Every Heisman Trophy winner in college football history (2024)

A look back at every Heisman Trophy winner since the award was first presented in 1935.

Editor’s note: this story has been updated to reflect new information. 

The Heisman Trophy is the most coveted individual award in college football and is annually presented to the most outstanding player in a given season.

Over the years, there have been several winners who were running backs, wide receivers or tight ends, quarterbacks have dominated the Heisman race, especially this century, with some notable exceptions. In fact, there’s only ever been one defensive winner, Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997, and only one player to win it twice (and consecutively), Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.

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But in recent years, it’s been all about the quarterbacks with a passer winning the award 19 times since 2000 with the four exceptions: Alabama running backs Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015), Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (2020) and USC running back Reggie Bush (2005).

Here’s a look back at every Heisman Trophy winner in chronological order since the award was first presented in 1935.

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