Fansided

Whatever happened to these 30 forgotten college football superstars?

By Dante Pryor

Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport)
Peter Warrick #9 of the Florida State Seminoles: (Jed Jacobsohn /Allsport) /
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Gino Torretta #13, Quarterback for the University of Miami Hurricanes during the NCAA Southwest Conference college football game on 31st August 1991 at the Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States. The Hurricanes won the game 31 – 3. (Photo by “nTom Ewart/Allsport/Getty Images)
Gino Torretta #13, Quarterback for the University of Miami Hurricanes during the NCAA Southwest Conference college football game on 31st August 1991 at the Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States. The Hurricanes won the game 31 – 3. (Photo by “nTom Ewart/Allsport/Getty Images) /

30. Gino Torretta, quarterback, Miami Hurricanes

The Heisman Trophy is not a guarantee of NFL success, and Gino Toretta is proof. Unlike many other players on this list, most pro scouts did not see Toretta as a top professional prospect. Many in the NFL felt Toretta’s success (and Heisman win) was a product of playing on the most talented team in college football at the time.

Some felt that if Marshall Faulk played for anyone other than San Diego State, he would have won the Heisman in 1992. Despite an unremarkable 5-year NFL career, Toretta is one of the best quarterbacks in Miami history and one of the progenitors of the modern college game.

A top prospect from Pinole, California, Toretta was one of the favorites to win the Heisman trophy in 1992. Torretta led the Hurricanes to an undefeated season and the opportunity to play for another National Title.

Also, that season, Torretta threw for 3,000 yards for the second year in a row. Though the Hurricanes lost to Alabama in the title game, they came into that game with a 29 game win streak, 23 of those wins with Torretta as the quarterback.

When Torretta graduated, he was the Hurricanes all-time leader in passing yards (7,690), attempts (991), completions (555), total yards (7,772), longest pass (99 yards) and most passing yards in one game (485).

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