The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the ‘most outstanding player in college football’ each year in the United States. The trophy was instituted in 1935 and named after the former New York University athletic director John Heisman. The Heisman Trophy was awarded by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City until 2023, and the 2024 award will be presented by The Heisman Trophy Trust. The award has been dominated by quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers, though a few defensive players have also won the trophy.
The Heisman Trophy nomination has no age or class requirement to win it. However, most Heisman winners are college football players in their third or fourth years of eligibility, either junior or senior, while the winners are mainly those players in their early 20s. The youngest player to win the iconic trophy was the 19-year-old Lamar Jackson in 2016.
What are the eligibility criteria to win the Heisman Trophy?
To be eligible for the Heisman Trophy, a player must be a college football player in the United States, representing a team in one of the major NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conferences or a university with an FBS team. The main requirements are to have a full-time player status in the NCAA Division I FBS. The eligibility of the players must meet NCAA requirements, usually during their junior or senior year of college, though sophomores are also eligible. In rare cases, freshmen Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston have also won the Heisman trophy in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
What is the selection process for the Heisman Trophy award?
The selection process for the Heisman Trophy involves voting by a group of sports journalists, coaches, former players, and fans. Voters submit their votes through a ballot system in which they rank their top players. The Heisman Trust counts these votes to determine the winner. Fan voting does not directly influence the outcome, but fan opinions are often considered in the media spotlight leading up to the vote. The winner is announced at a ceremony held in New York City, usually in December, after the regular season has ended.
READ MORE: Heisman Trophy Finalists Year by Year
FAQs on Heisman Trophy
A. Any active NCAA FBS player, typically juniors or seniors, are eligible.
A. A panel of journalists, coaches, and former players vote on the top candidates.
A. The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually in December.
A. Yes, though it is rare, defensive players have won the Heisman.
