O/NSO: Ranking USC’s eight Heisman Trophy winners’ teams edition
The Obvious: There is a perception that a college football team that has a winning season better positions its players for consideration to win a Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious award.
The Not So Obvious: As you are probably aware, the storied USC Trojans have had eight Heisman Trophy winners, but how would you rank them in terms of their winning teams? We know that tailback Mike Garrett won USC’s first Heisman Trophy in 1965, but how does Iron Mike’s Heisman team compare with the other USC Heisman winning teams?
The Obvious: We also know that the last USC Trojan to win a Heisman Trophy was Caleb Williams in 2022.
The Not So Obvious: However, how does Caleb’s team compare to Garrett’s team? In fact, how do these two Heisman winners and their teams compare to the other six Heisman winners and their teams? It’s open to debate, and you know that the O/NSO loves these types of discussions. That being said, having seen all these players and teams in our 60 seasons of following the Trojans and the time periods in which they played, here is our rankings from last to first in the cardinal and gold pecking order of Heisman winners and their teams:
The Obvious: Two-time All-America tailback Mike Garrett won the Heisman Trophy in his 1965 senior season and became USC’s first Heisman Trophy winner.
Tailback Mike Garrett was USC’s first Heisman Trophy winner and his 1965 Trojans finished 7-2-1.
(Photo above by James Flores/Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 8: The 1965 team finished the season overall at 7-2-1 and conference play at 4-1-0, coming in second. It was a good team that had a Rose Bowl berth in the palm of its hands until it was upset 20-16 in arguably UCLA’s greatest victory over the Trojans. Garrett, who was a captain on that team, was in tears at the conclusion of a heartbreaker that saw the Bruins come from behind with two late fourth quarter touchdown passes by UCLA’s sensational sophomore quarterback Gary Beban.
The 1965 Trojans averaged 26.2 points per game and allowed 9.2 points per game.
Notable teammates on Mike Garrett’s 1965 team included All-Conference picks Chuck Arrobio (OT), Frank Lopez (OG), Paul Johnson (C), Jim Walker (DE), Ron Yary (DT), Jeff Smith (LB), and Nate Shaw (DB).
Legendary USC lineman Ron Yary was a two-way tackle on the 1965 Trojans.
(Photo above by Sporting News via Getty Images/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
In the NFL/AFL draft of 1966, seven Trojans were selected by the NFL (in order): TB Mike Garrett, WR Rod Sherman, LB Jeff Smith, LB Ed King, T Denis Moore, FB Homer Williams, TE Dave Moton and four into the AFL (Garrett, Sherman, King, Moore).
The Obvious: Quarterback Caleb Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy in electrifying fashion while as only a sophomore and became USC’s third quarterback in Trojans’ history to be voted the Heisman – not to mention SC’s eighth celebrated Heisman Trophy winner.
Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams was USC’s eighth Heisman Trophy winner and his 2022 team finished 11-3.
(Photo above by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 7: A transfer from the University of Oklahoma, sophomore quarterback Caleb Williams lived up to all the transfer hype both on and off the field. Incredibly talented and exciting as a dual-threat quarterback, Williams directed a program that was just 4-8 in 2021 and finished the regular season at 11-1 and 8-1 in Pac-12 play, defeating both Notre Dame and UCLA, before finishing the season with a disappointing loss to Utah (47-24) in the Pac-12 title game in Las Vegas followed by an upset 46-45 defeat in the Cotton Bowl to Tulane.
The 2022 Trojans averaged 41.4 points per game and allowed 29.2 points per game.
Despite those aforementioned difficult losses, the 2022 season as a whole was a major success and may springboard coach Lincoln Riley’s program to greater success with the return of Caleb Williams in 2023.
In addition to Williams’s greatness at quarterback, there was the likes of All-Americas Andrew Vorhees (OG), Brett Neilon (C), Tui Tuipulotu (DL), Calen Bullock (S),and All-Pac-12 first team choices Jordan Addison (WR), Mekhi Blackmon (CB) and Brett Neilon (C).
All-America defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu was a major contributor to the 2022 USC Trojans.
(Photo above by Tapia/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As of this posting, the number of NFL draft choices has yet to be determined, but it figures that DL Tuli Tuipulotu, WR Jordan Addison, OG Andrew Vorhees, and CB Mekhi Blackmon are positioned to be selected in next week’s draft (April 27-29).
The Obvious: Tailback Marcus Allen was the Trojans fourth Heisman Trophy winner in 1981, becoming college football first 2,000-yard ball carrier in a season.
Tailback Marcus Allen won the 1981 Heisman Trophy and his 1981 team finished 9-3-0.
(Photo above by Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 6: In Allen’s Heisman season, the Trojans finished the season 9-3-0 and 5-2 in conference play. They swept Notre Dame (14-7) and UCLA (21-20) but were upset by Arizona (13-10) in the Coli, Washington (13-3) in Seattle, and to coach Joe Paterno’s Penn State Nittany Lions (26-10) in the Fiesta Bowl. It was not a great season in terms of high standards for USC teams, but Allen had a spectacular season individually and certainly was the best player in college football.
The 1981 Trojans averaged 24.5 points per game and allowed 14.2 points per game.
Allen also had an array of talent playing with him like All-Americans Roy Foster (OG) and Chip Banks (OLB) and All-Conference choices Tony Slaton (C), Bruce Matthews (OL), George Achica (DL), and Dennis Edwards (DL).
The 1981 offensive line for Charles White featured future Pro Football Hall of Fame icon Bruce Matthews.
(Photo above by NFL via Getty Images)
In the 1982 NFL draft, five Trojans were selected (in order): LB Chip Banks, TB Marcus Allen, OG Roy Foster, DL Dennis Edwards, and DB Joe Turner.
The Obvious: Tailback O.J. Simpson was the second Heisman Trophy winner for Troy, winning the award by the most one-sided margin in the award’s history after his senior season in 1968.
Tailback O.J. Simpson won the 1968 Heisman Trophy and his 1968 Trojans finished the season 9-1-1.
(Photo above by Focus on Sport via Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 5: While Simpson’s 1967 team won the national championship, his senior Heisman Trophy season just missed winning it all, finishing the 1968 season at 9-1-1 but still won the conference title. The Trojans were undefeated in the regular season until they met Notre Dame in the Coliseum in the last game. The rivalry game ended in a deflating 21-21 tie for the Trojans and Simpson. The Men of Troy went on to the Rose Bowl but lost to Ohio State 27-16 despite an electrifying first half 80-yard run by Simpson against the Buckeyes.
The 1968 Trojans averaged 23.5 points per game and allowed 15.3 points per game.
This Trojans team was also led by All-America safety Mike Battle and All-Conference selections Bob Klein (TE), Fred Khasigian (OG), Steve Sogge (QB), and Jimmy Gunn (DE).
In the 1969 NFL draft, eight Trojans were selected (in order): TB O.J. Simpson, TE Bob Klein, S Mike Battle DT Bill Hayhoe, TE Bob Miller, WR Jim Lawrence, OT Jack O’Malley, and RB Wilson Bowie.
In 1968, tight end Bob Klein was both a great blocker and outstanding receiving tight end on Simpson’s team.
(Photo above by University of Southern California/WireImage)
The Obvious: Quarterback Carson Palmer became Troy’s fifth Heisman Trophy winner in 2002, thus ending a 21-year drought of USC Heisman winners and becoming the first Trojan quarterback to win the award.
Trojans QB Carson Palmer (#3) was USCs fifth Heisman Trophy winner and his 2002 team finished the season 11-2.
(Photo above by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 4: It wouldn’t be a stretch in Carson Palmer’s Heisman Trophy season that it marked the beginning of one of the great runs in college football history under Pete Carroll. Like Palmer, the USC program was wallowing until Palmer, under the guidance of brilliant offensive coordinator Norm Chow, put it all together along with others on the team like legendary All-America safety Troy Polamalu to finish the season at 11-2 and 7-1, which tied for the conference title. The conference first place tie sent the Trojans to the Orange Bowl where they crushed upstart Iowa, 38-17, and most agree that by the end of the season, there wasn’t a better team in the country than the Trojans. One of the regular highlights for Palmer and his teammates was a resounding 44-13 evisceration of Notre Dame in the Coliseum before a sellout and a national television audience.
The 2002 Trojans averaged 35.8 points per game and allowed 18.5 points per game.
Other notable Palmer teammates that season included the likes of All-Conference Jacob Rogers (OL) and Matt Grootegoed (LB).
Legendary USC safety Troy Polamalu was a major All-American force on the 2002 Trojans’ defense.
In the 2003 NFL draft, five Trojans were selected (in order): QB Carson Palmer, S Troy Polamalu, RB Justin Fargas, WR Kareem Kelly, and RB Malaefou MacKenzie.
The Obvious: Tailback Reggie Bush was USC’s seventh Heisman Trophy winner in 2005, a throwback reminder to the era of great Trojans running backs in the past.
Tailback Reggie Bush was Troy’s seventh Heisman Trophy recipient and his 2005 team finished the season 12-1.
(Photo above by Michael Cohen/WireImage)
The Not So Obvious No. 3: Regardless of a future NCAA investigation and eventual return of his trophy to the Heisman Trophy Trust, there’s no argument or doubt he was the best college football player in 2005, and one of the greatest in the history of the game.
Bush’s 2005 team finished the regular season at 12-0, possessing a 34-game winning streak, and a chance to win the BCS title game. Unfortunately, the Trojans were upset in the Rose Bowl to the Texas Longhorns and All-America quarterback Vince Young, 41-38, in the final minute of play, thus preventing Carroll’s team from winning another national title and finishing the season 12-1. The truth was that while the offense was one of the best in college history, the defense was not at that level, which prevented this team from being ranked higher.
The 2005 Trojans averaged 49.1 points per game and allowed 22.8 points per game.
Bush’s 2005 team also included All-Americans Matt Leinart (QB), Dwayne Jarrett (WR), Sam Baker (OL), Taitusi Lutui (OG), and defensively Darnell Bing (S).
Running back LenDale White (#21) was part of the 2005 “thunder and lightening” backfield along with Reggie Bush.
In addition to the All-Americans, there were All-Conference selections Ryan Kalil (C), Frostee Rucker (DL), and Lawrence Jackson (DL). And let’s not forget running back LenDale White, who should have been an All-Conference pick as evident in the BCS title game against Texas when he was virtually unstoppable.
In the 2006 NFL draft, 11 Trojans were selected in order: TB Reggie Bush, QB Matt Leinart, OT Winston Justice, OG Taitusi Lutui, RB LenDale White, DE Frostee Rucker, TE Dominique Byrd, S Darnell Bing, FB David Kirtman, DT LaJuan Ramsey, and OG Fred Matua.
The Obvious: Tailback Charles White was USC’s third Heisman Trophy winner, capturing the award his senior season in 1979.
Tailback Charles White was the third Trojans Heisman Trophy winner and his 1979 team finished the season at 11-0-1.
(Photo above by Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 2: White’s 1979 team finished the season 11-0-1, their only blemish a 21-21 tie against Stanford in the Coliseum. White, a captain on the 1979 team, was unbelievable in the Rose Bowl, leading the Trojans from behind against Ohio State in the final quarter with a devastating ground drive behind one of USC’s greatest offensive lines in history led by All-America guard Brad Budde, pulling out a 17-16 victory. White’s entire offensive line would one day play in the NFL as would his All-America quarterback Paul McDonald.
The Trojans’ 1979 defense was spearheaded by All-America linebacker Dennis Johnson and future AA DB Ronnie Lott. This team crushed Notre Dame 42-23 in South Bend and UCLA 49-14 in the Coliseum. If not for that tie against Stanford, a game in which the Trojans opened up an early 21-0 lead, they would have easily won the national championship and despite that blip during the time period when there was no overtime, they still finished No. 2 in the nation in both the AP and UPI polls behind Alabama.
All-America offensive guard helped lead the way for Charles White and the 1979 Trojans’ O-line.
(Photo above by University of California LA/WireImage)
The 1979 Trojans averaged 32.4 points per game and allowed 14.2 points per game.
Other notables on White’s 1979 team were All-Conference selections QB Paul McDonald, TB Charles White, TE Hoby Brenner, OG Roy Foster, OL Keith Van Horne, OG Brad Budde, LB Dennis Johnson, LB Riki Gray, DB Ronnie Lott, and S Dennis Smith.
In the 1980 NFL draft, nine Trojans were drafted (in order): OL Anthony Munoz, OG Brad Budde, TB Charles White, LB Larry McGrew, DT Myron Lapka, WR Raymond Butler, LB Dennis Johnson, QB Paul McDonald, and C Chris Foote.
The Obvious: Quarterback Matt Leinart became USC’s sixth Heisman Trophy winner in 2004, and the first USC junior to win the Heisman Trophy and Troy’s second quarterback to take home the prestigious hardware.
QB Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy as a junior and his 2004 team finished the season 13-0, winning the national championship.
(Photo above by California/Collegiate Images via Getty Images)
The Not So Obvious No. 1: It doesn’t get any better than when your quarterback, Matt Leinart, and your team wins the national championship decisively. The Trojans destroyed Oklahoma 55-19 in the Orange Bowl’s BCS title game, and the game wasn’t as close as the score. The Trojans finished the season 13-0 and went undefeated in conference at 8-0. The 2004 Trojans were loaded on both sides of the ball and featured the likes of All-Americans Reggie Bush (TB), Shaun Cody (DL), Matt Grootegoed (LB), Mike Patterson (DT), and Lofa Tatupu (ILB).
All-Conference selections included QB Matt Leinart, TB Reggie Bush, DL Shaun Cody, DL Mike Patterson, LB Matt Grootegoed, LB Lofa Tatupu, and P Tom Malone.
The 2004 Trojans averaged 38.2 points per game and allowed 13.0 points per game.
All-America defensive tackle Shaun Cody (#84) helped lead the 2004 USC defense.
(Photo above by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
In the 2005 NFL draft, five Trojans were selected in order: WR Mike Williams, DT Mike Patterson, DL Shaun Cody, LB Lofa Tatupu, and QB Matt Cassel.
The Obvious: And finally, so there you have the O/NSO rankings of Heisman Trophy winners and their respective teams.
The Not So Obvious: No doubt some of you will disagree with the O/NSO, but what a fun discussion to have. Think about it, there aren’t a lot of college football teams that can have this type of debate.
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