In about five weeks, the 2016 Heisman finalists will be announced. We could have as few as three finalists or as many as six.
The concept of a ‘Heisman finalist’ didn’t come around until 1982, when the Heisman ceremony first featured multiple candidates attending a live television announcement.
It’s common knowledge among college football fans that Notre Dame and Ohio State are tied for most Heisman Trophy winners with seven each. But what about Heisman finalists? Which schools have had the most players invited to go to New York to take part in the Heisman ceremony?
Here’s a breakdown of the 144 Heisman finalists by school since 1982:
9 finalists
MIAMI (FLA) —Bernie Kosar (’84), Vinny Testaverde (’85, ’86), Steve Walsh (’88), Gino Torretta (’92), Warren Sapp (’94), Ken Dorsey (’01, ’02), Willis McGahee (’02).
7 finalists
ALABAMA — David Palmer (’93), Jay Barker (’94), Mark Ingram (’09), Trent Richardson (’11), AJ McCarron (’13), Amari Cooper (’14), Derrick Henry (’15).
FLORIDA — Emmitt Smith (’89), Danny Wuerffel (’95, ’96), Rex Grossman (’01), Tim Tebow (’07, ’08, ’09).
6 finalists
OKLAHOMA — Brian Bosworth (’86), Josh Heupel (’00), Jason White (’03, ’04), Adrian Petersen (’04), Sam Bradford (’08).
5 finalists
BYU — Steve Young (’83), Robbie Bosco (’84, ’85), Ty Detmer (’90, ’91).
NOTRE DAME — Tim Brown (’87), Tony Rice (’89), Raghib Ismail (’90), Brady Quinn (’06), Manti Te’o (’12).
PENN STATE — D.J. Dozier (’86), Blair Thomas (’89), Ki-Jana Carter (’94), Kerry Collins (’94), Larry Johnson (’02).
STANFORD — John Elway (’82), Toby Gerhart (’09), Andrew Luck (’10, ’11), Christian McCaffrey (’15).
USC — Rodney Peete (’88), Carson Palmer (’02), Matt Leinart (’04, ’05), Reggie Bush (’04).
4 finalists
FLORIDA STATE— Casey Weldon (’91), Charlie Ward (’93), Chris Weinke (’00), Jameis Winston (’13).
MICHIGAN— Jim Harbaugh (’86), Desmond Howard (’91), Charles Woodson (’97), Chris Perry (’03).
NEBRASKA — Mike Rozier (’83),Tommie Frazier (’95), Eric Crouch (’01), Ndamukong Suh (’09).
OHIO STATE— Keith Byars (’84), Eddie George (’95), Orlando Pace (’96), Troy Smith
(’06).
TEXAS — Ricky Williams (’98), Vince Young (’05), Colt McCoy (’08, ’09).
3 finalists
AUBURN— Bo Jackson (’85), Cam Newton (’10), Tre Mason (’13).
BOSTON COLLEGE — Doug Flutie (’83, ’84), Andre Williams (’13).
COLORADO— Darian Hagan (’89), Eric Bieniemy (’90), Rashaan Salaam (’94).
OREGON — Joey Harrington (’01), LaMichael James (’10), Marcus Mariota (’14).
WISCONSIN — Ron Dayne (’99), Montee Ball (’11), Melvin Gordon (’14).
2 finalists
ARKANSAS— Darren McFadden (’06, ’07).
GEORGIA— Herschel Walker (’82), Garrison Hearst (’92).
HOUSTON— Andre Ware (’89), David Klingler (’90).
IOWA — Chuck Long (’85), Brad Banks (’02).
IOWA STATE — Troy Davis (’95, ’96).
KANSAS STATE— Michael Bishop (’98), Collin Klein (’12).
MARSHALL— Randy Moss (’97), Chad Pennington (’99)
MICHIGAN STATE— Lorenzo White (’85, ’87).
PITTSBURGH — Craig Heyward (’87), Larry Fitzgerald (’03).
PURDUE — Drew Brees (’99, ’00).
TENNESSEE — Heath Shuler (’93), Peyton Manning (’97).
TEXAS A&M — Johnny Manziel (’12, ’13).
UCLA — Troy Aikman (’88), Cade McNown (’97).
WEST VIRGINIA— Major Harris (’88, ’89)
1 finalist
AIR FORCE — Dee Dowis (’89).
ALCORN STATE — Steve McNair (’94).
ARIZONA STATE— Jake Plummer (’96).
BAYLOR — Robert Griffin III (’11).
BOISE STATE — Kellen Moore (’10).
CLEMSON— DeShaun Watson (’15).
GEORGIA TECH— Joe Hamilton (’99).
HAWAII— Colt Brennan (’07).
HOLY CROSS— Gordie Lockbaum (’87).
INDIANA— Anthony Thompson (’89).
KENTUCKY— Tim Couch (’98).
LSU — Tyrann Mathieu (’11).
MISSISSIPPI— Eli Manning (’03).
MISSOURI— Chase Daniel (’07).
NORTHERN ILLINOIS— Jordan Lynch (’13).
NORTHWESTERN — Darnell Autry (’95).
OKLAHOMA STATE— Barry Sanders (’88).
SAN DIEGO STATE— Marshall Faulk (’92).
SMU — Eric Dickerson (’82).
SYRACUSE — Don McPherson (’87).
TEMPLE — Paul Palmer (’86).
TCU — LaDainian Tomlinson (’00).
UTAH— Alex Smith (’04).
VIRGINIA— Shawn Moore (’90).
VIRGINIA TECH — Michael Vick (’99).
WASHINGTON — Steve Emtman (’91).
WASHINGTON STATE— Ryan Leaf (’97).