By David Lee

Donruss/Playoff has reached an exclusive deal with the Heisman Winners Association to include more than 30 former Heisman Trophy winners in autographed insert sets releasing in 2005 and 2006 Playoff Honors Football.

"We are very excited to bring this concept to a mainstream set," says Rob Springs, Donruss/Playoff football brand manager. "There are tons of Heisman collectors, and this is just giving them a way to get a certified autograph of their favorite Heisman winners. Several of these great players have not had certified autographs and it just gives collectors another reason to enjoy Playoff Honors Football."

The Heisman Winners Association is independently owned and operated by winners of the Heisman Trophy and serves as their primary licensing and marketing agent. More than 50 Heisman winners are currently part of the HWA.

"A card deal is a natural progression of autograph deals we've done, like jerseys, footballs and artwork," says Eric Lindberg, one of the HWA founders. "The players are excited about it. The anticipation has been great."

There will be 17 players in 2005 Playoff Honors Award Winners and 17 in the 2006 product. However, Springs says that more players could be added in the future.

"If we receive more autographs of some players who have not yet participated in the program, that checklist could be expanded," Springs says. "The set will be all numbered the same for both years and incorporate the same design, so collectors can do the whole 34-card (or larger) regular set or autographed set."

Playoff Honors releases Oct. 17 and the first group includes quarterbacks Roger Staubach (1963, Navy), Doug Flutie (1984, Boston College), running backs Archie Griffin (1974 and 1975, Ohio State), George Rogers (1980, USC) and Army legend Glen Davis (1946) who recently passed away at the age of 80. Davis was "Mr. Outside" in the legendary combo of Davis and Doc Blanchard, who won the Heisman in 1945. It is Davis' first certified autograph card.

Here are the complete lineups scheduled for both sets:

2005 Playoff Honors Award Winners Gary Beban (first certified autograph), Glenn Davis (first certified autograph), Pete Dawkins (first certified autograph), Ty Detme,r Doug Flutie, Mike Garrett (first certified autograph), Archie Griffin, George Rogers, Mike Rozier, Rashaan Salaam, Roger Staubach, Pat Sullivan, Gino Torretta, Andre Ware, Chris Weinke, Danny Wuerffel, Charles White.

2006 Playoff Honors Award Winners Marcus Allen, Terry Baker (first certified autograph), Joe Bellino, Billy Cannon, John Cappelletti, Howard Cassady, Eric Crouch, John David Crow (first certified autograph), Tony Dorsett, Paul Hornung, John Huarte, Dick Kazmaier (first certified autograph), John Lattner (first certified autograph), John Lujack (first certified autograph), Steve Owens (first certified autograph), Johnny Rodgers, Billy Sims.

The base insert cards (non-autographed) can be found one per hobby box. The Foil parallel is numbered to 250 and the Holofoil parallel is numbered to 100. The Autographed version is numbered to 300 (yes, all guys are numbered to 300).