The Heisman Winners: 2000s

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Choose a decade 2000s 1990s 1980s 1970s 1960s 1950s 1940s 1930s In one of the most hyped games of the decade, Eric Crouch led No. 3 Nebraska to a 20-10 victory against No. 2 Oklahoma. Bob Rosato/SI

This article appears in the Sports Illustrated Presents 75th Anniversary of the Heisman Trophy issue.

2000 | Chris Weinke QB, Florida State (Sr.)

Former Toronto Blue Jays farmhand became oldest Heisman winner at 28 after leading nation in passing yards (4,167).

Heisman moment: While battling the flu, threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns against No. 4 Florida to lead Seminoles to their third straight national championship game.

2001 | Eric Crouch QB, Nebraska (Sr.)

Versatile option quarterback had almost as many rushing yards (1,115) as passing yards (1,510) his senior season.

Heisman moment: Capped a perfectly executed trick play -- the famous Black 41 Flash Reverse Pass -- against second-ranked and then-undefeated Oklahoma with a 63-yard touchdown reception in a 20-10 win.

2002 | Carson Palmer QB, USC (Sr.)

Had breakout senior year, passing for 3,942 yards, 33 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions for 11-2 Trojans.

Heisman moment: Ended season throwing for 425 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-13 pummeling of Notre Dame and its No. 2-ranked pass defense.

2003 | Jason White QB, Oklahoma (Jr.)

Hurled a school-record 40 TDs for a prolific Sooners offense after returning from two reconstructive knee surgeries.

Heisman moment: In his last home game, completed 29 of 35 passes for 383 yards and three TDs in a 30-3 rout of Nebraska and set a school record with 18 straight completions.

2004 | Matt Leinart QB, USC (Jr.)

USC's career leader in touchdown passes (99) and the third quarterback in more than 30 years to win back-to-back AP national championships.

Heisman moment: Like predecessor Palmer, he locked up the Trophy by tearing up Notre Dame (400 passing yards, five TDs).

2005 | Reggie Bush RB-PR, USC (Jr.)

One of the sport's most explosive players and an all-around threat, amassing 1,658 yards rushing on 187 carries with 15 touchdowns in the regular season.

Heisman moment: In a dazzling performance against Fresno State, set a Pac-10 record of 513 all-purpose yards, including 294 rushing, just three weeks before he was honored with the Trophy.

2006 | Troy Smith QB, Ohio State (Sr.)

Dual-threat quarterback and runaway winner of the Trophy, earning a record 91.0% of the first-place votes.

Heisman moment: With the Trophy virtually locked up, passed for 316 yards and four touchdowns in the much-hyped regular-season finale against No. 2 Michigan.

2007 | Tim Tebow QB, Florida (Soph.)

First sophomore to win the Heisman and only NCAA Division I-A player to rush and pass for at least 20 touchdowns in a season.

Heisman moment: Uncorked his signature play -- the jump pass -- to a wide-open Aaron Hernandez for one of four touchdown passes in a 45-37 victory against Kentucky.

2008 | Sam Bradford QB, Oklahoma (Soph.)

Led the highest-scoring team in major-college football history with 50 touchdown passes, 4,720 passing yards and a 67.9 completion percentage.

Heisman moment: His wild, heels-over-head somersault near the end zone in the Sooners' regular-season finale against Oklahoma State, one play before a one-yard TD sneak.