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    List of Heisman Trophy Winners: Travis Hunter Joins Elite List

    The Heisman Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, and here's the list of previous winners.

    The Heisman Memorial Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in all sports. Annually awarded, the Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding player in college football. The criteria also states it is given to a player who epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.

    List of Heisman Trophy Winners

    The Heisman has been given out since 1935 and was first won by Chicago HB Jay Berwanger. It was first given out by the Downtown Athletic Club from 1935-2001 before the Heisman Trophy Trust was instituted in 2002.

    The Heisman Trophy Trust hands out the award with its own ceremony, honoring the most outstanding performance that best exhibits the pursuit of excellence.

    Last 7 Heisman Winners

    Heisman Trophy Winners 2017-2010

    Heisman Trophy Winners, 2009-1990

    • Mark Ingram Jr., Alabama, RB | 2009
    • Sam Bradford, Oklahoma, QB | 2008
    • Tim Tebow, Florida, QB | 2007
    • Troy Smith, Ohio State, QB | 2006
    • Reggie Bush, USC, RB | 2005 (Vacated due to NCAA violations)
    • Matt Leinart, USC, QB | 2004
    • Jason White, Oklahoma, QB | 2003
    • Carson Palmer, USC, QB | 2002
    • Eric Crouch, Nebraska, QB/WR | 2001
    • Chris Weinke, Florida State, QB | 2000
    • Ron Dayne, Wisconsin, RB | 1999
    • Ricky Williams, Texas, RB | 1998
    • Charles Woodson, Michigan, CB/PR | 1997
    • Danny Wuerffel, Florida, QB | 1996
    • Eddie George, Ohio State, RB | 1995
    • Rashaan Salaam, Colorado, RB | 1994
    • Charlie Ward, Florida State, QB | 1993
    • Gino Torretta, Miami (FL), QB | 1992
    • Desmond Howard, Michigan, WR/PR | 1991
    • Ty Detmer, BYU, QB | 1990

    Heisman Trophy Winners, 1989-1970

    • Andre Ware, Houston, QB | 1989
    • Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State, RB | 1988
    • Tim Brown, Notre Dame, WR | 1987
    • Vinny Testaverde, Miami (FL), QB | 1986
    • Bo Jackson, Auburn, RB | 1985
    • Doug Flutie, Boston College, QB | 1984
    • Mike Rozier, Nebraska, RB | 1983
    • Herschel Walker, Georgia, RB | 1982
    • Marcus Allen, USC, RB | 1981
    • George Rogers, South Carolina, RB | 1980
    • Charles White, USC, RB | 1979
    • Billy Sims, Oklahoma, RB | 1978
    • Earl Campbell, Texas, RB | 1977
    • Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh, RB | 1976
    • Archie Griffin, Ohio State, RB | 1974 & 1975
    • John Cappelletti, Penn State, RB | 1973
    • Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska, WR/RB | 1972
    • Pat Sullivan, Auburn, QB | 1971
    • Jim Plunkett, Stanford, QB | 1970

    Heisman Trophy Winners, 1969-1950

    • Steve Owens, Oklahoma, FB | 1969
    • O.J. Simpson, USC, HB | 1968
    • Gary Beban, UCLA, QB | 1967
    • Steve Spurrier, Florida, QB | 1966
    • Mike Garrett, USC, HB | 1965
    • John Huarte, Notre Dame, QB | 1964
    • Roger Staubach, Navy, QB | 1963
    • Terry Baker, Oregon State, QB | 1962
    • Ernie Davis, Syracuse, HB/LB/FB | 1961
    • Joe Bellino, Navy, HB | 1960
    • Billy Cannon, LSU, HB | 1959
    • Pete Dawkins, Army, HB | 1958
    • John David Crow, Texas A&M, HB | 1957
    • Paul Hornung, Notre Dame, QB | 1956
    • Howard Cassady, Ohio State, HB | 1955
    • Alan Ameche, Wisconsin, FB | 1954
    • Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame, HB | 1953
    • Billy Vessels, Oklahoma, HB | 1952
    • Dick Kazmaier, Princeton, HB | 1951
    • Vic Janowicz, Ohio State, HB/P | 1950

    Heisman Trophy Winners, 1949-1935

    • Leon Hart, Notre Dame, End | 1949
    • Doak Walker, SMU, HB | 1948
    • Johnny Lujack, Notre Dame, QB | 1947
    • Glenn Davis, Army, HB | 1946
    • Doc Blanchard, Army, FB | 1945
    • Les Horvath, Ohio State, HB/QB | 1944
    • Angelo Bertelli, Notre Dame, QB | 1943
    • Frank Sinkwich, Georgia, HB | 1942
    • Bruce Smith, Minnesota, HB | 1941
    • Tom Harmon, Michigan, HB | 1940
    • Nile Kinnick, Iowa, HB/QB | 1939
    • Davey O’Brien, TCU, QB | 1938
    • Clint Frank, Yale, HB | 1937
    • Larry Kelley, Yale, End | 1936
    • Jay Berwanger, Chicago, HB | 1935

    Heisman Winners FAQ

    The Heisman Trophy has been won by a bevy of players, positions, and schools. Here are some fun facts surrounding the Heisman Trophy winners throughout the years:

    What Schools Have the Most Heisman Winners?

    Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma have won seven Heisman Trophies through the years. In 2022, only Ohio State has an opportunity to win another Heisman Trophy with Quarterback C.J. Stroud representing the university.

    Here are the players that have one from each of the three schools:

    • Ohio State
      • Troy Smith (2006)
      • Eddie George (1995)
      • Archie Griffin (1974 & 1975)
      • Howard Cassady (1955)
      • Vic Janowicz (1950)
      • Les Horvath (1944)
    • Notre Dame
      • Tim Brown (1987)
      • John Huarte (1964)
      • Paul Hornung (1956)
      • Johnny Lattner (1953)
      • Leon Hart (1949)
      • Johnny Lujack (1947)
      • Angelo Bertelli (1942)
    • Oklahoma
      • Kyler Murray (2018)
      • Baker Mayfield (2017)
      • Sam Bradford (2008)
      • Jason White (2003)
      • Billy Sims (1978)
      • Steve Owens (1969)
      • Billy Vessels (1952)

    Which College Football Conference Has the Most Heisman Trophy Winners?

    Since 1935, the Big Ten has won the most Heisman Trophies. Not all Heismans were won by Big Ten schools at the time of winning but by current alignment. Ohio State (7) has won the most, with Michigan (3), Nebraska (3), Wisconsin (2), Iowa (1), Minnesota (1), and Penn State (1) tailing behind.

    Has a Player Ever Won the Heisman Trophy More Than Once?

    Former Ohio State Running Back Archie Griffin is the only player in college football history that’s won the Heisman Trophy more than once. Griffin won the trophy in 1974 and 1975. During those two years, he ran for 3,145 yards, 16 touchdowns, and caught 19 passes for 247 yards.

    Which Position Has Won the Heisman Trophy Most?

    Runnings backs lead the way, having won the Heisman Trophy 44 times. Though running backs lead the way, those numbers are largely dominated by the early success of running backs, halfbacks, and dual-positioned players who also ran the ball. Passers of the football have ruled lately, as quarterbacks have won 17 of the past 21 awards, and are the only representatives at the 2022 Heisman Trophy Ceremony.

    DeVonta Smith became the first full-time receiver and just the third receiver overall to win the Heisman Trophy in 2020. He joined Desmond Howard and Eric Crouch, both of who had wide receiver designations, but clearly had other impacts on the games. Howard served as a dynamic punt returner, and Crouch was Nebraska’s quarterback as well as a receiver.

    Smith also marked Alabama’s third Heisman winner in school history. The Crimson Tide has had the most individual success over the past 20 years as well, winning all three of their Trophies since 2009. Mark Ingram won the Heisman in 2009, Derrick Henry won in 2015, and Smith won in 2020.

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