Nile Kinnick remains the sole Heisman Trophy winner in Iowa Hawkeyes history, a distinction that cements his place among the pantheon of college football greats.
A Legacy of Excellence
During his 1939 Heisman campaign he threw for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns, added 374 rushing yards, and earned first‑team All‑American, Big Ten MVP and AP Male Athlete of the Year honors.
The university retired his jersey, No. 24, joining the retired number of Cal Jones, and his name is still invoked whenever the Hawkeyes celebrate a milestone.
The program’s rich tapestry extends beyond Kinnick, with figures such as Jack Campbell, a Butkus Award‑winning linebacker who recorded 305 tackles, and Chuck Long, who still holds Iowa’s passing records, shaping successive eras.
More recent stars like Sam LaPorta, Dallas Clark, Tristan Wirfs, Tyler Linderbaum and Brandon Scherff have continued the tradition of producing elite tight ends and offensive linemen, underscoring the school’s offensive pedigree.
Together, these athletes illustrate a century‑long commitment to excellence that resonates with fans and analysts alike, a narrative that ESPN frequently revisits when profiling the Hawkeyes’ storied past.