Position: QB
Years Played: 1958-1960
Best Chance at Heisman: 1959
Fran Tarkenton is far and away, the one UGA football player who was never really mentioned in a Heisman Trophy conversation and probably should have been. Tarkenton, who was well-known for his scrambling and ability to throw the ball accurately on the run, is a legendary Georgia and NFL quarterback who, in 1959, led the Georgia Bulldogs to an SEC title in what was by far the toughest conference in the nation that year.
Even by 1959 standards, Tarkenton’s 736 yards and six touchdowns may not sound too impressive, but it wasn’t so much about the stats that Tark compiled that year — which were above average to pretty darned good — it was more about the way he led the team and how his unique gifts kept Georgia in some games.
Georgia’s only blemish in that 10-1 season was an inexplicable loss to South Carolina (sound familiar?) and Tarkenton’s heroics along with a stifling defense carried the Dawgs to an SEC title and a No. 5 ranking in the final AP poll when they had been picked to finish ninth in the conference that year.
Tark’s numbers may not have warranted the Heisman above winner Billy Cannon, LSU’s star running back, but his part in carrying the Bulldogs to a magnificent season definitely should have gotten him more consideration.