Kazmaier won Princeton’s only Heisman while leading his team to a 9-0 record and a No. 6 final ranking. He is the last single-wing player to win the Heisman and the last to come from the Ivy League.
The 5-11, 171-pounder was a halfback, kicker and quarterback for the Tigers, but he spent his first year at Princeton fifth on the depth chart. Within two years, however, he became the ultimate weapon for Hall of Fame head coach Charlie Caldwell; by his graduation, he was Princeton’s all-time leader in rushing (1,950 career yards) and ranked second in passing (2,404 career yards). His 59.5 career completion percentage still ranks third all-time at Princeton.
His career was capped in 1951 as he was named an All American as well as winning the Maxwell and Heisman. He was the nation’s total offense leader in 1951 and the most accurate passer in the country. He rushed for 861 yards and nine touchdowns while throwing for 966 yards and 13 scores. He was named Ivy League Football Player of the Decade in 1960 and Time Magazine ran his picture on its cover.
The video above shows highlights from that remarkable season.
