The Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Trophy is awarded through a voting system that recognizes the top performer in college football for every season.

Officially, the Heisman is given to the college football player who exemplifies, "Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."

The trophy was originally named the DAC (Downtown Athletic Club) Trophy, but was renamed for the historic coach and innovator following his death.

John Heisman (1869-1936) is one of the most influential icons from the history of football. He was a coach at Oberlin College, the University of Akron, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia Tech, University of Pennsylvania, Washington & Jefferson College and Rice University. John Heisman compiled a record of 186-70-18 as a head coach. One of his many contributions included the "forward pass" to football, a revolutionary and history-altering moment in the game that was put in to effect in 1906 after Heisman conceived of the idea three years earlier.

Which State are you placing your Heisman bet from?

Heisman Trophy facts and trivia

• RB Archie Griffin (1974-75) of the Ohio State Buckeyes is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice
• Notre Dame and Ohio State have the most Heisman Trophy winners among all schools with 7 each
• The oldest player to win the Heisman Trophy is former FSU quarterback Chris Weinke (2000), who was 28 years old
• The youngest player to win the Heisman Trophy is former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson (2016), who was 19 years and 337 days old
• Tennessee has the most Heisman Trophy runners-up (4) without a Heisman Trophy winner
• Only two freshman have won the award - Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel (2012) and FSU quarterback Jameis Winston (2013)
• The trophy itself is 13 1/2 inches tall, and is modeled after former New York Giants running back Ed Smith
• Eight winners have gone on to be inducted in to the Pro Football Hall of Fame - Doak Walker, Paul Hornung, Roger Staubach, O.J. Simpson, Tony Dorsett, Earl Campbell, Marcus Allen and Barry Sanders
• Former Syracuse running back Ernie Davis (1961) was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy
• 18 players that won the Heisman Trophy have been selected first overall in the NFL Draft, including Baker Mayfield in 2018
• 15 players who won the Heisman have gone undrafted, but none since Oklahoma quarterback Jason White in 2003

The Heisman is voted on by a large panel of 929 people, and is one of the most scrutinized awards in all of sport since the pool of talent is so large. Betting odds for the Heisman Trophy futures are updated every week based on recent performances, results and injuries.

Heisman Trophy Winners

Please sort and search the following list of statistics by past Heisman Trophy winners.