re: The FIRST Heisman winner that you remember seeing, as a fan of the game, was.....

George Rogers and then Herschel Walker in the UGA-USC game on TV in 1980.

In person, I saw freshman Bo Jackson versus sophomore Doug Flutie in the 1982 Tangerine Bowl.

I remember watching Eric crouch play like dog shite and trying to understand how he could be the best qb or player in the nation

Early, I remember hearing about John Cappelletti and his little brother who died of cancer. I then remember seeing the movie “ Something for Joey."

Plunkett for me too. I was 9. I knew of OJ but didn’t know what the heisman trophy was until Plunkett won it.

On TV, Archie Griffin as #45 was the first jersey number I wore.
In person, John Cappaletti when he played for the Rams. My mom was the NO Saints season ticket manager. During half time, my 10 yr old brother and I would go to the ticket office and get a field pass to walk around the Superdome sidelines. At the end of each game, we would ask visiting players for their wrist bands, chin straps, arm pads, etc… I remember receiving those game worn items from John Cappaletti, Cliff Branch, Jim Hart, Conrad Dobler, Renaldo Nehemiah, Dave Casper, Eric Dickerson. I had 2-3 shoe boxes full of those items

Rocket Ismael

Salaam from Colorado

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Rocket Ismael

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Rocket was runner-up...not a winner.

At first glance I thought it was Tim Brown in Tiger Stadium 1987, but I was at the USC game in 1979 where TWO Heisman winners played: Charles White in 79 and Marcus Allen in 81.

Reggie Bush

Edit: Jesus Christ y’all are old

During what had to have been a 1966 USC game, I remember hearing someone, had to have been either Chris Schenkel and Bud Wilkinson, say, "Next year USC is going to have a JUCO transfer who's name is O.J. Simpson, but they call him Juice."

Then they said he will be as good a RB as anyone in the college game."

I remember talking about hearing about OJ "Juice" Simpson while we were playing football with the kids in the neighborhood. ABC had the TV rights for college football back then. I'm guessing that was a game against UCLA or Notre Dame.

Then I saw him play a game or two of his junior and senior years at USC, 1967 and 1968. He was very impressive, and led the NCAA in rushing yards both years. I probably got to see some highlights at the Heisman ceremony. I remember him going to Buffalo, and being great there.

Here are his college stats on football sports reference

ETA: I was seven in 1966.