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How many running backs have won the Heisman?

By John Buhler

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Running back Derrick Henry of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks 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)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Running back Derrick Henry of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks 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) /
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The Heisman Trophy is handed out annually to the best player in Division I college football. How many Heisman winners have done so as running backs?

We are at that time of the year in the college football season where College Football Playoff berths have been locked up, bowl games have been scheduled and some of the major awards will be handed out. No award is bigger than the Heisman Trophy.

The Heisman has been handed out annually to the best college football player in Division I since 1935. This year, the Heisman ceremony will be at 8:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 in New York City, per usual. One position group that always seems to be in the mix for the award is the running backs. So how many Heisman winners have done so as a primary ball carrier?

There has been an astonishing 45 Heisman winners that were running backs. Here are those 44 players. Keep in mind that Ohio State Buckeyes running back Archie Griffin won back-to-back Heismans in 1974 and 1975.

  1. Jay Berwanger, Chicago (1935)
  2. Clint Frank, Yale (1937)
  3. Nile Kinnick, Iowa (1939)
  4. Tom Harmon, Michigan (1940)
  5. Bruce Smith, Minnesota (1941)
  6. Frank Sinkwich, Georgia (1942)
  7. Les Horvath, Ohio State (1944)
  8. Doc Blanchard, Army (1945)
  9. Glenn Davis, Army (1946)
  10. Doak Walker, SMU (1948)
  11. Vic Janowicz, Ohio State (1950)
  12. Dick Kazmaier, Princeton (1951)
  13. Billy Vessels, Oklahoma (1952)
  14. Johnny Lattner, Notre Dame (1953)
  15. Alan Ameche, Wisconsin (1954)
  16. Howard Cassidy, Ohio State (1955)
  17. John David Crow, Texas A&M (1957)
  18. Pete Dawkins, Army (1958)
  19. Billy Cannon, LSU (1959)
  20. Joe Bellino, Navy (1960)
  21. Ernie Davis, Syracuse (1961)
  22. Mike Garrett, USC (1965)
  23. O.J. Simpson, USC (1968)
  24. Steve Owens, Oklahoma (1969)
  25. Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska (1972)
  26. John Cappelletti, Penn State (1973)
  27. Archie Griffin, Ohio State (1974, 1975)
  28. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh (1976)
  29. Earl Campbell, Texas (1977)
  30. Billy Sims, Oklahoma (1978)
  31. Charles White, USC (1979)
  32. George Rogers, South Carolina (1980)
  33. Marcus Allen, USC (1981)
  34. Herschel Walker, Georgia (1982)
  35. Mike Rozier, Nebraska (1983)
  36. Bo Jackson, Auburn (1985)
  37. Barry Sanders, Oklahoma State (1988)
  38. Rashaan Salaam, Colorado (1994)
  39. Eddie George, Ohio State (1995)
  40. Ricky Williams, Texas (1998)
  41. Ron Dayne, Wisconsin (1999)
  42. Reggie Bush, USC (2005-vacated)
  43. Mark Ingram Jr., Alabama, (2009)
  44. Derrick Henry, Alabama (2015)

Next: Ranking The Best Heisman Trophy Winners Of All-Time

Though the award has become increasingly quarterback centric as the college game has become more reliant on the pass, Heisman voters never had a problem with giving an outstanding tailback the award should he run all over the competition. Will a 45th different running back get the Heisman Trophy this year? Stay tuned for the award’s revealing on Dec. 9 to find out.

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