Ranking the last 15 Heisman winners
By Gabe Encinas
2012 Heisman Stats: 295/434, 3,706 yards, 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 201 carries, 1,410 yards, 21 touchdowns
A redshirt freshman, Johnny Manziel, took home the Heisman in 2012 for the first time ever after captivating the nation with his improvisational skills. We’ve seen mobile quarterbacks before, but none performing at the level, both with the talent and the confidence, that Manziel did.
He was elusive in the pocket, and seemingly too slippery and elusive that defenses couldn’t corral him, even when the numbers completely outnumbers him. Manziel was responsible for 47 touchdowns on the year and broke SEC records held by Cam Newton that were once held by Tim Tebow. That’s good company to be in.
Manziel led the Aggies to a 11-2 mark on the season, but the biggest win of the year for Texas A&M in their first year in the SEC was when he accounted for more than 500 yards of offense and went into Tuscaloosa and beat No. 1 Alabama.
He then went on to lead his team to a Cotton Bowl victory over the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners.
Next: 8. Jameis Winston