The Heisman Trophy is college football’s most prestigious individual award, honoring exceptional talent and performance at the collegiate level. However, success in college doesn’t always translate to professional greatness. Here are 10 Heisman Trophy winners who, despite their collegiate accolades, failed to meet expectations in the National Football League.
1. Andre Ware (University of Houston, 1989)
Andre Ware’s college career at the University of Houston was nothing short of spectacular. In 1989, he threw for an impressive 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns, securing a spot amongst Heisman Trophy winners of the past. However, his transition to the NFL was far from smooth. The Detroit Lions selected Ware as the seventh overall pick in the 1990 draft, but his professional career never took off.
In four NFL seasons split between the Lions and the Minnesota Vikings, Ware’s stats were underwhelming. He completed just 83 passes out of 161 attempts for a mere 1,112 yards and five touchdowns. His struggles led to a brief stint in the Canadian Football League, but even there, he failed to replicate his college success.
2. Rashaan Salaam (Colorado, 1994)
Rashaan Salaam’s college career at Colorado was remarkable, culminating in winning the Heisman Trophy in 1994. His transition to the NFL started promisingly when the Chicago Bears drafted him in the first round of the 1995 draft. Salaam’s rookie season showed potential, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Salaam’s career took a downturn after his rookie year. Struggles with injuries, fumbles, and off-field issues plagued his subsequent seasons. He played only three more years in the NFL, never again reaching the heights of his rookie campaign.
3. Danny Wuerffel (Florida, 1996)
Danny Wuerffel’s college career at Florida was stellar, leading to his selection as the newest of Heisman Trophy winners in 1996. However, his skills didn’t translate well to the professional level. The New Orleans Saints selected Wuerffel in the fourth round of the 1997 draft, but his NFL career was largely disappointing.
In three seasons with the Saints, Wuerffel played in only 18 games, completing 126 passes out of 258 attempts for 1,404 yards. His struggles continued even when reunited with his college coach, Steve Spurrier, at the Washington Redskins. Wuerffel’s inability to adapt to the NFL’s pace and complexity led to a short-lived professional career.
4. Eric Crouch (Nebraska, 2001)
Eric Crouch’s versatility as a quarterback at Nebraska earned him the Heisman Trophy in 2001. However, his transition to the NFL was rocky from the start. The St. Louis Rams drafted Crouch in the third round of the 2002 draft, intending to convert him to a wide receiver.
Crouch’s NFL career ended before it truly began. He retired before playing a single regular-season game, citing the difficulty of transitioning to a new position. While he briefly attempted comebacks in NFL Europe and the CFL, Crouch never managed to establish himself as a professional football player.
5. Troy Smith (Ohio State, 2006)
Troy Smith’s 2006 Heisman-winning season at Ohio State was impressive, but his NFL career failed to live up to expectations. The Baltimore Ravens selected Smith in the fifth round of the 2007 draft, but he struggled to establish himself as a starting quarterback.
Over his four-year NFL career with the Ravens and San Francisco 49ers, Smith started only eight games. He completed just eight career touchdown passes, failing to showcase the skills that made him a standout college player. His inability to adapt to the NFL’s complexities led to a short and unremarkable professional career.
6. Tim Tebow (Florida, 2007)
Tim Tebow’s college career at Florida was legendary, culminating in a Tebow Heisman Trophy win in 2007. He has been one of the best players in the SEC Conference in the last three decades. His transition to the NFL, however, was controversial and ultimately disappointing. The Denver Broncos selected Tebow in the first round of the 2010 draft, but his unconventional playing style and inconsistent passing ability led to mixed results.
While Tebow had some memorable moments, including leading the Broncos to a playoff victory, his NFL career was short-lived. After stints with the New York Jets and New England Patriots, Tebow was out of the league by 2013. Despite attempts to revive his career, including a brief return as a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, Tebow’s NFL journey fell far short of his college success.
7. Sam Bradford (Oklahoma, 2008)
Sam Bradford’s Heisman-winning season at Oklahoma in 2008 led to high expectations when the St. Louis Rams selected him as the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft. While Bradford showed flashes of potential early in his career, injuries and inconsistency plagued his time in the NFL.
Having left as one of the best Big 12 players since 2000, Bradford’s career was marked by lucrative contracts but disappointing on-field results. Despite earning nearly $130 million over his career, Bradford never led a team to the playoffs or made a Pro Bowl. His inability to stay healthy and consistently perform at a high level made him one of the most expensive disappointments in NFL history.
8. Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012)
On of the best SEC players since 2000, Johnny Manziel nicknamed “Johnny Football,” electrified college football during his time at Texas A&M, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2012. His transition to the NFL, however, was marred by off-field issues and on-field struggles.
The Cleveland Browns selected Manziel in the first round of the 2014 draft, but his professional career was short-lived. Manziel started only eight games over two seasons, throwing as many interceptions as touchdowns. His well-documented off-field problems, including substance abuse issues, led to his release from the Browns in 2016 and effectively ended his NFL career.
9. Robert Griffin III (Baylor, 2011)
Robert Griffin III, commonly known as RG3, had a promising start to his NFL career after winning the Heisman Trophy at Baylor in 2011. The Washington Redskins traded up to select him second overall in the 2012 draft, and his rookie season was spectacular, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors5.
However, a severe knee injury late in his rookie season altered the trajectory of Griffin’s career. He struggled to regain his form and lost his starting job by 2015. Griffin spent the latter part of his career as a backup, never recapturing the magic of his rookie season. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the impact of injuries on promising careers.
10. Marcus Mariota (Oregon, 2014)
Marcus Mariota’s Heisman-winning season at Oregon in 2014 led to high expectations when the Tennessee Titans selected him second overall in the 2015 draft. While Mariota showed flashes of potential, he struggled with consistency and injuries throughout his time in Tennessee.
After five seasons as the Titans’ starter, Mariota lost his job to Ryan Tannehill. He has since transitioned into a backup role, first with the Las Vegas Raiders and then with the Atlanta Falcons. While Mariota’s NFL career isn’t over, his performance has fallen far short of the expectations set by his college success.
In conclusion, these 10 Heisman Trophy winners serve as reminders that college success doesn’t guarantee NFL stardom. Factors such as injuries, system fit, off-field issues, and the increased complexity of the professional game can all contribute to a player’s struggles at the next level. While winning the Heisman Trophy is a remarkable achievement, it’s the ability to adapt and excel in the NFL that ultimately defines a player’s professional legacy.
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