Whenever people speak about former BYU quarterback TY Detmer, it becomes all about the Heisman trophy, exceptional stats, and an argument that he is the greatest quarterback in school football history.
So far, BYU has one Heisman trophy, and all thanks go to Detmer, who delivered a season for the ages back in 1990. Over the years, it’s not just him winning the only Heisman trophy for BYU; his contributions on and off the pitch have had a lasting impact.
Detmer was the first collegian from the Rockies to win the Heisman Trophy. A 28-21 upset over Miami, who was ranked 1, vaulted Detmer to the forefront in the Heisman race his junior season.
A Heisman-Worthy year of Ty Detmer
Detmer threw for 5,188 yards in 1990 on 562 attempts. It includes 28 interceptions along with 41 touchdowns. The Heisman Moment came for him against Miami. Detmer threw for 406 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 victory.
In addition to being the first Heisman Trophy winner from BYU, he was also the first to win the prestigious award from the WAC conference. Fast-forward to 2025, and he is still the sole Heisman Trophy winner from BYU.
Confidence in the team was there for Detmer.
“We had our team meeting the night before and we all went out and looked at the stadium after,” Detmer recalled about that win over Miami. “I felt a sense of confidence from our guys because ofour experienced. We felt like we could go in and compete with them.”
There’s no doubt that Detmer’s leadership and quality traits were extremely important in the 28-21 win. That victory pretty much became a key moment in the 1990 season. The win paved the way for the Heisman trophy. It was the most memorable campaign.
He finished his career as a two-time All-American and was also one of the most beloved players at BYU.
A Great Honor
Due to a bright spotlight on Detmer, most people fail to look at his early struggles. His transition to the NFL came with a share of challenges. Weighing around 185 pounds and standing 6 feet tall, he did not have the typical size or cannon arm that the scouts generally take an interest in.
The Green Bay Packers took a chance on him in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. Detmer went through all the hurdles in his career to have his moment, which we all know him for.
“Winning the Heisman was a great honor,” said Detmer. “There have been a lot of great players, like my teammates and previous BYU quarterbacks, that contributed to it. They opened the door. It shows the strength of the program at BYU.”
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A portrait of Detmer hangs with other recipients on the DAC of New York’s third floor. A duplicate portrait of Detmer is also on display in the Cougar Stadium’s Cougar room.
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