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By Chris Huston 9.6.17

Returning Heisman winners in season debuts

25th anniversary Heisman winner: Ty Detmer

Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson started off on the right foot this past weekend, completing 30 of 46 passes for 378 yards and 2 TDs, while rushing for 107 yards on 21 carries in a season-opening victory over Purdue.

It marked just the 14th season debut for a returning Heisman winner.

Here’s how Jackson’s season debut as a Heisman winner compares to those of previous returning Heisman winners:

(Note: Stats for season debuts by returning winners Doc Blanchard, Doak Walker, Vic Janowicz and Roger Staubach are incomplete)

PlayerYearResultStat Line
Doc Blanchard1946W Army 35, Villanova 0N/A – Blanchard tore ligaments in left knee.
Doak Walker1949W SMU 13, Wake Forest 72 TD passes
Vic Janowicz1951W Ohio St. 7, SMU 01 XP
Roger Staubach1964W Navy 21, Penn State 85 of 13 passing, injured achilles tendon.
Archie Griffin1975W Ohio St. 21, Mich St. 029 carries for 111 yards, 3 TDs, 1 reception for 3 yards
Billy Sims1979W Oklahoma 21, Iowa 623 carries for 106 yards, 2 TDs
Ty Detmer1991L Florida State 44, BYU 2819 of 32 passing for 229 yards, 2 TDs, 1 interception
Matt Leinart2005W USC 63, Hawaii 1718 of 24 passing for 332 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception
Tim Tebow2008W Florida 56, Hawaii 109 of 14 passing for 137 yards, 1 TD, 9 carries, 37 yards
Sam Bradford2009L BYU 14, Oklahoma 1310 of 14 passing, 96 yards, 1 TD; injured shoulder.
Mark Ingram2010W Alabama 62, Duke 139 carries for 151 yards, 2 TDs*
Johnny Manziel2013W Texas A&M 52, Rice 316 of 8 passing for 94 yards, 3 TDs, 6 carries, 19 yards
Jameis Winston2014W FSU 37, Okla. St. 3125 of 40 passing, 370 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 1 rush TD
Lamar Jackson2017W Louisville 35, Purdue 2830 of 46 passing, 378 yards, 2 TDs, 21 carries 107 yards

* – Ingram missed the first two games of the season and did not make his debut until game 3.

Returning Heisman winners are 12-2 in season debuts, with three suffering major injuries that ended up derailing their chances of a repeat run at the trophy.

This entry was posted in Heisman Winners and tagged Archie Griffin, Billy Sims, Doak Walker, Mark Ingram, Matt Leinhart, Roger Staubach, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Ty Detmer, Vic Janowicz. Bookmark the permalink.

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