Heisman Trophy Winners | Complete List, History & Records (2026)

The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. First presented in 1935, it recognizes exceptional performance, athletic ability, leadership, and sportsmanship. Winners include legendary quarterbacks, running backs, and other standout athletes who have shaped college football history.

What Is the Heisman Trophy?

The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious individual awards in American college football. It honors the player considered the most outstanding performer in NCAA college football each season.

Named after legendary football coach John Heisman, the award recognizes more than impressive statistics. Voters also consider a player’s impact on the game, leadership, athletic ability, and overall contribution to their team.

Since its introduction in 1935, the Heisman has become a defining achievement in college football. Winning it can transform a college athlete into a national star and strengthen their reputation ahead of the NFL Draft.

Heisman Trophy Winners: Complete List (1935–2025)

The following historical list covers the award’s winners from its beginning through the 2025 season. The award is presented after the college football season, so the winning year refers to the season being honored.

Complete Heisman Trophy Winners by Year

Updated through 2025

The following table includes every Heisman Trophy winner, their college, and playing position.

Source: Official Heisman Trophy Winners Archive. Position abbreviations: QB = Quarterback, RB = Running Back, WR = Wide Receiver, FB = Fullback, HB = Halfback, TE = Tight End, CB = Cornerback. Heisman+1

Important historical note: Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman was reinstated in 2024. His victory is therefore included in USC’s official total of eight winners.

Who Won the 2025 Heisman Trophy?

Fernando Mendoza

2025 Winner

• School: Indiana University
• Position: Quarterback
• Season: 2025
• First-place votes: 643
• Total points: 2,362

Fernando Mendoza won the 2025 Heisman Trophy after leading Indiana through an outstanding season. He became the first Indiana Hoosiers player to receive the award.

His performance included 2,980 passing yards, 33 touchdown passes, and six rushing touchdowns. He finished comfortably ahead of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in the voting.

Mendoza’s victory was particularly memorable because Indiana had never produced a Heisman winner since the award began in 1935. Heisman+1

Who Was the First Heisman Trophy Winner?

Jay Berwanger

1935 · University of Chicago · Halfback

Jay Berwanger made history in 1935 by becoming the first recipient of the award, which was originally called the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy.

He was a standout University of Chicago athlete known for his versatility, combining rushing, passing, kicking, and defensive ability.

In 1936, following the death of legendary coach John Heisman, the award was renamed the Heisman Memorial Trophy.

Most Famous Heisman Trophy Winners in College Football History

Some Heisman winners became much bigger than college football. Their performances, personalities, and professional careers helped make them household names.

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1. Archie Griffin

Only two-time winner

Griffin won the Heisman in consecutive seasons, 1974 and 1975. No other player has achieved this feat.

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2. Barry Sanders

His incredible 1988 season included 2,628 rushing yards and 37 rushing touchdowns, making it one of college football’s most memorable individual campaigns.

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3. Bo Jackson

The 1985 winner became famous for extraordinary athletic versatility and later played professional football and baseball.

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4. Tim Tebow

Tebow won in 2007 as a sophomore and became one of college football’s most recognizable quarterbacks.

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5. Cam Newton

Newton dominated the 2010 season, leading Auburn to a national championship and winning the Heisman before becoming an NFL star.

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6. Joe Burrow

His historic 2019 season featured 60 passing touchdowns and an undefeated LSU national championship campaign.

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7. Lamar Jackson

Jackson won the 2016 award as a sophomore, showcasing exceptional passing ability, speed, and rushing production.

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8. Travis Hunter

Hunter made history in 2024 with his outstanding performances as both a wide receiver and cornerback.

Who Has Won the Heisman Trophy the Most Times?

The University of Southern California (USC) leads the historical Heisman Trophy standings with eight winning awards, including Reggie Bush’s reinstated 2005 award.

Several major college football programs have built impressive Heisman traditions.

Heisman Trophy Winners by School

Counts reflect the reinstated Reggie Bush award.

Why Does USC Have So Many Heisman Winners?

USC has produced some of the most recognizable names in college football, including:

• 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)

The Trojans’ tradition of producing elite offensive players has helped establish the program as one of the biggest names in Heisman history.

Which Position Has Won the Most Heisman Trophies?

Quarterbacks and running backs have historically dominated the Heisman Trophy.

However, the award is not limited to offensive players. Wide receivers, tight ends, and defensive players have also earned the honor.

Quarterbacks have become particularly dominant in modern college football because they influence nearly every offensive possession through passing, rushing, and decision-making.

However, exceptional players at other positions can still stand out when they deliver historically impressive seasons.

Has a Defensive Player Ever Won the Heisman Trophy?

Yes. Michigan’s Charles Woodson made history in 1997 by becoming the first primarily defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy.

Woodson was an exceptional cornerback who also contributed as a punt returner and occasional offensive player.

His ability to change games through interceptions, defensive coverage, and special teams made him one of the most versatile players in college football.

In 2024, Colorado’s Travis Hunter became another historic two-way winner, earning recognition for his performances at wide receiver and cornerback.

Who Is the Only Two-Time Heisman Trophy Winner?

Archie Griffin, a timeline—Ohio State Alumni Magazine

Archie Griffin

1974 and 1975

College: Ohio State University

Position: Running Back

Archie Griffin remains the only player in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy twice.

He first received the award in 1974 as a junior and repeated the achievement in 1975 as a senior.

His back-to-back victories established a record that no other college football player has matched.

What makes Griffin’s accomplishment even more impressive is the consistency he demonstrated throughout his college career. Rather than relying on one exceptional season, he maintained an elite level of performance over multiple years.

How Is the Heisman Trophy Winner Selected?

The Heisman Trophy winner is determined through a national voting process involving sports journalists, former Heisman winners, and a fan vote.

The voting system evaluates players based on their overall performance throughout the college football season.

Important factors include:

1. Individual performance: Passing yards, rushing yards, touchdowns, interceptions, and other position-specific statistics.
2. Game impact: How consistently a player influences important games.
3. Athletic ability: Speed, strength, agility, and technical skill.
4. Leadership: A player’s influence on teammates and team performance.
5. Overall excellence: The player’s complete contribution to college football.

The voting system uses regional ballots and a national ballot. Players earn points based on their placement on each ballot, and the highest total determines the winner.

The award is not automatically given to a player from the national championship team. An individual can win even if their school does not win the championship.

When Is the Heisman Trophy Awarded?

The Heisman Trophy is traditionally presented in December, following the regular college football season and conference championship games.

The ceremony takes place in New York City and brings together finalists, former winners, coaches, families, and college football personalities.

For the 2026 season, the official Heisman schedule lists:

These dates are published on the official Heisman website. Heisman

Interesting Heisman Trophy Facts

The award has a fascinating history filled with records, surprises, and unforgettable achievements.

• First winner: Jay Berwanger won the inaugural award in 1935.
• Only two-time winner: Archie Griffin won in 1974 and 1975.
• First freshman winner: Johnny Manziel won in 2012 as a redshirt freshman.
• First sophomore winner: Tim Tebow won in 2007.
• First African American winner: Ernie Davis won in 1961.
• First wide receiver winner: Johnny Rodgers won in 1972.
• First primarily defensive winner: Charles Woodson won in 1997.
• First Indiana winner: Fernando Mendoza won in 2025.
• Only player to win for a losing team: Paul Hornung won in 1956, despite Notre Dame finishing 2–8.
• First winner from the Ivy League: Jay Berwanger represented Chicago, while Yale’s Larry Kelley and Clinton Frank won in the following two seasons.

These milestones demonstrate how the Heisman has evolved from an award dominated by traditional offensive stars into a recognition of exceptional players across different positions. Heisman+1

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Heisman Trophy in 2025?

Fernando Mendoza of Indiana University won the 2025 Heisman Trophy. He received 643 first-place votes and finished with 2,362 total points.

Who has won the most Heisman Trophies?

Archie Griffin of Ohio State is the only individual player to win the Heisman Trophy twice, in 1974 and 1975. USC leads the college program standings with eight wins.

Who was the first Heisman Trophy winner?

Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago became the first Heisman Trophy winner in 1935, when the award was originally called the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy.

Has anyone won the Heisman Trophy three times?

No. No player has won the Heisman Trophy three times. Archie Griffin remains the only two-time winner.

Which college has the most Heisman Trophy winners?

USC leads the historical standings with eight Heisman-winning awards. Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Oklahoma follow with seven each.

Can a freshman win the Heisman Trophy?

Yes. Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the award in 2012. He accomplished this as a redshirt freshman at Texas A&M.

Has a wide receiver ever won the Heisman Trophy?

Yes. Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska became the first wide receiver winner in 1972. Other notable winners include Tim Brown, Desmond Howard, and DeVonta Smith.

Has a defensive player ever won the Heisman?

Yes. Charles Woodson of Michigan won in 1997, becoming the first primarily defensive player to receive the award. Travis Hunter also won in 2024 as a standout two-way player.

What is the Heisman Trophy made of?

The Heisman Trophy is a bronze sculpture depicting a football player performing a stiff-arm move. Its design is based on an actual football player, Ed Smith, who posed for sculptor Frank Eliscu.

When will the 2026 Heisman Trophy winner be announced?

The 2026 Heisman Trophy winner is scheduled to be announced on December 12, 2026, in New York City.

Does winning the Heisman guarantee an NFL career?

No. Winning the Heisman is a major college football achievement, but it does not guarantee professional success. NFL performance depends on many factors, including talent, development, health, and team fit.

Final Verdict

The Heisman Trophy represents the highest level of individual recognition in college football. Since 1935, it has celebrated extraordinary athletes who have changed the game through outstanding performances, leadership, and unforgettable seasons.

From Jay Berwanger’s historic first victory to Archie Griffin’s unmatched back-to-back wins and Fernando Mendoza’s breakthrough achievement with Indiana in 2025, every generation has produced players who have left their mark on college football history.

Although quarterbacks and running backs have traditionally dominated the award, winners such as Charles Woodson, DeVonta Smith, and Travis Hunter demonstrate that exceptional talent can come from any position.

Whether you’re researching past champions, comparing winning schools, exploring historic records, or following the 2026 Heisman race, understanding the award’s history provides a fascinating look at the greatest individual achievements in college football.

One trophy. More than 90 years of history. Countless legendary performances. That’s what makes the Heisman Trophy special.

Daniel Brooks

Daniel Brooks is a sports writer at SportsOrbitX.com, specializing in football, basketball and global sports news. He focuses on delivering accurate reporting, match analysis and timely updates that keep fans informed.