Heisman Winner
Marcus Mariota
QB | RS Junior | University of Oregon
Marcus Mariota is the first Oregon player, the first Polynesian and the first player from Hawaii to win the Heisman.
Mariota was born in Honolulu and attended St. Louis High School, where he was a two-sport star in football and track. In football, he was relatively unknown late in his high school career due to not starting until his senior season. During that senior year, he led St. Louis to an 11-1 record and the state title while being named the Interscholastic League of Honolulu’s Offensive Player of the Year and the 2010 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year.
Despite being ranked the No. 2 player in the state, he was offered just two scholarships from FBS programs. He chose Oregon over Memphis. He was briefly committed to the Ducks along with 2012 Heisman winner Johnny Manziel before Manziel decided to attend Texas A&M.
After redshirting the 2011 season, Mariota became the first freshman to start a season opener for the Ducks in 22 seasons. He led Oregon to a 12-1 record in 2012 while earning All-Pac-12 first-team honors.
Mariota had another fine year in 2013 as he led the Ducks to an 11-2 record while once again being named first-team All-Pac-12.
His junior Heisman-winning season was spectacular. He threw for 3,783 yards and 38 touchdowns with just two interceptions while also rushing for 669 yards and 14 scores (he also caught a TD pass) as the Ducks finished the regular season with a 12-1 record. His 53 total touchdowns tied Sam Bradford for the most in Heisman history. Mariota led the nation in touchdowns, passing efficiency (186.33) and total offense (4,452 yards). His winning Heisman vote was the third-highest vote total in Heisman history and he appeared on a record 95.16% of ballots.
Mariota bypassed his senior season to make himself available to the 2015 NFL draft. He was drafted as the second overall pick by the Tennessee Titans.
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