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Nov. 8, 1997; State College, PA, USA; Charles Woodson took high fives from the Michigan Fans after their 34-8 win over Penn State; Mandatory credit: Julian H. Gonzalez-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com – Kate Pearson Halyburton, Editor
We are officially 2 Days Away From College Football Kickoff. Happy college football kickoff Eve Eve! Two Days left! Just TWO DAYS LEFT! *excitedly screaming*. Today we have Charles Woodson and Johnny Manziel. Two Heisman Trophy winners. We will see you tomorrow for #1 and college football kickoff eve in our countdown to kickoff.
Charles Woodson (2) Days Away From College Football Kickoff
Charles Woodson quickly made an impact at Michigan, earning a starting cornerback spot just two weeks into his first training camp. In 1995, he led the team with five interceptions and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and first-team all-conference.
Before his sophomore year, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr asked Woodson to play on offense as well as defense. Woodson agreed and started working out at wide receiver. That season, he played about 10 offensive snaps per game while still playing cornerback. In 1996, he set a school record with 15 pass breakups, caught 13 passes for 164 yards, and rushed for 152 yards on six carries. He was named an AP First Team All-American and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
As a junior, Woodson continued to play well. He intercepted seven passes, made 43 tackles, and caught 11 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown. He also did well as a punt returner. Michigan finished the regular season undefeated and had a chance at its first national title since 1949. Woodson won the Heisman, becoming the first player to win the Heisman Trophy while playing both offense and defense.
Michigan beat Washington State 21-16 in the Rose Bowl and claimed a share of the national title.
Woodson was picked fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 1998 and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year that season. He had a standout NFL career, including time with the Green Bay Packers, where he helped them win Super Bowl XLV in 2011. He retired in 2015 after 18 seasons.
Another Great #2, Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Johnny Manziel was a highly sought-after dual-threat high school quarterback, attracting interest from several schools. He first committed to Oregon in the summer of 2010, joining future Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. Manziel changed his commitment to Texas A&M in September 2010 and officially signed with the Aggies the next February. He redshirted in 2011.
Then Manziel made a big impact in 2012 by setting an SEC record with 4,600 yards of total offense and leading A&M to a 10-2 regular season in their first year in the conference. He passed for 3,419 yards and 24 touchdowns, and also ran for 1,181 yards with 19 rushing touchdowns. For his achievements, Manziel was named SEC Freshman of the Year, won the Davey O’Brien Award, and became the 77th recipient of the Heisman Trophy. He was the first freshman ever to win the Heisman.
Manziel returned for the 2013 season, throwing for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushing for 759 yards and nine touchdowns. Over two years, he totaled an impressive 9,989 yards and 93 touchdowns.
After the 2013 season, Manziel entered the NFL draft and was picked in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Cleveland Browns.
Editor’s Note: The countdown to college football kickoff has been a series on the Last Word on College Football social media platforms for the past 9 years. They consisted of a photo and a small blurb for each player, with the jersey corresponding to the number of days until kickoff. The rank of the players is sourced from articles by Bleacher Report, Fox Sports, and The Athletic. There are also some favorite players of the Last Word on College Football writers. Their bios are sourced from multiple online sources, including but not limited to the College Football Hall of Fame, their Heisman profiles, and school websites.
Main Photo: Julian H. Gonzalez-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
