Ranking the Top Ten Best Heisman Winners Since 1990

The Heisman Trophy remains one of the most cherished individual awards in all of sports, even though some say it has lost some of its luster in recent years.

The top ten best Heisman winners since 1990 all bring something unique to the table and all helped their teams achieve quality seasons while capturing the attention of college football fans across the country.

While many Heisman winners haven't panned out at the next level, their time spent in college will echo throughout generations of football fans. Here are the ten best since 1990:

10. Carson Palmer, 2002 The USC quarterback with the golden arm overcame some early career inconsistencies to win the Heisman in 2002. He was surrounded by tons of talent but he lifted them higher with his pocket presence, arm strength and accuracy.

9. Tim Tebow, 2007 The Florida QB put it all together in 2007, combining power running with steady QB play in a way that hadn't ever been seen before at the position. His unique style ensures he will always be remembered as one of the "Most Outstanding Players" of his generation as the Heisman Trophy looks for in its winners. He was the first sophomore winner.

8. Charlie Ward, 1993 While he gets unfairly lumped in with many other run and shoot "system QB's" of his generation, Ward showed great leadership, poise, smarts and athletic ability for FSU in 1993 making him on of the best of that bunch.

7. Cameron Newton, 2010 The Auburn QB won over the voters with his excellent running and passing skills in leading Auburn to the title game and then the national championship. Questions about his eligibility continue to dog him, especially in the wake of the Reggie Bush scandal which caused him to give back his Heisman and be removed from this list.

However, Cameron's play on the field was legendary for the Tigers and he will also be remembered for it.

6. Troy Smith, 2006 Smith led his Buckeyes to the title game and had an amazing season as a runner and a passer. Everything seemingly went like clockwork for the former low-ranked prospect. The Buckeyes' NCAA issues and Smith being caught having taken money from a booster hurt his standing here, however.

5. Matt Leinart, 2004 The USC QB is another in a long line of guys who had the fortune of playing for an amazing team. But he was steady and put up great numbers for one of the best teams of the modern era.

4. Desmond Howard, 1991 The Michigan receiver and return man became one of the faces of the Heisman when he struck the pose after a return TD to help beat Ohio State during his magical season. Howard had a rough pro career as a receiver but persevered to become an amazing return man and Super Bowl MVP.

3. Ricky Williams, 1998 Williams left college having broken several NCAA rushing records for yards and TDs and did it the right way at Texas while capturing the imagination of generations of fans. Williams' record-setting career was special in that it was done at a major university while many other record holders hail from smaller schools.

2. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, 2008 Bradford showed that the Oklahoma system is one of the best in college football when he did the unthinkable and put up similar numbers to what Jason White did when he won the Heisman in 2003. His pro success so far validates his win further.

1. Charles Woodson, 1997 A winner at every level, Woodson has a Super Bowl title now to go with his 1997 national title. While his win over Peyton Manning was controversial, Woodson deserves extra credit for beating out the superhuman QB in 1997; Manning would be in this spot if he had won.

Woodson is number one on the list of the top ten best Heisman winners since 1990 mainly because of the outstanding plays he made including a one-handed sideline interception against Michigan State and a game-winning TD return against Ohio State as well as an amazing Rose Bowl performance. He defines the "Most Outstanding Player" criteria of the award the best.

Source: Heisman Trophy History