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The seven Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winners are among the school's most accomplished athletes in the history of its illustrious football program. The Fighting Irish are without a doubt one of the most successful teams in college football history. Nothing emphasizes this more than having the most winners of the sport's highest individual honor.
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John Lattner – For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, John Lattner filled a variety of roles. He was a running back, receiver, and defensive back. His Heisman Trophy victory in 1953 highlighted his flexibility, as he did not lead the Irish in throwing, rushing, or receiving that season. His entire performance, on the other hand, left an everlasting mark. He had nearly 1,700 yards rushing, 39 catches, 13 interceptions, and eight recoveries, as well as two kickoff returns for scores.
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Lattner was picked in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1954, but he only stayed with them for one season before joining the United States Air Force for two years. He suffered a devastating knee injury during a football game there, which stopped him from ever playing professional football again.
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John Huarte – John Huarte played quarterback for the Irish in the 1960s, before the quarterback domination that we see today in football. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1964 as a senior. He completed 114 of 205 passes for 2,062 yards. His effort was critical to Notre Dame's 9-1 record in 1964.
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Angelo Bertelli – Angelo Bertelli broke the record as the first Notre Dame Heisman winner when he received the award in 1943. He was also a quarterback who was years ahead of his peers. He completed 169 of 324 throw attempts for 2,582 yards during his Heisman-winning season. He is credited with perfecting the "T-Formation," for which the Fighting Irish became famous years after he left.
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Tim Brown – When asked for evidence that Notre Dame is the equivalent of “old money” in college football, simply point to Tim Brown. He's the seventh and most recent Notre Dame Heisman winner. The former wide receiver won the award in 1987, well over 30 years ago. Brown has a school record of 5,024 all-purpose yards. He was the first Heisman Trophy winner to be a wide receiver. In his final season, he also helped Notre Dame win the national championship.
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Paul Hornung – Paul Hornung is another quarterback to appear on the list of Notre Dame Heisman winners. Hornung was nothing like the conventional quarterback, however. In fact, he began as a fullback. He became a quarterback along the way and eventually ended up a s defensive back.
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He led his team in passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff punt returns, and punting during the 1956 season. He also played defense, leading the league in passes broken up and finishing second in interceptions and tackles made. Despite Notre Dame's 2-8 record, Hornung received the Heisman Trophy in 1956, the only time a player from a losing team has received such recognition.
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Johhny Lujack – Johnny Lujack's name is unquestionably one of the most iconic, not just in Notre Dame history, but also in college football history. Lujack led the Fighting Irish to three national championships while playing for Notre Dame in the 1940s. That achievement has never been duplicated by another quarterback. But Lujack was more than just a good quarterback. During his career, he passed for nearly 3,000 yards and also played defensive back.
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Leon Hart – They simply don’t make them like Leon Hart anymore in college football. Hart was only the second (and final) offensive lineman to win the Heisman Trophy. Over the course of four years, Hart appeared in 38 games for the Irish. They went 36-0-2 with Hart on the team and he didn't lose a single game. Hart led Notre Dame to the national championship the same year he won the Heisman Trophy and was the first overall pick in the NFL draft.
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