The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in college football, given annually to the top player in the country. The trophy was first awarded in 1935 and has since become an iconic symbol of excellence in the sport.
Over the years, the Heisman has been dominated by quarterbacks and running backs, with only a handful of non-offensive players ever winning the award. In fact, there has only been one defensive player to ever take home the Heisman Trophy.
That player was Charles Woodson, a standout cornerback for the University of Michigan. Woodson had an incredible season in 1997, recording five interceptions, a forced fumble, and a punt return for a touchdown. He also played on offense and even scored a touchdown as a wide receiver.
Woodson’s versatility and dominance on the defensive side of the ball made him a clear choice for the Heisman Trophy that year. He beat out Peyton Manning, the highly-touted quarterback from Tennessee, to become the first and only defensive player to win the award.
Since then, quarterbacks and running backs have continued to dominate the Heisman Trophy race. In fact, since the year 2000, quarterbacks have won the award 16 times, while running backs have won it five times. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith of Alabama became the latest non-quarterback to win the award in 2020.
Despite the lack of defensive players winning the Heisman Trophy, there have been plnty of standout performers on that side of the ball. Players like Ndamukong Suh, Manti Te’o, and Chase Young have all been finalists for the award in recent years, but ultimately fell short.
It remains to be seen if another defensive player will ever win the Heisman Trophy again, but Charles Woodson’s incredible season in 1997 will always be remembered as one of the greatest individual performances in college football history.
Has A Defensive Tackle Ever Won The Heisman?
A defensive tackle has never won the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football in the United States. The trophy has been awarded since 1935 and has only been won by offensive players (quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers) and one defensive player (cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997). While defensive tackles are critical to the success of a football team, the Heisman Trophy traditionally focuses on offensive players who contribute more to the scoring and highlight reel plays.
Who Was The Last Non QB To Win Heisman?
The last non-quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy was wide receiver DeVonta Smith. He won the award in 2020, becoming only the third non-quarterback to do so in the last two decades. The other two non-quarterback winners were running backs Mark Ingram in 2009 and Derrick Henry in 2015. It is worth noting that quarterbacks have dominated the award in recent years, with 82% of winners since 2000 being quarterbacks.
Is Charles Woodson The Only Defensive Player To Win The Heisman?
Charles Woodson is the only defensive player to win the Heisman trophy. He achieved this feat in 1997 while playing for the University of Michigan. Since the inception of the Heisman trophy in 1935, only one other defensive player has come close to winning it. In 1980, Hugh Green, a defensive end for the University of Pittsburgh, finished second in the voting. However, Woodson remains the only defensive player to have won the prestigious award. It is worth noting that the Heisman trophy is primarily awarded to offensive players, with running backs and quarterbacks being the most common recipients.
Has Anyone Won 2 Heisman Trophies?
Archie Griffin is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. Griffin played football for The Ohio State University from 1972 to 1975 and received the prestigious award in 1974 and 1975. Griffin’s impressive performance as a running back made him a standout player in college football history. No other player has achieved the same feat of winning the Heisman Trophy twice.
Conclusion
The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in college football. While quarterbacks have dominated the award in recent years, there have been a few exceptional running backs, wide receivers, and even a defensive player who have managed to win it. Winning the Heisman Trophy is a great honor, and it can propel a player’s career to new heights. However, the award is not just about individual achievement but also a reflection of the team’s success and the player’s contributions to it. Winning the Heisman Trophy requires not only exceptional talent but also hard work, dedication, and perseverance. In the end, the Heisman Trophy is a symbol of excellence in college football, and it will continue to inspire young athletes to achieve greatness on and off the field.
