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What school has the most Heisman Trophy winners? USC leads ahead of a three-way tie for second

michelle r. martinelli
·3-min read
12/3/2005 --- UCLA @ USC --- Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A: USC's Reggie Bush stiff arms UCLA's Chris Horton on his way to a 9-yards gain in the Trojans' 66 - 19 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC will play for the National Championship against Texas in the Rose Bowl. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff (Via MerlinFTP Drop)
12/3/2005 --- UCLA @ USC --- Los Angeles, CA, U.S.A: USC's Reggie Bush stiff arms UCLA's Chris Horton on his way to a 9-yards gain in the Trojans' 66 - 19 win at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC will play for the National Championship against Texas in the Rose Bowl. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY staff (Via MerlinFTP Drop)

While college football teams have their eye on the College Football Playoff and playing for a national championship, star individual players and their squads are also mounting a Heisman Trophy campaign.

Awarded to the sport's most outstanding individual player, the Heisman ceremony is one of the most highly anticipated moments when the regular season ends, and some schools have produced a few more winners than everyone else. In fact, for or the last couple years, there has been a four-way tie among college football programs with the most Heisman Trophy winners. Technically, anyway.

With Caleb Williams' Heisman win with USC in 2022, the Trojans moved into a four-way tie for most winners with seven, along with Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Technically.

But with former USC running back Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman finally being returned to him 2024, the Trojans stand alone. Bush previously forfeited his Heisman in the wake of NCAA sanctions against USC, some of which involved Bush for receiving improper benefits. But with college sports now allowing athletes to capitalize off their names, images and likenesses, the Heisman Trust reinstated Bush's award.

And because of that, the Trojans now stand alone as the school with the most Heisman winners. Here’s a breakdown of the programs with at least two winners in the past.

USC: 8 Heisman winners

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira (91) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-491496 ORIG FILE ID: 20221126_gav_sv5_023.jpg

  1. Mike Garrett, 1965

  2. O.J. Simpson, 1968

  3. Charles White, 1979

  4. Marcus Allen, 1981

  5. Carson Palmer, 2002

  6. Matt Leinart, 2004

  7. Reggie Bush, 2005

  8. Caleb Williams, 2022

Notre Dame: 7 Heisman winners

SOUTH BEND -1987: Tim Brown #81 of Notre Dame Fighting Irish waits for the snap during a game in the 1987 season in South Bend, Indiana. ( Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
SOUTH BEND -1987: Tim Brown #81 of Notre Dame Fighting Irish waits for the snap during a game in the 1987 season in South Bend, Indiana. ( Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

  1. Angelo Bertelli, 1943

  2. John Lujack, 1947

  3. Leon Hart, 1949

  4. John Lattner, 1953

  5. Paul Hornung, 1956

  6. John Huarte, 1964

  7. Tim Brown, 1987

Ohio State: 7 Heisman winners

Unknown date; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Ohio State Buckeyes and running back Archie Griffin (45) in action at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20080210_rvr_se1_380.jpg
Unknown date; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Ohio State Buckeyes and running back Archie Griffin (45) in action at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20080210_rvr_se1_380.jpg

  1. Les Horvath, 1944

  2. Vic Janowicz, 1950

  3. Howard Cassady, 1955

  4. Archie Griffin, 1974

  5. Archie Griffin, 1975

  6. Eddie George, 1995

  7. Troy Smith, 2006

Oklahoma: 7 Heisman winners

Dec 29, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles in the 2018 Orange Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles in the 2018 Orange Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Billy Vessels, 1952

  2. Steve Owens, 1969

  3. Billy Sims, 1978

  4. Jason White, 2003

  5. Sam Bradford, 2008

  6. Baker Mayfield, 2017

  7. Kyler Murray, 2018

Alabama: 4 Heisman winners

Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles for yardage against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-452485 ORIG FILE ID: 20211002_lah_db7_0393.JPG
Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles for yardage against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-452485 ORIG FILE ID: 20211002_lah_db7_0393.JPG

  1. Mark Ingram, 2009

  2. Derrick Henry, 2015

  3. DeVonta Smith, 2020

  4. Bryce Young, 2021

Army: 3 Heisman winners

Army #35 Felix 'Doc" Blanchard" --- DATE TAKEN: Unavailable No Byline Sports Information Office United States Military Acadmey HO - handout ORG XMIT: UT77900
Army #35 Felix 'Doc" Blanchard" --- DATE TAKEN: Unavailable No Byline Sports Information Office United States Military Acadmey HO - handout ORG XMIT: UT77900

  1. Felix “Doc” Blanchard, 1945

  2. Glenn Davis, 1946

  3. Pete Dawkins, 1958

Auburn: 3 Heisman winners

ORG XMIT: 104428106 ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 104428106KC053_SEC_Champion
ORG XMIT: 104428106 ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 104428106KC053_SEC_Champion

  1. Pat Sullivan, 1971

  2. Bo Jackson, 1985

  3. Cam Newton, 2010

Florida: 3 Heisman winners

Jan 8, 2008; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow (15) celebrates after the 2009 BCS Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium. The Gators beat the Sooners 24-14. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20090108_jla_sj8_112.jpg
Jan 8, 2008; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow (15) celebrates after the 2009 BCS Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium. The Gators beat the Sooners 24-14. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20090108_jla_sj8_112.jpg

  1. Steve Spurrier, 1966

  2. Danny Wuerffel, 1996

  3. Tim Tebow, 2007

Florida State: 3 Heisman winners

1/4/2000 - Sugar Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies -- FSU's Chris Weinke tries to avoid a sack by VT's David Pugh by straightarming him. Weinke was sacked on the play by Pugh. ORG XMIT: SUGAR BOWL FF0019
1/4/2000 - Sugar Bowl - Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies -- FSU's Chris Weinke tries to avoid a sack by VT's David Pugh by straightarming him. Weinke was sacked on the play by Pugh. ORG XMIT: SUGAR BOWL FF0019

  1. Charlie Ward, 1993

  2. Chris Weinke, 2000

  3. Jameis Winston, 2013

Michigan: 3 Heisman winners

1997; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines cornerback (2) Charles Woodson in action against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
1997; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines cornerback (2) Charles Woodson in action against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports

  1. Tom Harmon, 1940

  2. Desmond Howard, 1991

  3. Charles Woodson, 1997

Nebraska: 3 Heisman winners

(01/03/2002) Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch tosses a few balls during warmups as Miami plays Nebraska in the Bowl Championship Series in the Rose Bowl, January 3, in Pasadena, CA. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY ORG XMIT: CROUCH MT108.JPG
(01/03/2002) Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch tosses a few balls during warmups as Miami plays Nebraska in the Bowl Championship Series in the Rose Bowl, January 3, in Pasadena, CA. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY ORG XMIT: CROUCH MT108.JPG

  1. Johnny Rodgers, 1972

  2. Mike Rozier, 1983

  3. Eric Crouch, 2001

LSU: 3 Heisman winners

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 46-41 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 09: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 46-41 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

  1. Billy Cannon, 1959

  2. Joe Burrow, 2019

  3. Jayden Daniels, 2023

Georgia: 2 Heisman winners

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs former player Herschel Walker on the sidelines before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs former player Herschel Walker on the sidelines before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

  1. Frank Sinkwich, 1942

  2. Herschel Walker, 1982

Miami (Fla.): 2 Heisman winners

11-28-92 --- MIAMI @ SAN DIEGO --- Gino Torretta, Miami
11-28-92 --- MIAMI @ SAN DIEGO --- Gino Torretta, Miami

  1. Vinny Testaverde, 1986

  2. Gino Torretta, 1992

Navy: 2 Heisman winners

Nov 2, 1963; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Roger Staubach (12) looks to throw against Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Navy defeated Michigan 26. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20080210_rvr_se1_391.jpg
Nov 2, 1963; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Roger Staubach (12) looks to throw against Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Navy defeated Michigan 26. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE ORIG FILE ID: 20080210_rvr_se1_391.jpg

  1. Joe Bellino, 1960

  2. Roger Staubach, 1963

Texas: 2 Heisman winners

1 Jan 1999: Ricky Williams #34 of the Texas Longhorns carries the ball during the Southwest Bell Cotton Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Texas defeated Mississippi St 38-11. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport (Via MerlinFTP Drop)
1 Jan 1999: Ricky Williams #34 of the Texas Longhorns carries the ball during the Southwest Bell Cotton Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Texas defeated Mississippi St 38-11. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport (Via MerlinFTP Drop)

  1. Earl Campbell, 1977

  2. Ricky Williams, 1998

Texas A&M: 2 Heisman winners

Sep 29, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE ORG XMIT: USPW-90972 ORIG FILE ID: 20120929_lbm_ad1_045.JPG
Sep 29, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE ORG XMIT: USPW-90972 ORIG FILE ID: 20120929_lbm_ad1_045.JPG

John David Crow, 1957

Johnny Manziel, 2012

Wisconsin: 2 Heisman winners

ABC18 (12/8/98)1999 ROSE BOWL presented by AT&T-- Heisman Trophy candidate Cade McNown and the UCLA Bruins (left) will clash with the Wisconsin Badgers and their star running back Ron Dayne (right), in the 1999 ROSE BOWL presented by AT&T, from Pasadena, CA, on FRIDAY, JAN. 1 (4:30-8:30 pm, ET) airing on the ABC Television Network. PLEASE LOG ONTO abcmedianet.com FOR MORE PHOTOS AND INFORMATION ON THE BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. Photo credits: Craig Sjodin/ABC (left), Scott Clarke/ESPN (right). ORG XMIT: ABC18

  1. Alan Ameche, 1954

  2. Ron Dayne, 1999

Yale: 2 Heisman winners

Yale mascot Handsome Dan XIV, aka Whizzer. Photo by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity
Yale mascot Handsome Dan XIV, aka Whizzer. Photo by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity

  1. Larry Kelley, 1936

  2. Clinton Frank, 1937

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: What school has the most Heisman Trophy winners? USC leads ahead of a three-way tie for second