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Heisman to the NFL: A Quarter-Century of Success and Failure
Table of Contents
A complete look at Heisman Trophy winners as 2000 reveals a stark reality: college football dominance doesn’t guarantee a thriving NFL career. With the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony just days away on Dec. 13, a review of the past 25 years offers a compelling, and often cautionary, tale of transition to the professional ranks. The question remains: does the prestige of the Heisman Trophy translate to sustained success on Sundays?
The Allure and the Reality
Winning the Heisman is arguably the highest individual honour in college football, instantly elevating a player to national prominence and attracting significant attention from NFL scouts.However,as the data demonstrates,the leap from Saturday to Sunday is fraught with challenges. While some winners have blossomed into NFL stars, many have struggled to replicate their collegiate success, and a concerning number have failed to make a lasting impact.
Grading the Heisman Class of 2000-2024
here’s a breakdown of how Heisman winners have fared in the NFL, based on draft position and an assigned grade reflecting their professional careers:
2001: eric Crouch, Nebraska
Drafted by: Carolina Panthers
Pick: 106
NFL Grade: C-
2002: Carson Palmer, USC
Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: A
2003: Jason White, Oklahoma
Drafted by: none
Pick: None
NFL Grade: Incomplete
2004: Matt Leinart, USC
Drafted by: Arizona Cardinals
Pick: 10th
NFL Grade: F
2005: Reggie Bush, USC
Drafted by: New Orleans Saints
Pick: 2
NFL Grade: B-
2006: Troy Smith, Ohio State
Drafted by: Baltimore Ravens
Pick: 174
NFL Grade: F
2007: Tim Tebow, Florida
Drafted by: Denver Broncos
Pick: 25th
NFL Grade: F
2008: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Drafted by: St. Louis Rams
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: C-
2009: Mark Ingram, Alabama
Drafted by: New Orleans Saints
pick: 28
NFL grade: B
2010: Cam Newton, Auburn
Drafted by: Carolina Panthers
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: A
2011: Robert Griffin III, Baylor
drafted by: Washington Redskins
Pick: 2
NFL Grade: F
2012: Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Drafted by: Cleveland Browns
Pick: 22
NFL Grade: F
2013: Jameis Winston, Florida state
Drafted by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: 1
NFL grade: C
2014: Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Drafted by: Tennessee Titans
Pick: 2
NFL Grade: C+
2015: Derrick Henry, Alabama
Drafted by: Tennessee Titans
Pick: 45
NFL grade: A+
2016: Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Drafted by: Baltimore Ravens
Pick: 32
NFL Grade: A
2017: Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Drafted by: Cleveland Browns
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: C
2018: Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Drafted by: Arizona cardinals
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: B
2019: Joe Burrow, LSU
Drafted by: Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: A
2020: DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Drafted by: Philadelphia Eagles
pick: 10
NFL Grade: B-
2021: Bryce young, Alabama
Drafted by: Carolina Panthers
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: C-
2022: Caleb Williams, USC
Drafted by: Chicago Bears
Pick: 1
NFL Grade: Incomplete
