The Heisman Trophy is the ultimate individual honor in college football. Which schools have the most Heisman winners? Find out below.
Every year in college football is defined by two things: the team that wins the national championship and the player who wins the Heisman Trophy.
Heisman Watch is such an unofficial yet major part of the season, with the top-performing players being scrutinized on a weekly basis to determine which ones have the inside track on winning the prestigious individual award.
Naturally, some schools have been more prolific than others when it comes to producing Heisman-caliber talent. Read on to learn which programs are Heisman factories (relatively speaking) and which kinds of players tend to win the annual honor.
What Is the Heisman Trophy?
The Heisman Trophy is "annually awarded to the outstanding college football player in the United States whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work."
In less-fancy terms: great stats + great team = trophy OR overwhelmingly ridiculous stats = trophy. There’s no one-size-fits-all determination, but those who vote on the winner typically veer toward the most prolific player in the country.
While not part of the official definition, most winners of the trophy in the modern era have cemented their case for winning with a "Heisman moment," which typically comes in the form of a transcendentally great individual play or spectacular game performance during the season.
First doled out in 1935 by the Heisman Trophy Trust, the award is a legacy-setting event for the young men who are blessed to lift the bronze statue with that iconic stiff-arm pose.
College Teams With the Most Heisman Trophy Winners
A number of schools have featured multiple Heisman winners over the years, with the consolidation of top recruits and talent often taking place at some of the more storied programs in college football history. Here is a list of programs that have produced multiple Heisman winners.
Top 5 Schools With the Most Heisman Winners
1. USC (8)
RB Mike Garrett (1965)
RB O.J. Simpson (1968)
RB Charles White (1979)
RB Marcus Allen (1981)
QB Carson Palmer (2002)
QB Matt Leinart (2004)
RB Reggie Bush (2005)
QB Caleb Williams (2022)
2(T). Notre Dame (7)
QB Angelo Bertelli (1943)
QB John Lujack (1947)
TE Leon Hart (1949)
RB John Lattner (1953)
QB Paul Hornung (1956)
QB John Huarte (1964)
WR Tim Brown (1987)
2(T). Ohio State (7)
HB Les Horvath (1944)
RB Vic Janowicz (1950)
RB Howard Cassady (1955)
RB Archie Griffin (1974, 1975)
RB Eddie George (1995)
QB Troy Smith (2006)
2(T). Oklahoma (7)
RB Billy Vessels (1952)
RB Steve Owens (1969)
RB Billy Sims (1978)
QB Jason White (2003)
QB Sam Bradford (2008)
QB Baker Mayfield (2017)
QB Kyler Murray (2018)
5. Alabama (4)
RB Mark Ingram (2009)
RB Derrick Henry (2015)
WR Devonta Smith (2020)
QB Bryce Young (2021)
Schools With 3 Heisman Winners
6(T). LSU (3)
RB Billy Cannon (1959)
QB Joe Burrow (2019)
QB Jayden Daniels (2023)
6(T). Michigan (3)
RB Tom Harmon (1940)
WR Desmond Howard (1991)
CB Charles Woodson (1997)
6(T). Auburn (3)
QB Pat Sullivan (1971)
RB Bo Jackson (1985)
QB Cam Newton (2010)
6(T). Florida (3)
QB Steve Spurrier (1966)
QB Danny Wuerffel (1996)
QB Tim Tebow (2007)
6(T). Florida State (3)
QB Charlie Ward (1993)
QB Chris Weinke (2000)
QB Jameis Winston (2013)
6(T). Nebraska (3)
WR Johnny Rodgers (1972)
RB Mike Rozier (1983)
QB Eric Crouch (2001)
6(T). Army (3)
FB Doc Blanchard (1945)
RB Glenn Davis (1946)
RB Pete Dawkins (1958)
Schools With 2 Heisman Winners
- Colorado: RB Rashaan Salaam (1994), WR/CB Travis Hunter (2024)
- Georgia: RB Frank Sinkwich (1942), RB Herschel Walker (1982)
- Miami: QB Vinny Testaverde (1986), QB Gino Torretta (1992)
- Navy: RB Joe Bellino (1960), QB Roger Staubach (1963)
- Texas A&M: RB John David Crow (1957), QB Johnny Manziel (2012)
- Texas: RB Earl Campbell (1977), RB Ricky Williams (1998)
- Wisconsin: FB Alan Ameche (1954), RB Ron Dayne (1999)
- Yale: TE Larry Kelley (1936), HB Clinton Frank (1937)
Which Position Has Fielded the Most Heisman Winners?
In recent years, quarterback, by far, leads the way, which should be no surprise given how vital a QB is to the most successful teams in the country. A total of 36 QBs have won the Heisman, but since 2000, 20 of the 25 winners have been QBs. Three running backs, one wide receiver and one combo CB/WR cover the rest in that time.
Overall, running backs/halfbacks/fullbacks account for the most winners since the first Heisman was given out, with 42.
It has become increasingly rare for wide receivers or defensive players to win the award. DeVonta Smith (Alabama, 2020) was the first receiver to win the Heisman since Michigan’s Desmond Howard took it home in 1991.
No primarily defensive star has won it aside from Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997. He did dabble on offense as well, and his feats were enough to edge out Peyton Manning in one of the more unique duels for the award. 2024 Winner Travis Hunter received the trophy as a two-way player, logging more than 700 snaps on both defense and offense.
How Heisman Winners Impact Fantasy Football Strategy
Just being the Heisman winner does not guarantee that you’ll be a great pro. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon for Heisman winners to go No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, with that happening nine times since 2002 — each time the player being a QB.
The most effective Heisman winners at the pro level tend to have long-term value in both dynasty and keeper leagues, offering fantasy managers consistent, high-impact production over multiple seasons.
There have been plenty of Heisman-winning busts throughout the years, no doubt. But if you’re seeking a young talent with multi-year upside and growth potential, you could do worse than putting your faith in a player who has mastered his competition at the collegiate level — especially if you are in a dynasty league as opposed to a redraft league and taking the long view.
See also:
When Is the Heisman Ceremony?
The Heisman Trophy ceremony takes place each December in New York City, with the exact date fluctuating by year. It happens before the College Football Playoff is sorted, though, adding some individual intrigue into crunch time for the best teams in the country.
The finalists (a set number of four, as of 2021) are announced on the Monday prior to the ceremony and are all invited to attend in person. The winner gives a speech upon accepting the award, with past winners flanking him on stage. It’s an honor and occasion steeped in tradition, and that feeling is conveyed thoroughly on the night the trophy is awarded.
Over the years, there have been some particularly emotional speeches, with Joe Burrow’s 2019 effort particularly standing out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has anyone won multiple Heisman trophies?
Ohio State running back Archie Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in consecutive seasons, 1974 and 1975. To date, he’s the only player to achieve the feat.
What program has the most Heisman winners?
As stated above, it’s the University of Southern California, with 2022 winner Caleb Williams putting the Trojans over the top with their eighth victor.
It also helps that Reggie Bush had his 2005 Heisman restored after it was initially rescinded following an investigation that revealed Bush had received impermissible benefits in violation of NCAA rules. With the change in the college football landscape and the introduction of NIL, the Heisman Trust reinstated Bush’s award.
Who was the lowest-drafted Heisman winner?
Boston College QB Doug Flutie, who won the Heisman in 1984, went 285th (11th round) in the subsequent NFL Draft, but that’s still better than 2003 winner Jason White, who went undrafted altogether.
(Two other Heisman winners went undrafted, but one, 1958 winner Pete Dawkins, opted for military service; the other, 2003 winner Charlie Ward, opted for a career in the NBA — where he was a first-round pick.)
Has a freshman ever won the Heisman?
Yes, on two occasions, but none before 2012, when Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel took home the honors. The following season, Florida State’s Jameis Winston matched the feat in his redshirt freshman campaign.
Has a walk-on ever won the Heisman?
Baker Mayfield wasn’t a walk-on at the time, but the QB started his college career as one at Texas Tech and then at Oklahoma before his sensational senior, Heisman-winning season with the Sooners in 2017.
Elevate Your Fantasy College Football Experience with Sleeper
Now that you’re more in the know about the Heisman Trophy and the schools that have produced the most winners, turn that knowledge into power by playing fantasy sports on Sleeper.
You can join by signing up on Sleeper’s website or downloading the app to stay updated on the latest news – including about all the Heisman hopefuls.