USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Picture: David Becker Source: AFP He received 544 first-place votes and 2,031 total points. Texas Christian University senior quarterback Duggan was the runner-up (188 first-place votes, 1,420 points).
Duggan, named the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback of the Year earlier this week, was one of the more remarkable Heisman contenders this season after his astonishing comeback from heart surgery.
It took a preseason Covid scan in 2020 for doctors to discover Duggan’s Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome – a condition where an extra electrical pathway to the heart causes a rapid heartbeat.
But not even a nine-hour surgery and subsequent surgery two days later for a blood clot would keep Duggan from returning to the field.
Last season, he won praise for playing much of the campaign with a broken foot and torn tendon.
This year, after not even starting the season as QB for the Horned Frogs, he completed an inspirational comeback to lead TCU to an undefeated regular season – the first Big 12 team to achieve the feat in more than a decade.
But it was the overtime loss to Kansas State that saw Duggan’s emotional post-game scenes go viral, and he won hearts across the nation.
Luckily for Duggan and No. 3 ranked TCU, they are through to the Fiesta Bowl playoff against No.2 ranked Michigan.
Ohio State junior quarterback C.J. Stroud (37, 539) was third, followed by Georgia senior quarterback Stetson Bennett (36, 349).
Williams is USC’s first Heisman Trophy winner since Matt Leinart in 2004. In 13 games this season, Williams threw for 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns, and rushed for 372 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns.
He threw just four interceptions, displaying an exciting ability to escape trouble with an unexpected pass or electrifying run.
USC started 8-0 for the first time since 2006 and defeated both Los Angeles rival UCLA and Notre Dame in the same season for the first time since 2016.
The four Heisman finalists (L-R) Stetson Bennett, Max Duggan, C.J. Stroud and Caleb Williams. Picture: Sarah Stier Source: Getty Images But they fell late in the season, with the Trojans’ hopes dashed by a loss to the University of Utah in the Pac-12 Conference championship game.
Williams, who turned 20 in November, was key to the early season success, and is expected to have the Trojans contending again next year.
He isn’t eligible for the NFL Draft until 2024, as he is yet to play at the college level for at least three years.
RECENT HEISMAN TROPHY WINNERS
2022 – Caleb Williams
2021 – Bryce Young
2020 – DeVonta Smith
2019 – Joe Burrow
2018 – Kyler Murray
2017 – Baker Mayfield
2016 – Lamar Jackson
2015 – Derrick Henry
2014 – Marcus Mariota
2013 – Jamies Winston
2012 – Johnny Manziel
2011 – Robert Griffin III
2010 – Cam Newton
2009 – Mark Ingram II
2008 – Sam Bradford
2007 – Tim Tebow
2006 – Troy Smith
