Few college football teams can claim they’ve had not only one but three Heisman winners. And fewer still can argue that each contributed to a distinct era in the sport. From the Accuracy-era ’60s through the aerial ’90s to the smash-mouth, emotionally charged reign of the late 2000s, the Florida Gators have had no dearth of college football icons.
These are not only award winners—icons who transformed The Swamp into a stage and turned Gainesville into a Heisman hotbed.
Let’s take a step back in time and introduce the three Florida Gators who won the most coveted award in college football: Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, and Tim Tebow.
Steve Spurrier (1966)—The Original Heisman Gator
Before being referred to as the Head Football Coach, Steve Spurrier was the slick-haired quarterback who dazzlingly drew defenses in an era when passing was still seen as flashy. In 1966, Spurrier became Florida’s first Heisman Trophy winner, paving the way for a Gainesville tradition of upper-echelon quarterback play.
Spurrier passed for 2,012 yards and 16 touchdowns that year—gigantic figures for the time. But it wasn’t only the numbers that did it; it was the theatrics. In one of the year’s most memorable moments, he kicked a 40-yard field goal to defeat Auburn late in the game. Yes, the quarterback kicked the winning field goal. Talk about MVP.
He concluded his Gator stint with a then-school record of 4,848 passing yards and was infamous for his brain, cool-under-pressure demeanor, and cocky swagger that admirers still romanticize. His Heisman win not only set him on the national map but also provided Florida with a place at the table nationally in the sport of college football.
He went on to play in the NFL, but his real legacy was as a coach, most notably again in Gainesville, where he took the Gators to their first national championship in 1996. It was a circle-back moment for the man who began it all.
Danny Wuerffel (1996)—The Commander of the ‘Fun ‘n’ Gun’
Fast forward 30 years, and the Gators had become one of the most electric teams in the country, thanks mainly to the offensive genius of Steve Spurrier, now the head coach. At the helm of his Fun’n’ Gun offense? None other than Danny Wuerffel, the quiet assassin who turned Spurrier’s aggressive passing scheme into pure magic.
Wuerffel won the 1996 Heisman after throwing for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns—numbers that made defenders sweat before they even stepped onto the field. He guided the Gators to an SEC Championship and a national championship that year, culminating in a Sugar Bowl 52–20 thrashing of Florida State.
What set Wuerffel apart wasn’t his arm, but his leadership. He was composed, laser-sharp, and made few mistakes. He was also famous for his off-the-field humility and strong Christian faith. “Football is a game,” Wuerffel liked to say. “Faith and character last forever.”
Wuerffel’s Heisman victory was a landslide over Iowa State’s Troy Davis and Arizona State’s Jake Plummer—and remains one of the most overwhelming seasons by a college quarterback. Post-eligibility, he became involved with a nonprofit and operated Desire Street Ministries, assisting with rebuilding neighborhoods throughout the Deep South—a champion on the field and in life.
Tim Tebow (2007)—The Passionate Powerhouse
If Spurrier was the cool tactician and Wuerffel the humble surgeon, Tim Tebow was the emotional locomotive. In 2007, Tebow didn’t merely win the Heisman—he redefined what the award was for a quarterback to achieve.
That season, Tebow became the first in NCAA history to pass for more than 20 touchdowns (32) and rush for more than 20 additional (23) in one season. He passed for 3,286 yards and ran for 895 more—basically playing fullback and quarterback in one big, unstoppable body.
He was a sophomore—the first to win the Heisman—and did it with brute strength, leadership, and charisma. He beat out Arkansas’s Darren McFadden and Missouri’s Chase Daniel, sealing his place as one of the most celebrated players in college football history.
“I just wanted to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Tebow started off his Heisman speech, “and my teammates, because without them, this isn’t possible.”
And it wasn’t all talk. Tebow’s “Promise Speech”, which followed a shocking defeat to Ole Miss, in which he vowed no player would work harder, became legendary. The Gators rebounded, went on a tear, and won the national championship 2008. He never won another Heisman but finished twice in the top five.
Tebow continued playing in the NFL, experimented with pro baseball, and became a best-selling author and motivational speaker. His legacy is unmatched in heart and impact.
KEEP READING: Top Players Not Participating At The 2025 NFL Combine
Three quarterbacks. Three different styles. One legacy. Florida’s three Heisman winners brought pride to Gator Nation and demonstrated to the world that Gainesville doesn’t merely make winners—it makes legends.
Whether you’re a lifelong Gator fan or just love a good football story, one thing’s clear: the Heisman lives in Gainesville and smiles wide behind that blue and orange face mask.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
