Heisman Trophy Winners In The News

Catching up on news from around the Heisman Fraternity …

… 1995 Heisman winner Eddie George is getting set for his second season as head coach at Tennessee State. But his Tigers are in the news this week with the announcement that Tennessee State will open the 2023 season at Notre Dame on Sept. 2, 2023, marking the first time the Irish have played a Historically Black College or University.

… The grandson of two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin announced where he’ll play college football and he’ll be following in his grandfather’s footsteps at Ohio State. Diante Griffin will walk on with the Buckeyes as a defensive back. Griffin’s father, Archie’s son, was a running back for Ohio State (1998-2001) while other family members also played in Columbus.

… Sticking with Ohio-Heisman news, 2019 Heisman winner and 2021 Super Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow will throw out the first pitch in the Cincinnati Reds home opener on April 12. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor will be his catcher.

… 2020 Heisman winner DeVonta Smith was honored by his hometown community this week when the Amite (La.) Arts Council presented him with a plaque, along with three other recipients. Smith’s mother, Christina Smith-Sylve, accepted the plaque on his behalf.

… 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young, who will play in Alabama’s Spring Game on April 16, returned to Southern California in March and was caught showing off some serious skills on the hardcourt. Click here to see him draining 3s. Not sure he missed.

… 1985 Heisman winner Bo Jackson knows no bounds, as we know, but turns out not quite everyone knows Bo. The NFL and Major League star was the subject of a recent Jeopardy question. Shockingly, it went unanswered, and then went viral. Click here to see the question (and non-answer). Jackson took it all in stride, graciously replying on twitter.

… As announced earlier, Oklahoma Athletics is unveiling the latest statue in the Sooners’ Heisman Park. A statue of 2017 Heisman winner Baker Mayfield will join previous winners winners Billy Vessels, Steve Owens, Billy Sims, Jason White and Sam Bradford. The school just announced that statute dedication will take place during halftime of Oklahoma’s Spring Game on April 23. Said Mayfield in a tweet: “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate this tremendous honor than alongside my family, teammates and Sooner Nation. It took all of us, so to be back on Owen Field and have this statue unveiled there is incredible. See you at the Spring Game! #PackThePalace”.

… 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota, who spent the last two seasons as a backup quarterback with the Raiders following his first five years with Tennessee, has signed with Atlanta as he looks for a fresh start.