The most prestigious trophy in college football is the Heisman Trophy. Sometimes the winner dominates voting in a blowout — like Joe Burrow in 2019. But we're here to look at the tightest Heisman finishes in history.
2009: Mark Ingram vs. Toby Gerhart — and others (28-point margin)
Alabama’s Mark Ingram clinched the Heisman Trophy in the closest race in the award’s history, beating Stanford running back Toby Gerhart by a razor-thin 28 points. Ingram’s pivotal performances, like a career-best 246-yard game against South Carolina, helped carry Alabama to an undefeated season and their first SEC title in a decade.
Gerhart’s eye-popping 1,871 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns made it a fierce race, and Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (1,145 points) and Nebraska defensive star Ndamukong Suh (815 points) were also hot contenders. For added perspective, the gap between first and fourth that year was just 489 points; compare that to Joe Burrow’s 2019 record-setting margin of 1,846 points — a larger difference than Ingram’s entire winning vote total (1,304).
1985: Bo Jackson vs. Chuck Long (45-point margin)
In a tight finish, Auburn’s Bo Jackson edged out Iowa’s Chuck Long by just 45 points, the closest margin in Heisman history until 2009. Jackson’s season was defined by resilience — he played through multiple injuries, including two broken ribs, and still rushed for 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Long’s passing (2,978 yards and 26 touchdowns) powered Iowa to a 10-1 record.
1961: Ernie Davis vs. Bob Ferguson (53-point margin)
In one of the closest Heisman votes ever, Ernie Davis beat Ohio State’s Bob Ferguson by just 53 points, making history as the first Black player to win the award. Davis’s dynamic play as both a rusher and receiver helped Syracuse to a top-10 finish. He broke school records set by Jim Brown and capped off his college career with an MVP performance in the Liberty Bowl.
Off the field, Davis’s success represented a cultural breakthrough during the Civil Rights Movement. After his win, Davis received a congratulatory handshake from President John F. Kennedy, making his Heisman win a symbol of both athletic and social progress.
1953: John Lattner vs. Paul Giel (56-point margin)
In one of the tightest Heisman races in history, Notre Dame’s Johnny Lattner edged out Minnesota’s Paul Giel by just 56 points. Lattner was a true all-around player, contributing as a rusher, receiver, kick returner and defensive back. Despite not leading the Irish in any single offensive category, his versatility shined through with 651 rushing yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions for the 9-0-1 Notre Dame squad.
2001: Eric Crouch vs. Rex Grossman (62-point margin)
The 2001 race ended with Nebraska’s Eric Crouch sneaking by Florida’s Rex Grossman by 62 points. Crouch’s game-changing 63-yard touchdown reception against Oklahoma helped secure his place in Heisman lore. The Nebraska star’s ability to impact the game both on the ground and in the air gave him a slight edge. The option quarterback's 1,510 passing yards and seven touchdowns with 1,115 rushing yards and 18 more touchdowns were enough to offset Grossman's 3,896 passing yards and 34 touchdowns.
1989: Andre Ware vs. Anthony Thompson (70-point margin)
In 1989, Houston’s Andre Ware made history as the first Black quarterback to win the Heisman, defeating Indiana’s Anthony Thompson in a tightly contested vote. Despite Houston’s probation, which kept Ware’s high-octane offense off TV screens, his record-breaking season couldn’t be ignored. Ware threw for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns, setting 26 NCAA records. His unforgettable season, including a 95-point game against SMU, solidified his legacy as one of college football’s most electrifying quarterbacks.
