College football: Ranking every Heisman Trophy winner

74. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Tim Brown, Notre Dame football

While Tim Brown may have been the second wide receiver ever to win the Heisman Trophy, he did way more than just line up as a flanker for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. In fact, he was not only the most dangerous wideout in college football, but he was also an elite returner of both punts and kicks and was even used out of the backfield.

Though Notre Dame struggled during his time on campus, Brown certainly did not, as he became an all-purpose threat for the Irish, and after setting the school’s single-season reception record as a freshman, his star continued to shine. “Touchdown Timmy” would go on to set the school all-purpose yards single-season record as a junior, before winning the Heisman Trophy the following season in 1987.

Brown became the seventh member of the Notre Dame Football program to win the Heisman when he brought home the award, and he easily won the honor over Don McPherson, a talented quarterback from Syracuse. Though Notre Dame was barely .500 during his collegiate career and did not win a bowl game, Brown is one of the best players in school history and would go on to be one of the greatest wide receivers the NFL has ever seen.

73. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Billy Vessels, Oklahoma Sooners football

As a sophomore, Oklahoma star running back Billy Vessels led the Sooners to a national title, rushing for nearly 900 yards that season. His efforts led to him gaining national attention, but unfortunately for Vessels and the Sooners, he would break his leg and would have to sit out his junior season in 1951.

However, Vessels came back with vengeance the following season, leading the Sooners to a one-loss season, the only loss coming at the hands of Notre Dame. While the team lost, and Vessels had a costly fumble, the game really put him on the Heisman map and was likely the reason he won the award, as it was a nationally televised game.

In that game, Vessels rushed 17 times for nearly 200 yards, putting the Sooners on his back. In total, Vessels rushed for over 1,000 yards, racking up more yards than any other Heisman winner up until that point, as he was able to put together seven 100-yard games. He became the first T-Formation back to win the Heisman Trophy, was the first Oklahoma Sooner to take home the award, and would end up being the No. 1 overall pick of the Baltimore Colts, though he decided to play in the CFL instead.

72. Ranking every Heisman Trophy Winner: Les Horvath, Ohio State Buckeyes football

Of all the Heisman Trophy winners in the history of this prestigious award, Les Horvath from Ohio State University is one of the more interesting stories. A letterman for the team from 1940 through 1942, helping the Buckeyes to their first national title in 1942, Horvath expended his eligibility and entered Dental School.

However, due to a World War II-era rule that gave student-athletes a fourth season of eligibility, Horvath was coaxed into returning, and he put together one incredible season in 1944. The running back rushed for nearly 1,000 yards, threw for nearly 400 more, and led the Buckeyes to a perfect 9-0 record, and a No. 2 ranking in the country.

For his efforts, Horvath became the first member of this elite program to win the Heisman Trophy, as he was also named a first-team All-American and the Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten. Horvath finished second in the entire country in rushing that season, ending his collegiate career on the highest of notes, and the school honored him by retiring his No. 22. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and is one of two former Heisman winners to go on to be dentists according to the official Heisman website.