No, a true freshman quarterback has not yet won the Heisman Trophy.
While some quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy during their first year of collegiate play, they were not considered "true freshmen." A true freshman is a student-athlete competing in their very first year of college attendance, without having taken a redshirt year.
The Redshirt Distinction
The key to understanding this distinction lies in the concept of "redshirting." A redshirt year allows a student-athlete to attend college, practice with the team, but not compete in games, thereby preserving a year of eligibility. When they finally play, often in their second year of college attendance, they are then referred to as a "redshirt freshman."
A notable example clarifying this point is Jameis Winston, the Florida State quarterback who won the prestigious Heisman Trophy in 2013. Although he won the award during his "freshman" playing season, he was in his second year of college. Winston had redshirted during his initial year of attendance, meaning he was a redshirt freshman, not a true freshman, when he claimed the award.
Understanding Heisman-Winning Freshmen
To illustrate the difference:
| Heisman Winner | Year Won | On-Field Eligibility | College Attendance Year | True Freshman? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jameis Winston | 2013 | Freshman | Second Year | No |
This demonstrates that while players can achieve significant success and win the Heisman early in their playing careers, they have typically had at least one year of collegiate experience before their award-winning season.
