The 8 biggest Heisman Trophy busts from this century

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 13: 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist Johnny Manziel, quarterback of the Texas A&M University Aggies, poses with the Heisman Trophy at the Marriott Marquis on December 13, 2013 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: Photographer approval needed for all Commercial License requests. (Photo by Kelly Kline/Getty Images for The Heisman) /

2 of 8

13 Nov 1999: Eric Crouch #7 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers carries the ball during a game against the Kansas State Wildcats at the Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Cornhuskers defeated the Wildcats 41-15. Mandatory Credit: Elsa Hasch /Allsport /

Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska (2001)

The year after Weinke won the Heisman with Florida State, a completely different type of quarterback took the college football world by storm. Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Eric Crouch was far from a pocket passer and far more of a runner than the previous winner. Yet, he still produced at an exceptional level throughout the season, enough to win one of the closest races in history over Rex Grossman from Florida.

In that 2001 season, Crouch was honestly pedestrian (or worse) when it came to throwing the ball. The Cornhuskers quarterback only attempted 189 passes on the year, completing only 55.6 percent of them for 1,510 yards. What’s more, he had just seven passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Where he made his bones was on the ground as he amassed 1,115 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns on the season. For good measure, he also caught a 63-yard touchdown pass that year.

Though Crouch still fancied himself a quarterback, he was taken in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft with the hope that he would convert to wide receiver. Unfortunately, he never played a snap for the Rams as an injury ended his run there.

After that, Crouch never played a down in the NFL anywhere else either. He played safety for the Hamburg Sea Devils in NFL Europe, then had a cup of coffee as a quarterback in the CFL. That was it, though, as Crouch’s football career truly never amounted to much at the pro level, NFL or otherwise.

Home/Heisman Trophy