Caleb Williams won’t have a shot at winning the National Championship this year, but he took home quite the consolation prize when he was handed the Heisman Trophy for his excellence on the field. It was an exciting year for the sophomore quarterback, who is helping to put USC back on the map.
He finished his 2022 campaign with 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions through the air in 13 games – he also added 372 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. He led USC to an 11-2 record (8-1 in the Pac-12) with the nation’s 3rd best scoring offense – he threw multiple TDs to 11 different players.
This follows a stellar freshman season, which was spent at the University of Oklahoma. While he started the season as the backup QB, he eventually took over as starter and never looked back. He finished his 2021 campaign with 1,912 yards, 27 total touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in just 7 games played.
Caleb Williams Now Joins These Other Heisman Trophy Winners
Caleb Williams was up against some stiff competition this year for the Heisman Trophy. He ultimately beat out Stetson Bennett (Georgia), Max Duggan (TCU), and C.J. Stroud (Ohio State). You can make a case for each of these players to win, but Caleb was simply on another level in his first year at USC.
Williams became the third quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy award under head coach Lincoln Riley – Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray being the other two. Only four USC players have won it since 2000, with the most recent one (before Williams) being Reggie Bush in 2005 (which has been vacated).
The Heisman Memorial Trophy is an award that has only been given to 88 players in the history of the game – the 20-year-old included. It’s a coveted list containing some of the all-time football greats, but how many of the past 20 Heisman Trophy winners can you remember? Let’s see how many you come up with!
20. Bryce Young – 2021
Bryce Young was a sophomore quarterback when he won the 2021 Heisman Trophy with the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was his first season as a starter and he finished the year with 4,872 yards, 47 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions through the air – he added another three touchdowns on the ground.
Young didn’t have the same type of season in 2022, but was still one of the better QBs in the nation. He put up 3,007 yards, 27 TDs, and 5 INTs through just 11 games – 4 games less than in 2021. He was sixth in Heisman voting in 2022 and will enter the 2023 NFL Draft as one of the best available quarterbacks.
19. DeVonta Smith – 2020
DeVonta Smith was a senior wide receiver when he won the 2020 Heisman Trophy with the Alabama Crimson Tide. He was coming off a career year, but had an even more impressive senior year – putting up 117 catches for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also added a touchdown on the ground.
It was an incredible end to an incredible career that totaled 235 catches for 3,965 yards and 46 touchdowns in four seasons (47 games). He was the No. 10 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. After 916 yards as a rookie, Smith has already surpassed 1,000 yards this season.
18. Joe Burrow – 2019
Joe Burrow was a fifth-year senior quarterback when he won the 2019 Heisman Trophy with the LSU Tigers. He transferred to the school in 2018 after three years at Ohio State and put up 2,894 yards, 16 TDs, and 7 INTs in 13 games as a junior. In 2019, he exploded for 5,671 yards, 60 TDs, and 6 INTs.
After his breakout year in 2019, Burrow was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Over the past three seasons, he has a 23-17-1 record in 41 career starts and has thrown for 11,559 yards, 81 touchdowns, and 31 interceptions. He played in the Super Bowl last year.
17. Kyler Murray – 2018
Kyler Murray was a junior quarterback when he won the 2018 Heisman Trophy with the Oklahoma Sooners. He transferred to the school in 2017 after spending his freshman year at Texas A&M. In 2018, Murray put up 4,361 yards and 42 TDs through the air – adding 1,001 yards and 12 TDs on the ground.
Murray skipped his senior season and entered the 2019 NFL Draft, where he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 1 overall pick. Since then, he has thrown for 13,848 yards, 84 TDs, and 41 INTs – adding another 2,204 yards and 23 TDs – in 57 games played. He’s 25-31-1 as a starting QB in the NFL.
16. Baker Mayfield – 2017
Baker Mayfield was a senior quarterback when he won the 2017 Heisman Trophy with the Oklahoma Sooners. He had been knocking on the doorstep of the Heisman House for two years leading up to the 2017 season – coming in third place in 2016 and fourth place in 2015. He finally put voters over the edge.
He finished his 2017 campaign with 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns through the air – adding another 311 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He entered the 2018 NFL Draft and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, his college success hasn’t yet made a full transition to the NFL.
15. Lamar Jackson – 2016
Lamar Jackson was a sophomore quarterback when he won the 2016 Heisman Trophy with the Louisville Cardinals. He finished the season with 3,543 yards and 30 touchdowns through the air – adding another 1,571 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground. He finished third in Heisman voting in 2017.
Jackson entered the 2018 NFL Draft, foregoing his senior season at Louisville. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 32 overall pick in the first round. Over the past five seasons in the NFL, Jackson has 12,209 yards and 101 TDs through the air – adding 4,437 yards and 24 TDs on the ground.
14. Derrick Henry – 2015
Derrick Henry was a junior running back when he won the 2015 Heisman Trophy with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Coming off a season that saw him total 1,123 yards from scrimmage and 13 total TDs, Henry exploded in 2015 with 2,310 yards from scrimmage and 28 total TDs – mostly from the ground.
Henry entered the 2016 NFL Draft and was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 45 overall draft pick (2nd round). Since then, he has accumulated 8,226 yards and 78 TDs on the ground – adding another 1,225 yards and three TDs receiving. He led the league in rushing yards twice in his career.
13. Marcus Mariota – 2014
Marcus Mariota was a junior quarterback with the Oregon Ducks when he won the 2014 Heisman Trophy. He was getting the job done as a freshman and sophomore, but had an even better junior year that included 4,454 and 42 TDs through the air, and another 770 yards and 15 TDs on the ground.
Mariota entered the 2015 NFL Draft and was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 2 overall pick. Unfortunately, his success in college hasn’t transitioned into the NFL. In 74 games since 2015, Mariota has just a 34-40 record with 15,656 yards and 92 touchdowns. He’s basically a backup now.
12. Jameis Winston – 2013
Jameis Winston was a freshman quarterback with the Florida State Seminoles when he won the 2013 Heisman Trophy. He proved why he was one of the top prospects by throwing for 4,057 yards and 40 TDs in his first collegiate season – adding another 219 yards and 4 TDs on the ground. He was dominant.
Winston followed that up with a less-than-stellar season and entered the 2015 NFL Draft – he was taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the No. 1 overall pick. While he is better than a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL today, he struggles with turning the ball over and even threw 30 INTs during the 2019 season.
11. Johnny Manziel – 2012
Johnny Manziel was a freshman quarterback with the Texas A&M Aggies when he won the 2012 Heisman Trophy. He erupted for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns through the air, adding another 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns with his feet in 2012. He followed that up with 37 passing TDs the next season.
Manziel is considered one of the biggest busts of all-time. The hype surrounding him was real and he managed to get selected by the Cleveland Browns with the No. 22 overall pick in 2014. He only started 8 games in his career, going 2-6 in those games and throwing for just 1,675 yards and 7 touchdowns.
10. Robert Griffin III – 2011
Robert Griffin III was a senior quarterback with the Baylor Bears when he won the 2011 Heisman Trophy. He was coming off a career year as a junior, but truly broke out as one of the best QB prospects in the nation as a senior – he had 4,293 passing yards, 699 rushing yards, and 47 total touchdowns.
Griffin III was drafted by the Washington Redskins with the No. 2 overall pick in 2012. He lit up the NFL and was one of the most mobile QBs we’ve seen in a while, but injuries plagued the next five seasons of his career. He eventually retired and is now working as a college football and NFL analyst for ESPN.
9. Cam Newton – 2010
Cam Newton was a junior quarterback with the Auburn Tigers when he won the 2010 Heisman Trophy. He transferred to Auburn from Blinn College after spending two seasons at Florida. He finished the 2010 season with 2,854 passing yards, 1,473 rushing yards, and 51 total touchdowns (30 pass, 21 rush).
Newton was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 1 overall pick in 2011. Over the next decade, he was a cornerstone of the Panthers’ offense. Unfortunately, his downfall happened rather quickly and he just doesn’t look the same on the field. Still, he’s one of the most mobile and versatile QBs of all-time.
8. Mark Ingram – 2009
Mark Ingram was a sophomore running back with the Alabama Crimson Tide when he won the 2009 Heisman Trophy. He exploded for 1,658 rushing yards, 334 receiving yards, and 20 total touchdowns in that season before spending one more season on campus – which wasn’t quite as successful as 2009.
Ingram was later selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 28 overall pick. He has spent the past 12 seasons in the NFL – including this year – and was named to three Pro Bowls. In his career, he has rushed for more than 1,000 yards on three occasions and at least 10 touchdowns on two occasions.
7. Sam Bradford – 2008
Sam Bradfrod was a sophomore quarterback with the Oklahoma Sooners when he won the 2008 Heisman Trophy. He was coming off an impressive freshman season, but it was the year following that would catch everyone’s eye. He had 4,720 passing yards, 50 passing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions.
Bradford returned for his junior season, but only played three games. He was later drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, his career in the NFL didn’t stand much of a chance and he never turned out to be the quarterback the NFL needed at that time.
6. Tim Tebow – 2007
Tim Tebow was a sophomore quarterback with the Florida Gators when he won the 2007 Heisman Trophy. He finished the incredible season with 3,286 passing yards, 895 rushing yards, and 55 total touchdowns. He would go on to place third in Heisman voting in 2008 and fifth in Heisman voting in 2009.
Tebow entered the 2010 NFL Draft and was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 25 overall pick. Unfortunately, he only spent three seasons in the league and went 8-6-0 in 16 starts. He finished his career with 2,422 passing yards, 989 rushing yards, and 29 total touchdowns before fading away.
5. Troy Smith – 2006
Troy Smith was a senior quarterback with the Ohio State Buckeyes when he won the 2006 Heisman Trophy. He finished the season with 2,542 passing yards, 204 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns, which was just as good as his 2,282 passing yards, 611 rushing yards, and 27 touchdowns in 2005.
Smith entered the 2007 NFL Draft and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the No. 174 overall pick (5th round). He only played in 20 games over the next four seasons and struggled to make his mark in the NFL. He eventually landed in the CFL for two seasons before retiring from football for good.
4. Reggie Bush – 2005 (vacated)
Reggie Bush was a junior running back with the USC Trojans when he won the 2005 Heisman Trophy – just one year removed from placing fifth in Heisman voting. He finished the 2005 season with 1,740 yards rushing, 478 yards receiving, and 18 total touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Heisman Trophy was vacated.
Bush entered the NFL Draft in 2006 and was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 2 overall pick. He spent the next 11 seasons in the NFL and totaled 5,490 rushing yards, 3,598 receiving yards, and 54 total touchdowns during that time. He never quite lived up to the hype from his college days.
3. Matt Leinart – 2004
Matt Leinart was a junior quarterback with the USC Trojans when he won the 2004 Heisman Trophy. He was no stranger to the Heisman voting process, placing sixth in 2003, first in 2004, and third in 2005. His 2004 campaign ended with 3,322 passing yards and 36 total touchdowns. He was very consistent.
Leinart entered the NFL Draft in 2006 and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals with the No. 10th overall pick. He spent the next six seasons in the NFL and had just an 8-10-0 record as starting QB. He threw for 4,065 yards and 15 touchdowns. While he was consistent in college, he was nowhere near that as a pro.
2. Jason White – 2003
Jason White was a senior quarterback with the Oklahoma Sooners when he won the 2003 Heisman Trophy. It was his first year as a full-time starter and it ended with 3,846 passing yards and 40 passing TDs. He followed that up with another stellar season that saw him place 3rd in Heisman voting in 2004.
White entered the 2005 NFL Draft, but went undrafted due to a history of knee injuries. He’s the only Heisman winner to never play professional football and the third Heisman winner to go undrafted. He’ll forever be remembered for what he did as a college football athlete, but not for what he did as a pro.
1. Carson Palmer – 2002
Carson Palmer was a senior quarterback with the USC Trojans when he won the 2002 Heisman Trophy. It was his fourth year as a starting quarterback, but also his best season in the NCAA. He finished the campaign with 3,942 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He was a top prospect at that point.
Palmer entered the 2003 NFL Draft and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the No. 1 overall pick. He spent the next 14 seasons in the NFL and retired with a 92-88-1 record as a starter. He finished his career with 46,247 passing yards, 474 rushing yards, and 302 total touchdowns.
What’s Next for Caleb Williams?
Caleb Williams is a special talent on the football field – capable of doing things you don’t normally see quarterbacks do at 20 years old. He handles pressure well and remains composed, even with his back up against the wall. He still has a lot of growing, learning, and improving to do, but he’s well on his way.
Considering his relationship with head coach Lincoln Riley – who was his head coach at Oklahoma before they both made the move to Southern California – Williams will continue to impress and raise eyebrows in 2023 as he eyes a potential welcome to the NFL in 2024. He’ll be a player to watch moving forward.
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All in all, you have to expect only one thing being on his mind next season and that’s putting his team in a position to win the National Championship. While they failed to make the College Playoff this season, they’ll use that as motivation next season and will be one of the favorites in many analyst’s minds.
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