How the last 24 Heisman Trophy winners fared in the NFL and where they are now

Cork Gaines,Tyler LaulettaDec 10, 2022, 18:56 IST

Some Heisman winners went on to have successful and profitable careers in the NFL, while others found themselves out of the league just a few years after being named the best player in college football.AP Photo/Patric Schneider

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best player in college football.
Despite the greatness of these players in college, winning the Heisman is not a guarantee of future success.
While many past winners thrive in the NFL, there are also those that are out of the league just a few years after being on top of their sport.

Ricky Williams ran away with the Heisman in 1998, rushing for 2,327 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Texas Longhorns.

AP Photo/Linda Kaye

Williams went on to have a successful if disjointed NFL career. After leading the league in rushing in 2002 with the Dolphins, Williams tested positive for marijuana several times and announced his retirement in 2004. He did return to Miami just two years later. Recently, he founded a brand of cannabis products, "Real Wellness," serves as a commentator on The Longhorn Network, and started a cannabis lifestyle brand called Highsman.

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Williams went on to have a successful if disjointed NFL career. After leading the league in rushing in 2002 with the Dolphins, Williams tested positive for marijuana several times and announced his retirement in 2004. He did return to Miami just two years later. Recently, he founded a brand of cannabis products, "Real Wellness," serves as a commentator on The Longhorn Network, and started a cannabis lifestyle brand called Highsman.

Ron Dayne was awarded the 1999 Heisman, finishing his career as the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division I FBS history with 7,125 yards for the Wisconsin Badgers.

AP Photo/Eric Draper

Dayne played in the NFL for seven seasons with the Giants, Broncos, and Texans. In 2018, he went back to school to get his degree, which he shared proudly over social media. He also serves as a goodwill ambassador for Wisconsin sports teams, and his daughter played soccer for the University of Michigan.

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Dayne played in the NFL for seven seasons with the Giants, Broncos, and Texans. In 2018, he went back to school to get his degree, which he shared proudly over social media. He also serves as a goodwill ambassador for Wisconsin sports teams, and his daughter played soccer for the University of Michigan.

Chris Weinke won the Heisman in 2000 while leading Florida State to their second-straight national championship game. At 28, he was the oldest player to win the award.

Andy Lyons/Allsport

After six years in the NFL, Weinke retired and went into coaching. He was an offensive analyst for Alabama during their 2017 national championship season. After several other coaching stops, he is now the QB coach at Georgia Tech.

Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

After six years in the NFL, Weinke retired and went into coaching. He was an offensive analyst for Alabama during their 2017 national championship season. After several other coaching stops, he is now the QB coach at Georgia Tech.

Eric Crouch dominated as the centerpiece of Nebraska's option offense, rushing for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns to win the Heisman in 2001.

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

Crouch bounced around professional football, briefly appearing in the NFL and CFL. He now works as the running backs and special teams coach at Midland University in Nebraska.

Midland University/YouTube

Crouch bounced around professional football, briefly appearing in the NFL and CFL. He now works as the running backs and special teams coach at Midland University in Nebraska.

In 2002, Carson Palmer took home the Heisman after breaking USC records for most completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a monster season. He led the Trojans to an 11-2 record and an Orange Bowl win over Iowa.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

In 2002, Carson Palmer took home the Heisman after breaking USC records for most completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a monster season. He led the Trojans to an 11-2 record and an Orange Bowl win over Iowa.

Palmer went on to have a successful career in the pros, playing for 14 seasons for the Bengals, Raiders, and Cardinals, before retiring after the 2017 season. He is now the spokesperson for Camp Rainbow Gold, a camp in Idaho for kids with cancer.

Christian Petersen/Getty

Palmer went on to have a successful career in the pros, playing for 14 seasons for the Bengals, Raiders, and Cardinals, before retiring after the 2017 season. He is now the spokesperson for Camp Rainbow Gold, a camp in Idaho for kids with cancer.

Jason White won the 2003 Heisman after a season that included 40 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

White was just the third Heisman winner to go undrafted. He was eventually signed by the Titans for two seasons but later quit football. He was also a co-owner of the Bricktown Brawlers of the Indoor Football League in 2011, but the team folded after just one season. He now owns several businesses in Oklahoma and serves as a motivational speaker. He also recently dressed up as Tim Tebow for Halloween in a Nissan Heisman House commercial.

YouTube/Nissan

White was just the third Heisman winner to go undrafted. He was eventually signed by the Titans for two seasons but later quit football. He was also a co-owner of the Bricktown Brawlers of the Indoor Football League in 2011, but the team folded after just one season. He now owns several businesses in Oklahoma and serves as a motivational speaker. He also recently dressed up as Tim Tebow for Halloween in a Nissan Heisman House commercial.

Matt Leinart became the second USC quarterback to win the Heisman in three years when he took home the award in 2004. Leinart led the Trojans to an undefeated championship season, throwing for 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Harry How/Getty Images

Matt Leinart became the second USC quarterback to win the Heisman in three years when he took home the award in 2004. Leinart led the Trojans to an undefeated championship season, throwing for 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

After a less-than-stellar run as a starter with the Cardinals, Leinart spent five years in the NFL as a backup until 2012. He now works as a college football analyst for Fox.

Fox

After a less-than-stellar run as a starter with the Cardinals, Leinart spent five years in the NFL as a backup until 2012. He now works as a college football analyst for Fox.

Although the award was later vacated, Reggie Bush will still always be remembered as the 2005 Heisman winner, earning 91.8% of possible points towards the award — still the highest ever attained.

AP Photo/Kim D. Johnson

Although the award was later vacated, Reggie Bush will still always be remembered as the 2005 Heisman winner, earning 91.8% of possible points towards the award — still the highest ever attained.

Reggie Bush had a sporadic career as a pro, spending time with the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, and Bills over the course of his 11 years in the league. He cleared 1,000 rushing yards just twice. Bush formally retired in 2017, and is now an analyst with Fox and a spokesperson for Wendy's.

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Reggie Bush had a sporadic career as a pro, spending time with the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, and Bills over the course of his 11 years in the league. He cleared 1,000 rushing yards just twice. Bush formally retired in 2017, and is now an analyst with Fox and a spokesperson for Wendy's.

Troy Smith won the 2006 Heisman, carrying Ohio State to an undefeated regular season before losing to Florida in the national title game.

G. N. Lowrance/Getty Images

Smith had a short-lived NFL career, spending time with the Ravens and 49ers before leaving for the CFL where he played until 2014.

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Tim Tebow was one of the most electrifying college players in recent memory and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman in 2007.

Doug Benc/Getty Images

Tebow tried his luck in the NFL, even leading the Broncos to a shocking playoff win over the Steelers in 2011, but would fall out of the league after just three seasons. He gave baseball a shot, playing in the Mets minor league system until 2019. He is now a motivational speaker, author, and analyst at ESPN.

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Tebow tried his luck in the NFL, even leading the Broncos to a shocking playoff win over the Steelers in 2011, but would fall out of the league after just three seasons. He gave baseball a shot, playing in the Mets minor league system until 2019. He is now a motivational speaker, author, and analyst at ESPN.

In 2008, Sam Bradford threw an unbelievable 50 touchdowns to lead the Oklahoma Sooners to the championship game en route to being named the best player in college football.

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

In 2008, Sam Bradford threw an unbelievable 50 touchdowns to lead the Oklahoma Sooners to the championship game en route to being named the best player in college football.

In the NFL, Bradford was a journeyman quarterback as injuries set his career off course more than once. He did make $130 million in nine seasons, last playing with the Cardinals in 2018.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

In the NFL, Bradford was a journeyman quarterback as injuries set his career off course more than once. He did make $130 million in nine seasons, last playing with the Cardinals in 2018.

Mark Ingram averaged 118 yards a game for Alabama during his 2009 Heisman campaign, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship win over Texas.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Ingram is in his 12th NFL season and back with the Saints, where he started his career. He has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Cam Newton enthralled SEC football fans during his time at Auburn. He threw for 30 touchdowns, ran for another 20, won the Heisman, and led the Tigers to a national championship.

AP Photo/Dave Martin

Cam Newton enthralled SEC football fans during his time at Auburn. He threw for 30 touchdowns, ran for another 20, won the Heisman, and led the Tigers to a national championship.

Newton was drafted with the first overall pick by the Carolina Panthers and was the face of the franchise for nine seasons. He led the team to the Super Bowl in 2015, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. After one season with the Patriots as Tom Brady's replacement, he went back to the Panthers but went unsigned in 2022.

Streeter Lecka/Getty

Newton was drafted with the first overall pick by the Carolina Panthers and was the face of the franchise for nine seasons. He led the team to the Super Bowl in 2015, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. After one season with the Patriots as Tom Brady's replacement, he went back to the Panthers but went unsigned in 2022.

In 2011, Robert Griffin III became the first Baylor Bear to win the Heisman, completing 72% of his passes and throwing for 37 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

After getting drafted by Washington and playing one of the most thrilling rookie seasons in recent memory, RG3's career was derailed by injury. He played seven seasons in the NFL and is now an analyst for ESPN.

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

After getting drafted by Washington and playing one of the most thrilling rookie seasons in recent memory, RG3's career was derailed by injury. He played seven seasons in the NFL and is now an analyst for ESPN.

One of the flashiest players in college football history, Johnny Manziel took home the 2012 Heisman as a dual-threat quarterback for Texas A&M, throwing for 26 touchdowns and running for another 21 scores.

Getty Images/Scott Halleran

One of the flashiest players in college football history, Johnny Manziel took home the 2012 Heisman as a dual-threat quarterback for Texas A&M, throwing for 26 touchdowns and running for another 21 scores.

Manziel was drafted by the Browns and became one of many Cleveland prospects to crash out of the league. He attempted a comeback in the CFL and spent time in multiple small football leagues, most recently with the Zappers of the Fan Controlled League. He also recently said he is pursuing a professional golf career.

Brett Davis/Fan Controlled Football/Getty Images

Manziel was drafted by the Browns and became one of many Cleveland prospects to crash out of the league. He attempted a comeback in the CFL and spent time in multiple small football leagues, most recently with the Zappers of the Fan Controlled League. He also recently said he is pursuing a professional golf career.

In 2013, Jameis Winston led Florida State to an undefeated season and a national championship win over Auburn. He won nearly 80% of the Heisman vote.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Winston was the first pick of the 2015 draft and spent five interception-filled seasons with the Bucs. He is now a backup for the Saints.

Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Hawaii native Marcus Mariota took home the Heisman in 2014 and led Oregon to a win over Winston in the first College Football Playoff before falling to Ohio State in the title game.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Hawaii native Marcus Mariota took home the Heisman in 2014 and led Oregon to a win over Winston in the first College Football Playoff before falling to Ohio State in the title game.

Mariota was taken second behind Winston in 2015 and spent five mediocre seasons with the Titans. He is now the starter for the Falcons.

G Fiume/Getty Images

Derrick Henry became the first non-quarterback to win the Heisman in seven years when he took the award in 2015, rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty

Henry is now in his seventh season with the Titans as the NFL's most dominant running back. He has four 1,000-yard seasons, including 2,027 yards in 2020.

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Louisville's Lamar Jackson became yet another dual-threat quarterback to win the Heisman in 2016, throwing for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Louisville's Lamar Jackson became yet another dual-threat quarterback to win the Heisman in 2016, throwing for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns.

He was taken with the final pick of the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens and is now one of the best QBs in the NFL. He has rushed for 1,000 yards twice and is on pace to do it again this year.

Tom Pennington/Getty Images

He was taken with the final pick of the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens and is now one of the best QBs in the NFL. He has rushed for 1,000 yards twice and is on pace to do it again this year.

Baker Mayfield was a lightning rod of attention through the 2017 college football season, with his fearless throws and sideline hijinks often creating headlines. After walking on to the Oklahoma team, Mayfield led the Sooners to the national semifinal and won the Heisman.

Brett Deering/Getty Images

Baker Mayfield was a lightning rod of attention through the 2017 college football season, with his fearless throws and sideline hijinks often creating headlines. After walking on to the Oklahoma team, Mayfield led the Sooners to the national semifinal and won the Heisman.

Mayfield was selected with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Browns, with whom he showed promise at times over four seasons. After five games with the Panthers, he was benched and later claimed off waivers by the Rams.

Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Mayfield was selected with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Browns, with whom he showed promise at times over four seasons. After five games with the Panthers, he was benched and later claimed off waivers by the Rams.

Kyler Murray was the second-straight OU Sooner to win the Heisman when he took home the award in 2018 with 54 total TDs and 5,362 yards of offense.

Brett Deering/Getty Images

While he might have been considered too small in previous generations, Murray was taken with the first pick of the 2019 Draft and represents a new breed of athletic QBs in the NFL.

Kyler Murray.AP Photo/Jose Juarez

While he might have been considered too small in previous generations, Murray was taken with the first pick of the 2019 Draft and represents a new breed of athletic QBs in the NFL.

Joe Burrow won the Heisman in his second season with LSU after transferring from Ohio State.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Burrow was the top pick in the 2020 Draft and led the Bengals and their pass-heavy offense to the Super Bowl in just his second season.

Joe Burrow.AP Photo/Emilee Chinn

DeVonta Smith won the Heisman in 2020 with 24 touchdowns and nearly 1,900 yards receiving for the national championship-winning Alabama Crimson Tide.

AP Photo/Michael Woods

He was the 10th pick in the 2021 draft by the Eagles. He had 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season and is on pace to surpass those numbers in 2022.

DeVonta Smith.AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Quarterback Bryce Young made it back-to-back Heisman winners for Bama in 2021, throwing for 47 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards in his first season as the starter. He is still at Alabama but was not a finalist for the Heisman in 2022.

Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Quarterback Bryce Young made it back-to-back Heisman winners for Bama in 2021, throwing for 47 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards in his first season as the starter. He is still at Alabama but was not a finalist for the Heisman in 2022.

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How the last 24 Heisman Trophy winners fared in the NFL and where they are now

Ricky Williams ran away with the Heisman in 1998, rushing for 2,327 yards and 29 touchdowns for the Texas Longhorns.

Ron Dayne was awarded the 1999 Heisman, finishing his career as the all-time leading rusher in NCAA Division I FBS history with 7,125 yards for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Chris Weinke won the Heisman in 2000 while leading Florida State to their second-straight national championship game. At 28, he was the oldest player to win the award.

After six years in the NFL, Weinke retired and went into coaching. He was an offensive analyst for Alabama during their 2017 national championship season. After several other coaching stops, he is now the QB coach at Georgia Tech.

Eric Crouch dominated as the centerpiece of Nebraska's option offense, rushing for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns to win the Heisman in 2001.

Crouch bounced around professional football, briefly appearing in the NFL and CFL. He now works as the running backs and special teams coach at Midland University in Nebraska.

In 2002, Carson Palmer took home the Heisman after breaking USC records for most completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a monster season. He led the Trojans to an 11-2 record and an Orange Bowl win over Iowa.

Palmer went on to have a successful career in the pros, playing for 14 seasons for the Bengals, Raiders, and Cardinals, before retiring after the 2017 season. He is now the spokesperson for Camp Rainbow Gold, a camp in Idaho for kids with cancer.

Jason White won the 2003 Heisman after a season that included 40 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

Matt Leinart became the second USC quarterback to win the Heisman in three years when he took home the award in 2004. Leinart led the Trojans to an undefeated championship season, throwing for 33 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

After a less-than-stellar run as a starter with the Cardinals, Leinart spent five years in the NFL as a backup until 2012. He now works as a college football analyst for Fox.

Although the award was later vacated, Reggie Bush will still always be remembered as the 2005 Heisman winner, earning 91.8% of possible points towards the award — still the highest ever attained.

Reggie Bush had a sporadic career as a pro, spending time with the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, and Bills over the course of his 11 years in the league. He cleared 1,000 rushing yards just twice. Bush formally retired in 2017, and is now an analyst with Fox and a spokesperson for Wendy's.

Troy Smith won the 2006 Heisman, carrying Ohio State to an undefeated regular season before losing to Florida in the national title game.

Smith had a short-lived NFL career, spending time with the Ravens and 49ers before leaving for the CFL where he played until 2014.

Tim Tebow was one of the most electrifying college players in recent memory and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman in 2007.

In 2008, Sam Bradford threw an unbelievable 50 touchdowns to lead the Oklahoma Sooners to the championship game en route to being named the best player in college football.

In the NFL, Bradford was a journeyman quarterback as injuries set his career off course more than once. He did make $130 million in nine seasons, last playing with the Cardinals in 2018.

Mark Ingram averaged 118 yards a game for Alabama during his 2009 Heisman campaign, leading the Crimson Tide to a national championship win over Texas.

Ingram is in his 12th NFL season and back with the Saints, where he started his career. He has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.

Cam Newton enthralled SEC football fans during his time at Auburn. He threw for 30 touchdowns, ran for another 20, won the Heisman, and led the Tigers to a national championship.

In 2011, Robert Griffin III became the first Baylor Bear to win the Heisman, completing 72% of his passes and throwing for 37 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

After getting drafted by Washington and playing one of the most thrilling rookie seasons in recent memory, RG3's career was derailed by injury. He played seven seasons in the NFL and is now an analyst for ESPN.

One of the flashiest players in college football history, Johnny Manziel took home the 2012 Heisman as a dual-threat quarterback for Texas A&M, throwing for 26 touchdowns and running for another 21 scores.

In 2013, Jameis Winston led Florida State to an undefeated season and a national championship win over Auburn. He won nearly 80% of the Heisman vote.

Winston was the first pick of the 2015 draft and spent five interception-filled seasons with the Bucs. He is now a backup for the Saints.

Hawaii native Marcus Mariota took home the Heisman in 2014 and led Oregon to a win over Winston in the first College Football Playoff before falling to Ohio State in the title game.

Mariota was taken second behind Winston in 2015 and spent five mediocre seasons with the Titans. He is now the starter for the Falcons.

Derrick Henry became the first non-quarterback to win the Heisman in seven years when he took the award in 2015, rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Henry is now in his seventh season with the Titans as the NFL's most dominant running back. He has four 1,000-yard seasons, including 2,027 yards in 2020.

Louisville's Lamar Jackson became yet another dual-threat quarterback to win the Heisman in 2016, throwing for 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns.

He was taken with the final pick of the first round at the 2018 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens and is now one of the best QBs in the NFL. He has rushed for 1,000 yards twice and is on pace to do it again this year.

Baker Mayfield was a lightning rod of attention through the 2017 college football season, with his fearless throws and sideline hijinks often creating headlines. After walking on to the Oklahoma team, Mayfield led the Sooners to the national semifinal and won the Heisman.

Mayfield was selected with the first pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Browns, with whom he showed promise at times over four seasons. After five games with the Panthers, he was benched and later claimed off waivers by the Rams.

Kyler Murray was the second-straight OU Sooner to win the Heisman when he took home the award in 2018 with 54 total TDs and 5,362 yards of offense.

While he might have been considered too small in previous generations, Murray was taken with the first pick of the 2019 Draft and represents a new breed of athletic QBs in the NFL.

Joe Burrow won the Heisman in his second season with LSU after transferring from Ohio State.

Burrow was the top pick in the 2020 Draft and led the Bengals and their pass-heavy offense to the Super Bowl in just his second season.

DeVonta Smith won the Heisman in 2020 with 24 touchdowns and nearly 1,900 yards receiving for the national championship-winning Alabama Crimson Tide.

He was the 10th pick in the 2021 draft by the Eagles. He had 916 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season and is on pace to surpass those numbers in 2022.

Quarterback Bryce Young made it back-to-back Heisman winners for Bama in 2021, throwing for 47 touchdowns and nearly 5,000 yards in his first season as the starter. He is still at Alabama but was not a finalist for the Heisman in 2022.