Heisman Trophy Winners

Johnny Manziel and Charles White have been the only Heisman Trophy winners drafted by the Browns.

Will that still be it after this draft?   Or do the Browns have a BM in their future? (Baker Mayfield...not Bowel Movement.....but then....if the Browns do take Mayfield....and he busts per his 50/50 chance to do so...it will be a BM)

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jun/23/you-didnt-play-to-get-rich-what-killed-nfl-europe

There is supposed to be a new XFL.

Also this Alliance of American Football.

These could be the new developmental leagues to replace NFL Europe.

@mjp28 said:

Was NFL Europe a step up or down from the CFL? Actually I used to watch it occasionally. 

Good question, don't really know....but I thought it was a step up.   It was used as a sort of minor league for the NFL.  But apparently revenues for it did not match expenses, do it was folded by the NFL.  I don't think the NFL wanted any part of any operation they were associated with to lose any money at all.....no matter how few farthings it was.   That was my conclusion as to why the NFL Europe closed.

@the-gipper said:

He was on the roster of the Rams initially, then on the Chiefs roster.....but never played in a game with either of them.

He did  have cups of coffee in NFL Europe, and in the CFL.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Crouch

Was NFL Europe a step up or down from the CFL? Actually I used to watch it occasionally. 

Zombo said:

I forgot Eric Crouch won the Heisman. Or even existed.

Zombo

He was on the roster of the Rams initially, then on the Chiefs roster.....but never played in a game with either of them.

He did  have cups of coffee in NFL Europe, and in the CFL.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Crouch

But still....his brief playing career was better than Jason White:

Despite his strong college career, White was not selected in the 2005 NFL Draft and did not receive a tryout from any NFL team in the first several weeks of post-draft free agency. White became just the third Heisman Trophy winner not to be drafted in the NFL after Pete Dawkins instead chose a military career and Charlie Ward chose a career in the NBA. He did eventually receive a tryout from the Kansas City Chiefs, who opted not to sign him. Eventually the Tennessee Titans signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2005 for two years,^[9] but White decided to quit professional football, citing weak knees. White has expressed an interest in coaching. ^[10]

Zombo

@the-gipper said:

4.   Nine Heisman winners have made the PFHOF....the last being Tim Brown in 2015.   It looks likely that Charles Woodson may be the only one out there that will likely make HOF.  Palmer borderline, but likely not.  Newton has a fair chance if he continues on as is.   Others too soon to tell.

That's a key point since the 1988 Award Barry Sanders none have made the HOF still early but not many on that list have a chance.

Heisman might be the best or most exciting college player, generally a quarterback but that year but is no guarantee of success in the professional game. Curse? Probably not just not a good indicator. 

A better indicator would be an award like The Best Pro Prospect Award, I'd bet it would be far more successful and would include a lot more non-quarterback prospects. 

@dutch-oven said:

A much as I've heard about Archie Griffin and his Ohio State career, what exactly happened to him in the pros? Injuries? Topped out athletically in college?

Considered to have had a mediocre pro career.  Seven years, 2800 yards rushing....total of 4415 with receiving yards. He was actually a pretty good receiver out of the backfield for his day.

@hoorta said:

Does the Heisman Curse still live is the question?  

Well....just take since 2000.   Two:  Carson Palmer/Cam Newton....no jinx.  RBs Bush and Ingram.....OK pro careers.  Mariota, Winston, Henry....a bit too soon perhaps.

But, of 17 Heisman winners drafted so far:   Dayne, Weinke, Crouch, Tebow, Smith, White, Leinert, Griffin, Manziel....almost zero from these guys. ..that is over half.   Bradford and Griffin have had injury issues. 

Like I said, only 2 out of 17 proven quality pro players.  Depending on what you think of Bush/Ingram.

1. It looks like 7 Heisman winners were never drafted.  (sometimes it is hard to figure out the number above):

Most recently, Jason White and Charlie Ward.   Not sure what happened with Mike Garrett...though I think that the AFL draft got him, and so all NFL teams passed. Maybe something similar with Huarte.  Dawkins and Bellino were Army and Navy guys, so their military commitments shied teams away.  That is why Staubach was not taken until round 10.  A future bet that paid off there. 

2.  It looks like 20...if my count is right, were taken #1 overall. Most recently Winston. 

3. In ten drafts....make this year 11...there were 2 Heisman winners eligible to be drafted in the same draft.

4.   Nine Heisman winners have made the PFHOF....the last being Tim Brown in 2015.   It looks likely that Charles Woodson may be the only one out there that will likely make HOF.  Palmer borderline, but likely not.  Newton has a fair chance if he continues on as is.   Others too soon to tell.

5. The Heisman winner drafted the latest....of those drafted, is Doug Flutie,   #285 overall.  (but note, Ward and White not drafted).  Flutie ended up being better than #285.  Ward and White did not even play in the NFL.

6. I see they had Eric Crouch listed as a WR. ...but he played QB in college.  Maybe Lamar Jackson should take a clue.