These players just missed the cut for the top 25 Heisman winners of all time, for one reason or another. But they all stood out in their own way. 

Bo Jackson, Auburn RB

Bo is regarded as one of the top all-around athletes of the modern era, and he won what was then the closest race in Heisman Trophy history over Iowa’s Chuck Long to claim the trophy. He keyed Auburn, rushing for 1,786 yards (No. 2 all-time to that point in SEC history) with 17 touchdowns. However, he was knocked out of the Florida and Tennessee games with injury, which hurt his case in our rankings. 

Nile Kinnick, Iowa HB

1939 was a different time for college football, but Iowa’s Nile Kinnick still stood out. The Hawkeyes finished 6-1-1 that year, and Kinnick was involved in 16 of Iowa’s 19 touchdowns on the season. He threw for 11 touchdowns, scored five more and ran for 374 yards. He won the Heisman and a number of other awards, including the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year.

Vinny Testaverde, Miami (FL) QB

Everyone remembers the 1987 Fiesta Bowl, when Testaverde threw five interceptions and Penn State upset Miami in stunning fashion, but the Hurricanes would never have gotten that far without Testaverde. He threw for 2,557 yards with 26 touchdowns against nine interceptions and was clearly college football’s top player that year.

Danny Wuerffel, Florida QB

1996 was an incredible season for Florida, and there was nobody more important to the Gators’ success than quarterback Danny Wuerffel. Wuerffel threw for 3,625 yards with 39 touchdowns and 13 interceptions as Florida won a national championship for head coach Steve Spurrier.