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          Which positions have won the most Heisman Trophies?

          Derrick Henry won the Heisman Trophy in 2015, the last running back to win the award. Kelly Kline/Getty Images for the Heisman Trust
          • ESPN
          Dec 9, 2025, 12:14 AM

          Chicago's Jay 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 38. In 2025, four quarterbacks were named Heisman Trophy finalists: Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, and Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.

          Check out positions with the most Heisman wins throughout college football history below:

          Running back - 40

          • Last: Derrick Henry, Alabama (2015)

          • First: Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1935)

          Quarterback - 38

          ​Wide receiver - 5

          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

          All-time Heisman winners

          • 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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