Maxwell vs. Heisman difference, explained: How often do college football's top award winners match up?

College football's award season is always an exciting time and lends itself to countless debates. The Maxwell Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Davey O'Brien Award are a few of the most prominent awards. But there's one more that takes the cake. 

The biggest award to hand out is the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded every year in New York City. With the Maxwell Award — given to college football's most outstanding player each year — there are plenty of years where the award winners double up on their hardware. But since the voters for each award are different, there are also times when the winners are different. 

AllSportsPeople breaks down what exactly the Maxwell Award is, who it has gone to in the past and how past winners have done in the Heisman.

MORE: Full list of every Heisman winner by year

What is the Maxwell Award?

The Maxwell Award has been around since 1937. Given every year to college football's most outstanding player, the award pays homage to Robert "Tiny" Maxwell.

Maxwell played college football at the University of Chicago and Swarthmore College in the early 1900s. He also played football professionally in the Ohio League before becoming a coach, referee and sports reporter.

Here's more from the Maxwell Award's website: 

Robert "Tiny" Maxwell was renowned for his engaging writing and extensive coverage of football, which brought the sport closer to its fans and enhanced its visibility. His dedication to the game and his unique ability to capture its essence in words left a lasting impact on both players and spectators. The Maxwell Award serves as a tribute to his legacy by celebrating players who exemplify the skill, sportsmanship, and dedication that Maxwell valued.

MORE: Revisiting the 7 worst Heisman races of all time

Maxwell vs. Heisman difference

There are some key differences between the Maxwell Award and Heisman Trophy. Although both go to the player considered to be the "most outstanding," who votes for the awards makes them a bit different. 

Unlike the Maxwell Award, which is voted on by NCAA head coaches, sports information directors, media members and members of the Maxwell Football Club, the Heisman Trophy is voted for by 870 media members, every former past Heisman winner (57 people) and one fan.

Although the winner of the Maxwell typically takes home the Heisman, that's not the case every single season.

MORE: Which schools have won the most Heismans?

Maxwell Award winners who didn't win the Heisman

There have been outlier years in terms of players winning the Maxwell but not winning the Heisman. Players taking home both awards in the same year appears to be a more recent trend.

2024 was the most recent exception when Ashton Jeanty won the Maxwell, but Travis Hunter won the Heisman. This also happened in 2023 when Washington's Michael Penix Jr. Won the Maxwell and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels won the Heisman. Daniels finished with 503 first-place votes compared to 292 for Penix.

In 2018, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa won the Maxwell and Oklahoma signal-caller Kyler Murray won the Heisman.

Here are some of the other more recent examples of players who won the Maxwell but not the Heisman: 

• 2013: Alabama QB AJ McCarron won the Maxwell; Florida State QB Jameis Winston won the Heisman 
• 2012: Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o won the Maxwell; Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel won the Heisman 
• 2011: Stanford QB Andrew Luck won the Maxwell; Baylor QB Robert Griffin III won the Heisman 
• 2009: Texas QB Colt McCoy won the Maxwell; RB Mark Ingram won the Heisman  
• 2008: Florida QB Tim Tebow won the Maxwell in 2007 and 2008. He won the Heisman in 2007, but QB Sam Bradford won the Heisman in 2008.  
• 2006: Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn won the Maxwell; Ohio State WR Troy Smith won the Heisman 
• 2004: Oklahoma QB Jason White won the Maxwell; USC QB Matt Leinart won the Heisman  

MORE: Lee Corso's best 'College GameDay' moments