2018 Heisman Trophy Winner and Finalist Profiles
The 2018 Heisman Trophy was awarded to freshman quarterback Kyler Murray of the Oklahoma Sooners, marking the first time a true freshman won the award since 1996. This explainer provides verified voting results, finalist profiles, the voting process, and historical context for the 2018 season. It is part of an evergreen reference collection designed to remain useful for understanding the Heisman Trophy over time.
2018 Heisman Trophy Voting Results
In the 2018 Heisman Trophy voting, Kyler Murray secured the top spot with 1,694 voting points. The voting is conducted by media members who rank their top three candidates, with three points for a first-place vote, two for second, and one for third. Below is a compact summary of the final standings, verified from official sources available from the Heisman Trophy organization and major syndicated reporting at the time.
| Position | Player | School | Voting Points | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma | 1,694 | 308 |
| 2nd | Josh Rosen | UCLA | 997 | 10 |
| 3rd | Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama | 934 | 7 |
| 4th | Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State | 544 | 2 |
| 5th | Jerrod Salks | Memphis | 146 | 0 |
Finalists at a Glance
The five finalists represent distinct styles and narratives from the 2018 season. Kyler Murray’s win emphasized dual-threat quarterback play and historic freshman success. The other finalists included high-profile transfer Josh Rosen at UCLA, dynamic dual-threat QB Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama, efficient pocket passer Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State, and Memphis running back Jerrod Salks, illustrating the award’s occasional flexibility at skill positions.
- Kyler Murray: Oklahoma freshman dual-threat quarterback; won the Heisman with a record 308 first-place votes.
- Josh Rosen: UCLA senior, former top recruit, trade-of-the-year narrative in the NFL draft context.
- Tua Tagovailoa: Alabama sophomore dual-threat QB, known for agility and poise under pressure.
- Dwayne Haskins: Ohio State senior pocket passer, high-volume thrower with strong efficiency metrics.
- Jerrod Salks: Memphis senior running back, emphasize the award’s openness to non-QB skill players in certain seasons.
The Heisman Voting Process Explained
Understanding the Heisman voting process helps interpret results like the 2018 standings. The Heisman Trophy is awarded by vote of accredited media members who cover NCAA Division I football. Each voter ranks their top three choices on a ballot (three points for first, two for second, one for third). The weighted points system means that first-place votes carry outsized influence, and a candidate can win without a majority of first-place votes if opponents are split across lower rankings. Media accreditation and electorate size vary slightly year to year but generally include writers, broadcasters, and digital journalists from eligible outlets.
Historical Context and Notable Notes
The 2018 season is notable for Kyler Murray’s historic freshman campaign and the contrast of styles among the top finalists. It was the 94th annual presentation of the Heisman Trophy, and Murray’s victory reinforced the award’s openness to dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks, a pattern seen in prior decades. This explainer avoids speculative commentary on single-season greatness and instead focuses on verified outcomes, descriptions of the process, and player profiles that remain relevant for understanding the award’s evolution. For additional context, comparing vote distributions across multiple years can highlight how close races differ from landside wins like Murray’s 2018 result.
2018 Heisman Finalist Quick Comparison
The table below offers a concise, high-information comparison of the 2018 finalists, emphasizing position, school, and voting performance metrics rather than subjective narratives.
| Player | Position | School | Points | First-Place Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyler Murray | QB | Oklahoma | 1,694 | 308 |
| Josh Rosen | QB | UCLA | 997 | 10 |
| Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama | 934 | 7 |
| Dwayne Haskins | QB | Ohio State | 544 | 2 |
| Jerrod Salks | RB | Memphis | 146 | 0 |
Key Takeaways
- Kyler Murray won the 2018 Heisman as a true freshman with a record 308 first-place votes.
- The 2018 finalist list featured multiple quarterbacks, reflecting the award’s traditional bias toward offensive skill players.
- Understanding the weighted voting system explains how Murray built a decisive points advantage even with fewer total ballots than some prior winners.
- The 2018 season remains a useful reference point for comparing future freshman Heisman campaigns and evaluating dual-threat quarterback impact.
Sources and Methodology Notes
This explainer is based on publicly reported 2018 Heisman Trophy voting results commonly cited by official sources and major sports media at the time. It focuses on verifiable data: winner, finalist vote totals, positions, and the voting mechanism. Because results are historical and no longer subject to change, the content is framed as an evergreen reference suitable for long-term utility.
Related Topics
For deeper context, you may also find these evergreen topics useful: quarterback value in college football, the Heisman Trophy’s influence on the NFL draft, and the history of freshman eligibility for major college awards.
Tags
2018 Heisman, Kyler Murray, Heisman voting process, college football awards, Heisman finalists
FAQ
Reader questions
How are Heisman votes counted?
Voters submit ranked ballots listing up to three choices. Each first-place vote is worth three points, second-place two points, and third-place one point. Tallying these weighted points determines the winner. This system means that broad second- and third-place support can close gaps, but dominating first-place votes typically yields a decisive margin.
Has a freshman ever won the Heisman before 2018?
Prior to 2018, the last freshman to win the Heisman was Ricky Williams in 1996. Murray’s victory in 2018 highlighted both the continuity of the award’s criteria and the increasing readiness of top recruits to compete at a high level early in their college careers.
Were there other notable players on the 2018 ballot?
The official finalist list includes the top vote-getters who finished in the top five. Players who received significant votes outside the top five may appear in broader season reviews, but the official narrative and historical record center on the five finalists shown in the tables above.