The Oregon Ducks have risen as a football power over the last decade, and now the program has a Heisman Trophy winner to brag about. Quarterback Marcus Mariota brought an end to the Oregon Heisman drought. No longer in search of a Heisman Trophy to add to its football pedigree, Oregon now shifts its sights on winning its first national championship in the College Football Playoff.
The Heisman pursuit continues for 34 other programs from traditional power conferences. Some of the programs may be surprising at first glance. Among them, Tennessee, home to future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning. Manning came in second in the Heisman voting to Charles Woodson of Michigan in 1997.
Clemson, Georgia Tech, Michigan State and West Virginia are among the other notable programs without a Heisman Trophy.
Here is a list of schools from power conferences, listed by conference, still waiting for the first Heisman Trophy winner. Also included is a mention of the last Heisman Trophy winner from each power conference. The Big Ten has the longest Heisman drought going right now.
ACC: Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest
Last ACC Heisman Trophy winner: 2013, Florida State QB Jameis Winston
Big 12: Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Texas Tech, West Virginia
Last Big 12 Heisman Trophy winner: 2011, Baylor QB Robert Griffin III
Big Ten: Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers
Last Big Ten Heisman Trophy winner: 2006, Ohio State QB Troy Smith
Pac-12: Arizona, Arizona State, California, Utah, Washington, Washington State
Last Pac-12 Heisman Trophy winner: 2014, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
SEC: Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
Last SEC Heisman Trophy winner: 2012, Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel
