The Official Heisman Trophy Podcast features a weekly conversation with college football’s top Heisman candidates and in-depth stories about the trophy’s history, plus a focus on the Heisman Trophy Trust and its charitable efforts.
The show streams every Wednesday during the college football season and through the Heisman Trophy ceremony. It is hosted, co-produced, edited, and engineered by Chris Huston. Paul Goldberg is the executive producer and editor. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Threads @HeismanTrophy. Video segments of the show will soon be featured on YouTube and TikTok. Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.
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BONUS EPISODE Summary
On Saturday morning, with the 2023 Heisman ceremony looming, we sat down with Jayden Daniels of LSU, Marvin Harrison, Jr., of Ohio State, Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix, Jr., of Washington to get their thoughts on their experiences so far as Heisman finalists.
Episode 16 Summary
With the four Heisman finalists selected for 2023, we take a deep dive into the trophy’s history. What is a Heisman finalist? Did you know that Herschel Walker, John Elway and Eric Dickerson were the first Heisman finalists? How does the Heisman vote work? Did you know that LSU’s Joe Burrow holds the record for the largest Heisman landslide? And that Stanford’s Toby Gerhart was thisclose to winning the Heisman in 2009 over Alabama’s Mark Ingram? We also go over the history of the Heisman ceremony itself, which evolved from a humble luncheon in 1935, to a variety show with Farrah Fawcett and Elliott Gould in 1977 to the format on ESPN we know and love today. Hall of Fame sportscaster Don Criqui recalls his long tenure as emcee of the Heisman gala. And to close things out, former Presidential speechwriter and current The Atlantic magazine writer David Frum shares with us his thoughts on three of the most famous acceptance speeches in Heisman history: Nile Kinnick’s in 1939, Bruce Smith’s in 1941 and John Cappelletti’s in 1973.
Episode 15 Summary
Miami 1992 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta joins the podcast to talk about the recent retirement of his jersey, the story of how he ended up in Coral Gables, how the Canes would have beaten UW in 1991, the difference between Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson and what he thinks of the current state of college football (among other things). Then, we chat with former ESPN anchor Neil Everett, a son of the Pacific Northwest, who shares his excitement over the prospect of Oregon’s Bo Nix winning the Heisman and his thoughts on hosting the 2023 Heisman Dinner Gala in New York City on Dec. 10.
Episode 14 Summary
With Heisman votes for this year’s award set to go out on November 27, Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State comes on the show to talk about his new Amazon Prime documentary Bye Bye Barry. He also takes a deep dive into his incredible, record-breaking 1988 season. If you love college football history, this an interview you won’t want to miss. How could such a talented and productive player be so underestimated at every step of his career? Current Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon also stops by to discuss his transformation into the nation’s leading rusher.
Episode 13 Summary
Crimson Tide sophomore quarterback Jalen Milroe joins the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast to talk about Alabama’s improvement and how his early-season benching was an opportunity. With three games left to play, he wants to Let All Naysayers Know that the Tide is back in business. The show closes out with one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time, 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer out of Brigham Young University. Detmer talks about his love of sports while growing up in Texas, why he chose to attend BYU, what it was like to upset No. 1 Miami and what he’s been up to these last few years.
Episode 12 Summary
Hall of Famer and 5-time national champion basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University joins the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast to discuss his efforts with the Emily K Center in Durham, North Carolina. The 2022 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner also reflects on life after basketball and gives his thoughts on conference realignment as well as this season’s Blue Devils squad. Later in the show, in honor of Veteran’s Day, we pay tribute to Heisman veterans and their service.
Episode 11 Summary
This week’s episode focuses on special teams as Iowa All-American punter Tory Taylor joins the show to talk about his journey from Melbourne, Australia to the Big Ten while teaching us a thing or two about punting. He’s followed by USC all-purpose dynamo Zachariah Branch, who explains his fearless approach to returning punts and kicks. Finally, we wrap up the show with a look at Steve Spurrier‘s game-winning field goal over Auburn in 1966 that helped him clinch the Heisman Trophy.
Episode 10 Summary
Heisman Trophy candidate Jayden Daniels comes on the show to discuss his overall improvement since landing in Baton Rouge, his favorite moments at LSU so far, and why sometimes he just can’t slide like his coaches want him to. Then it’s the story of 1959 LSU Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon and his famous punt return against Mississippi on Halloween night. Remember? To close things out, a few man on the street interviews about Heisman history outside Notre Dame Stadium.
Episode Nine Summary
Senior Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis joins the pod to share his journey, his childhood dream of playing for FSU, and how he feels about the brotherhood he shares with his teammates. We cap off an “All-FSU” episode with 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward, who reveals how Bobby Bowden was able to lure him to Tallahassee, and which NBA player was his toughest opponent.
Episode Eight Summary
Kentucky running back Ray Davis, the SEC’s leading rusher, stops by to talk about his new life in Lexington, overcoming life’s challenges and his interest in the sport of underwater hockey. Next we visit with 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims of Oklahoma, who reveals he almost went to Baylor and that he would’ve been an auto mechanic if not for being so great at football. Finally, the 2018 High School Heisman winner, Sunjay Chawla, updates us on his life since winning his award.
Episode Seven Summary
Washington State Cougar Cameron Ward joins us to talk about his journey from Wing-T quarterback in West Columbia, Texas, to the FCS, to the FBS, to 2023 Heisman candidate in the Palouse. With the Red River Showdown looming on Saturday, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams stops by to give his thoughts on the Longhorns, his amazing senior season and what he’s been up to lately. Finally, The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel chats with us about his publication’s latest Heisman poll and whether Caleb Williams might have as good a shot as any player in a long time to win a second Heisman.
Episode Six Summary
Ohio State junior receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr., comes on the pod to give us an update on his ankle and talk about the joys of playing college football in The Horseshoe. We also talk to Rick Neuheisel, former Colorado offensive lineman Tony Berti and Buffaloes historian Dave Plati for a deep dive into an unsung play in Heisman history – Rashaan Salaam‘s pass block that bought time for Kordell Stewart and Michael Westbrook to pull off the “Miracle at Michigan” in the Big House in 1994. Finally, NHL great and 2008 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner Pat LaFontaine joins us to provide an inspiring update on his charitable endeavor “Companions in Courage” and other efforts.
Episode Five Summary
Notre Dame senior quarterback Sam Hartman talks about making the move from Wake Forest to South Bend for his final collegiate season, what it was like to visit Dublin, Ireland for the season opener, and what inspired his signature bearded-look. In the second half of the show, 1987 Heisman Trophy winner Tim Brown of Notre Dame provides an in-depth look at his football journey, from playing in the marching band as a high school freshman, to spending countless hours in Lou Holtz’s office, to pulling off two punt returns against Michigan State on his way to becoming the second receiver to win the Heisman.
Episode Four Summary
Senior Michigan running back Blake Corum joins the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast and shares his thoughts on college football, Michigan football history, real estate and giving back to the community. Later in the program, 1996 Florida Gators Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel gives us an in-depth look at his brilliant career and Heisman-winning season, with plenty of Steve Spurrier anecdotes. Plus, his foray into the sport of pickle ball.
Episode Three Summary
Illinois All-American defensive lineman Johnny Newton talks about his Mt. Rushmore of Food, the Greek hero Theseus and his preference for old school automobiles. Nebraska 2001 Heisman winner Eric Crouch reflects on his visit to Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 while Florida 1996 Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel shares the story of his Desire Street Ministries and Wuerffel Foundation.
Episode Two Summary
Penn State preseason All-American cornerback Kalen King joins Chris on the Official Heisman Podcast to talk about his preparation for the upcoming season and the joys of playing college football. With the season about to start, Chris and Paul discuss standout opening games from Heisman history, and Carlton Oby, the Executive Director of the charity Mercy Street, tells how the Heisman has worked with his organization to serve the Dallas area.
Episode One Summary
The premier episode of the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast features Ohio State great Archie Griffin, who talks about his legendary (and successful) 1975 quest for a second Heisman. We also pay homage to recently deceased Heisman legends Johnny Lujack of Notre Dame and Charles White of USC. Next we hear about the Heisman’s impact on four high school communities that feature Heisman Trophy winners as alumni. Finally, we check in with Heisman Trophy Trustee, Jim Corcoran, to learn more about the Heisman Trust.