The Ohio State Buckeyes have been national title contenders since the mid-90s. Since 1995, the Buckeyes have finished in the top six of the AP poll 15 times, with two national championships and two runner-up finishes. Most notably, the team boasts eight national titles.
However, it’s not just the team’s achievements that stand out. Individual accolades highlight the great talents in their squads throughout the years. With seven Heisman Trophy winners on their roster, the Buckeyes have a history of producing top-tier players.
The prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the best player in college football, has become a hallmark of their excellence. So, who are the Ohio State Heisman Trophy winners?
Leslie Horvath (1944)
Leslie Horvath, who played quarterback, was the first Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy. Although he was small for a football player, weighing just 160 pounds, Horvath’s quickness and strong arm set him apart.
Coach Brown quickly recognized his potential and made him a regular starter in 1942.
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Horvath’s impressive performance included eight yards per carry in a victory over Pittsburgh and massive contributions in the win against Illinois.
His efforts helped Ohio State finish the season with a 9-1 record and secure their first national championship, along with a historical win against Michigan. Horvath’s jersey number 22 was retired in October 2000.
Victor Felix Janowicz (1950)
Victor Janowicz won the Heisman Trophy as a junior. Woody Hayes, his coach during his senior year, praised him as a “triple-threat” player:
“He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a placekicker and punter, played safety on defence, and was an outstanding blocker.”
He was drafted by the now-Washington Commanders in 1952 and played in the NFL in 1954 and 1955. Remarkably, Janowicz also played Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953 and 1954. His multifaceted sports career led to his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
Howard Cassady (1955)
Howard “Hopalong” Cassady was a dynamo for the Buckeyes from 1952 to 1955. In 1955, he snagged the Heisman Trophy by a record margin, along with the Maxwell Award, and was crowned the AP Athlete of the Year.
Cassady held onto some Ohio State career records for quite a while after graduating. His career rushing record of 2,466 yards was surpassed by Jim Otis in 1969. The all-purpose yards record, standing at 4,403, was surpassed by Archie Griffin in 1974.
Cassady’s scoring record of 222 points held its ground until Pete Johnson surpassed it in 1975.
Archie Mason Griffin (1974, 1975)
Archie Griffin is a legend in college football. He is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. He led the Buckeyes to four Big Ten titles and became the first player to start in four Rose Bowls.
Griffin wowed Ohio State fans as a freshman by setting a single-game rushing record of 239 yards, breaking a 27-year team record. He surpassed his record with 246 yards as a sophomore. He rushed for at least 100 yards in 34 games during college, including an NCAA record 31 consecutive games.
Edward Nathan George Jr. (1995)
Hailing from Philadelphia, Eddie George was a standout star for the Buckeyes. Despite a rocky start with two fumbles as a freshman, he had over 600 rushing attempts and only six fumbles in the following three years.
In 1995, Ohio State finished 11-2, and George was honored as a unanimous All-American. He clinched the Heisman Trophy in the closest vote, surpassing Tommie Frazier by 264 votes.
By the end of his college career, George ranked second in Ohio State history for career rushing yards (3,768) and third for rushing touchdowns (44). His impressive stats include 4,284 all-purpose yards, 45 touchdowns, and an average of 5.5 yards per carry.
Troy James Smith (2006)
Troy Smith earned an athletic scholarship to Ohio State and played under Coach Jim Tressel from 2003 to 2006.
When Troy Smith squared off against the Texas Longhorns, he proved all the preseason Heisman hype was well deserved. Throughout the 2006 season, his passing stats improved—he completed 67% of his passes for 2,507 yards, amassing 30 touchdowns with just five interceptions. This culminated in an impressive quarterback rating of 167.87, placing him fourth in the country.
He made a huge splash by winning the 2006 Heisman Trophy, beating out top contenders Darren McFadden and Brady Quinn. Smith’s victory was historic as he received 91.6% of the first-place votes, a record that stood for 13 years.
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