If college football had a red carpet affair, the Heisman Trophy ceremony would be it. It’s the time when legends are anointed, poses are taken, and dreams are cast in bronze. And if there’s one school in the South that knows how to roll up to the party in style, it’s Florida State University. The Seminoles haven’t merely won Heisman winners—they’ve created an era-redefining star, especially the ones whose Saturdays came alive and whose opposing defenses reeled from cleat to ankle.
Florida State boasts three bona fide Heisman Trophy recipients, each emblematic of an era of invincibility at Tallahassee. Their tale is more than mere statistics—they’re tales of second chances, first impressions, and unmemorable seasons, placing the Seminoles at center stage on a national stage.
Charlie Ward—1993 Heisman Trophy Winner
Let’s begin with the first trailblazer: Charlie Ward, the calm, cool quarterback who was the first Seminole to capture the Heisman. Ward wasn’t flashy on the field in a social media kind of way, but his on-field play was precision surgery. In 1993, he guided Florida State to a 12–1 mark, a national title, and one of the most productive offensive seasons in school history.
Ward threw for 3,032 yards and 27 touchdowns and also rushed for almost 340 yards, blinding defenses with his poise and decision-making. He edged Tennessee’s Heath Shuler and Alabama’s David Palmer in the Heisman balloting, and he did so with flair, receiving 740 first-place votes in one of the most resounding victories ever.
But here’s the thing that made Ward stand out: after college, he didn’t follow the typical NFL route. He went to the NBA instead and spent over a decade as a point guard, playing primarily with the New York Knicks. That dual-sport excellence? Unrivaled.
“Winning the Heisman wasn’t a personal goal,” Ward once stated. “It was a byproduct of doing things the right way and leading a great team.”
And that’s precisely what he did—opening the door for future Seminole stars.
Chris Weinke—2000 Heisman Trophy Winner
Up next is perhaps the most intriguing Heisman tale of all time—Chris Weinke, the 28-year-old quarterback who briefly abandoned football to play minor league baseball, then came back and took over the college game years later. That’s right—while most Heisman recipients are inking rookie deals, Weinke was only beginning his college glory.
In 2000, Weinke led the nation in passing with 4,167 yards and 33 touchdowns. He had a cannon for an arm, veteran-level patience in the pocket, and the kind of football IQ you’d expect from someone who’d already been through the wringer in pro sports. Under his leadership, the Seminoles went 11–1 and reached the national title game (though they fell to Oklahoma).
Weinke took the Heisman from Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel and Purdue’s Drew Brees by embracing what differentiated him. He was older, yes, but he was also smarter—and he directed one of the most potent Florida State offenses in history.
“I didn’t return to win the Heisman,” Weinke explained. “I returned to show I could direct a team, and in doing so, everything else fell into place.”
His tale remains a testament that the road to greatness does not necessarily have to be linear.
Jameis Winston—2013 Heisman Trophy Winner
Then arrived the phenomenon. The prodigy. The freshman who stormed the nation—Jameis Winston. In 2013, at only 19 years of age, Winston became the youngest player in history to be awarded the Heisman. And he didn’t merely win it—he ran away with it.
That year, Winston threw for 4,057 yards and 40 touchdowns to guide Florida State to a flawless 14–0 campaign and a heart-stopping victory over Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game. His charm, poise, and on-field greatness made the Seminoles must-watch TV each week.
Whether it was threading needles through the middle or dodging pressure to deliver deep bombs, Winston made the impossible seem automatic. He received 668 first-place votes, outdistancing Alabama’s A.J. McCarron and Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch by a landslide.
“This is a blessing. I’m so grateful to Florida State,” Winston said that night, clearly emotional. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, my coaches, and the Seminole family.”
His Heisman win marked a return to national prominence for Florida State—and a reminder that Tallahassee could still produce game-changing talent.
After college, Winston was taken No. 1 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His NFL career has been a wild ride of huge numbers and brazen plays, but his season in 2013 is still one of the greatest in the history of modern college football.
Other Seminoles Who Nearly Made It
Although only three Seminoles have won the hardware, there have been others who have tantalized with greatness. Wide receiver Peter Warrick was the leading candidate in 1999 before a midseason suspension ended his bid, even though he still assisted Florida State in capturing a national championship. Quarterbacks Danny Kanell, Casey Weldon, and Jordan Travis also produced great Heisman-worthy performances. However, it just did not quite reach New York.
Travis, in the case of Florida State, had the country abuzz in 2023 before a season-ending injury thwarted both his Heisman and Playoff ambitions. His toughness and leadership then led the Seminoles to an unbeaten regular season and renewed championship dreams in Tallahassee.
KEEP READING: Georgia Bulldogs Heisman Trophy Winners: A Complete List and History
And although it’s been a couple of years since a Seminole has struck the pose with the Heisman, don’t count them out. With top recruits pouring in and the Seminoles back in the national discussion, it may not be long before the next legend strikes the pose in garnet and gold.
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