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Notre Dame Football: 5 players who were robbed of the Heisman Trophy

By Daniel Morrison

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Heisman finalists linebacker Manti Te'o of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and quarterback Johnny Manziel for the Texas A&M University Aggies pose with Heisman Memorial Trophy Award at an informal press gathering at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 7, 2012 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: Photographer approval needed for all Commercial License requests. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Heisman finalists linebacker Manti Te'o of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and quarterback Johnny Manziel for the Texas A&M University Aggies pose with Heisman Memorial Trophy Award at an informal press gathering at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 7, 2012 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: Photographer approval needed for all Commercial License requests. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame Football star Rocket Ismail. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images)
Notre Dame Football star Rocket Ismail. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Allsport/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football: 5 players who were robbed of the Heisman Trophy

1990: Raghib Ismail-WR/RB, 2nd Place

  • 32 Receptions, 699 Receiving Yards, 2 Receiving Touchdowns, 67 Rushes, 537 Rushing Yards, 3 Rushing Touchdowns

In a lot of ways, Raghib Ismail was a player before his time. An incredible athlete, and known as one of the fastest players in Notre Dame history, if Ismail played today his numbers would be off the charts. As it stands, he played under Lou Holtz, whose offense was distinctly old school and conservative, which by its nature limits players in terms of their statistical production.

Even with that being said, Rocket Ismail is one of the all-time great Notre Dame players, and he could be effective as a running back or a wide receiver.

In 1990, Ismail ran the ball about twice more than he caught it, but he still managed to put up great numbers as a receiver, as well as a back. By essentially playing two positions, Ismail wasn’t going to be high on the all-time stats list for receiver or rushing, but his versatility was deadly and almost impossible to scheme against for defenses.

Ismail was also, and unsurprisingly, a great return man for the Irish. In 1990, Ismail averaged 24 yards a kick return and had a touchdown. That was by far his worst season as a returner. For his career, Ismail averaged 27.6 yards per return and five touchdowns, plus another touchdown on a punt return.

If it wasn’t for a clipping call, he would have won the Orange Bowl against Colorado for the Irish on a 91-yard punt return.

For his efforts in 1990, Ismail was an All-American, Walter Camp Award winner, and Frank M. Gipson Trophy winner. As for the Heisman Trophy, he’d be the runner up to BYU’s Ty Detmer. Detmer, admittedly, put up monster numbers in 1990, particularly for the era. A 64.2% completion percentage, 5,188 yards, and 41 TDs were unheard of in the early 90s.

In fact, those are monster numbers today too.

Still, Ismail was deserving, even if it may have had to have been in a different season because of the competition in 1990.

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