Which positions have won the most Heisman Trophies?

Chicago'sJay Berwanger was awarded the first Heisman Trophy in 1935, ushering in an annual tradition that celebrates the best college football player in the country. Since then, running backs have taken home the trophy 40 times, most recently by Alabama's Derrick Henry in 2015.

Quarterbacks take second place in all-time Heisman wins, with 39. In 2025, three quarterbacks and one running back were named Heisman Trophy finalists: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Lovewith Indiana's QB Mendoza ultimately claiming the award.

Running back - 40

• Last: Derrick Henry, Alabama (2015)


• First: Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1935)

Quarterback - 39

• Last: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (2025)


• First: Davey O'Brien, TCU (1938)

Wide receiver - 5

• Last: Travis Hunter, Colorado (2024)


• First: Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska (1972)

Cornerback - 2

• Last: Travis Hunter, Colorado (2024)


• First: Charles Woodson, Michigan (1997)

Fullback - 2

• Last: Alan Ameche, Wisconsin (1954)


• First: Felix Blanchard, Army (1945)

Tight end - 2

• Last: Leon Hart, Notre Dame (1949)


• First: Larry Kelley, Yale (1936)

All-time Heisman winners

• 2025:Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana


• 2024: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado


• 2023: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU


• 2022: Caleb Williams, QB, USC


• 2021: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama


• 2020: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama


• 2019: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU


• 2018: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma


• 2017: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma


• 2016: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville


• 2015: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama


• 2014: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon


• 2013: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State


• 2012: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M


• 2011: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor


• 2010: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn


• 2009: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama


• 2008: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma


• 2007: Tim Tebow, QB, Florida


• 2006: Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State


• 2005: Reggie Bush, RB, USC


• 2004: Matt Leinart, QB, USC


• 2003: Jason White, QB, Oklahoma


• 2002: Carson Palmer, QB, USC


• 2001: Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska


• 2000: Chris Weinke, QB, Florida State


• 1999: Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin


• 1998: Ricky Williams, RB, Texas


• 1997: Charles Woodson, CB, Michigan


• 1996: Danny Wuerffel, QB, Florida


• 1995: Eddie George, RB, Ohio State


• 1994: Rashaan Salaam, RB, Colorado


• 1993: Charlie Ward, QB, Florida State


• 1992: Gino Torretta, QB, Miami


• 1991: Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan


• 1990: Ty Detmer, QB, BYU


• 1989: Andre Ware, QB, Houston


• 1988: Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma State


• 1987: Tim Brown, WR, Notre Dame


• 1986: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami


• 1985: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn


• 1984: Doug Flutie, QB, Boston College


• 1983: Mike Rozier, RB, Nebraska


• 1982: Herschel Walker, RB, Georgia


• 1981: Marcus Allen, RB, USC


• 1980: George Rogers, RB, South Carolina


• 1979: Charles White, RB, USC


• 1978: Billy Sims, RB, Oklahoma


• 1977: Earl Campbell, RB, Texas


• 1976: Tony Dorsett, RB, Pittsburgh


• 1975: Archie Griffin, RB, Ohio State


• 1974: Archie Griffin, RB, Ohio State


• 1973: John Cappelletti, RB, Penn State


• 1972: Johnny Rodgers, WR, Nebraska


• 1971: Pat Sullivan, QB, Auburn


• 1970: Jim Plunkett, QB, Stanford


• 1969: Steve Owens, RB, Oklahoma


• 1968: O.J. Simpson, RB, USC


• 1967: Gary Beban, QB, UCLA


• 1966: Steve Spurrier, QB, Florida


• 1965: Mike Garrett, RB, USC


• 1964: John Huarte, QB, Notre Dame


• 1963: Roger Staubach, QB, Navy


• 1962: Terry Baker, QB, Oregon State


• 1961: Ernie Davis, RB, Syracuse


• 1960: Joe Bellino, RB, Navy


• 1959: Billy Cannon, RB, LSU


• 1958: Pete Dawkins, RB, Army


• 1957: John David Crow, RB, Texas A&M


• 1956: Paul Hornung, QB, Notre Dame


• 1955: Howard Cassady, RB, Ohio State


• 1954: Alan Ameche, FB, Wisconsin


• 1953: John Lattner, RB, Notre Dame


• 1952: Billy Vessels, RB, Oklahoma


• 1951: Dick Kazmaier, RB, Princeton


• 1950: Vic Janowicz, RB, Ohio State


• 1949: Leon Hart, TE, Notre Dame


• 1948: Doak Walker, RB, SMU


• 1947: Johnny Lujack, QB, Notre Dame


• 1946: Glenn Davis, RB, Army


• 1945: Doc Blanchard, FB, Army


• 1944: Les Horvath, RB, Ohio State


• 1943: Angelo Bertelli, QB, Notre Dame


• 1942: Frank Sinkwich, RB, Georgia


• 1941: Bruce Smith, RB, Minnesota


• 1940: Tom Harmon, RB, Michigan


• 1939: Nile Kinnick, RB, Iowa


• 1938: Davey O'Brien, QB, TCU


• 1937: Clint Frank, RB, Yale


• 1936: Larry Kelley, TE, Yale


• 1935: Jay Berwanger, RB, Chicago

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