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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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27. Tom Harmon (RB/Michigan)

Received 54.3% of the vote in 1940

  • PASSING: 43/94 (45.7%), 506 yards, 6 TDs
  • RUSHING: 191 carries, 852 yards, 15 TDs
  • KICK RETURNS: 50 returns, 1896 yards, 0 TDs
  • PUNT RETURNS: 25 returns, 348 yards, 0 TDs
  • KICKING: 21 total points (18 XP, 1 FG)
  • 10.01 yards/play
  • 17.1 plays/TD

Tom Harmon won Michigan’s first Heisman Trophy thanks to a versatile and dominant effort on both offense and special teams. The single-wing tailback handled passing and rushing responsibilities in the Wolverine offense, finishing the season with 21 touchdowns as Fritz Crisler’s team finished third in the final AP poll and won what was then known as the Western Conference. Harmon also served as the team’s placekicker and return man, fielding 75 combined punts and kickoffs and finishing the year with 21 points from his foot.

Harmon finished the year as the top Heisman candidate in four out of the five regions voting around the country. Only the southwest region dissented, putting Harmon second in the voting behind Texas A&M running back John Kimbrough. Harmon ranks fourth all-time among Heisman winners in terms of yards per play, and remains one of the most versatile winners of the award in its long history.

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