2020 Heisman Trophy to be awarded in virtual ceremony on Jan. 5

The Heisman Trophy will be presented on Tuesday, Jan. 5 in a virtual format, per an announcement by ESPN and the Heisman Trophy Trust on Saturday.

A first for college football’s most prestigious award ceremony, but not uncommon in the current for the state of the world. The ceremony which is traditionally held in the first part of December will be pushed back to January as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The voting deadline is now Dec. 21, and the finalists will be announced on Dec. 24 during a 30-minute special at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

All Heisman finalists will appear via remote in a Zoom-like fashion, along with past Heisman Trophy winners appearing virtually as well. It’s the first time in history the award will not be presented in the year that was played.

“Although college football may look and feel a lot different, there is no shortage of incredible talent on the gridiron this year,” Mike Comerford, president of the Heisman Trophy Trust, said in a statement. “One thing the pandemic cannot change is the spirit of a true winner and we are eager to again celebrate that winner on the annual Heisman Trophy Ceremony.”

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded four days after the start of The College Football Playoff (New Years Day 2021), which is in between the semifinals and CFP National Championship, set for Monday, Jan. 11.