Last Ohio State Football Player to Win the Heisman Trophy

Few college football programs can compete with Ohio State football odds. The Buckeyes have claimed nine national championships in the last century and have had more than 60 players drafted into the NFL this decade. Since the end of the Cold War, they’ve averaged a conference championship about once every three years.

Despite this overwhelming program success, Ohio State has produced few Heisman Trophy winners. Since Archie Griffin won back-to-back Heisman Trophies in 1974-75, only two Buckeyes have won college football’s top award. 

That’s still two more than a lot of programs. But given Ohio State’s incredible run of winning and success, you might expect more than “only” two Heismans.

Last Ohio State Football Player to Win the Heisman Trophy

The last Ohio State football player to win the Heisman Trophy was Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith, who won the award in 2006. 

Smith finished his final season of college football with 2,542 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns. The Buckeyes finished the regular season 12-0 but lost to Florida in the national championship game.

It’s been 20 years of Heisman drought since then. Some players have gotten close – Dwayne Haskins finished third in 2018, and Julian Sayin finished fourth in 2025.

But at bottom, Ohio State hasn’t had a Heisman winner in 20 years. Meanwhile, Indiana, Colorado, Louisville, Baylor, and Auburn all have.

That drought could be coming to an end soon, with Jeremiah Smith now the clear midseason favorite in BetMGM’s Heisman Trophy odds market. 

As of this writing, the record-setting receiver has an implied 50% chance to win the award.