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In this week's episode, we talk to 2025 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner Larry Fitzgerald, a legendary wide out for Pittsburgh who finished as Heisman runner up in 2003 before going on to a storied NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.

Fitzgerald shares insights into his philanthropic efforts through his Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, which focuses on youth education and breast cancer awareness. He emphasizes the importance of bridging the digital divide for underserved youth and reflects on his global humanitarian experiences. The conversation also touches on his football career, legacy, and the impact of his work in the community.

The Heisman is more than a trophy. It's also a charitable foundation that distributes millions in donations every year to worthy causes that help underserved communities. The Heisman Humanitarian Award recognizes figures in the sports world who have distinguished records in this area.

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The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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This week's pod takes a trip down memory lane with former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke on the 25th anniversary of his Heisman-winning season. Learn how the late-1980s three-sport high school prodigy out of Minnesota transformed into the improbable and unflappable late-1990s Seminole field general who -- at age 28! -- helped cap one of college football's great dynastic runs.  Now the offensive coordinator for Georgia Tech, Weinke looks back fondly at his Heisman weekend, the last one held at the old Downtown Athletic Club, and shares why the late, great Bobby Bowden was so central to his success in life. To close out the show, we chat with ESPN analyst Max Browne, who helps put a bow on the 2025 college football regular season while also identifying an interesting trend or two.

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza joins the Heisman Trophy Podcast as the Hoosiers sit at 11-0, eyeing a Big Ten title and potential playoff berth. He reflects on pivotal moments of the season—like the last-second touchdown vs. Penn State—and shares how his transfer from Cal paid off thanks to Indiana’s leadership, team culture, and offensive scheme. In this classic long-form interview, Mendoza opens up about his methodical, Stoic approach to football and life, and how he overcame imposter syndrome with help from mentors. It's a thoughtful, grounded conversation with one of the most impressive players in college football—on and off the field.

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

Send us Fan Mail

On the 50th episode of the Heisman Trophy Podcast, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, a.k.a. "Mr. 80%", drops by to talk about his football journey, including how he learned the fine art of completing passes at an absurdly-high rate. The redshirt freshman has the No. 1 Buckeyes in position to possibly repeat as national champs, and a trip to New York City could be his just reward. Regardless, can someone find this man a good breakfast burrito in Columbus?  We also commemorate Veteran's Day with a stirring segment about Heisman Trophy winners who also served in the armed forces. You see, some were heroes off the field, too.

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath returns for his second deployment on the Heisman Trophy Podcast, showcasing his whistling skills while providing insight on Academy life, the Army-Navy game and even Marine culture. The senior from Hilliard, Ohio, leads one of the nation's most exciting offenses and is a big reason Navy is off to a 7-1 start. Later, Stewart Mandel, of The Athletic.com, joins the show to talk about the strange happenings in this year's coaching carousel. Has the coaching bubble finally popped?

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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This Halloween enjoy some bonus pod coverage: USC's Makai Lemon, one of the best receivers in the country, if not THE best. The junior has 48 catches for 758 yards and 6 TDs and is a prime candidate for the Biletnikoff Award that goes to college football's top wide out.  And for good reason: He can do it all.

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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Fresh off a four-touchdown performance in a resounding 49-25 victory over LSU in Death Valley, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed drops by the pod to give an inside peek at his remarkable season. The sophomore from Nashville has the Aggies at 8-0 (their best start since 1992!) and ranked third in the AP poll (their best ranking since 1995!). Of course, the talented Reed has a lot to do with that, blistering opposing defenses with his arm and his legs -- especially on the road. Curious what it's like to be a big time college football quarterback who pals around with both Johnny Manziel and comedic actor Terry Crews? Listen and find out. To close the show, help yourself to the Heisman Trophy Podcast's traditional Halloween treat: An oral history of LSU Heisman winner Billy Cannon's famous Halloween Run in 1959. 

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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He's a helluva quarterback, that Haynes King.  The tough-as-nails Georgia Tech senior is the featured guest on this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast after leading his No. 7 Yellow Jackets to a 7-0 record, their best start since 1966 and best ranking since 2009. They said he was a bust after things went sour at Texas A&M, but it turns out they were wrong. Now, the Yellow Jackets could be playoff bound thanks to the sixth-year dual threat. So tune in and get the inside scoop on one of college football's great redemption stories. Also, have you ever wondered which college football programs have the most sway when it comes to the Heisman race?  We went back and crunched the numbers and came up with a top 25 ranking for the most powerful teams in Heisman history.  Some of the results might shock you (especially if you're easily shocked)!

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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This week's Heisman Trophy Podcast reaches beyond the shores of the West Coast all the way to Hawai'i and Tokyo to feature Rainbow Warriors placekicker Kansei Matsuzawa, the "Tokyo Toe", who leads college football in field goals made.  The 26-year-old senior tells the story of how he discovered football at the age of 20 and resolved, then and there, to play in the NFL one day. He went on to teach himself how to kick, as well as learn English, by watching YouTube. Thanks to his determination, his ultimate goal is now in sight and, along the way, he just might break an NCAA record or two. Can a placekicker challenge for the Heisman? Listen and decide. We finish up the pod with CBSSports.com writer Tom Fornelli, who explains why Penn State shouldn't hire Matt Rhule to replace James Franklin, why USC's Jayden Maiava can vault to the top of the Heisman race with a win over Notre Dame and why Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is currently in the strongest position of any other player in the 2025 Heisman race.

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.

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Buckle up, because this week's Heisman Trophy Podcast is a Division-II Football Extravaganza with a special spotlight on the Ferris State Bulldogs and their legendary coach, Tony Annese. The three-time D-II national champion reveals the shocking secret to his success: a crazy little thing called love. Also: no team in America practices better. Step into the F.O.L.D. with coach Annese. A scheduling conflict knocked current Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss off this week's show, so instead we talked to the man who replaced him, redshirt freshman Wyatt Bower.  The exciting dual-threat for the top-ranked Bulldogs tells us what it's like to be a D-II quarterback. The show closes out with a much-needed expert tutorial on D-II from D2Football.com editor Chuck Bitner.  Who's ready to talk D-II football??

Support the show

The Heisman Hopefules Podcast streams every Thursday during the college football season and is hosted by Chris Huston. The pod is available on all streaming networks, including Spotify and Apple Music, and full videos of the show are available on YouTube, with clips on TikTok and Instagram.

Email us at [email protected] for feedback and inquiries.