Which 2018 Heisman Trophy finalist will have the best pro career?

Which 2018 Heisman Trophy finalist will have the most success in the pros?

Winning the Heisman Trophy doesn’t always equate to success at the next level. For every Cam Newton, Charles Woodson or Barry Sanders there is a Jason White, Geno Toretta and Ron Dayne who don’t pan out.

Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins will hope to avoid the fate of the latter while trying to translate their college successes to the professional ranks. Their futures are unwritten, but let’s look into the crystal ball to see which of the three will have the most success in their professional careers.

3. Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Murray has looked like a combination of Baker Mayfield and Michael Vick this season. He is a special athlete with a rocket for an arm and the speed to outrun almost everyone on the field. There is a caveat with Murray’s future though. Murray was the ninth pick in the 2018 MLB draft by the Oakland Athletics and intends to pursue his baseball career after this season.

Despite being such an electric player in college, his size and playing style would have been tough to operate in the NFL. It would have been fun for him to give it a try but instead, he will report to spring training in 2019. He is viewed as a top-tier prospect who could become a center fielder who steals 30-plus bases a year while hitting at the top of the lineup if he can make consistent contact.

2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

Tagovailoa was the favorite to win the Heisman before the season started and led the race all year, but Murray may have passed him in the final week. Alabama has never had a quarterback win the Heisman, but Tagovailoa’s deadly accurate arm and big-play mastery could make him the first.

The 6-foot-1, 218-pound sophomore, will be at Alabama at least one more year and will be a highly coveted prospect when he enters the NFL Draft. He is a special passer who throws the prettiest deep ball in college. He will need to improve the short to intermediate accuracy if he wants to succeed in the NFL. He projects as a combination of Russell Wilson and Drew Brees.

1. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

This is a projection that makes the most sense for the next level of all the candidates. Haskins led a talented Ohio State offense to the Big Ten championship after leading the nation in yards and touchdowns. He broke almost every Buckeyes single-season passing record in his first season as a starter as a redshirt sophomore.

The 6-foot-3, 220 pound Haskins could be the first quarterback taken in the 2019 NFL Draft if the redshirt sophomore declares. He’s not a finished product, but he offers the most potential of the draft-eligible signal-callers. If he returns to Ohio State next year, his NFL ceiling will be even higher and his transition to the next level will be much smoother. Among this year’s Heisman finalists, Haskins has the best chance of being the best pro.