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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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24. Joe Bellino (RB/Navy)

Received 52.9% of the vote in 1960

  • PASSING: 5/14 (35.7%), 112 yards, 2 TDs
  • RUSHING: 168 carries, 834 yards, 15 TDs
  • RECEIVING: 17 receptions, 280 yards, 3 TDs
  • KICK RETURNS: 13 returns, 286 yards, 0 TDs
  • PUNT RETURNS: 5 returns, 97 yards, 0 TDs
  • DEFENSE: 2 interceptions
  • KICKING: 2 extra points, 11 quick kicks (47.1 avg)
  • 7.56 yards/play
  • 11.0 plays/TD

Joe Bellino was one of the last wave of one-platoon players, starring on both sides of the ball en route to his 1960 Heisman victory. The man known as the “Winchester Rifle” in honor of his Massachusetts hometown became the first Navy man to win the award by doing a bit of everything for the Midshipmen. He finished with more than twice as many points in the final voting than Minnesota guard Tom Brown and finished atop voting in every region of the country.

Bellino was most well-known as a runner in the Navy backfield, finishing with 834 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in the 1960 season. He also threw 14 passes, connecting on only five but gaining 112 yards and two more scores through the air. Further, he caught 17 passes out of the backfield for another 280 yards and three scores. He was a designated return man for the Midshipmen, adding nearly 300 yards on 18 combined kicks and punts. In the defensive backfield he caught two interceptions, and also served as a kicker for a Navy team that finished fourth in the AP poll.

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