More Than a Trophy: It’s College Football Royalty

Every December, the Heisman Trophy is given to the college football player who’s been the best throughout the season. This player breaks records and makes the sportsbooks change the odds as the game goes on. Since 2000, quarterbacks have mostly dominated, but every now and then, a wide receiver, running back, or even a two-way star has stolen the spotlight.

This countdown celebrates the ten most dominant single-season performances of the century. We’ve ranked them purely on peak impact, not NFL careers. We’ve considered things like statistical excellence, how well the team has done, how rare certain positions are, and those moments that make fans say, “I just watched history.”

👉 If you love tracking player futures or game-day props, you can find the latest trusted bookmakers for Heisman bets and other college football action in our top sports betting sites.

10) DeVonta Smith – WR, Alabama (2020)

The WR Who Cracked a QB Era

In a decade dominated by quarterbacks, DeVonta Smith shook things up. The smooth Alabama wide receiver posted an impressive 98 receptions, 1,511 yards, and 17 touchdowns before the Heisman vote, all in just 11 games. Then he totally nailed a mind-blowing performance in the national championship: 12 catches, 215 yards, and three TDs in the first half.

Smith is the first wide receiver since 1991 to win the Heisman and he led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated national title. It’s a proper masterclass in route running, separation, and clutch play.

9) Baker Mayfield – QB, Oklahoma (2017)

When QB Rating Broke the Scale

The walk-on who wouldn’t quit went on to become a Heisman legend. Mayfield threw for 4,340 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just five interceptions, setting an NCAA record for passing efficiency (203.8). His pinpoint deep balls made Oklahoma’s Air Raid offence a real pain for defences to deal with.

Mayfield showed that you can have a lot of grit and swagger and still get elite stats. He was spot on, like a surgeon.

8) Johnny Manziel – QB, Texas A&M (2012)

The Freshman Disruptor

Before NIL deals and viral clips, there was Johnny Football. The redshirt freshman from Texas A&M was the first freshman to win the Heisman, and he really made a splash in the SEC, racking up an impressive 5,116 total yards and 43 combined TDs. His win over Alabama was legendary – 345 total yards and total chaos.

Manziel’s improvisation totally redefined dual-threat play. Every play felt like it was a bit of a struggle, but we managed to keep it together.

7) Tim Tebow – QB, Florida (2007)

First Sophomore to the Podium

The ultimate competitor. Tebow didn’t just play quarterback; he bulldozed defenses. With 3,286 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and another 23 rushing scores, he became the first player in FBS history to throw and run for 20+ TDs each in one season.

Tebow’s jump passes and short-yardage dominance became legendary. Even his postgame speeches went viral before “viral” was a thing.

6) Jayden Daniels – QB, LSU (2023)

The 200+ Rating Unicorn

Daniels’ 2023 season was a real game-changer. He posted an amazing passer rating of 208.0 – the best in the nation – with 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and just four picks. Oh, and he rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 more scores.

He was the first player ever to throw for 350+ and rush for 200+ in a single game (against Florida). Daniels’ combination of efficiency and explosiveness made bettors wish they’d taken his early-season odds.

5) Travis Hunter – CB/WR, Colorado (2024)

Both Sides of the Ball

The Iron Man of today. Travis Hunter played in 1,356 snaps, pretty much every down on offense and defense. He caught 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs, and still had time to make four interceptions on defense.

He started the year as a 75-1 underdog, but his meteoric rise to Heisman favourite was one of the best betting stories in recent memory. He brought back memories of two-way legends not seen since the 60s, but with a 21st-century twist.

4) Lamar Jackson – QB, Louisville (2016)

Box-Score Earthquake

Lamar Jackson didn’t just win games, he broke the analytics. At just 19, he racked up an impressive 4,928 total yards and 51 touchdowns. He was the first player in FBS history to reach 3,000 passing and 1,500 rushing yards in a single season.

Every time he took off, defenders looked like they were standing still. Sportsbooks couldn’t keep up with his props – Jackson was literally smashing records.

3) Reggie Bush – RB, USC (2005) – Reinstated 2024

Angles Don’t Exist vs. Bush

The most exciting running back of the BCS era has finally got his trophy back. Bush got a whopping 1,658 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, 383 receiving yards, and another two TDs through the air, plus an 84-yard punt return to boot.

His 513-yard performance against Fresno State is still pretty amazing. The Heisman Trust brought his award back in 2024, putting the icing on the cake of one of the greatest seasons ever.

2) Cam Newton – QB, Auburn (2010)

One-Man Offense

Cam Newton didn’t just play quarterback — he was Auburn’s entire engine. He threw for 2,589 yards, 28 TDs, and ran for 1,409 yards with 20 more scores, leading the Tigers to a 14-0 national championship season.

From unranked to unstoppable, Newton’s 2010 campaign is the perfect example of “put the team on your back.”

1) Joe Burrow – QB, LSU (2019)

Heisman + Natty + Perfection

There’s no question about it. Joe Burrow’s 2019 season is the gold standard. He threw for 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns, completing 76% of his passes while going 15-0 and winning the national championship.

He set records for passing TDs, completion rate, and margin of victory in Heisman voting. Every throw looked easy, and every game felt like it was going to happen. Burrow didn’t just win, he dominated the narrative from September to January.

Betting Angles and Stats That Define a Heisman Season

For fans and bettors alike, a true Heisman campaign hits every metric:

• Passer Efficiency Rating: Burrow’s 201.9 and Daniels’ 208.0 stand alone.
  
  
• Total Offense: Jackson and Daniels both topped 4,900 yards.
  
  
• Touchdowns Responsible For: Over/Under 50 is the mark — only Daniels and Burrow cleared it.
  
  
• Odds Movement: Travis Hunter jumped from 75-1 to favorite, proving long shots can still cash big.
  
  

These days, it’s more about timing than talent when it comes to the Heisman race. In a time of NIL deals, transfer portals and changing offensive schemes, stars like Burrow and Daniels show how new rules can produce legendary seasons in no time at all.

Honorable Mentions

Just missing the cut: So, we’ve got Marcus Mariota (2014), Bryce Young (2021), Caleb Williams (2022) and Derrick Henry (2015). They’re all top-notch, but there had to be one at number 11.