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) /

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06 September 2008: Oklahoma Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford (14) launches a pass during the University of Oklahoma Sooners 52-26 win over the University of Cincinnati Bearcats at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK. (Photo by J.P. Wilson /Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (2008)

Sam Bradford looked like a star with the Oklahoma Sooners from the moment that he stepped on campus in Norman. As a freshman in the 2007 season, he threw for over 3,000 yards, 36 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. That was just the appetizer for the 2008 season, however, as Bradford went positively nuclear on the college football world as a sophomore en route to winning the Heisman Trophy.

As a sophomore, Bradford went 328-for-483 for 4,720 yards and an incredible 50 touchdowns, though he again only threw eight interceptions on the year. With five rushing touchdowns to his credit as well, he was the easy choice for the award and the favorite heading into 2009. However, Bradford injured his shoulder in the Sooners’ first game of his junior season, which he re-injured soon after his return, and that ended his college career.

The shoulder injury didn’t stop the St. Louis Rams from making him the top pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, though, He admittedly showed promise as a rookie, going 7-9 and starting every game for the Rams while throwing for 3,512 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. However, as they did in his final year at OU, injuries have plagued his career since, with multiple seasons missed due to knee injuries and other ailments.

Though Bradford has enjoyed a financially lucrative NFL career to this point over stints with four different teams, he’s far from the star that he was while with the Sooners. He never became the sure-fire prospect that he appeared to be and, for that, he has to go down as a bust.

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