All 52 non-quarterback Heisman Trophy winners in college football history Since 1935.
It’s always fun and more interesting when the Heisman race has some wide receivers, running backs or defensive players in the mix, like recently with former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith or former Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
In December 2024, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter became the 52nd non-quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.
So while quarterbacks tend to control the Heisman conversation, here’s a look at all 52 Heisman winners who were not quarterbacks (in chronological order).
Travis Hunter became just the second defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy along with Charles Woodson (1997).
Hunter also becomes the first Colorado football player to win the trophy since Rashaan Salaam in 1994.
Every Non-Quarterback Heisman Trophy winner in college football history 1935-2024
Year -- Winner -- School -- Position
1930s Heisman Trophy winners
1935: Jay Berwanger, Chicago running back
1936: Larry Kelley, Yale tight end
1937: Clinton Frank, Yale halfback
1939: Nile Kinnick, Iowa running back
1940s Heisman Trophy winners
1940: Tom Harmon, Michigan running back
1941: Bruce Smith, Minnesota running back
1942: Frank Sinkwich, Georgia running back
1944: Les Horvath, Ohio State halfback
1945: Felix "Doc" Blanchard, Army fullback
1946: Glenn Davis, Army running back
1948: Doak Walker, SMU running back
1949: Leon Hart, Notre Dame tight end
1950s Heisman Trophy winners
1950: Vic Janowicz, Ohio State running back
1951: Dick Kazmaier, Princeton running back
1952: Billy Vessels, Oklahoma running back
1953: John Lattner, Notre Dame running back
1954: Alan Ameche, Wisconsin fullback
1955: Howard Cassady, Ohio State running back
1957: John David Crow, Texas A&M running back
1958: Pete Dawkins, Army running back
1959: Billy Cannon, LSU running back
1960s Heisman Trophy winners
1960: Joe Bellino, Navy running back
1961: Ernie Davis, Syracuse running back
1965: Mike Garrett, USC running back
1968: O.J. Simpson, USC running back
1969: Steve Owens, Oklahoma running back
1970s Heisman Trophy winners
1972: Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska wide receiver
1973: John Cappelletti, Penn State running back
1974: Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back
1975: Archie Griffin, Ohio State running back
1976: Tony Dorsett, Pitt running back
1977: Earl Campbell, Texas running back
1978: Billy Sims, Oklahoma running back
1979: Charles White, USC running back
1980s Heisman Trophy winners
1980: George Rogers, South Carolina running back
1981: Marcus Allen, USC running back
1982: Herschel Walker, Georgia running back
1983: Mike Rozier, Nebraska running back
1985: Bo Jackson, Auburn running back
1987: Tim Brown, Notre Dame wide receiver
1988: Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State running back
1990s Heisman Trophy winners
1991: Desmond Howard, Michigan wide receiver
1994: Rashaan Salaam, Colorado running back
1995: Eddie George, Ohio State running back
1997: Charles Woodson, Michigan cornerback
1998: Ricky Williams, Texas running back
1999: Ron Dayne, Wisconsin running back
2000s Heisman Trophy winners
2005: Reggie Bush, USC running back
2009: Mark Ingram, Alabama running back
2010s Heisman Trophy winners
2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama running back
2020s Heisman Trophy winners
2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama wide receiver
2024: Travis Hunter, Colorado wide receiver/cornerback
2025: TBD
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