The Heisman Trophy Podcast

Send us Fan MailThis month's Heisman Trophy Podcast is a mega-episode as we take a journey into the realm of neuroscience and what it tells us about brain development in elite athletes. How much do we know about the brain as it pertains to athleticism? What factors help determine which athletes becomes great and which do not?  Are elite athletes wired differently?  Is their development due primarily to nature or nurture?  Guests include neuroscientist Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa, the head of the sports neurology department at the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute, Zach Schonbrun, author of The Performance Cortex, former 5-star quarterback, current ESPN color commentator Max Browne, and class of 2027 right hand pitcher Davis Wilson of Fresno (Calif.) North High, an elite Major League Baseball prospect who is committed to Vanderbilt.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWhat separates greatness from good? This episode puts that question to three people who have lived the answer. Curt Cignetti, who coached Fernando Mendoza from overlooked transfer to Heisman winner and national champion, breaks down what he saw on tape and what he watched develop once Mendoza arrived in Bloomington. Lincoln Riley — the only active coach to have guided three Heisman winners — traces the common thread through Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Caleb Williams, three men with nothing in common except the belief that their circumstances were never going to stop them. And Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, the 2019 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner, reflects on a career that began as physical therapy and ended in Albertville, and on what she saw from Alyssa Liu in Milan that reminded her exactly of how champions are made. The sport changes, but the wiring doesn't.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThe Heisman Trophy Podcast is now available in the offseason, starting with this month's episode featuring, Joey Cheek, a 2006 Olympic speed skating gold medalist and original Heisman Humanitarian. Cheek shares insights on athletic excellence, mental toughness, the impact of social media, and his humanitarian work with the organizations Right to Play and Team Darfur. Discover how elite athletes prepare, handle pressure, and leverage their platforms for global good. Also, find out what it's like to hang with George Clooney and Don Cheadle on the way to Egypt. Only three living football coaches have coached three or more Heisman Trophy winners and one of them is Pete Carroll, formerly of USC. Explore the fascinating career of Carroll through the insights of author Monte Burke, a New York Times bestselling author who brings clear focus to Carroll's coaching philosophy and impact on college football.We close out the show by making a list of the five best plays in Heisman Trophy history.  Will Fernando Mendoza's amazing run against Miami make the cut?Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailNewly-crowned Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza of Indiana returns to the Heisman Trophy Podcast to share what it was like to win the most prestigious individual award in American sports. Mendoza reflects on the achievement, the significance of the Heisman name, and the responsibilities that come with it. He shares insights about his journey, the support from teammates and family, and how he plans to navigate fame and public attention. Mendoza emphasizes the importance of mentorship and giving back, as well as his plans for the trophy itself. After Mendoza, we have a great chat with legendary broadcaster and friend of the Heisman, Neil Everett, who confesses to getting a lump in his throat during Mendoza's acceptance speech. We close with Bob Seidel, the executive director of Beat the Streets NYC, an organization on a mission to develop the full human and athletic potential of New York City urban youth...through wrestling.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIt's beginning to to look a lot like Heisman and the trophy's official podcast is here to ring in the season proper. We've got four finalists set to come to New York City for the 2025 Heisman Trophy ceremony: Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia and Ohio State's Julian Sayin. Kick off the festivities by taking a walk down memory lane as we tell the history of the Heisman ceremony itself, which evolved from a humble luncheon in 1935, to a variety shows starring Farrah Fawcett and Elliott Gould in 1977, to the format on ABC we know and love today. Hall of Fame sportscaster Don Criqui recalls his long tenure as emcee of the Heisman gala. And to close things out, former Presidential speechwriter and current The Atlantic magazine writer David Frum shares with us his thoughts on three of the most famous acceptance speeches in Heisman history: Nile Kinnick's in 1939, Bruce Smith's in 1941 and John Cappelletti's in 1973. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIn this week's episode, we talk to 2025 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner Larry Fitzgerald, a legendary wide out for Pittsburgh who finished as Heisman runner up in 2003 before going on to a storied NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.Fitzgerald shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through his Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, which focuses on youth education and breast cancer awareness. He emphasizes the importance of bridging the digital divide for underserved youth and reflects on his global humanitarian experiences. The conversation also touches on his football career, legacy, and the impact of his work in the community.The Heisman is more than a trophy. It's also a charitable foundation that distributes millions in donations every year to worthy causes that help underserved communities. The Heisman Humanitarian Award recognizes figures in the sports world who have distinguished records in this area.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis week's pod takes a trip down memory lane with former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke on the 25th anniversary of his Heisman-winning season. Learn how the late-1980s three-sport high school prodigy out of Minnesota transformed into the improbable and unflappable late-1990s Seminole field general who -- at age 28! -- helped cap one of college football's great dynastic runs.  Now the offensive coordinator for Georgia Tech, Weinke looks back fondly at his Heisman weekend, the last one held at the old Downtown Athletic Club, and shares why the late, great Bobby Bowden was so central to his success in life. To close out the show, we chat with ESPN analyst Max Browne, who helps put a bow on the 2025 college football regular season while also identifying an interesting trend or two.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIndiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza joins the Heisman Trophy Podcast as the Hoosiers sit at 11-0, eyeing a Big Ten title and potential playoff berth. He reflects on pivotal moments of the season—like the last-second touchdown vs. Penn State—and shares how his transfer from Cal paid off thanks to Indiana’s leadership, team culture, and offensive scheme. In this classic long-form interview, Mendoza opens up about his methodical, Stoic approach to football and life, and how he overcame imposter syndrome with help from mentors. It's a thoughtful, grounded conversation with one of the most impressive players in college football—on and off the field.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailOn the 50th episode of the Heisman Trophy Podcast, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, a.k.a. "Mr. 80%", drops by to talk about his football journey, including how he learned the fine art of completing passes at an absurdly-high rate. The redshirt freshman has the No. 1 Buckeyes in position to possibly repeat as national champs, and a trip to New York City could be his just reward. Regardless, can someone find this man a good breakfast burrito in Columbus?  We also commemorate Veteran's Day with a stirring segment about Heisman Trophy winners who also served in the armed forces. You see, some were heroes off the field, too.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailMidshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath returns for his second deployment on the Heisman Trophy Podcast, showcasing his whistling skills while providing insight on Academy life, the Army-Navy game and even Marine culture. The senior from Hilliard, Ohio, leads one of the nation's most exciting offenses and is a big reason Navy is off to a 7-1 start. Later, Stewart Mandel, of The Athletic.com, joins the show to talk about the strange happenings in this year's coaching carousel. Has the coaching bubble finally popped?Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis Halloween enjoy some bonus pod coverage: USC's Makai Lemon, one of the best receivers in the country, if not THE best. The junior has 48 catches for 758 yards and 6 TDs and is a prime candidate for the Biletnikoff Award that goes to college football's top wide out.  And for good reason: He can do it all.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailFresh off a four-touchdown performance in a resounding 49-25 victory over LSU in Death Valley, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed drops by the pod to give an inside peek at his remarkable season. The sophomore from Nashville has the Aggies at 8-0 (their best start since 1992!) and ranked third in the AP poll (their best ranking since 1995!). Of course, the talented Reed has a lot to do with that, blistering opposing defenses with his arm and his legs -- especially on the road. Curious what it's like to be a big time college football quarterback who pals around with both Johnny Manziel and comedic actor Terry Crews? Listen and find out. To close the show, help yourself to the Heisman Trophy Podcast's traditional Halloween treat: An oral history of LSU Heisman winner Billy Cannon's famous Halloween Run in 1959. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailHe's a helluva quarterback, that Haynes King.  The tough-as-nails Georgia Tech senior is the featured guest on this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast after leading his No. 7 Yellow Jackets to a 7-0 record, their best start since 1966 and best ranking since 2009. They said he was a bust after things went sour at Texas A&M, but it turns out they were wrong. Now, the Yellow Jackets could be playoff bound thanks to the sixth-year dual threat. So tune in and get the inside scoop on one of college football's great redemption stories. Also, have you ever wondered which college football programs have the most sway when it comes to the Heisman race?  We went back and crunched the numbers and came up with a top 25 ranking for the most powerful teams in Heisman history.  Some of the results might shock you (especially if you're easily shocked)!Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis week's Heisman Trophy Podcast reaches beyond the shores of the West Coast all the way to Hawai'i and Tokyo to feature Rainbow Warriors placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa, the "Tokyo Toe", who leads college football in field goals made.  The 26-year-old senior tells the story of how he discovered football at the age of 20 and resolved, then and there, to play in the NFL one day. He went on to teach himself how to kick, as well as learn English, by watching YouTube. Thanks to his determination, his ultimate goal is now in sight and, along the way, he just might break an NCAA record or two. Can a placekicker challenge for the Heisman? Listen and decide. We finish up the pod with CBSSports.com writer Tom Fornelli, who explains why Penn State shouldn't hire Matt Rhule to replace James Franklin, why USC's Jayden Maiava can vault to the top of the Heisman race with a win over Notre Dame and why Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is currently in the strongest position of any other player in the 2025 Heisman race.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailBuckle up, because this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast is a Division-II Football Extravaganza with a special spotlight on the Ferris State Bulldogs and their legendary coach, Tony Annese. The three-time D-II national champion reveals the shocking secret to his success: a crazy little thing called love. Also: no team in America practices better. Step into the F.O.L.D. with coach Annese. A scheduling conflict knocked current Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss off this week's show, so instead we talked to the man who replaced him, redshirt freshman Wyatt Bower.  The exciting dual-threat for the top-ranked Bulldogs tells us what it's like to be a D-II quarterback. The show closes out with a much-needed expert tutorial on D-II from D2Football.com editor Chuck Bitner.  Who's ready to talk D-II football??Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailOne of college football's most improved quarterbacks joins this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast: USC's Jayden Maiava.  The junior from Hawaii is among the nation's leaders in passing yardage and total touchdowns. With the Trojans at 4-1 and taking a bye week before hosting Michigan, Maiava talked with us about his penchant for leading comebacks, what it's like to be a Lincoln Riley quarterback and his one special talent. We close the show with USCFootball.com publisher Ryan Abraham, a Heisman voter who sheds more light on Maiava and USC.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailFresh off a career-high 157 rushing yards against Purdue, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love hurdles his way onto the latest Heisman Trophy Podcast with inside tales of what it's like to be a college football running back. What goes on in his head when he gets handed the ball?  What happens if he forgets the play? Why and when did he start jumping over hapless defenders? Stream to find out!  We then bring on Chris Vannini, a senior writer for TheAthletic.com, to talk about college football's pending legislation before Congress and the latest coaching carousel updates. We close things out with CBSSports.com's Richard Johnson who shares insights on his recent piece on how college football teams are embracing artificial intelligence and more!Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailA close loss to Mississippi last Saturday wasn't enough to keep Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green away from this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast. The Razorbacks' talented 6-foot-6, 235-pound senior talked about what it's like to work with offensive mastermind Bobby Petrino, the intensity of college life in Fayetteville, and how his goals for this season include being named All-American, All-SEC...and Heisman Trophy winner. Next, the pod's tour of college football's cultural checkpoints continues with a look at the sports media landscape with Awful Announcing editor Ben Axelrod.  Finally, we close out with Caleb Cares Foundation Director Patsy Mangas, who shares some of the many ways the organization founded by 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is working to combat bullying and promote mental health discussion. Stay for the bonus audio featuring the current Chicago Bears quarterback reading a meditation. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis week brings a very special episode of the Heisman Trophy Podcast as we delve into the grass roots of college football and speak with innovators who help build the sport's culture. First up, the editor of the largest gathering for college football fans on the internet, Bobak Ha'Eri of r/cfb on Reddit. With over 4.4 million members, "the internet's tailgate" has influence that stretches well beyond its platform. Ha'Eri explains how r/cfb got its start and why it continues to thrive in an ever-changing college football landscape. We close with Mark Branstad, founder and CEO of TrackingFootball.com, an innovative scouting service that compiles tons of athletic data points (especially track and field marks) on high school, college and pro players. There's a good chance your school uses Mark's analytics, so you might as well get familiar. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIs he your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, a Heisman candidate, or both?  Utah quarterback Devon Dampier's guest turn on this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast comes on the heels of a sizzling debut for the Utes in a road win over UCLA this past weekend. What does he have in common with his favorite Marvel superhero?  How about a spidey sense that helps him avoid getting sacked? The junior transfer from New Mexico is an emerging star in college football, so you better get to know him now. To close out the show, we talk to Bill Connelly of ESPN about his new book, Forward Progress: The Definitive Guide to the Future of College Football. Does college football need a commissioner? Will corporate stooges ruin the sport? When will the sport stabilize?  These topics and more were covered in a rather engaging conversation.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThe first full weekend of college football 2025 is the focus of the latest Heisman Trophy Podcast, as superstar Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith joins the show ahead of the big Texas game to talk about his humble beginnings, his penchant for one-handed catches, his secret love of chess, and the reason he met up with Travis Kelce in New York this past summer. Next we take a deeper dive into the Smith legend by going back to the beginning with his trainer, Sly Johnson, of Premier Athletes, who gives key insights into what makes the young receiver tick. Then Chip Brown of Horns247 stops by to break down the huge 1-2 showdown between Texas and Ohio State in Columbus on Saturday. Will Arch Manning be ready? Can the Longhorns stop Smith again?  Find out what Chip thinks. Then, to close things out, we tell the Manning family story as it pertains to the Heisman. Three quarterbacks in the top 3 of the vote!  But will Arch write the final chapter?Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThe third season of the Heisman Trophy Podcast kicks off with a bonanza of an episode that features Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, the new Sooner on the block. The junior transfer from Washington State is primed for a run at the Heisman following a breakout sophomore campaign in the Palouse. In this interview, he talks about his long journey from overlooked high school recruit to highly-coveted transfer star. We follow up with ACCDN analyst and former college quarterback Max Browne, who breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of Mateer's game. We close out with David Covucci, founder of FOIABall.com, a site that uses the Freedom of Information Act to bring transparency to college football, and Heisman Trustee Jim Corcoran.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIt's a massive season finale for the pod as we dive head first into Heisman weekend with interviews from 2024 Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado, plus finalists Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, Dillon Gabriel of Oregon and Cam Ward of Miami. We also catch up with 1995 Heisman winner Eddie George of Ohio State, who fills us in on his experience as head coach at Tennessee State and reflects on how theater acting is a lot like playing football.  We close things out with John Kanaras, the owner of AxiaTime, the official time piece of the Heisman Trophy, who joins us to talk about his new partnership with the Heisman Trust, plus some thoughts on his exciting new Diasimos time piece from watch expert Jonathan V. Last.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIn this bonus pod, we go over the history of the Heisman ceremony itself, which evolved from a humble luncheon in 1935, to a variety show with Farrah Fawcett and Elliott Gould in 1977, to the format on ESPN we know and love today. Hall of Fame sportscaster Don Criqui recalls his long tenure as emcee of the Heisman gala. And to close things out, former Presidential speechwriter and current The Atlantic magazine writer David Frum shares with us his thoughts on three of the most famous acceptance speeches in Heisman history: Nile Kinnick's in 1939, Bruce Smith's in 1941 and John Cappelletti's in 1973.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWelcome to Heisman Week!  The 2024 Heisman finalists are on their way to New York and 50th anniversary winner Archie Griffin rejoins the pod to talk about how the joy of dotting the "i" and how his life changed since he won his first of two bronze statues all those years ago.  Friend of the pod Neil Everett also returns to share his perspectives on the playoff, the Heisman and Oregon football. And Heisman expert Cory McCartney rounds out the show with all kinds of great Heisman knowledge.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailFresh off leading his team to a 49-35 victory over USC, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard joins the pod to discuss why the middle eight minutes of a football game are important, how the Northern Illinois loss motivated him and his teammates, his connection with former NFL great Phillip Rivers, and why the Golden Dome was always in his future -- even growing up in Fairhope, Alabama. We then talk to 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne of Wisconsin, the NCAA's all-time leading rusher, who reminisces about his remarkable Badger career on the 25th anniversary of his Heisman season.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWith November winding down and the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony just three Saturdays away, Penn State tight end Tyler Warren joins the show to discuss his amazing versatility, how it helped him become one of the best players in the country and how Rob Gronkowski ended up endorsing him for Heisman. The Editor in Chief of college football coverage for The Athletic, Stewart Mandel, joins us in the next segment to provide his insight on the Heisman race, the 12-team playoff and the state of college football.  Finally, the most famous ballerina in the world and our 2024 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner, Misty Copeland, closes out the show by sharing how ballet has changed her life and how her foundation is changing the lives of others. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailFormer AP and current The Athletic college football writer Ralph Russo joins the pod to talk about everything under the sun, including the playoff picture, the Heisman race, officiating conspiracy theories and why players are suddenly rarely ineligible. Next we hear from California Bears cornerback Nohl Williams, the nation's interception leader and Thorpe semifinalist, who breaks down in detail what it's like to pick off a quarterback. We wrap up the show with one of the leading candidates for the Mackey Award, tight end extraordinaire Harold Fannin, Jr., of Bowling Green.  Also: Some key details on tickets for the Heisman Legends Brunch on Dec. 15.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis week on the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast: A feature interview with star sports journalist Holly Rowe of ESPN, with whom we run the gamut of topics while getting her takes on the current state of college football, why she loves rain games, what stadiums are the loudest, the challenges of getting info from coaches in the heat of the moment, her longtime love of the Heisman, her triumphant battle with cancer and her new foundation, Joy Us.  We also talk with Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate reporter Charles Lussier, who gives us an update on the work the Joe Burrow Foundation is doing introducing fresh vegetables to local school kids.  And in honor of Veterans Day, we close with a tribute to a long list of Heisman military veterans.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThe BY-Jew himself, Jake Retzlaff, is this week's featured guest. The Cougars quarterback discusses his football journey from SoCal to Provo, how he adjusted to the idea of attending a Mormon university, his competitive nature and what it's like to be a shining star to Jews worldwide.  Also joining the show is 1980 Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers out of South Carolina. The Super Bowl champion and 1981 NFL Rookie of the Year tells us all about growing up in Duluth, Georgia, and reminisces about his epic collegiate battles with the likes of Herschel Walker, Ronnie Lott and Hugh Green.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWith his team off to a 7-1 start, sophomore dual-threat QB John Mateer of Washington State comes on the pod to talk about his emergence as one of the best players in the country, his Texas roots and his seemingly mythical ability to squat 600 pounds. Cougars coach Jake Dickert follows with some insight into how his program found Mateer and why he thinks his young QB could be the real deal. And in the spirit of the season, we close with a segment on LSU's 1959 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon, whose 89-yard punt return on Halloween night still lives on in Louisiana lore.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan Mail"Cool-headed, hot-hearted" Army quarterback Bryson Daily shares his journey from Abernathy, Texas, to West Point, New York.  The Black Knights are off to a 7-0 start thanks to Daily, who leads the nation with 19 rushing touchdowns. Could Army and Navy be on a collision course not seen since the 1940s?  Then the Ol' Ball Coach himself, 1966 Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier, stops by the show to reminisce about his football days and give his opinion on the current state of college football. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailSenior Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke -- AKA the Maple Missile -- joins the pod to discuss his team's fast start, Canadian football, married life and why the Hoosier offense is so darn explosive.  Then we talked to 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte of Notre Dame, who shares his experience playing for the Irish under coach Ara Parseghian and reflects on his football journey that led to one of the more unlikely seasons in the trophy's history.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailNavy junior quarterback Blake Horvath joins the podcast to discuss his team's 5-0 start, his school's Heisman tradition, his future in the service and how a small toy was once lodged in his nose for seven years. The show continues with 2002 Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer out of USC, who reflects in great detail on his journey from struggling freshman to superstar senior.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailIt's a packed pod as Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson joins the show fresh off a 206-yard performance against Minnesota. We learn a ton about the Cincinnati-area native, including his early love of baseball, his exploits as a defensive lineman and how a billboard of Derrick Henry helped convince him to play football. He's followed by 1967 Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban, who catalogues the groovy sports scene of mid-1960s Los Angeles and tells us why January 5, 1965 was such an important date for him. Finally, we shine a light on the tremendous efforts of South Bronx United, as its executive director, Andrew So, joins us and we learn how his organization uses soccer to help underserved communities in the South Bronx.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailJames Madison quarterback Alonza Burnett III joins the show to discuss the details of his 7-touchdown performance in the Dukes' stunning 70-50 blowout of ACC power North Carolina last Saturday in Chapel Hill, what it felt like to play in such a wild game, and why dwelling on the victory is "rat poison" for his team. Then comes legendary CBSSportsline.com college football writer Dennis Dodd, who gives us some more low-down on the ever-evolving blob that is conference realignment and tells us why Travis Hunter of Colorado is his favorite for the Heisman. Plus: Chris gets on his soap box to rant about recruiting ratings.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailKansas State Wildcats quarterback Avery Johnson, a rising star in college football, joins the podcast to discuss the Wildcats' impressive start to the season, his close friendship with running back Dylan Edwards, and the comparisons to NFL star Lamar Jackson. Johnson also shares why K-State fans are some of the best in college football. The podcast continues with college football expert Phil Steele, who talks with host Chris about his legendary career, the story behind his famous 5-point font, and the unpredictable nature of the college football landscape. We wrap up the episode with Sharon Cohen, Founder and CEO of Figure Skating in Harlem, who shares the inspiring work her organization is doing to empower underserved communities in New York City through the sport of figure skating.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailMississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart joins the pod to talk about his recent hot streak as a passer, his relationship with wide receiver Tre Harris, how he became such a hard-nosed player, his innate fashion sense, his love of hunting, his bond with USC QB Miller Moss, how close he came to bolting to the NFL last December and more!  Also, elite Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden stops by to talk about his surging Tigers squad and why he chose football over basketball way back when. Host Chris Huston closes the show with a discourse on September games and the Heisman, with a look ahead to the big Heisman impact games coming up. Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailFresh off a school-record 267-yard, 6-TD performance in a season-opening victory over Georgia Southern, Boise State junior running back Ashton Jeanty joins the show to talk about his football journey from Naples, Italy, to Frisco, Texas. Post-game, he also breaks down some of the touchdown runs from his record-setting day. Next, NBC Sports college football expert Nicole Auerbach stops by to recap a wild week in college football with a look ahead at this weekend's huge matchup between Texas and Michigan. Finally, our Heisman charity spotlight features Bridge Lacrosse Executive Director David Higbee, who shares how his organization is using the sport of lacrosse to help underserved communities across Texas.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailAlabama junior quarterback Jalen Milroe returns to the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast to talk about his team's transition from the Nick Saban Era to the Kalen DeBoer Era, the "Bamily" that binds the program together and his fun-filled summer that included a trip to New York and hang outs with Aaron Judge and Michael Jordan. We also get some insight on Milroe (who is apparently quite the QB mad scientist) and the state of the Crimson Tide football program from Bama247.com reporter Michael Rodak.  And ahead of his team's big matchup with Garrett Nussmeier and LSU, USC quarterback Miller Moss shares with us what it's like to replace a Heisman Trophy winner.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailSeason two of the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast kicks off as writers Pat Forde of SI.com and Tom Fornelli of CBSSports.com join Chris on the show to discuss all the tumult going on in college football. Can the sport handle this much change so fast? Who are the favorites and dark horses for this year's Heisman?  Will someone throw for 6,000 yards?  Can the Trojans and Spartans create a rivalry worth of Homer in the newly-enlarged Big Ten?  Later, Heisman Trustee Jim Corcoran talks about the decision-making process that led to the reinstatement of Reggie Bush's Heisman.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailNewly-crowned Heisman winner Jayden Daniels of LSU joined the podcast the morning after the ceremony to talk about his journey and how his life is already changing. We also caught up with AP college football writer Ralph Russo, who reflected on his 20 years covering Heisman weekend. Finally, Mike Colleran, the Senior Vice President of Nissan North America came on to chat about the strong bond between Nissan and the Heisman, the work both organizations do in the community, and his favorite memories of Heisman weekend.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailOn Saturday morning, with the 2023 Heisman ceremony looming, we sat down with Jayden Daniels of LSU, Marvin Harrison, Jr., of Ohio State, Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix, Jr., of Washington to get their thoughts on their experiences so far as Heisman finalists.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWith the four Heisman finalists selected for 2023, we take a deep dive into the trophy's history. What is a Heisman finalist? Did you know that Herschel Walker, John Elway and Eric Dickerson were the first Heisman finalists?  How does the Heisman vote work?  Did you know that LSU's Joe Burrow holds the record for the largest Heisman landslide? And that Stanford's Toby Gerhart was thisclose to winning the Heisman in 2009 over Alabama's Mark Ingram?  We also go over the history of the Heisman ceremony itself, which evolved from a humble luncheon in 1935, to a variety show with Farrah Fawcett and Elliott Gould in 1977 to the format on ESPN we know and love today. Hall of Fame sportscaster Don Criqui recalls his long tenure as emcee of the Heisman gala. And to close things out, former Presidential speechwriter and current The Atlantic magazine writer David Frum shares with us his thoughts on three of the most famous acceptance speeches in Heisman history: Nile Kinnick's in 1939, Bruce Smith's in 1941 and John Cappelletti's in 1973.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailMiami 1992 Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta joins the podcast to talk about the recent retirement of his jersey, the story of how he ended up in Coral Gables, how the Canes would have beaten UW in 1991, the difference between Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson and what he thinks of the current state of college football (among other things). Then, we chat with former ESPN anchor Neil Everett, a son of the Pacific Northwest, who shares his excitement over the prospect of Oregon's Bo Nix winning the Heisman and his thoughts on hosting the 2023 Heisman Dinner Gala in New York City on Dec. 10.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailWith Heisman votes for this year's award set to go out on November 27, Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State comes on the show to talk about his new Amazon Prime documentary Bye Bye Barry. He also takes a deep dive into his incredible, record-breaking 1988 season. If you love college football history, this an interview you won't want to miss. How could such a talented and productive player be so underestimated at every step of his career?  Current Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon also stops by to discuss his transformation into the nation's leading rusher.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailCrimson Tide sophomore quarterback Jalen Milroe joins the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast to talk about Alabama's improvement and how his early-season benching was an opportunity. With three games left to play, he wants to Let All Naysayers Know that the Tide is back in business. The show closes out with one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time, 1990 Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer out of Brigham Young University. Detmer talks about his love of sports while growing up in Texas, why he chose to attend BYU, what it was like to upset No. 1 Miami and what he's been up to these last few years.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailHall of Famer and 5-time national champion basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski of Duke University joins the Official Heisman Trophy Podcast to discuss his efforts with the Emily K Center in Durham, North Carolina.  The 2022 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner also reflects on life after basketball and gives his thoughts on conference realignment as well as this season's Blue Devils squad. Later in the show, in honor of Veteran's Day, we pay tribute to Heisman veterans and their service.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailThis week's episode focuses on special teams as Iowa All-American punter Tory Taylor joins the show to talk about his journey from Melbourne, Australia to the Big Ten while teaching us a thing or two about punting. He's followed by USC all-purpose dynamo Zachariah Branch, who explains his fearless approach to returning punts and kicks. Finally, we wrap up the show with a look at Steve Spurrier's game-winning field goal over Auburn in 1966 that helped him clinch the Heisman Trophy.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan MailHeisman Trophy candidate Jayden Daniels comes on the show to discuss his overall improvement since landing in Baton Rouge, his favorite moments at LSU so far, and why sometimes he just can't slide like his coaches want him to. Then it's the story of 1959 LSU Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon and his famous punt return against Mississippi on Halloween night. Remember? Finally, a few man on the street interviews about Heisman history outside Notre Dame Stadium.Support the showThe Heisman Trophy Podcast streams every Wednesday during the college football season and monthly during the offseason, and is hosted produced, edited and engineered by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and features video interviews and bonus content on YouTube and TikTok. We also have a reddit community.Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.