If Auburn football were a film franchise made up of blockbusters, its Heisman Trophy winners would be its A-list leading men—the actors whose performances ignited stadiums, dominated headlines, and rewrote the books on greatness on the field. Other schools produce Heisman hopefuls by the calendar year, but Auburn does not.
When it produces a winner, it is not just impressive—it’s iconic. Let’s dive into the Auburn Tigers’ entire roster of winners of college football’s most coveted award—and why their names are forever etched in the sport’s history.
Pat Sullivan—1971 (Quarterback)
Before Auburn in national championship talk, Pat Sullivan, the smooth-throwing quarterback, put the Tigers on the Heisman map. Sullivan threw for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in just 11 games in 1971—a record-breaking achievement when offenses were still run-dominated.
Sullivan led Auburn to a 9-1 regular-season record and was almost unbeatable with his passes. He developed one of the nation’s most feared quarterback-wide receiver tandems with teammate Terry Beasley.
Sullivan’s poise and leadership in clutch situations swayed voters. “Pat’s heart was as big as his arm,” legendary coach Shug Jordan once described. He wasn’t just our quarterback—he was our identity.”
After his Heisman victory, Sullivan broke ground for the program and led the way for future Auburn greats. His name was also commemorated when Auburn unveiled a statue of him outside Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2012.
Bo Jackson—1985 (Running Back)
If you’ve ever had someone say to you, “Bo Knows,” then you already know the direction we’re going. Bo Jackson wasn’t just a football player—he was a legend in life. During his 1985 Heisman-winning season, Jackson rushed for an unbelievable 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns, scaring SEC defenses on Saturdays. And what made it all the more amazing? He did it with a separated shoulder.
Bo wasn’t just powerful—he was fast. At 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, he could run a 4.1 40-yard dash, flatten linebackers, and leave cornerbacks in the dust.
“I’ve never coached a better athlete than Bo Jackson,” Auburn coach Pat Dye once said. “He was poetry in motion—if poetry could stiff-arm a linebacker into the turf.”
Bo’s Heisman win beat out Chuck Long of Iowa and gave Auburn its second trophy. Off the field, he became a two-sport phenomenon—dominating the NFL and MLB—and one of the most recognized names in sports history. He made winning the Heisman look like the tip of the iceberg.
Cam Newton—2010 (Quarterback)
When Cam Newton arrived at Auburn in 2010, the fans were desperate for a spark. What they got was a wildfire. Cam didn’t just have a Heisman season—he had *the* Heisman season. Newton passed for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns, adding 1,473 rushing yards and 20 more scores on the ground. That’s 50 total touchdowns—and he made it look like backyard football.
Cam was a 6’5″, 250-pound dual-threat giant with the personality of a rock star. His Iron Bowl comeback win at Alabama and raw ability to take over games became an instant legend. He guided Auburn to an undefeated season, an SEC title, and the school’s first national championship since 1957.
“He’s the greatest player I’ve ever had the pleasure to coach at the collegiate level,” said former head coach Gene Chizik. “When Cam was on the field, we knew we were gonna win.”
Newton won the 2010 Heisman in a landslide, defeating Andrew Luck (Stanford), LaMichael James (Oregon), and Kellen Moore (Boise State) by 2,263 votes. He was the No. 1 NFL Draft pick and the 2015 NFL MVP. Yet his 2010 Auburn run is legendary—and unbroken.
Auburn Heisman Legacy: Small List, Big Impact
Auburn does not have as many Heisman winners as some blueblood schools, but they do possess something arguably better—quality and memorable legacies. All three of these Tigers revolutionized the game in their manner. Pat Sullivan was the classic pocket passer and Auburn pioneer. Bo Jackson was the larger-than-life figure who captivated the nation. Cam Newton? He redefined what a quarterback could do.
All three are commemorated with life-sized statues outside Jordan-Hare Stadium, where fans can relive the magic of Auburn’s golden years.
And maybe that’s what makes Auburn’s Heisman winners so special—they don’t just win the award. They sealed an era of gasps, goosebumps, and greatness that fans remember decades later.
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