No true freshman has ever won the Heisman Trophy. The prestigious award, which recognizes the most outstanding player in NCAA football, has never been claimed by an athlete in their very first year of collegiate eligibility.
Understanding Freshman Eligibility
The term "freshman" in college football can sometimes lead to confusion, especially when discussing eligibility and awards. It's important to distinguish between a true freshman and a redshirt freshman:
- True Freshman: An athlete who is playing in their first year of college eligibility, without having previously spent a year on campus, redshirting, or transferring.
- Redshirt Freshman: An athlete who is in their second year on campus but is playing their first season of collegiate competition. They typically utilized their first year as a "redshirt" season, meaning they participated in practices but played in no (or very few, under modern rules) games, thereby preserving a year of athletic eligibility.
The First Freshman Heisman Winner
The first player widely recognized as a "freshman" to win the Heisman Trophy was Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M. Manziel captured the award in 2012, dazzling fans with his remarkable performances both on the ground and in the air. He joined fellow Texas A&M Aggie, John David Crow, as one of only two players from the university to win the Heisman at that time.
However, a critical detail often overlooked is that Johnny Manziel achieved this incredible feat in his redshirt year. Having spent his first year at Texas A&M as a redshirt, his Heisman-winning season was technically his second year on campus, making him a redshirt freshman, not a true freshman.
Therefore, while Johnny Manziel made history as the first freshman to win the Heisman, no true freshman has yet achieved this milestone.
