The Heisman has been awarded 91 times since 1935, to 90 different players. Fernando Mendoza of Indiana won the most recent one, the first in his school’s history.
Mendoza led Indiana to its first undefeated regular season and a Big Ten title, beating reigning champion Ohio State 13-10 in the conference final. Diego Pavia of Vanderbilt finished second with 1,435 points, Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame third.
He had started his career at California, where he redshirted in 2022, and moved to Indiana for a master’s degree.
Winners Since 1995
| Year | Winner | School | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fernando Mendoza | Indiana | QB |
| 2024 | Travis Hunter | Colorado | WR/CB |
| 2023 | Jayden Daniels | LSU | QB |
| 2022 | Caleb Williams | USC | QB |
| 2021 | Bryce Young | Alabama | QB |
| 2020 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama | WR |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU | QB |
| 2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma | QB |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma | QB |
| 2016 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville | QB |
| 2015 | Derrick Henry | Alabama | RB |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon | QB |
| 2013 | Jameis Winston | Florida State | QB |
| 2012 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M | QB |
| 2011 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor | QB |
| 2010 | Cam Newton | Auburn | QB |
| 2009 | Mark Ingram II | Alabama | RB |
| 2008 | Sam Bradford | Oklahoma | QB |
| 2007 | Tim Tebow | Florida | QB |
| 2006 | Troy Smith | Ohio State | QB |
| 2005 | Reggie Bush (vacated 2010, reinstated 2024) | USC | RB |
| 2004 | Matt Leinart | USC | QB |
| 2003 | Jason White | Oklahoma | QB |
| 2002 | Carson Palmer | USC | QB |
| 2001 | Eric Crouch | Nebraska | QB |
| 2000 | Chris Weinke | Florida State | QB |
| 1999 | Ron Dayne | Wisconsin | RB |
| 1998 | Ricky Williams | Texas | RB |
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan | CB |
| 1996 | Danny Wuerffel | Florida | QB |
| 1995 | Eddie George | Ohio State | RB |
The Records
| Only two-time winner | Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1974, 1975) |
| First winner | Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1935) |
| Largest margin | O.J. Simpson, 1968 — 1,750 points |
| Closest race | Mark Ingram over Toby Gerhart, 2009 — 28 points |
| Highest first-place share | Joe Burrow, 2019 — 90.7% |
| Youngest winner | Jameis Winston, 2013 — 19, a freshman |
| Most rushing yards | Barry Sanders, 1988 — 2,628 yards, 39 TD |
Schools With the Most Winners
USC leads with eight, followed by Ohio State, Notre Dame and Oklahoma with seven each. Alabama has four, all since 2009.
Sources differ slightly on USC’s total depending on how Reggie Bush’s vacated-then-reinstated 2005 award is counted. The NCAA lists USC as the leader.
Position Is Almost Everything
Running backs have won 45 Heismans, half of all trophies ever awarded — but only one since 2009, Derrick Henry in 2015.
Quarterbacks now dominate completely, taking 18 of the last 24. Wide receivers have won four. Only two primarily defensive players have ever won: Charles Woodson in 1997 and Travis Hunter in 2024, both of whom also played offence.
The Indiana Connection
Mendoza’s win capped a season in which Indiana also won the national championship. The Hoosiers opened the following preseason AP poll at No. 6, behind Ohio State and Oregon — a placement that says more about roster turnover than about what happened in January. Our AP Top 25 has the full poll.
The Bottom Line
Fernando Mendoza of Indiana won the 2025 Heisman, the 91st awarded and the first in school history. Archie Griffin remains the only two-time winner, 50 years after his second. USC has produced the most winners. And running backs, who won half of all Heismans ever awarded, have taken just one since 2009.