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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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28. Ty Detmer (QB/Brigham Young)

Received 53.9% of the vote in 1990

  • PASSING: 361/562 (62.4%), 5188 yards, 41 TDs
  • RUSHING: 73 carries, -166 yards, 4 TDs
  • 7.91 yards/play
  • 14.1 plays/TD

Ty Detmer became BYU’s full-time starter as a sophomore in 1989, and immediately began to light up opposing defenses to begin building a Heisman campaign. In 1990, Detmer set a record for passing yards in a single season that continued to stand for 13 seasons. In throwing for over 5000 yards and 41 touchdowns, the BYU quarterback led the Cougars to their second of five straight WAC championships to earn his trip to Manhattan.

Through a combination of gaudy statistics, a huge game at home against high-powered Miami early in the season, and an ingenious marketing campaign, Detmer won the majority of the points available in all six regions of the country. Detmer returned the following season hoping to become the first player since Archie Griffin to win the Heisman two years in a row, but diminished statistics led him to finish third behind Desmond Howard in 1991.

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