Robert Griffin III and the Most Unlikely Heisman Winners of All Time

It's not that the following players didn't deserve the Heisman as it was more so surprising that they won the coveted trophy.

When you think of the Heisman Trophy big name players like Charles Woodson, Johnny Rodgers, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, and more recently, Cam Newton comes to mind. Not to mention all are from big-time college football programs.

Now, the following five players are from big-name programs as well, but when diving deeper it seems unlikely that theses players would have won the Heisman when their respective seasons began.

Robert Griffin: QB, Baylor

The man who just won it and shredded defenses every year he's been under center at Baylor. But that's just it, Robert Griffin went to Baylor.

When you think of big-time college football programs let's face it, Baylor doesn't come to mind and when you look at the schools he was up against in the Heisman race (Alabama, LSU, Wisconsin, Stanford) the odds seemed against him.

Then, add in the top prospects themselves i.e. Andrew Luck (who was a Heisman Finalist in 2010), Trent Richardson, and Montee Ball, well, Griffin was definitely unlikely.

That said, he was most definitely deserving of winning the trophy and putting the Baylor Bears on the Heisman map.

John Huarte: QB, Notre Dame

After two years of college football, Notre Dame QB John Huarte had just one TD pass in 50 attempts. Thing was, back in the mid-1960s, freshman weren't allowed to step on the field so Huarte had just one season of eligibility left.

Well, the man made the most of it by throwing 16 TDs, however, he also had 11 INTs. Definitely not a ratio indicative of most Heisman QBs, not to mention only having 2,062 passing yards.

Maybe it was because Huarte played for Notre Dame, but then again the Irish did finish the year 9-1 and ranked No. 3 in the nation.

So, although Huarte was unlikely, he was definitely assisted by having been on a great team.

Paul Hornung: QB/RB, Notre Dame

Another Notre Dame Heisman winner, Paul Hornung.

Thing about Hornung though, was that it wasn't him being an unworthy Heisman candidate or finalist. It was that Notre Dame went just 2-8 in 1956.

That being said, Hornung became the winner because he basically was the entire Irish team that year. He served as Notre Dame's QB, RB, occasional WR, safety, punter, and kicker.

These days that's unheard of and back then it was still a lot. Nonetheless, Hornung accounted for almost 2,000 total yards, picked off two passes and made 14 extra points.

Scoring was scarce back then for Notre Dame, so if Hornung didn't score, the Irish didn't score.

Archie Griffin (1975): RB, Ohio State

Definitely deserving of it as a junior, but not as a senior.

Ohio State RB Archie Griffin is the only two-time Heisman winner and gives the Big Ten another standout on the Heisman scene (as well as the only primary defensive player, Charles Woodson of Michigan to win the trophy).

That said, Griffin dominated as a junior as scored 12 TDs while accounting for almost 1,700 total yards. His senior season however, Archie may have compiled over 1,500 total yards, but he only scored four TDs.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two seasons were his yards per carry. In '74 Archie averaged roughly seven yards per carry, but that number dropped to roughly 5.5 yards per carry.

Losing 1.5 yards per carry the following season doesn't warrant a second Heisman Trophy, let alone a Heisman Trophy at all. Not to mention he carried the ball more times also.

Doug Flutie: QB, Boston College

Alas we come to Doug Flutie who stood at 5'10" but weighed just 180 pounds. And when you think of college football, well, let's just say the Boston College Eagles aren't the first that comes to mind.

In addition, Flutie for most, isn't the first Heisman Trophy winner you think of either. To that end though, Flutie is a surprise because prior to his senior season, his numbers weren't off the charts.

As a junior Flutie tossed for just 17 TDs to 15 INTs and had over 2,700 yards.

So the numbers weren't bad. The following season however, Flutie ate some of those famous Flutie Flakes (brand technically not created until 1998) and really came on the scene in 1984.

There, he threw for 27 TDs to just 11 INTs, had a 60.4 completion percentage and compiled over 3,400 yards. Include his Hail Mary against the Miami Hurricanes and although Flutie was a lock, his season and winning the game over The U were definitely unlikely after 1983.

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