Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2023.
These days, quarterbacks usually lead the way when it comes to the Heisman Trophy race and winning college football’s most coveted individual award as the sport’s most outstanding player. But that wasn’t always the case.
For a while, running backs dominated the Heisman conversation and winners, but as the sport changed, quarterbacks, especially the super mobile ones, ultimately took over. So non-quarterback finalists are rare, and non-quarterback winners even more so. But when they’re in the Heisman conversation, it’s often so much more interesting.
So while quarterbacks tend to control the Heisman conversation, here’s a look at all 50 Heisman winners who were not quarterbacks (in chronological order).
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