Heisman Moments: Memorable Defenders

SI Staff | Nov 2, 2009

Heisman Moments: Memorable Defenders /

Heisman Moments: Memorable Defenders

Alex Karras

The tackle was the first strictly defensive player to crack the top three, losing out to Texas A&M's John David Crow. The Outland Trophy winner would go on to play for the Detroit Lions, wrestle and star in the 1980s sitcom Webster.

Dick Butkus

A two-time unanimous All-America, the linebacker was sixth in voting in 1963 and third in 1964. In 1985, an award was created in his name to honor the nation's most outstanding linebacker.

LeRoy Keyes

Keyes was third in 1967 to Gary Beban and second a year later to O.J. Simpson. In his first collegiate game he returned a fumble 94 yards for a touchdown. Among the last of the two-way players, Keyes was also a running back for the Boilermakers.

Hugh Green

The three-time All-America garnered 179 first-place votes and 861 total points in finishing runner-up to South Carolina's George Rogers, both of which are the highest numbers in Heisman history for a defensive lineman.

Brian Bosworth

The Boz generated attention for his hairstyles and criticism of the NCAA, which included calling it the "National Communists Against Athletes." The linebacker was the winner of the first two Butkus Awards and finished fourth in the 1986 Heisman voting behind Miami's Vinny Testaverde.

Steve Emtman

As a junior in 1991, the defensive tackle was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, was a consensus All-America, won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award, but finished fourth in the Heisman balloting to Michigan's Desmond Howard. Another defender, Florida State corner Terrell Buckley, was eighth.

Marvin Jones

As a junior, "Shade Tree" had 111 tackles and seven tackles for loss and finished fourth to Miami's Gino Torreta. The linebacker was the first Florida State player to win two national awards in the same year, winning the Butkus and Lombardi.

Warren Sapp

A consensus All-America and the Hurricanes' first Butkus and Lombardi winner, the former tight end was at the center of a defense that led the nation in total defense and scoring defense. He finished sixth to Colorado's Rashaan Salaam.

Charles Woodson

The first and only primary defensive player to win the award, the cornerback helped Michigan to an undefeated season and a share of the national championship. Also used as a kick returner and occasional receiver, Woodson beat out Tennessee's Peyton Manning by 282 points.

A.J. Hawk

The only player to reach the top six in balloting since Woodson's win, Hawk finished sixth in a race won by USC's Reggie Bush. The All-America led the Buckeyes in tackles for three straight years, including 121 as a senior.

Published Nov 2, 2009

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