| 2024 | Ashton Jeanty, Boise State Broncos |
| 2023 | Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State Cowboys |
| 2022 | Bijan Robinson, Texas Longhorns |
| 2021 | Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State Spartans |
| 2020 | Najee Harris, Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 2019 | Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin Badgers |
| 2018 | Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin Badgers |
| 2017 | Bryce Love, Stanford Cardinal |
| 2016 | D'Onta Foreman, Texas Longhorns |
| 2015 | Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 2014 | Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin Badgers |
| 2013 | Andre Williams, Boston College Eagles |
| 2012 | Montee Ball, Wisconsin Badgers |
| 2011 | Trent Richardson, Alabama Crimson Tide |
| 2010 | LaMichael James, Oregon Ducks |
| 2009 | Toby Gerhart, Stanford Cardinal |
| 2008 | Shonn Greene, Iowa Hawkeyes |
| 2007 | Darren McFadden, Arkansas Razorbacks |
| 2006 | Darren McFadden, Arkansas Razorbacks |
| 2005 | Reggie Bush, USC Trojans |
| 2004 | Cedric Benson, Texas Longhorns |
| 2003 | Chris Perry, Michigan Wolverines |
| 2002 | Larry Johnson, Penn State Nittany Lions |
| 2001 | Luke Staley, BYU Cougars |
| 2000 | Ladainian Tomlinson, TCU Horned Frogs |
| 1999 | Ron Dayne, Wisconsin Badgers |
| 1998 | Ricky Williams, Texas Longhorns |
| 1997 | Ricky Williams, Texas Longhorns |
| 1996 | Byron Hanspard, Texas Tech Red Raiders |
| 1995 | Eddie George, Ohio State Buckeyes |
| 1994 | Rashaan Salaam, Colorado Buffaloes |
| 1993 | Bam Morris, Texas Tech Red Raiders |
| 1992 | Garrison Hearst, Georgia Bulldogs |
| 1991 | Trevor Cobb, Rice Owls |
| 1990 | Greg Lewis, Washington Huskies |