Heisman Winners in the NFL

[YoFuggedaboutit]

So as not to hijack the Joey Harrington thread in "Dolphins Discussion", I figured I'd post something about NFL players that won the Heisman in college.  The Heisman trophy is a major catch 22 and does not guarantee success at the pro level.  Additionally, the Heisman winner usually does not perform well in their bowl game because they are missing bowl practice due to having to attend all these Heisman functions around the country.  Let's take a look at the Heisman winners for the past 20 years and see how they have fared in the NFL:

1986- QB Vinny Testaverde:  Started off slow with the Bucs, then started coming along with the Browns-Ravens.  Revitalized his career with the Jets.  Was in semi-retirement until the middle of last season, then played half the season for the Jets.  Will probably retire

1987- WR Tim Brown: Was a major deep threat with blazing speed for the Raiders for a long time.  Retired

1988- RB  Barry Sanders: One of the premier running backs in the game.  Was always a threat to break a long run.  Retired with some gas left in the tank

1989- QB Andre Ware: Spent two seasons in the NFL (I don't remember which team).  Is now out of football

1990- QB Ty Detmer: Journeyman backup his entire NFL career.  Currently without a team after being released by the Eagles

1991- WR Desmond Howard: Was a bust as a receiver, but re-invented himself as a return specialist.  Named Super Bowl MVP in 1996.  Retired

1992- QB Gino Toretta: Spent two seasons as third stringer for San Francisco.  Released and never hooked up with another team

1993- QB Charlie Ward: Never drafted into the NFL despite winning every major QB award that year.  Was such a gifted athlete that he then spent 11 years as a point guard in the NBA.

1994- RB Rashaan Salaam: Was a ROY candidate in 1995, then took an express elevator to hell.  Resurfaced in the spring of 2001 to play in the now-defunct XFL.  Is out of football.

1995- RB Eddie George: Had a good 10 years of success running behind the Titans well built offensive line.  Signed with the Cowboys late in his career.  Is now retired. 

1996- QB Danny Wuerffel: Like Charlie Ward and Gino Toretta, lacked the height and arm strength to make a good pro QB.  Bounced around his first couple of seasons.  Most noted for signing with Washington in 2002 when his college coach, Steve Spurrier, took over as head coach. 

1997- DB Charles Woodson: Was a solid but unspectacular cornerback for the Raiders his entire career.  Coverage skills have begun to erode.  Currently an unsigned free agent. 

1998- RB Ricky Williams: Got off to a slow start in New Orleans, then picked up steam before being traded to Miami.  Gained over 3000 yards rushing in two seasons with the Dolphins before abruptly retiring due to multiple failed drug tests.  Returned in 2005 to back up Ronnie Brown and gained almost 800 yards despite missing the first four games for a drug suspension.  Latest failed drug test is still pending an appeal. 

1999- RB Ron Dayne: Never became the bruising power back everyone expected him to be.  Spent his entire career as the backup RB to Tiki Barber of the Giants before signing with Denver last season.  Has had his moments but has not been consistent enough to warrant starting. 

2000- QB Chris Weinke: Started in 2001 for Carolina, then was relegated to backup when Jake Delhomme emerged and has been there ever since.  Filled in for an injured Delhomme during the latter half of 2004 and played rather well. 

2001- QB Eric Crouch: Drafted by the Rams but abruptly retired when told he would be switched to receiver.  Considered comeback with the Packers the next year but decided against it.  Never played a down in the NFL. 

2002- QB Carson Palmer: After spending one year learning under Jon Kitna, was named full time starter in 2004 for Cincinatti.  Came into his own in 2005 before suffering a serious knee injury in the playoff game against Pittsburgh.  His career will be determined by how well he comes back from this knee injury. 

2003- QB Jason White: Returned to school for the 2004 season but did not fare as well due to the emergence of RB Adrian Peterson.  Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Texans in 2005, then retired while in training camp due to an aggrivated injury he sustained while in college.

2004- QB Matt Leinart: Decided to return to school for 2005.  Most draft experts have him going #2 overall in April

2005- RB Reggie Bush: Turned pro right after winning Heisman.  Most draft experts have him going #1 overall in April.

Hope you guys enjoyed the read.  Any thoughts?

[jtex316]

I'm very impressed by this article, Tommy.  Good work.

[Thundergod]

Moral of the story...  the draft means d*ck.  (crapshoot) 

Another reason why I don't watch college sports. (it doesn't matter in the end,  the end being the pros)

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Moral of the story...  the draft means d*ck.  (crapshoot) 

Another reason why I don't watch college sports. (it doesn't matter in the end,  the end being the pros)

I wouldn't say the draft means dick, more like the Heisman Trophy does.  If you look at the past Heisman Trophy winners, not too many of them can be labeled as NFL Standouts

[ADeadSmitty]

Yeah that is a really nice post, Tommy.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Yeah,  that's what I meant.  Most H.T. winners are first rd. draft picks,  teams get screwed by choosing these losers,  then again,  who knew they'd  turn out to be bums.

You're right..... but not all of them go in the first round.  I believe Ware, Detmer, Toretta, Wuerffel, Weinke, and Crouch were all second day picks.  Plus, Ward and White never got drafted. 

[Thundergod]

I wouldn't say the draft means dick, more like the Heisman Trophy does.  If you look at the past Heisman Trophy winners, not too many of them can be labeled as NFL Standouts

Yeah,  that's what I meant.  Most H.T. winners are first rd. draft picks,  teams get screwed by choosing these losers,  then again,  who knew they'd  turn out to be bums.

New moral:  Don't draft H.T. winners in the first round.     (unless you're REALLY sure)  

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Yeah,  that's what I meant.  Most H.T. winners are first rd. draft picks,  teams get screwed by choosing these losers,  then again,  who knew they'd  turn out to be bums.

New moral:  Don't draft H.T. winners in the first round.     (unless you're REALLY sure)  

LOL, that reminded me of Mike Ditka being REALLY SURE about Ricky Williams and trading all of his draft picks to move up to get him.  Turns out he was correct. 

[Phishfan]

That move should have gotten Ditka fired right then and there. No player is worth an entire draft, especially when your team is the Saints.

[Dave Gray]

Good post.

What we can learn here is that Heisman doesn't translate to NFL, but in the Heisman's defense -- it doesn't claim to. 

But the Heisman does it's job -- Wuerful was the best college QB, but we all knew it wouldn't translate to the NFL.

[bsfins]

Andre Ware Played for the Detroit Lions....
4 years...14 games...