Heisman Trophy Announcement Date and Timing
The Heisman Trophy winner is typically announced in early December during a live ceremony in New York City. The exact date shifts slightly each year based on the college football schedule, but the announcement consistently falls within the first week of December, right after the regular season ends and conference championship games are complete. The 2018 winner was revealed on December 8, 2018, at a formal event that aired nationally and highlighted the top candidates from the season. For the most current announcement schedule, the official Heisman Trust page provides the latest timeline and event details heisman.com.
Historically, the announcement date is chosen to maximize viewer engagement and align with the final weeks of the regular season. Broadcasters and the Heisman Trust coordinate the ceremony to follow the last major regular-season games, ensuring the winner is crowned while public interest is at its peak. The event is usually held at a prominent venue in New York City, reinforcing the trophy’s national profile. This consistent late-year timing helps fans, bettors, and analysts track the race throughout the autumn.
Heisman Voting Process and Eligibility Criteria
The Heisman winner is selected by a voting body composed of media members, former winners, and fans. The media panel accounts for the largest share of votes, with each voter submitting a ballot that ranks their top three players. The points system awards three points for a first-place vote, two for second, and one for third, and the candidate with the highest total wins the trophy. The process is designed to balance expert opinion with broader public input, making the final result a reflection of both performance and popularity.
Eligibility is limited to players in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of NCAA Division I, and the award is open to all positions, though offensive skill players have historically dominated. Players must be in good academic standing and have not exhausted their eligibility, and the voting occurs after the final regular-season games but before any bowl games begin. The Heisman Trust oversees the rules and ensures transparency in the tabulation of votes ncaa.org.
2018 Heisman Winner and Key Candidates
The 2018 Heisman Trophy was awarded to quarterback Kyler Murray of the University of Oklahoma. Murray finished the regular season with outstanding passing and rushing stats, leading his team to a high ranking and showcasing a rare combination of arm talent and athleticism. His performance in key games against top-ranked opponents cemented his status as the frontrunner, and he became the third sophomore to win the award in the trophy’s history.
Other top candidates in the 2018 race included quarterback Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and wide receiver DeVonta Smith of Auburn, both of whom posted exceptional numbers. The close competition among these players highlighted the depth of talent in the 2018 season and underscored the difficulty of the voters’ decision. Murray’s victory was widely covered by major sports outlets, and detailed breakdowns of the final voting margins are available through official Heisman archives and trusted sports news sources si.com. The 2018 result also fits a broader trend of dual-threat quarterbacks winning the award in recent years espn.com.