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All 50 non-quarterback Heisman Trophy winners in college football history

michelle r. martinelli
·2-min read
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Running back Derrick Henry of the Alabama Crimson Tide kisses the Heisman Trophy during a press conference after being named the 81st Heisman Memorial Trophy Award winner during the 2015 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 595891369 ORIG FILE ID: 501143480

Editor's note: This was published in 2022. Could Colorado's Travis Hunter join this list?

The Heisman Trophy competition nowadays is usually dominated by quarterbacks since they're often the biggest stars on their teams racking up jaw-dropping stats. However, way back in the day, running backs easily controlled this contest.

But it's always fun and more interesting when the Heisman race has some wide receivers, running backs or defensive players in the mix, like recently with former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith or former Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.

So while quarterbacks tend to control the Heisman conversation, here's a look at all 50 Heisman winners who were not quarterbacks (in chronological order).

RELATED: What school has the most Heisman Trophy winners? It's a three-way tie for 1st

1930s

Nile Kinnick in 1939. (AP Photo)

Jay Berwanger, Chicago RB, 1935

Larry Kelley, Yale TE, 1936

Clinton Frank, Yale HB, 1937

Nile Kinnick, Iowa RB, 1939

1940s

Felix Blanchard (35) in 1945. (AP Photo)

Tom Harmon, Michigan RB, 1940

Bruce Smith, Minnesota RB, 1941

Frank Sinkwich, Georgia RB, 1942

Les Horvath, Ohio State HB, 1944

Felix "Doc" Blanchard, Army FB, 1945

Glenn Davis, Army RB, 1946

Soak Walker, SMU RB, 1948

Leon Hart, Notre Dame TE, 1949

Every college football national champion since 2000

1950s

Vic Janowicz in1950. (AP Photo/John Lent)

Vic Janowicz, Ohio State RB, 1950

Dick Kazmaier, Princeton RB, 1951

Billy Vessels, Oklahoma RB, 1952

John Lattner, Notre Dame RB, 1953

Alan Ameche, Wisconsin FB, 1954

Howard Cassady, Ohio State RB, 1955

John David Crow, Texas A&M RB, 1957

Pete Dawkins, Army RB, 1958

Billy Cannon, LSU RB, 1959

1960s

Steve Owens flying in 1968. (AP Photo)

Joe Bellino, Navy RB, 1960

Ernie Davis, Syracuse RB, 1961

Mike Garrett, USC RB, 1965

O.J. Simpson, USC RB, 1968

Steve Owens, Oklahoma RB, 1969

1970s

Archie Griffin in 1975. (AP PHOTO)

Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska WR, 1972

John Cappelletti, Penn State RB, 1973

Archie Griffin, Ohio State RB, 1974

Archie Griffin, Ohio State RB, 1975

Tony Dorsett, Pitt RB, 1976

Earl Campbell, Texas RB, 1977

Billy Sims, Oklahoma RB, 1978

Charles White, USC RB, 1979

1980s

Oct 15, 1988; Lincoln, NE, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Barry Sanders (21) carries the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
Oct 15, 1988; Lincoln, NE, USA; FILE PHOTO; Oklahoma State Cowboys running back Barry Sanders (21) carries the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]

George Rogers, South Carolina RB, 1980

Marcus Allen, USC RB, 1981

Herschel Walker, Georgia RB, 1982

Mike Rozier, Nebraska RB, 1983

Bo Jackson, Auburn RB, 1985

Tim Brown, Notre Dame WR, 1987

Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State RB, 1988

1990s

Charles Woodson in 1997. (AP Photo/Jeff Kowalsky)

Desmond Howard, Michigan WR, 1991

Rashaan Salaam, Colorado RB, 1994

Eddie George, Ohio State RB, 1995

Charles Woodson, Michigan CB, 1997

Ricky Williams, Texas RB, 1998

Ron Dayne, Wisconsin RB, 1999

2000s

Mark Ingram in 2009. (Marvin Gentry-US PRESSWIRE)

Mark Ingram, Alabama RB, 2009

2010s

Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs against Florida Gators defensive back Jalen Tabor (31) during the third quarter of the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-256356 ORIG FILE ID: 20151205_ajw_sx1_116.jpg
Dec 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry (2) runs against Florida Gators defensive back Jalen Tabor (31) during the third quarter of the 2015 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-256356 ORIG FILE ID: 20151205_ajw_sx1_116.jpg

Derrick Henry, Alabama RB, 2015

2020s

Nov 28, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) breaks free for a touchdown against Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the Iron Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-427864 ORIG FILE ID: 20201128_jel_usa_116.jpg
Nov 28, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) breaks free for a touchdown against Auburn at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the Iron Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-427864 ORIG FILE ID: 20201128_jel_usa_116.jpg

DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR, 2020

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This article originally appeared on For The Win: All 50 non-quarterback Heisman Trophy winners in college football history