| 2024 | Cam Ward, Miami Hurricanes |
| 2023 | Jayden Daniels, LSU Tigers |
| 2022 | Max Duggan, TCU Horned Frogs |
| 2021 | Bryce Young, Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 2020 | Zach Wilson, BYU Cougars |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow, LSU Tigers |
| 2018 | Kyler Murray, Oklahoma Sooners |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma Sooners |
| 2016 | Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers |
| 2015 | Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota, Oregon Ducks |
| 2013 | Jameis Winston, Florida State Seminoles |
| 2012 | Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M Aggies |
| 2011 | Robert Griffin III, Baylor Bears |
| 2010 | Cam Newton, Auburn Tigers |
| 2009 | Colt McCoy, Texas Longhorns |
| 2008 | Sam Bradford, Oklahoma Sooners |
| 2007 | Tim Tebow, Florida Gators |
| 2006 | Troy Smith, Ohio State Buckeyes |
| 2005 | Vince Young, Texas Longhorns |
| 2004 | Jason White, Oklahoma Sooners |
| 2003 | Jason White, Oklahoma Sooners |
| 2002 | Brad Banks, Iowa Hawkeyes |
| 2001 | Eric Crouch, Nebraska Cornhuskers |
| 2000 | Chris Weinke, Florida State Seminoles |
| 1999 | Joe Hamilton, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets |
| 1998 | Michael Bishop, Kansas State Wildcats |
| 1997 | Peyton Manning, Tennessee Volunteers |
| 1996 | Danny Weurffel, Florida Gators |
| 1995 | Danny Weurffel, Florida Gators |
| 1994 | Kerry Collins, Penn State Nittany Lions |
| 1993 | Charlie Ward, Florida State Seminoles |
| 1992 | Gino Torretta, Miami Hurricanes |
| 1991 | Ty Detmer, BYU Cougars |
| 1990 | Ty Detmer, BYU Cougars |
| 1989 | Andre Ware, Houston Cougars |
| 1988 | Troy Aikman, UCLA Bruins |
| 1987 | Don McPherson, Syracuse Orange |
| 1986 | Vinny Testaverde, Miami Hurricanes |
| 1985 | Chuck Long, Iowa Hawkeyes |
| 1984 | Doug Flutie, Boston College Eagles |
| 1983 | Steve Young, BYU Cougars |
| 1982 | Todd Blackledge, Penn State Nittany Lions |
| 1981 | Jim McMahon, BYU Cougars |