The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in college football, given annually to the most outstanding player in the sport. Winning the Heisman is often seen as a sign of future greatness, but success at the college level doesn’t always guarantee a smooth transition to the NFL. Many past winners have entered the league with immense hype, only to fall short of expectations.
Despite their talent and college dominance, several Heisman recipients have struggled to find their footing in the pros. Whether due to injuries, poor team fits, or the increased level of competition, their NFL careers never lived up to the promise they once showed. Here’s a look at 20 Heisman winners who, for various reasons, flopped in the NFL.
Troy Smith – Ohio State (2006)
Troy Smith’s dual-threat ability helped him shine in college, but at just 6 feet, he faced serious challenges in the NFL. And, while he was drafted in the fifth round by the Ravens, he never secured a starting role.
Jason White – Oklahoma (2003)
Despite winning the Heisman and having a great college career, Jason White went undrafted in the NFL largely due to concerns over multiple knee injuries. In fact, he ended up never playing a snap in the NFL.
Gino Torretta – Miami (1992)
Gino Torretta’s success at Miami didn’t carry over to the NFL. While he was drafted in the seventh round by the Vikings, his lack of a standout arm prevented him from securing a starting role.
Eric Crouch – Nebraska (2001)
Eric Crouch excelled as a mobile quarterback in college at Nebraska, but was viewed as undersized and ill-suited for the pro level. In fact, instead of being drafted as a quarterback he was drafted by the Rams to play wide receiver!
Ron Dayne – Wisconsin (1999)
Ron Dayne’s record-breaking college career didn’t translate to the NFL, where his powerful style couldn’t overcome his lack of speed. Simply put, he struggled to establish himself as a real threat.
Tim Tebow – Florida (2007)
Tim Tebow’s leadership and tough playing style made him a college legend, but his mechanics and accuracy issues limited his NFL success. While he did lead the Denver Broncos to a playoff win, he struggled to find a long-term role.
Chris Weinke – Florida State (2000)
Chris Weinke entered the NFL as a 28-year-old rookie, drafted by the Carolina Panthers. His late start and difficulty with the pro game limited his success.
Andre Ware – Houston (1989)
Known for his prolific passing in college, Andre Ware struggled to adapt to the NFL. Drafted by the Detroit Lions, he never found his rhythm and was out of the league after just four seasons.
Archie Griffin – Ohio State (1974, 1975)
The only player to win two Heismans, Archie Griffin faced extremely high expectations going in to the NFL. Though he had a solid (but unspectacular) seven-year career with the Bengals, he never emerged as a dominant force.
Rashaan Salaam – Colorado (1994)
After winning the Heisman, Rashaan Salaam was a clear and obvious first-round pick by the Bears. And, while he did have a 1,000-yard rookie season, injuries and off-field issues limited his career.
Charlie Ward – Florida State (1993)
After winning the Heisman, Charlie Ward chose a different route, opting to play in the NBA rather than the NFL. While he became a solid basketball player, he certainly remains an NFL what-if story.
Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M (2012)
Nicknamed “Johnny Football” while at Texas A&M, Johnny Manziel’s electric playmaking didn’t carry over to the NFL at all. Off-field issues and an inability to adapt to pro schemes led to his quick exit after just two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Matt Leinart – USC (2004)
A massive star at USC, Matt Leinart struggled with consistency in the NFL. Simply put, he had an up-and-down career and never secured a full-time starting role.
Ty Detmer – BYU (1990)
Ty Detmer set passing records in college but unfortunately lacked the arm strength to succeed in the NFL. Though he had a long career as a backup, he never had major success.
Doug Flutie – Boston College (1984)
Doug Flutie found success in the CFL, but his NFL career was inconsistent, to say the least. Although he did have a few bright moments, he had limited success.
Pat Sullivan – Auburn (1971)
Pat Sullivan’s college skills didn’t translate to the pros. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, he lasted just four seasons in the league.
Steve Spurrier – Florida (1966)
Known more for being a legendary college coach, Steve Spurrier’s NFL career was lackluster, to say the least. Playing as a backup for most of his career, he threw for only 18 touchdowns.
Robert Griffin III – Baylor (2011)
Robert Griffin III, or “RG3,” had a promising rookie season, but he suffered multiple injuries that drastically impacted his mobility and effectiveness. Sadly, he never recaptured his early success.
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Danny Wuerffel – Florida (1996)
Danny Wuerffel’s college success under Steve Spurrier didn’t carry over to the NFL. Drafted by the Saints, he struggled with his accuracy, leading to a short NFL career.
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Sam Bradford – Oklahoma (2008)
Sam Bradford showed flashes of talent in the NFL, but his career was plagued by injuries. Though he did end up playing nine seasons in the league, his inability to stay healthy overshadowed his career.
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