Oklahoma State University Athletics
Barry Sanders 1988 Heisman Trophy Winner
August 22, 2006 | Cowboy Football
1988
BARRY SANDERS - OKLAHOMA STATE BACK
In winning the Heisman Trophy in 1988, Barry set 25 NCAA records. A running back averaging 200 yards per game during Oklahoma State's 1988 season. In addition, Barry shattered several NCAA single season and career marks, including leading the nation in rushing yards with 2,628 yards, all purpose yards with 3,249 yards, touchdowns scored at 39 and posting an all-time rushing record. Barry is the only Heisman winner to be notified of his achievement in Tokyo, Japan, where he and his Cowboy teammates were awaiting the final game of the season. Sanders, the Detroit Lions' number one pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, continues to dazzle and mesmerize defenses with his awesome speed, versatility, and evasive maneuvers. Barry was named the 1989 Rookie of the Year, of the Year and is an 8-time all-NFL and Pro Bowl player. In addition to his on-field performance, Barry donates a tremendous amount of time and money to local charities and religious organizations in Detroit, Oklahoma and his hometown of Wichita, KS. Barry retired from the NFL in 1999.
The Voting
| Points | ||||||||
| Place | Name | School | Class | Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | Total |
| 1st | Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State | Jr. | RB | 559 | 77 | 47 | 1,878 |
| 2nd | Rodney Peete | Southern California | Sr. | QB | 70 | 264 | 174 | 912 |
| 3rd | Troy Aikman | UCLA | Sr. | QB | 31 | 149 | 191 | 582 |
| 4th | Steve Walsh | Miami (Florida) | Jr. | QB | 16 | 108 | 77 | 341 |
| 5th | Major Harris | West Virginia | Jr. | QB | 27 | 60 | 79 | 280 |
| 6th | Tony Mandarich | Michigan State | Sr. | OT | 3 | 9 | 25 | 52 |
| 7th | Timm Rosenbach | Washington State | Jr. | QB | 6 | 6 | 14 | 44 |
| 8th | Deion Sanders | Florida State | Sr. | DB | 0 | 3 | 16 | 22 |
| 9th | Anthony Thompson | Indiana | Jr. | RB | 0 | 4 | 13 | 21 |
| 10th | Derrick Thomas | Alabama | Sr. | LB | 3 | 2 | 7 | 20 |
Barry Sanders became Oklahoma State's first Heisman winner and also became the first winner to be notified of his selection while in Japan while playing in a special NCAA game in Tokyo. He swept all six sections and ran away with the voting as he beat out the four quarterbacks who trailed him in the balloting.
The positions within each region are as follows:
| Northeast | Mid-Atlantic | South | Southwest | Midwest | Far West | |
| 1st | B. Sanders | B. Sanders | B. Sanders | B. Sanders | B. Sanders | B. Sanders |
| 2nd | Peete | Peete | Peete | Peete | Peete | Peete |
| 3rd | Harris | Harris | Walsh | Aikman | Aikman | Aikman |
| 4th | Aikman | Aikman | Aikman | Walsh | Walsh | Rosenbach |
| 5th | Walsh | Walsh | Harris | Mandarich | Harris | Walsh |
