Age and the Heisman
“Youth is wasted on the young” is a common saying that does not apply to Heisman Trophy winners, all of whom (with one exception) accomplished this life-changing feat before reaching their 24th birthdays.
It’s well known by now in Heisman lore that Lamar Jackson of Louisville is the youngest winner (age 19 years, 337 days) and that Florida State’s Chris Weinke (age 28 years, 131 days) is the oldest. But these two didn’t always hold that distinction.
Here’s a look at the progression of the youngest and oldest winners.
The Youngest Heisman Winners (Progession)
| Year | Player | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Jay Berwanger | 21 years, 260 days |
| 1936 | Larry Kelley | 21 years, 191 days |
| 1938 | Davey O’Brien | 21 years, 164 days |
| 1939 | Nile Kinnick | 21 years, 137 days |
| 1940 | Tom Harmon | 21 years, 77 days |
| 1945 | Felix “Doc” Blanchard | 20 years, 363 days |
| 1950 | Vic Janowicz | 20 years, 288 days |
| 1958 | Pete Dawkins | 20 years, 275 days |
| 1964 | John Huarte | 20 years, 232 days |
| 1974 | Archie Griffin | 20 years, 104 days |
| 1994 | Rashaan Salaam | 20 years, 63 days |
| 2009 | Mark Ingram | 19 years, 356 days |
| 2013 | Jameis Winston | 19 years, 342 days |
| 2016 | Lamar Jackson | 19 years, 337 days |
The Oldest Heisman Winners (Progression)
| Year | Player | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Jay Berwanger | 21 years 260 days |
| 1937 | Clinton Frank | 22 years, 79 days |
| 1942 | Angelo Bertelli | 22 years, 167 days |
| 1944 | Les Horvath | 23 years, 52 days |
| 1978 | Billy Sims | 23 years, 78 days |
| 2000 | Chris Weinke | 28 years, 131 days |
