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Heisman Busts: Top 15 Heisman Trophy Winners Who Flopped In The NFL

By Patrick Schmidt

December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at EverBank Field. The Jets defeated the Jaguars 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
December 9, 2012; Jacksonville, FL, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at EverBank Field. The Jets defeated the Jaguars 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow (5) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 25-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tim Tebow (5) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium. The New England Patriots won 25-21. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

They were stars in college football when they won the Heisman Trophy but in the NFL these 15 players were the biggest Heisman busts of all-time

College stardom does not guarantee success in the NFL and these 15 players are proof of that and helped give credence to the Heisman curse.

These 15 players reached the pinnacle of their football career in the collegiate ranks when they won the Heisman Trophy, but after leaving college the production and success that followed them around campus was nowhere to be found once they began their careers in the NFL.

Whether it was their skills not translating from their college offense to the NFL, injuries or just simply not having the work ethic and dedication to have a long and successful career in the professional ranks, these players represent the biggest Heisman busts in the NFL.

The one caveat is this is limited to the Super Bowl era (1967) because for decades there was no legitimate professional league for college football players to continue their playing careers as some turned down opportunities in the early days of the NFC and putting their college degrees to work in the business world or pursuing a military career was a more fruitful endeavor than pro football, so that’s why I used the cutoff date.

After reading through the list, please offer up your suggestion as the biggest Heisman bust in NFL history in the comments section below.

Could recent winners Sam Bradford, Robert Griffin III, Johnny Manziel or Jameis Winston find themselves on a Heisman busts list in the coming years?

Without further, ado here are the top 15 Heisman busts during the Super Bowl era.

All college stats and Heisman voting results courtesy of sports-reference.com and NFL stats courtesy of pro football reference

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