Ranking USC's 8 heisman winners.

Carson Palmer? Really? There are several guys on that list I'd much rather center my team around. Whatever.

For my money, #1 is Marcus Allen. Complete football player. Could have been the best defensive player on the team if he'd had to. Few peers, even on that list, even as great a RB as O.J. was.

I am going to take a shot at this

1) Carson Palmer-lifted USC out of mediocrity. Endured brutal criticism and 5 years of beatings. Won last 8-9 games in storybook fashion. Won the Orange Bowl for first time in USC history. Won Heisman. From character, to performance to results to team focus and humility, this is the most satisfying one. Maybe his numbers aren't the best, but his story is. I have never felt better for a Heisman winner.

2) Marcus Allen-did things no one had even done in CFB to that point. Played FB for two years. Caught passes. Ran with grace power and speed. Most complete back I have ever seen, and his NFL career validated that it was him not his OL.

3) OJ-ugh. I hate putting him here because he's a murderer and all. Evaluating his career? He was a beast. A mercenary JC player like Caleb (transfer). Elevated USC and proved his worth with a HOF NFL career. In fairness, Caleb doesn't have the advantage of history to evaluate whether his teammates made him or he did. Given USC sucked last year, I'll lean to it being Caleb. OJ though was a machine and if you didn't see him you missed out.

4) Reggie Bush-electrifying, exciting. Most captivating electric player in the history of CFB. Why not higher? Despite being 8 seconds from 3 straight NC, Reggie has a few chinks in the armor. His NFL career was average. He was surrounded by amazing talent at USC. He got USC in trouble. If I sat down to watch any player in history? It would be Reggie Bush. But maybe a lot of guys could run wild on that offense surrounded by Leinart, Lendale, Jarrett, BMW, Hancock, Colbert etc.

5) Caleb Williams-with a bullet. Resurrected USC. 4-8 to 11-2. Similar to Carson but faster and a better coach. Electrifying like Reggie Bush. Saw him evolve and get better through the season like Carson and big stage won it in LA at night against ND. Like Carson. Bigger than football like Bush. Caleb is what would happen is Caron Palmer and Reggie Bush had a baby. He could rank even higher based on what happens in ensuing years. #1 draft pick. National Championship, good NFL career like Marcus etc.

6) Mike Garrett-did not play in an era of big stats. Nor was he on great USC teams. Garrett never went to the Rose Bowl. Fierce competitor, returned punts. Last of the era of two way players, think he played a little DB early on. Great NFL career, won a super bowl. I think that validates that Iron Mike was the real deal.

7) Charles White-great Trojan, arrogant coke addict. Tough, great runner. Many of us grew up watching him. Lousy NFL career. One last Hurrah with the Rams but in both USc and Rams case he benefitted from All American OL and a coach who knew how to use him. I could see him anywhere from 3-8 on this list.

8) Matt Leinart-never will forget him whining to me at the Cali Florida Bowl about David Koral of Palos Verdes being named POY for his amazing stats. Then Leinart's dad threatened to transfer if he didn't get the job. Then he QB USC to an amazing 3 seasons. Surrounded by incredible talent, but Matt was a great system player. Heisman earned by being the QB on the best team. Same argument people have for Stetson, Duggan, Stroud today. Worked for Matt. Got some chick pregnant his Senior year, partied a lot. Bombed out in his NFL career. and now makes a living smiling and looking handsome and teaming up with Reggie Bush yet again. Could be a worse life but not my favorite USC Heisman.

Hard to sort but I got Reggie on top. Leiner and Palmer tied at 2nd. The "Chow offense" got to be the best in 'SC history unless Lincon pulls a multiyear thang when Caleb be gone. The rest of the winners is a toss up. Probably Caleb and Marcus tied but Caleb ain't done yet. Y'all old ppl can rank the rest. I got no ranking for them.

You love the dumb ones. LOL. The QB with 2 nattys and was 34-2 (or, whatever) is 8th? I thought all you cared about was NCs. You're a fucking liar.

Is Williams the only one who failed to even win his own Conference?

Can’t imagine ever seeing Marcus that low. Not sure how or if I’d argue it but for years marcus was jesus in cleats

Good list. Hard to argue. Always loved that Charlie was bloodied and beaten and yet showed up the next week for another 30 carries. Long love #12

They are all great . I would have Marcus higher but there is no bad order.

By stats?

that season only?