MAIN Sports College Football Heisman Trophy

It will be an early holiday celebration for college football fans when the 89th annual Heisman Trophy ceremony honors a new college football champion at the 2023 Heisman Ceremony on December 9th.

So far this season, Washington's Michael Penix Jr., Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Oregon's Bo Nix and Florida State's Jordan Travis are this year's main contenders with only weeks to go until the final countdown.

Voting begins in November, and the big four finalists will be announced on Monday, December 4, 2023

This years Heisman Trophy winner, televised on ESPN live from New York City, will be announced on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 8PM ET.

2023 Heisman Trophy contenders

Washington's Michael Penix Jr., Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, LSU's Jayden Daniels,
Oregon's Bo Nix and Florida State's Jordan Travis are top 2023 Heisman contenders.

DID YOU KNOW? - Heisman Trophy trivia & fun facts

College football coach, John W. Heisman.

• Awarding a talented college football player with the Heisman Trophy dates back to 1935 when its first recipient, University of Chicago running back Jay Berwanger, was awarded the inaugural Heisman Trophy.

• The Heisman Memorial Trophy is named in honor of college football coach John W. Heisman, athletic director of the New York Downtown Athletic Club.

• The cast bronze trophy is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 25 lbs. The model for the trophy was Ed Smith, a player for New York University in 1934.

• Today, there are a total of 928 ballots cast in the awarding of the Heisman Trophy. Most are cast by sports journalists located in six regions throughout the US -- along with former Heisman winners who are also eligible to vote.

• Famous African-American Heisman Trophy winners include Syracuse University halfback Ernie Davis who won 1961. He was followed by running back Mike Garrett who took home the Heisman in 1965. O.J. Simpson was the third in 1968.

• Archie Griffin became the only person to win twice with two consecutive awards in 1974 and 1975.

• Other notable recipients include Tim Tebow who was the only sophomore (2007); Johnny Manziel the only freshman (2012); and 19-year-old Jameis Winston who became the youngest player (2013) ever to win the Heisman Trophy.

More about the Heisman Trophy around the Web:

Just up ahead, check out more about the Heisman Trophy with related resources featuring the latest rumors, photos, video highlights, and a bit of Heisman history and trivia...

Heisman.com - 2023 Heisman Trophy - The official site featuring a complete profile & photos on recent award recipients, trophy & award history, statistics, and details on the Heisman awards dinner.

From the legendary to the little-known, Heisman history is never dull - ESPN feature and a good read on Heisman history from 1935 to the present with major highlights, winners, fun facts & Heisman trivia.