Heisman Trophy

The Heisman Trophy is an award given annually to the outstanding college gridiron football player in the United States, as determined by a poll of sportswriters.

The most recent Heisman winner is Fernando Mendoza, who won the award in 2025. Mendoza, a quarterback, was the first player from Indiana to receive the  award.

The University of Southern  California has the most Heisman winners with eight. What other schools have numerous winners? Find out in the list below.

• 1. USC: 8
• 2.Notre Dame: 7
• 2. Ohio State: 7
• 2. Oklahoma: 7
• 5. Alabama: 3
• 6. Army: 3
• 6. Auburn: 3
• 6. Florida: 3
• 6. Florida State: 3
• 6. LSU: 3
• 6. Michigan: 3
• 6. Nebraska: 3

The Heisman Trophy was established in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City. It was named in honor of its first athletic director, John Heisman, a player and successful coach of the 1890s and early 1900s.

The first winner of the Heisman Trophy was John J. (“Jay”) Berwanger of the University of Chicago.

Archie Griffin of the Ohio State University is the only person to have won the Heisman Trophy twice (1974 and 1975).