Fansided

25 Heisman Trophy winners with the best NFL careers

By John Buhler

DETROIT - DECEMBER 23: Barry Sanders smiles from the sideline during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo byGregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT - DECEMBER 23: Barry Sanders smiles from the sideline during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions on December 23, 2007 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo byGregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram No. 22 of the New Orleans Saints runs down field during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 26: Mark Ingram No. 22 of the New Orleans Saints runs down field during the third quarter in the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
22

Mark Ingram Jr.

Running Back, Alabama Crimson Tide (2009)

Mark Ingram Jr. had one of the most significant Heisman victories in recent memory. Not only did he become the first underclassmen to win the trophy, but he was also the first Heisman winner in Alabama Crimson Tide football history. Ingram rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 touchdowns during his sophomore season in 2009, as Alabama won the national title over the Texas Longhorns.

Ingram would leave school a year early after his junior season in 2010. He was the No. 28 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft, the team he still starts at running back for seven years later.

Ingram earned Pro Bowl honors in 2014 and may do so in 2017 and beyond. Through nearly seven NFL seasons, Ingram has 5,075 career rushing yards for 40 touchdowns. As a pass catcher, Ingram has 1,230 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

At 27 years old, Ingram may have a few more years left in his football prime. Though he won’t probably get to 10,000 career rushing yards, he could be a multi-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion for the Saints for all we know. Overall, Ingram has been a great success in New Orleans for the Saints after winning the Heisman as a sophomore in 2009.

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