Can freshmen win the Heisman Trophy?

The Heisman Trophy is given to the most outstanding college football player in the United States. The award came into existence in 1935 to honor players with top-notch seasons, off-the-field sportsmanship, and their contributions to the team. The trophy was named after the football legend John W. Heisman and is administered through the Heisman Trophy Trust, as of 2024. The trophy was designed by a well-known sculptor Frank Eliscu, showing a football player in a 'stiff-arm' pose. Each year, finalists are selected through votes from sports journalists, former winners, and fans, all together in a ceremony to crown the winner. The Heisman Trophy is considered among the most prestigious awards in American sports.

The Heisman Trophy ceremony has traditionally been held in New York City. In 2005, the PlayStation Theater, located in Times Square, began hosting the ceremony. The Downtown Athletic Club was the venue for nearly a century before it folded in 2002. Several other venues were used until the New York City venue became a consistent location to host every year. The ceremony is a televised event, at the end of which the Heisman winner is declared based on the achievements of the finalists.

Can freshmen win the Heisman Trophy?

Although winning the Heisman Trophy as a freshman is a rare occasion, two freshmen players have won the trophy. The first was Johnny Manziel of the Texas A&M Aggies in 2012, and the second was Jameis Winston of the Florida State Seminoles in 2013. Both the players achieved this rare achievement in their first season of eligibility as a redshirt freshman. A true freshman has never won the Heisman Trophy, as of December 2024.