The Heisman Trophy was named after former college football player and coach John Heisman, and is awarded annually by the Downtown Athletic Club to the most outstanding player in collegiate football. Although not the only award honoring the best player in college football, it is considered the most prestigious.

It is awarded in early December before the postseason bowl games begin. The trophy does not serve as a representation of a collegiate player’s chances in professional leagues, but is rather an accolade for their accomplishments in college. The trophy itself is modeled after Ed Smith, a leading player in 1934 for the now defunct New York University football team.

The Heisman is frequently awarded to a running back or a quarterback and very few players have won the trophy playing at a different position. Charles Woodson is the only primarily defensive player to win the award, doing so as a defensive back for Michigan in 1997. No interior lineman on either side of the ball has ever won the award, although offensive guard Tom Brown of Minnesota and offensive tackle John Hicks of Ohio State placed second in 1960 and 1973, respectively, and defensive end Hugh Green of Pittsburgh finished second in 1980.