College football: Ranking every Heisman Trophy winner

59. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Howard Cassady, Ohio State Buckeyes football

Born in Columbus, Ohio, Howard “Hopalong” Cassady was born to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and play for them he did. A star running back and defensive back during his time at the school, Cassady helped the Buckeyes to a national title during the 1954 college football season, before landing the most coveted individual prize the following season, the Heisman Trophy.

Across his stellar career at Ohio State, Cassady proved to be a do-everything player for the program, averaging at least one touchdown in his 36 games at the school, and never allowing a completion during his time in the secondary. A two-time All-American, Cassady is one of the better overall athletes in Ohio State sports history as well, as he starred as a shortstop for the baseball team for three seasons.

At the time of his win, Cassady had won the Heisman by the largest margin of vote in the history of the ballot, an incredible accomplishment. The third overall pick in the 1956 NFL Draft, Cassady had a solid pro career as well, and when all was said and done, he saw his No. 40 retired by Ohio State, a fitting end to his outstanding sports journey as a Buckeye.

58. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Larry Kelley, Yale Bulldogs football

While Jay Berwanger was the first person to win what became known as the Heisman Trophy, the first player to ever be awarded an actual Heisman Trophy was Larry Kelley, who won the award the year after Berwanger did. It sounds confusing, but the trophy was not named the Heisman when Berwanger won it, though it was changed to that the following year.

Now that we have that out of the way, let us take a look at the player Kelley was. During the 1936 college football season, Kelley was a part of the Yale “Skull and Bones” squad and helped to revolutionize what it means to be a tight end in the college game during his time with the Bulldogs.

Kelley was the first of two consecutive Yale Bulldogs to win the award, as he was followed by teammate Clinton Frank the next season. As a two-way player for Yale, he really dominated on both sides of the ball. He finished his Heisman season with nearly 400 yards receiving and four touchdowns, gaudy stats by the standard back then. Not only was he a unanimous All-American, but he led Yale to a 7-1 record his final season on campus.

57. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Leon Hart, Notre Dame football

When it comes to being a winner, there are few players in the history of college football who can hold a candle to Notre Dame football end Leon Hart. In fact, across the 38 games that he played as a member of the Irish football team, Hart was never on the losing end of a game, posting a 36-0-2 record in his three-year career.

A starter as a sophomore, Hart would go on to be the best end in all of college football, dominating on both sides of the ball. Not only was he an excellent pass catcher, but he also had size, could run and was an elite blocker, everything you look for in a tight end back then, and especially in today’s game.

By winning the Heisman Trophy in 1949, Hart became the third member of the Irish football team to take home the award and would end up being the final end to win it over the history of the Heisman Trophy. He even called signals out on defense, and before all was said and done, Hart had been named a first-team All-American three times, won the Maxwell Award, and played a key role on three national title-winning Notre Dame football teams.