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Heisman Trophy 101: A complete guide to college football’s most prestigious individual award
Every year, college football crowns a star with one of the sport’s most celebrated prizes: the Heisman Trophy. You’ve probably heard the name, but the whole story behind it isn’t always as well-known.
This guide breaks it all down - what the Heisman Trophy is, the history behind it, when it’s awarded, and the legends who’ve won it.
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What is the Heisman Trophy?
The Heisman Trophy is college football’s ultimate individual honour. It is awarded each year to the player who not only dominates in terms of statistics and achievements but also demonstrates exemplary leadership and character.
The bronze statue, frozen in that iconic stiff-arm pose, has become one of the most recognisable symbols in all of US sports.
Why is the award named the Heisman?
The award takes its name from John W. Heisman, one of football’s earliest trailblazers. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Heisman was a coach who loved tinkering with the game, continually seeking ways to make it faster, sharper, and more exciting.
Heisman pushed for innovations like the forward pass, the snap from center, and even the idea of dividing games into quarters. When he passed away in 1936, the Downtown Athletic Club in New York renamed its brand-new player of the year award in his honour.
Which player was immortalised in the trophy design?
The Downtown Athletic Club commissioned Frank Eliscu, an award-winning artist known for his bold, lifelike work. Eliscu, intent on embodying the speed and grit of college football, chose Ed Smith, a standout from New York University’s 1934 team, whose stiff-arm stance would be immortalised forever in bronze as the Heisman Trophy.
When and where is the trophy awarded?
The Heisman Trophy is handed out every December, right after the college football regular season wraps up and before the big bowl games kick off. The ceremony takes place in New York City and has become a tradition watched by millions of fans.
How does the Heisman voting work?
Hundreds of sportswriters weigh in, past winners have their say, and fans get a seat at the table too. Each voter ranks three players; first place gets the most points, third place the least, and the winner is the player with the most points when the points are tallied.
Details of the results are published on the official Heisman website.
Who are this year's Heisman contenders?
This article explains more about the four players in contention for the award in 2025.
Past winners
The Heisman’s past winners are a highlight reel of college football. Bo Jackson powering through defenders, Desmond Howard striking the famous pose, Lamar Jackson leaving defenses in the dust.
Last year's winner was Travis Hunter, who excelled for the Colorado Buffaloes on both offense and defense, and went on to be drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the second overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
