Every Heisman Trophy winner in college football history (2024)

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.

RELATED: All 50 non-quarterback Heisman Trophy winners in college football history as of 2023

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.

RELATED: What school has the most Heisman Trophy winners? It’s a four-way tie for first

1930s Heisman Trophy winners

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 09: Detail of the The Heisman Memorial Trophy awarded to quarterback Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers at New York Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 09, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

• 1935: Jay Berwanger, Chicago running back
• 1936: Larry Kelley, Yale tight end
• 1937: Clinton Frank, Yale halfback
• 1938: Davey O’Brien, TCU quarterback
• 1939: Nile Kinnick, Iowa running back

1940s Heisman Trophy winners

DALLAS, TX – SEPTEMBER 27: A statue of Doak Walker at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on September 27, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

• 1940: Tom Harmon, Michigan running back
• 1941: Bruce Smith, Minnesota running back
• 1942: Frank Sinkwich, Georgia running back
• 1943: Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame quarterback
• 1944: Les Horvath, Ohio State halfback
• 1945: Felix “Doc” Blanchard, Army fullback
• 1946: Glenn Davis, Army running back
• 1947: John Lujack, Notre Dame quarterback
• 1948: Doak Walker, SMU running back
• 1949: Leon Hart, Notre Dame tight end

1950s Heisman Trophy winners

Green Bay Packers running back Paul Hornung (5) runs the sweep as guard Jerry Kramer (64) attempts to block Chicago Bears defensive back Dave Whitsell (23). The Packers defeated the Bears 49-0 on Sept. 30, 1962 at New City Stadium, later renamed Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wis. Green Bay Press-Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK

• 1950: Vic Janowicz, Ohio State running back
• 1951: Dick Kazmaier, Princeton running back
• 1952: Billy Vessels, Oklahoma running back
• 1953: John Lattner, Notre Dame running back
• 1954: Alan Ameche, Wisconsin fullback
• 1955: Howard Cassady, Ohio State running back
• 1956: Paul Hornung, Notre Dame quarterback
• 1957: John David Crow, Texas A&M running back
• 1958: Pete Dawkins, Army running back
• 1959: Billy Cannon, LSU running back

1960s Heisman Trophy winners

Roger Staubach in 1963 (Navy Academy Athletics/Under Armour)

• 1960: Joe Bellino, Navy running back
• 1961: Ernie Davis, Syracuse running back
• 1962: Terry Baker, Oregon State quarterback
• 1963: Roger Staubach, Navy quarterback
• 1964: John Huarte, Notre Dame quarterback
• 1965: Mike Garrett, USC running back
• 1966: Steve Spurrier, Florida quarterback
• 1967: Gary Beban, UCLA quarterback
• 1968: O.J. Simpson, USC running back
• 1969: Steve Owens, Oklahoma running back

1970s Heisman Trophy winners

Jan 1, 1976; Pasadena, CA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Archie Griffin (45) carries the ball against the UCLA Bruins in the 1976 Rose Bowl. (Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

• 1970: Jim Plunkett, Stanford quarterback
• 1971: Pat Sullivan, Auburn quarterback
• 1972: Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska wide receiver
• 1973: John Cappelletti, Penn State running back
• 1974: Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back
• 1975: Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back
• 1976: Tony Dorsett, Pitt running back
• 1977: Earl Campbell, Texas running back
• 1978: Billy Sims, Oklahoma running back
• 1979: Charles White, USC running back

1980s Heisman Trophy winners

Oct 15, 1988; Lincoln, NE, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Barry Sanders (21) carries the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. (Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

• 1980: George Rogers, South Carolina running back
• 1981: Marcus Allen, USC running back
• 1982: Herschel Walker, Georgia running back
• 1983: Mike Rozier, Nebraska running back
• 1984: Doug Flutie, Boston College quarterback
• 1985: Bo Jackson, Auburn running back
• 1986: Vinny Testaverde, Miami quarterback
• 1987: Tim Brown, Notre Dame wide receiver
• 1988: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State running back
• 1989: Andre Ware, Houston quarterback

1990s Heisman Trophy 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

• 1990: Ty Detmer, BYU quarterback
• 1991: Desmond Howard, Michigan wide receiver
• 1992: Gino Torretta, Miami quarterback
• 1993: Charlie Ward, Florida State quarterback
• 1994: Rashaan Salaam, Colorado running back
• 1995: Eddie George, Ohio State running back
• 1996: Danny Wuerffel, Florida quarterback
• 1997: Charles Woodson, Michigan cornerback
• 1998: Ricky Williams, Texas running back
• 1999: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin running back

2000s Heisman Trophy 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

• 2000: Chris Weinke, Florida State quarterback
• 2001: Eric Crouch, Nebraska quarterback
• 2002: Carson Palmer, USC quarterback
• 2003: Jason White, Oklahoma quarterback
• 2004: Matt Leinart, USC quarterback
• 2005: Reggie Bush, USC running back
• 2006: Troy Smith, Ohio State quarterback
• 2007: Tim Tebow, Florida quarterback
• 2008: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma quarterback
• 2009: Mark Ingram, Alabama running back

2010s Heisman Trophy winners

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson poses with the trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the 2016 Heisman Trophy award during a presentation at the Playstation Theater. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

• 2010: Cam Newton, Auburn quarterback
• 2011: Robert Griffin III, Baylor quarterback
• 2012: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M quarterback
• 2013: Jameis Winston, Florida State quarterback
• 2014: Marcus Mariota, Oregon quarterback
• 2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama running back
• 2016: Lamar Jackson, Louisville quarterback
• 2017: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma quarterback
• 2018: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma quarterback
• 2019: Joe Burrow, LSU quarterback

2020s Heisman Trophy winners

Jan 5, 2021; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver DeVonta Smith poses for a photo after being announced the winner of the 2020 Heisman Trophy. (Kent Gidley/Heisman Trophy Trust via USA TODAY Sports)

• 2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama wide receiver
• 2021: Bryce Young, Alabama quarterback
• 2022: Caleb Williams, USC quarterback
• 2023: Jayden Daniels, LSU quarterback
• 2024: Travis Hunter, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback