Here we go again with the start of another college season, and the Heisman hype has already begun. My question, as always is....why? The award is supposed to be for the most outstanding college football player that year, but it almost NEVER is. Heisman voters are supposed to ignore a player's prospects in the NFL when voting, but it is the true measure of any player, and coaches as well. I'll go through the winners in more detail in a moment, but take for example 1966 winner Steve Spurrier.
Spurrier was (surprisingly) the starting quarterback of the national championship winning team. He was selected third overall in the 1967 NFL draft, so some NFL evaluators at least THOUGHT he had potential. HE ended up playing nine years as a backup, with under 7,000 yards passing. Spurrier was drafted two places behind Bubba Smith, the number one overall pick, who as a defensive lineman had NO chance of winning the Heisman. Spurrier was drafted AHEAD of the following players : Bob Griese, George Webster, Floyd Little, Mel Farr, Gene Washington, and hold on to your hats...Hall of famers Alan Page, Gene Upshaw, Lem Barney, and Willie Lanier. Only Griese would have had any shot at the Heisman as a Quarterback, but it's PLAIN that Spurrier was NOT the most outstanding college player in 1966, not even close.
Factoring in a college player's potential in the NFL makes complete sense, especially when looking at the example above. The true test of a player is how he does when the other team has just as many good players. Scoring 60 on Podunk State doesn't really prove anything, except that if college had a playoff system, that game would never be played. What's even worse, this even followed Spurrier as a coach. He was a dismal failure as coach of the Redskins, because he's only a good coach so long as his team is far and away better than his opposition. Look at his record at South Carolina for more evidence.
Enough Spurrier bashing, his isn't the only case, or even the most glaring. I'll list Heisman winners, how they fared, better players at the same position, and other players more deserving below:
1967 - Gary Beban
NFL - Drafted 30th overall, never started, retired after two years.
BASP - Ken Stabler, Greg Landry (Wow, that's gotta hurt!)
OMD - Ron Yary, Larry Csonka, Art Shell
Verdict - Heisman Loses
1968 - O.J. Simpson
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, first 2000 yard rusher, played 12 years, 1st Ballot Hall of Famer.
BASP - None
OMD - Four other HOF players in that draft, but none as good as Simpson.
Verdict - Heisman Wins
1969 - Steve Owens
NFL - Drafted 19th overall, did make All-Pro, career cut short by injury.
BASP - None, and a bad year for running backs overall.
OMD - Ummm...Terry Bradshaw? I'm just sayin'....
Verdict - Heisman Loses
1970 - Jim Plunkett
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, two time Superbowl Winner, (and one time Superbowl MVP) had basically three good seasons.
BASP - Joe Theismann, Archie Manning, Ken Anderson
OMD - Jack Ham, John Riggins, Dan Dierdorf, Jack Youngblood
Verdict - Can't ignore the two championships. Heisman wins.
1971 - Pat Sullivan
NFL - Drafted 40th overall, five year jouneyman
BASP - Brian Sipe (an AWFUL quarterback draft!)
OMD - Franco Harris, Cliff Branch, Conrad Dobler, Willie Buchanon
Verdict - Even in a down draft year, Heisman still loses.
1972 - Johnny Rodgers
NFL - Drafted 25th overall, dominated the CFL, lasted only two seasons in the NFL
BASP - Issac Curtis, Golden Richards
OMD - Ummm...Dan Fouts? John Hannah
Verdict - Heisman Loses
1973 - John Cappelletti
NFL - Drafted 11th overall, solid, but not great nine-year career
BASP - Delvin Williams (two-time pro-bowler)
OMD - Danny White, Too Tall Jones, Dave Casper, Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth
Verdict - The Steelers entire draft class was better. Heisman Loses.
1974 - Archie Griffin (special case, he won twice)
NFL - 24th overall in 1976, played 7 seasons, gained 2808 yards (703 more than Eric Dickerson gained in 1984)
BASP - Ummmm....Walter Payton?
OMD - Randy White, Fred Dean, Steve Bartkowski
Verdict - Heisman Loses...lets try again!
1975 - Archie Griffin (special case, he won twice)
NFL - 24th overall in 1976, played 7 seasons, gained 2808 yards (703 more than Eric Dickerson gained in 1984)
BASP - Chuck Muncie, Joe Washington
OMD - Steve Largent, Lee-Roy Selmon, Mike Haynes, Jackie Slater, Harry Carson
Verdict - Heisman goes 0 for 2.
1976 - Tony Dorsett
NFL - Drafted 2nd overall, 1st Ballot HOF, numerous records, Super Bowl winner
BASP - Wilbert Montgomery the closest, but not even close.
OMD - No other HOF players from that class, no one even close.
Verdict - Biggest win for Heisman since 1968.
1977 - Earl Campbell
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, HOF member, 8 year career, 3-time rushing champion
BASP - Not even close
OMD, Great players that year (James Lofton, Ozzie Newsome) but no one even close.
Verdict - Another Big Win for Heisman.
1978 - Billy Sims (Sims played another year before going to the NFL, so he's compared against players that came out that year)
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, three time All-Pro, but blew up his knee and played only four years
BASP - A few decent backs that year, but none as good as Sims.
OMD - Ummmm...Joe Montana? Kellen Winslow, Dan Hampton
Verdict - Career cut short by injury, but Joe Montana. Heisman Loss, but a close one.
1979 - Charles White
NFL - Drafted 27th Overall, Played 7 years, had one all-pro season.
BASP - This is the year Billy Sims came out, but as a past Heisman winner, I can't count him against White, so none.
OMD - Anthony Muñoz, Dwight Stephenson, Art Monk
Verdict - Heisman Loss.
1980 - George Rogers
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, a couple pro-bowls, Superbowl Champion, 7 year career.
BASP - Freeman McNeil, James Brooks, James Wilder, all probably at least equal.
OMD - Ummmm...Lawrence Taylor?, Ronnie Lott? Mike Singletary? Howie Long?
Verdict - Probably the worst Heisman loss ever, even though Rogers had a solid career.
1981 - Marcus Allen
NFL - Drafted 10th overall (how did THAT Happen?) Superbowl MVP, 1st Ballot HOF
BASP - Nope.
OMD - Jim McMahon, Mike Munchak, and Andre Tipett all came out teh smae year, but...not even close.
Verdict - Another Big Win for Heisman!
1982 - Herschel Walker
NFL - Drafted in fifth round in 1985, but played in the USFL for three years, 10-year career, two pro bowls.
BASP - Eric Dickerson
OMD - The famed class of 1983: John Elway, Jim Kelly, Dan Marino...plus Bruce Mathews and Darrell Green. (I bet Chiefs fans were pissed that year!)
Verdict - Heisman snares defeat from the jaws of victory!
1983 - Mike Rozier
NFL - Started in USFL, Supplemental Pick, * year career, two tiem all-pro, but best year was 1002 yards.
BASP - No other running back drafted in 1984 even had ONE pro bowl.
OMD - Wilbur Marshall, Boomer Esiason, Carl Banks, Jeff Hostetler
Verdict, A Heisman loss, but not a particularly shameful one.
1984 - Doug Flutie
NFL - Drafted 285th overall, played in the CFL, one pro bowl.
BASP - Bernie Kosar, Randall Cunningham
OMD - Ummmmm...Jerry Rice? Bruce Smith?
Verdict - Although I find Flutie to be one of the most underrated players of all time, this is still a stinging Heisman loss.
1985 - Bo Jackson
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, five-year career, one pro bowl, (also a baseball All-Star Appearance)
BASP - Keith Byars, Ronnie Harmon, and Neal Anderson were decent, but not close.
OMD - MAYBE Pat Swilling or Charles Haley, but no.
Verdict - A Heisman win, but the weak draft class of '86 definitely a factor.
1986 - Vinny Testaverde
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, TWENTY-year career, two time pro-bowler, but basically a journeyman.
BASP - Rich Gannon, Steve Beuerlein, and Jim Harbaugh all Journeymen as well.
OMD - Cris Carter, Hardy Nickerson, Rod Woodson, Nate Odomes
Verdict - Well, one of the OMD's is on the all time team, so Heisman Loss.
1987 - Tim Brown
NFL - Drafted 6th overall, 16 year career, 9 time All-Pro.
BASP - I'd call Sterling Sharpe and Michael Irvin about even.
OMD - Thurman Thomas, maybe Randall McDaniel
Verdict - Borderline, but the win goes to Heisman.
1988 - Barry Sanders
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, 10 year career, all 10 all-pro. 3rd all-time in rushing
BASP - You're Kidding, right?
OMD - Hard to argue with Troy Aikman, Deion Sanders and Derrick Thomas...but it's still Barry.
Verdict - Even in the face of stiff competition, absolute Heisman win.
1989 - Andre Ware (this is where it starts to get ugly)
NFL - Drafted 7th overall, started six games, went to CFL after 4 years.
BASP - Neil O'Donnell and Jeff George? Wow, that's just wrong.
OMD - Ummmm...Emmitt Smith? Junior Seau.
Verdict - Blowout loss for Heisman.
1990 - Ty Detmer
NFL - Drafted 203rd overall, Had one good year but never an All-Pro
BASP - Maybe Brett Favre?
OMD - Eric Swann, Herman Moore, Ricky Watters
Verdict - Heisman. loses. ugly.
1991 - Desmond Howard
NFL - Drafted 4th overall, SuperBowl MVP, great returner, not a great receiver.
BASP - Jimmy Smith was pretty good.
OMD - Troy Vincent, Leon Searcy, Dale Carter
Verdict - Another Heisman loss in a weak draft class.
1992 - Gino Toretta
NFL - Drafted 192nd overall, played ONCE in an NFL game (and no that wasn't a start)
BASP - Drew Bledsoe, Mark Brunell, Trent Green
OMD - Willie Roaf, Michael Strahan, Jerome Bettis, Lincoln Kennedy
Verdict - Heisman loss on the scale of a Texas - UNLV game.
1993 - Charlie Ward
NFL - NONE. Played in the NBA, but never an All-Star there.
BASP - Trent Dilfer and Gus Ferotte? That's just sad.
OMD - Marshall Faulk maybe? Willie McGinest?
Verdict - Once more, a crushing defeat for Heisman
1994 - Rashaan Salaam
NFL - Drafted 21st overall, 1000 yard rusher as a rookie, but a mostly unremarkable 4-year career.
BASP - Curtis Martin, Terrell Davis
OMD - Tony Boselli, Steve McNair, Warren Sapp, Ty Law, Joey Galloway.
Verdict - There were about five more players I could have put on the OMD list. Crushing defeat for Heisman.
1995 - Eddie George
NFL - Drafted 14th overall, 8 year career, 4 time pro bowler, Rookie of the year, Super Bowl Appearance
BASP - None, and Lawrence Phillips and Tim Biakabutuka were drafted ahead of him. Ouch.
OMD - Ray Lewis, Zach Thomas, Keyshawn Johnson, Jonathan Ogden, John Runyan
Verdict - I actually believe Heisman got this one right at first, but Lewis and Ogden tipped the scales. Heisman Loss, by a long field goal in overtime.
1996 - Danny Wuerffel
NFL - Draftted 99th overall, 7 year career, had some NFL Europe time
BASP - Jake Delhomme, Jake Plummer (Ouch!)
OMD - Orlando Pace, Warrick Dunn, Walter Jones, Tony Gonzalez, about four or five more...
Verdict - Heisman loses in a laugher, 63-0.
1997 - Charles Woodson
NFL - Drafted 4th overall, 8 year career (still active) five time all-pro, led NFL in interceptions
BASP - None.
OMD - Peyton Manning, Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck, Hines Ward
Verdict - Without Manning this is a Heisman win, but Manning is here.
1998 - Ricky Williams
NFL - Drafted 5th overall, 6 years in NFL (Still Active) One pro bowl.
BASP - You could argue for Edgerrin James.
OMD - Jevon Kearse, Donovan McNabb, Champ Bailey, Torry Holt, Joey Porter
Verdict - Heisman loss, but Ricky could have helped by not smoking buds.
1999 - Ron Dayne
NFL - Drafted 11th overall, 7-year journeyman career, currently active, but unsigned.
BASP - Jamal Lewis, Thomas Jones, Shaun Alexander
OMD - Chis Samuels, Plaxico Burress, Brian Urlacher, Julian Peterson
Verdict - This one was over by halftime. Heisman Loss.
2000 - Chris Weinke
NFL - Drafted 106th overall, 7 year career (active, but unsigned), 2-18 record as a starter.
BASP - Michael Vick, Drew Brees
OMD - LaDainian Tomlinson, Richard Seymour, Reggie Wayne, Chad Ochocinco
Verdict - Heisman Loss.
2001 - Eric Crouch
NFL - Drafted 95th overall, three year "career" where he never made a team.
BASP - David Carr and Joey Harrington? That's the unkindest cut of all.
OMD - Bryant Westbrook, Albert Haynesworth, Dwight Freeney, Ed Reed
Verdict - Three future Hall-of Famers vs a guy who never played. Worst Heisman loss yet.
2002 - Carson Palmer
NFL - Drafted 1st overall, 5 year career (still active) Two-time pro bowler
BASP - None, no quarterback in the 2003 draft has made a pro bowl besides Palmer.
OMD - The closest would be Antonio Gates, Troy Polamalu, Nnamdi Asomugha
Verdict, Even with some strong competition, Heisman finally wins one.
2003 - Jason White
NFL - Undrafted, signed with the Titans, then quit.
BASP - Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers
OMD - Bob Sanders, Larry Fitzgerald, Sean Taylor, Steven Jackson, Chris Cooley
Verdict - Down goes Heisman! Down Goes Heisman! (Heisman Loss)
2004 - Matt Leinart
NFL - Drafted 10th overall, still active, but lost his starting job.
BASP - Aaron Rogers, Jason Campbell, Derek Anderson
OMD - DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, Roddy White, Frank Gore
Verdict - Leinart looks better this year, but he still won't start. Heisman Loss.
2005 - Reggie Bush
NFL - Drafted 2nd overall, still active, has about 3000 yards and 20 touchdowns.
BASP - DeAngelo Williams
OMD - Mario Williams, Antonio Cromartie, Jay Cutler, Devin Hester
Verdict - Bush is also improving, but still a Heisman Loss.
2006 - Troy Smith
NFL - Drafted 174th overall, slted to start for Ravens until he gets the flu, doesn't get a 2nd chance.
BASP - JaMarcus Russell
OMD - Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch.
Verdict - Smith could possibly start somewhere, but still a devastating Heisman Loss.
2007 - Tim Tebow
NFL - None, not projected as a quarterback
BASP - Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco
OMD - Jake Long, Chris Long, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson
Verdict - Since Tebow hasn't gotten an opportunity, it's hard to judge, but the bar is pretty high. We'll give Heisman the benefit of the doubt and call a push.
2008 - Sam Bradford
NFL- Unless he gets seriously hurt or stinks up the place, he projects to the 1st round.
BASP - Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, Josh Freeman
OMD - Aaron Curry, Jeremy Maclin
Verdict - Same as Tebow, can't judge until he plays (if he plays) Push.
So the Heisman voters are 9-32-2 in choosing the actual best college athlete since 1966. Of course part of the problem is the selection criteria: An offensive skill position player, preferably on the east coast or midwest, usually a senior, on a conference championship winning team that is contending for the national title. That cuts out most of the great players right there. And star players on great teams have a great supporting cast to hide their flaws, but there is no such cover on an NFL team. So enjoy all the Heisman hype this year ladies and gentlemen, then watch the winner stink it up in the NFL next year.
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