When the December air in New York turns crisp and the bright lights hit that bronze statue of a man stiff-arming the world, we usually hear the same old script. It’s "college football's most prestigious award." It's the "ultimate individual honor." But honestly, if you look at the actual history of Heisman Trophy winners, the reality is a lot messier—and way more interesting—than the highlight reels suggest.
You’ve got guys like Jay Berwanger, the very first winner in 1935, who didn't even play a lick of professional football because the pay was too low. Then you have the modern-day legends like Travis Hunter or 2025’s breakout star, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who are basically walking businesses.
The gap between these eras is massive. Yet, we still use the same statue to define them.
The Quarterback Problem and the "Running Back Era"
If you looked at the list of winners from the 1970s, you’d think the forward pass hadn't been invented yet. Between 1973 and 1983, every single winner was a running back. Every. Single. One.
It was the era of the "workhorse." Archie Griffin (the only two-time winner, 1974-75), Tony Dorsett, and Earl Campbell. They weren't just players; they were the entire offense. But the game changed. Or rather, the voters' eyes changed.
Why the shift happened
Fast forward to today. It’s kinda become a "Best Quarterback on a Top 5 Team" award. Since 2000, quarterbacks have taken home the hardware 19 times. That’s not a coincidence. The spread offense and the way the NCAA changed rules to protect passers made the stat sheets look like video games.
When DeVonta Smith won in 2020 as a wide receiver, it felt like a glitch in the Matrix. It was the first time a pure wideout won since Desmond Howard in 1991. Then Travis Hunter did the impossible in 2024 by winning as a two-way star, playing both cornerback and receiver. It shows that while the "QB bias" is real, voters are suckers for a player who literally never leaves the field.
The "Curse" and the NFL Reality Check
We have to talk about the "Heisman Curse." It’s the idea that winning the trophy is actually a kiss of death for your pro career. Honestly? The numbers are kinda brutal.
Only about 11 or 12 winners have ever made it into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Think about that.
Out of nearly 90 winners, only a handful are considered "all-time greats" at the next level. For every Barry Sanders (1988) or Charles Woodson (1997) who tore up the NFL, there’s a Terry Baker (1962) or an Eric Crouch (2001) who basically vanished from the professional gridiron.
What actually goes wrong?
The NFL is a different beast. In college, a guy like Tim Tebow or Johnny Manziel can win on pure "vibes" and athleticism. They can outrun a slow linebacker or bowl over a safety who weighs 180 pounds. In the NFL, everyone is a freak of nature.
- System Overload: Many winners come from "system" offenses that don't translate to the pros.
- The Injury Bug: Guys like Sam Bradford (2008) or Robert Griffin III (2011) had the talent, but their bodies just gave out under the speed of the NFL.
- The Age Factor: Chris Weinke won at 28 years old in 2000. By the time he hit the NFL, he was practically a senior citizen in football years.
All Heisman Trophy Winners: The Names You Should Actually Know
People always remember the recent guys, but the deep history has some wild stories. You can't talk about Heisman Trophy winners without mentioning Ernie Davis. In 1961, Davis became the first African-American to win the award. It was a massive, culture-shifting moment. Tragically, he died of leukemia before he ever played a game in the NFL.
Then there’s Paul Hornung. In 1956, he won the trophy while playing for a Notre Dame team that went 2-8. That would literally never happen today. You could throw for 6,000 yards and 60 touchdowns, but if your team loses eight games, you aren't even getting an invite to New York.
The 2025 Shift: Fernando Mendoza
Most recently, we saw Fernando Mendoza take the 2025 trophy. Why does this matter? Because he did it at Indiana. Indiana! A school historically known for basketball. It proves that the "Blue Blood" bias—the idea that you have to play for Alabama, USC, or Ohio State—is starting to crack. If you win and you’re the reason a "dark horse" team is in the College Football Playoff, the voters will find you.
How the Voting Actually Works (It's Not Just a Popularity Contest)
Actually, it sort of is.
There are about 870 media voters spread across six regions. Plus, every living former winner gets a vote. And there’s one "fan vote."
The regional aspect is huge. A guy playing at 10:00 PM on the East Coast (the "Pac-12 After Dark" effect) used to get ignored. Now, with social media and every highlight being available instantly, that "East Coast Bias" is fading. But it’s still there. You’ve gotta have a "Heisman Moment."
That one play—the 80-yard run against a rival, the game-winning pass in a blizzard—that’s what sticks in a voter’s brain when they’re staring at their ballot in December.
👉 See also: The Notre Dame football Navy game: Why this rivalry actually matters in the playoff era
What to Look for Next Season
If you’re trying to track the next crop of Heisman Trophy winners, stop looking at the stats. Start looking at the schedule.
- Check the "Big Games": Voters care about November. If a player disappears in a rivalry game, their Heisman campaign is dead.
- The Narrative: Is there a story? Are they a walk-on? Did they overcome a massive injury? Are they playing two positions like Travis Hunter?
- The "Quarterback Floor": Unless a non-QB is doing something truly historic (like 2,000+ yards or playing elite defense), the default choice will always be the best QB on the best team.
Basically, the Heisman isn't a career achievement award. It's a snapshot of a single, magical season. It doesn't guarantee NFL success, and it doesn't always go to the "best" player. It goes to the player who owned the conversation.
Next Steps for the Die-Hard Fan:
- Audit the History: Look up the 1956 voting results to see how Paul Hornung beat out players with much better stats. It’s a masterclass in how "prestige" used to win over production.
- Track the 2026 Odds: Keep an eye on sophomore quarterbacks who are returning with elite offensive lines; history shows they have the highest "incumbent" advantage for the next trophy cycle.
- Watch the Tape: Compare the college highlights of "Heisman busts" with their NFL tape to see exactly where the speed of the game caught up to them.