Why do only quarterbacks win the Heisman?

Why do quarterbacks tend to win the Heisman Trophy more than any other position?

When it comes to awards in college football, there isn’t a bigger piece of hardware to take home than the Heisman Trophy. That narrative stands the test both literally and figuratively when it comes to the finest in college football.

It has recognized the best player in college football over the years and has become an exclusive club that has featured the best to ever play the game. However, when it comes to the award, quarterbacks tend to rule over it.

Much like winning the MVP in the NFL, the Heisman Trophy has become a quarterback’s trophy. While other positions have won it, the focus on the quarterback and the importance of what they bring to a team weigh heavily in the minds of voters.

When it comes down to it, the quarterback is the most important position on the football field. Without a quarterback a team is going to struggle mightily and that tends to be the reason they are favored to win every year.

That being said, there have been years where there are better players but the quarterback still takes the trophy because of the position. If there’s another spot that can take it away from the quarterback, it’s typically the running back spot.

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A program can still have great success with an average quarterback, if they have a running game that is nearly unstoppable. In 2009, Mark Ingram took home the award after putting the Alabama Crimson Tide on his back.

That year was also an interesting year for the award, because Ndamukong Suh was a finalist. In reality, Suh was the most dominant player in college football that year for Nebraska, but the nature of playing along the defensive line made him a long shot to win. At the end of the day, it’s a quarterback’s trophy unless a running back does something unforeseen.