Notes and Quotes from the 2019 Heisman Trophy ceremony
Noteworthy facts about the 2019 Heisman vote
Percentage of total ballots on which the top four were named:
Joe Burrow – 95.47%
Jalen Hurts – 54.69%
Justin Fields – 50.05%
Chase Young – 42.95%
Number of ballots received and tabulated – 893 of 927 (96%)
Number of players receiving votes, by place:
First – 10 players
Second – 19
Third – 32
– Burrow received 93.8% of total possible points, surpassing the previous record held by Troy Smith (91.63% in 2006).
– Burrow was named to 95.47% of all ballots, breaking the previous record held by Marcus Mariota (95.17%).
– Burrow received 90.07% of the first place votes, breaking the previous record of 86.7% held by Smith.
– Burrow’s 841 first-place votes is the second best in Heisman history.
– Burrow’s margin of victory of 1,846 points is the largest in Heisman history, topping O.J. Simpson’s 1968 mark.
Notes on Burrow’s win
- He is LSU’s second Heisman winner, joining Billy Cannon (1959).
- He is the first graduate transfer to win the Heisman.
- He is the seventh player to win the Heisman after a transfer (including junior college), joining Felix “Doc” Blanchard (1945), O.J. Simpson (1968), Mike Rozier (1983), Cam Newton (2010), Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018).
- He is the third consecutive transfer player of any kind to win the Heisman.
- He is the 31st Heisman winner from the Southeastern Conference and its first since Derrick Henry (2015).
- He is only the second senior to win the Heisman since 2006.
- His completion percentage (77.9) is be the best in Heisman history, topping Robert Griffin’s 72.3 in 2011.
- His 48 TD passes tie him with Sam Bradford for the most by a Heisman winner.
- His passing yardage (4,715) is second most in Heisman history to Ty Detmer (5,188).
- His 5,004 yards of total offense is the second most in Heisman history behind Detmer (5,022) in 1990.
- His 51 total touchdowns (running and passing) ties him with Tim Tebow (2007), Lamar Jackson (2016) and Murray (2018) for the second-most in Heisman history.
- His 9.35 yards per play is fifth best in Heisman history.
- His pass efficiency rating (201.47) ranks him third in Heisman history behind Murray (205.72) and Mayfield (203.76).
- He is the third Heisman Trophy winner to be born in Iowa, joining first Heisman winner Jay Berwanger (1935) and Nile Kinnick (1939).
- He is the 17th quarterback in the last 19 years to win the Heisman and the 35th overall.
- He is the first player to win the Heisman wearing No. 9.
- He is the sixth Heisman winner to take part in the College Football Playoff, joining Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Derrick Henry, Mayfield and Murray.
Notes on Jalen Hurts
- He is Oklahoma’s sixth Heisman runner-up, tying Stanford, and the Sooners’ first runner-up since Adrian Peterson (2004).
- He is the first runner-up from the Big 12 since Colt McCoy (2008) and the 11th overall.
- This is the third straight year that Oklahoma has had a player finish in the top 2, a feat matched by Stanford (2009-11) and Ohio State (1973-75).
- This is the fourth straight year (and 18th time overall) that Oklahoma has had a player finish in the top 3, matching Purdue’s four straight top 3 finishes (1966-69).
Notes on Justin Fields and Chase Young
- Fields joins Smith, Rex Kern (1969) and Dwayne Haskins (2018) as the only Buckeye quarterbacks to log Heisman top 3 finishes.
- Young’s finish is the highest finish by a defensive lineman since Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh (2009).
Teammates in the top 4
1943 – Notre Dame
1944 – Army
1945 – Army
1946 – Army
1956 – Oklahoma
1972 – Nebraska
1983 – Nebraska
1994 – Penn State
2004 – Oklahoma
2016 – Oklahoma
2019 – Ohio State
Quotes from 2019 Heisman winner Joe Burrow after the Heisman ceremony
On winning
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity and it’s a blessing to be here. There are three great other options who had incredible seasons as well. I’m so grateful for my journey and everyone’s help along the way.”
On his emotional state after winning
“That’s the most I’ve cried in 23 years of living. When I got up there, all the people that have helped me from five years old to this year, went running through my mind. That’s what happened.”
Was it a sense of relief?
“Yes, absolutely. I’m ready to back to Baton Rouge and start practice on Monday.”
On LSU coach Ed Orgeron
“He’s meant so much to me and my family. He gave me an opportunity when not a lot of people thought I would do anything. He trusted me and gave me the keys.”
On the coming playoff
“Whenever u get into the playoff, it’s going to be a dog fight. I haven’t watched film yet, I’ve tried to enjoy this week. But I will watch starting Monday.”
Reflecting on his journey
“It’s been a long and winding one. There’s still more chapters to be written. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity at LSU and Ohio State and there still more chapters to be written.”
Describing his experience
“This is one of those things kids dream about. When I envisioned myself playing football, I dreamed of being on that stage and playing for a No. 1 team. So this is a dream come true.”
On representing his hometown of Athens, Ohio
“I lived in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Not a lot of people know where that is. It’s an impoverished area and as much as I can give back I’m going to do it. It means so much to me.”
On being a Heisman winner along with Billy Cannon
“He’s obviously a legend in Louisiana. To be mentioned in the same sentence as Mr. Cannon is an honor. I just try to give back to Mr. Cannon’s family and LSU as much as I can.”
Quotes from LSU head coach Ed Orgeron
“Well, what a special moment. I thought Joe handled everything throughout the Heisman campaign and event with first class. He’s done it in a great manner. He’s thanked everyone. It’s the first time I’ve seen him get that emotional. When you saw him up there it was with his heart, and that’s how he plays and that’s what makes him the best player in America.”
“It means so much (for LSU to win the Heisman). We haven’t had one since Billy Cannon. We all grew up watching Billy. Joe did a tremendous job to follow that.”
