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.
But in recent years, it’s been all about the quarterbacks with a passer winning the award 19 times since 2000 with the five exceptions: Alabama running backs Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015), Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (2020), USC running back Reggie Bush (2005) and Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter (2024).
Here’s a look back at every Heisman Trophy winner in chronological order since the award was first presented in 1935.
Quarterbacks tend to dominate the Heisman Trophy race now, but that wasn’t always the case.
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).
The USC Trojans are back on top, in part, thanks to Reggie Bush.
While college football teams have their eye on the College Football Playoff and playing for a national championship, star individual players and their squads are also mounting a Heisman Trophy campaign.
Awarded to the sport’s most outstanding individual player, the Heisman ceremony is one of the most highly anticipated moments when the regular season ends, and some schools have produced a few more winners than everyone else. In fact, for or the last couple years, there has been a four-way tie among college football programs with the most Heisman Trophy winners. Technically, anyway.
With Caleb Williams’ Heisman win with USC in 2022, the Trojans moved into a four-way tie for most winners with seven, along with Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Technically.
But with former USC running back Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman finally being returned to him 2024, the Trojans stand alone. Bush previously forfeited his Heisman in the wake of NCAA sanctions against USC, some of which involved Bush for receiving improper benefits. But with college sports now allowing athletes to capitalize off their names, images and likenesses, the Heisman Trust reinstated Bush’s award.
And because of that, the Trojans now stand alone as the school with the most Heisman winners. Here’s a breakdown of the programs with at least two winners in the past.
USC: 8 Heisman winners
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs the ball against Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Aiden Gobaira (91) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Garrett, 1965
O.J. Simpson, 1968
Charles White, 1979
Marcus Allen, 1981
Carson Palmer, 2002
Matt Leinart, 2004
Reggie Bush, 2005
Caleb Williams, 2022
Notre Dame: 7 Heisman winners
SOUTH BEND -1987: Tim Brown #81 of Notre Dame Fighting Irish waits for the snap during a game in the 1987 season in South Bend, Indiana. ( Photo by: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Angelo Bertelli, 1943
John Lujack, 1947
Leon Hart, 1949
John Lattner, 1953
Paul Hornung, 1956
John Huarte, 1964
Tim Brown, 1987
Ohio State: 7 Heisman winners
Unknown date; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Ohio State Buckeyes and running back Archie Griffin (45) in action at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Les Horvath, 1944
Vic Janowicz, 1950
Howard Cassady, 1955
Archie Griffin, 1974
Archie Griffin, 1975
Eddie George, 1995
Troy Smith, 2006
Oklahoma: 7 Heisman winners
Dec 29, 2018; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles in the 2018 Orange Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Billy Vessels, 1952
Steve Owens, 1969
Billy Sims, 1978
Jason White, 2003
Sam Bradford, 2008
Baker Mayfield, 2017
Kyler Murray, 2018
Alabama: 4 Heisman winners
Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) scrambles for yardage against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mark Ingram, 2009
Derrick Henry, 2015
DeVonta Smith, 2020
Bryce Young, 2021
Army: 3 Heisman winners
Army #35 Felix ‘Doc” Blanchard” (Sports Information Office United States Military Academy)
Felix “Doc” Blanchard, 1945
Glenn Davis, 1946
Pete Dawkins, 1958
Auburn: 3 Heisman winners
ORG XMIT: 104428106 ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 04: Quarterback Cam Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers celebrates after their 56-17 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks during the 2010 SEC Championship at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Pat Sullivan, 1971
Bo Jackson, 1985
Cam Newton, 2010
Florida: 3 Heisman winners
Jan 8, 2008; Miami, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow (15) celebrates after the 2009 BCS Championship Game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Dolphin Stadium. The Gators beat the Sooners 24-14. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-US PRESSWIRE
Steve Spurrier, 1966
Danny Wuerffel, 1996
Tim Tebow, 2007
Florida State: 3 Heisman winners
1/4/2000 – Sugar Bowl – Florida State Seminoles vs. Virginia Tech Hokies — FSU’s Chris Weinke tries to avoid a sack by VT’s David Pugh by straightarming him. Weinke was sacked on the play by Pugh. (Robert Hanashiro/USA TODAY Sports)
Charlie Ward, 1993
Chris Weinke, 2000
Jameis Winston, 2013
Michigan: 3 Heisman winners
1997; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines cornerback (2) Charles Woodson in action against the Colorado Buffaloes at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Tom Harmon, 1940
Desmond Howard, 1991
Charles Woodson, 1997
Nebraska: 3 Heisman winners
(01/03/2002) Nebraska quarterback Eric Crouch tosses a few balls during warmups as Miami plays Nebraska in the Bowl Championship Series in the Rose Bowl, January 3, in Pasadena, CA. Photo by Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY
Johnny Rodgers, 1972
Mike Rozier, 1983
Eric Crouch, 2001
LSU: 3 Heisman winners
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA – NOVEMBER 09: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates defeating the Alabama Crimson Tide 46-41 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Billy Cannon, 1959
Joe Burrow, 2019
Jayden Daniels, 2023
Georgia: 2 Heisman winners
September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs former player Herschel Walker on the sidelines before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
Frank Sinkwich, 1942
Herschel Walker, 1982
Miami (Fla.): 2 Heisman winners
Gino Torretta in Miami before playing San Diego in 1992. (Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
Vinny Testaverde, 1986
Gino Torretta, 1992
Navy: 2 Heisman winners
Nov 2, 1963; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Roger Staubach (12) looks to throw against Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Navy defeated Michigan 26. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-US PRESSWIRE
Joe Bellino, 1960
Roger Staubach, 1963
Texas: 2 Heisman winners
1 Jan 1999: Ricky Williams #34 of the Texas Longhorns carries the ball during the Southwest Bell Cotton Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Texas defeated Mississippi St 38-11. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
Earl Campbell, 1977
Ricky Williams, 1998
Texas A&M: 2 Heisman winners
Sep 29, 2012; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) throws a pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE
John David Crow, 1957
Johnny Manziel, 2012
Wisconsin: 2 Heisman winners
Wisconsin Badgers and their star running back Ron Dayne (right), in the 1999 ROSE BOWL presented by AT&T, from Pasadena, CA, on FRIDAY, JAN. 1 (Craig Sjodin/ABC)
Alan Ameche, 1954
Ron Dayne, 1999
Yale: 2 Heisman winners
Yale mascot Handsome Dan XIV, aka Whizzer. Photo by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity
Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2023 and has been updated.
EA’s NCAA Football cover stars operated on a different principle for a while compared to the spotlight athletes in other sports games. NCAA rules forbade college athletes from appearing on the cover, so you nearly always saw an NFL rookie sporting their jersey from a few years previously – usually with at least one trophy or high recognition under their belt as well. EA wasn’t afraid to get a bit silly with the NCAA franchise either. At one point, the publisher honored the community’s voice and made a mascot the star of an NCAA game.
The franchise came to a messy end in 2014, as licensing issues and debates over the appropriate use of player likenesses brought EA’s college football days to a halt.
But now? We’re so back. Here’s a walk through 20 years of NCAA Football cover stars and a look at College Football 25.
Only a handful of college teams have been able to hoist the national championship honor since 2000.
Update: This article was previously published in 2023, but has been updated for 2024.
Only 13 different teams have won the collage national football championship title since 2000.
Given how dominant certain teams have been over the years — from Nick Saban’s Alabama to Ohio State’s reign in the mid-2010s — it should come as no surprise that just 13 teams have dominated the landscape. It’s not easy to become a championship contender overnight in college football and it can take years to rise to the pinnacle in a world of heavyweights.
And the latest to join the ranks is Michigan, who won its first national championship since 1997 after besting Washington. The Wolverines capped off a perfect 15-0 season with a 34-13 victory over the Huskies to bring the national championship back to the Big Ten.
Here is every college football team that has been crowned national champion since 2000.
Editor’s note: This story was originally published Sept. 2, 2023 and has been updated.
At the end of each college football regular season, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to the sport’s most outstanding player. But a few schools have produced more winners than everyone else.
In fact, there’s a four-way tie at the top for most Heisman winners in history: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma and USC — the latter being the most recent school to tie the record thanks to Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams winning in 2022.
College football’s most sought-after individual award has been given to players from those schools seven times each. However, the Sooners have the advantage when it comes to more recent winners.
Here’s a breakdown of the programs with at least two Heisman Trophy winners in the past, starting with the Fighting Irish, the Buckeyes, the Sooners and the Trojans.
College football fans have lived long enough to see the death of one of the sport’s great institutions.
It hasn’t happened many times in history, but college football fans have lived long enough to see the death of one of the sport’s great institutions.
The future of the Pac-12 remains in doubt, but we know for certain that it will never again be the league that it was. It’s hard to imagine a league so essential to the history of this sport, and indeed all of college sports, going away for good but such are the times we find ourselves in.
We at For The Win wanted to take this occasion to commemorate one of the titans of college football history, the Pac-12 Conference, by showcasing our picks for the greatest games in the league’s history.
This list — not a ranking — is admittedly biased towards modern history, as most of us here are millennials who were not fortunate enough to watch the 1930s Rose Bowls in person. With that caveat out of the way, please enjoy this walk through the history of one of college football’s great leagues one last time.
A definitive ranking of the biggest rivalries in college football.
College football is filled with chaos and weirdness, and so much of that is because of the heated rivalries that often run generations deep. So we’re here to rank some of the biggest in the sport.
With so many to choose from and everyone having their own biases and preferences for what makes a good rivalry, this is an extremely difficult task. So, I took an unbiased approach and went to the internet to find a few existing lists to use in the creation of a composite ranking.
Below is a list of the only eight rivalries to make each list I found and their average ranking on those lists. It should give you a good idea of which rivalries are popularly considered the biggest, even if it’s not the most comprehensive.
