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The 30 Greatest Heisman Trophy Winners in College Football History

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal before the pre-announcement press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal before the pre-announcement press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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12. Vinny Testaverde (QB/Miami)

Received 70.3% of the vote in 1986

  • PASSING: 175/276 (63.4%), 2557 yards, 26 TDs
  • RUSHING: 46 carries, -103 yards, 4 TDs
  • RECEIVING: 7 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
  • 7.62 yards/play
  • 10.7 plays/TD

Three years after the school won its first national title, Vinny Testaverde brought the Miami Hurricanes their first Heisman Trophy victory. Testaverde finished first in the country in both passing touchdowns and total touchdowns and second in passing yards per attempt as he led a Miami offense that was third nationally in scoring. The Hurricanes went undefeated and spent 10 weeks atop the AP poll before losing the Fiesta Bowl 14-10 to Penn State.

The quarterback was the beneficiary of Miami’s growth into a powerhouse, though he certainly did plenty to earn the Heisman. Testaverde ranks seventh among Heisman-winning quarterbacks in plays per touchdown, and he dominated voting in the year of his victory. The Canes QB swept the regional votes, finishing with two-thirds of the first-place votes available and more than three times as many total points as runner-up Paul Palmer of Temple.

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