College Football Recruiting: How last 10 Heisman winners ranked as recruits

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to avoid a sack by linebacker Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

FAYETTEVILLE, AR – SEPTEMBER 28: Johnny Manziel #2 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Razorback Stadium on September 28, 2013 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Aggies defeated the Razorbacks 45-33. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

6. Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M (2012 winner)

The legend of Johnny Football is widely known and either beloved or loathed by the college football world. During his time at Texas A&M, there was no bigger star in the sport and no player who enjoyed soaking up that stardom — to harmful degrees, it should be noted — than Johnny Manziel. While he lit the college football world ablaze with his antics and performances, however, his recruiting trail wasn’t as hot as you might expect.

Manziel joined the Aggies as part of the 2011 recruiting class and as only a 3-star recruit. He was just the 13th-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country and came in as the 374th overall ranked prospect in America. Obviously that means he was still pretty darn good, but to look at that and then to consider the levels of stardom that he ultimately reached, it’s wild to think about how much he elevated his stock while in College Station.

5. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (2013 winner)

When considering overall athletes that have been in college football over the past few years, Jameis Winston has to be among the best. No, he’s not a freak by any means, but considering that he was a Heisman-winning quarterback and a plus-baseball player as well, it’s clear that sports are simply in his DNA. That was also clear when the Florida State Seminoles landed him as a recruit in the 2012 class.

Winston was ranked No. 16 nationally as a recruit in his class, a 5-star stud who was obviously given plenty of respect in that regard. Moreover, he was also graded as the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country. Considering what he accomplished at FSU and the flashes that he’s now shown in the NFL (though he’s yet to put it all together), it’s safe to say that he was deserving of those accolades as a recruit.

Home/Heisman Trophy