Heisman Trophy winners list: Can Manti Te'o become 1st defensive player to win?

There will be Heisman history made on Saturday night in New York, as either the first freshman, purely defensive player, or Kansas State player will win college football's most prestigious award. Johnny Manziel is projected to become the first ever freshman and just the second Texas A&M player to win the Heisman. Manziel broke the SEC total offense mark in the Aggies first season in their new conference, as they rolled to a 10-2 record with Kevin Sumlin and Manziel confounding opposing defenses. Manziel was a true dual threat, putting up huge numbers both on the ground and through the air.

Manti Te'o is expected to be the closest competitor with Manziel, but early returns and projections have the freshman QB winning it. Te'o would be the first defensive player to win the Heisman. Charles Woodson flipped things when he won in 1997, but Woodson also had an array of highlights on special teams and occasionally at wide receiver to bolster his cause. Te'o had an incredible season but he would truly break the mold, and 77 years of history, if he were to pull off the upset.

But again, it's likely headed to another quarterback, a position that's owned the award this century. Here's a complete list of winners: