1998 - RB Ricky Williams, Texas

Draft Position: Round: 1, Pick: 5

NFL Career: Mike Ditka traded an entire draft to obtain Williams, and the Redskins parlayed the picks to land Champ Bailey and Lavar Arrington among others. He wasn’t worth it, but he’s been a pretty good RB when not high or suspended. He led the league in rushing in 2002, when he also was selected first team All-Pro.

Where are they now?: Back-up running back for the Miami Dolphins.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Donovan McNabb (5)

1999 - RB Ron Dayne, Wisconsin

Draft Position: Round: 1, Pick: 11

NFL Career: Dayne is seen as a draft bust due to the Heisman win and high draft status, but managed to hang around for 8 years and score 28 TDs. That’s not a bad career for a running back, just not star-worthy.

Where are they now?: Dayne has been trying to hook on with a NFL team after playing with Houston in 2007.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Michael Vick (3), Drew Brees (4), Chad Pennington (5)

2000 – QB Chris Weinke, Florida State

Draft Position: Round: 4, Pick: 106

NFL Career: Weinke’s older than the normal draft pick due to his minor league baseball career. A long-time NFL back-up, Weinke has started 20 games in his 6 year NFL career, although 15 of those starts came in his rookie season. A dubious distinction, he holds the NFL record for most consecutive losses by a quarterback in a season, at 14, as well as overall, at 17.

Where are they now?: Like Ron Dayne, Weinke last played in 2007 and remains unsigned.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Josh Heupel (2), Drew Brees (3), Ladainian Tomlinson (4)

2001 – QB Eric Crouch, Nebraska

Draft Position: Round: 3, Pick: 95

NFL Career: An option quarterback in college, Crouch was drafted by the St. Louis Rams as a wide receiver. He was cut before the season, and caught on briefly with the Green Bay Packers before again being released. In 2005, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and played safety in NFL Europe where he recorded 25 tackles and 2 passes defended. He has never appeared on an active NFL roster.

Where are they now?: Crouch was drafted by Team Texas in the upstart All-American Football League.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Joey Harrington (4), David Carr (5)

2002 – QB Carson Palmer, USC

Draft Position: Round: 1, Pick: 1

NFL Career: A 2-time Pro Bowler, Palmer has thrown for 107 career TDs and owns a 88.3 career passer rating. He’s one of the best QBs in the NFL when healthy.

Where are they now?: Starting QB of the Cincinatti Bengals, when healthy.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Larry Johnson (3), Willis McGahee (4)

2003 – QB Jason White, Oklahoma

Draft Position: Undrafted

NFL Career: White signed with the Tennessee Titans for a brief period, but never appeared on their active roster.

Where are they now?: Owns and operates A Store Divided, an Oklahoma/Oklahoma State memorabilia shop.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Larry Fitzgerald (2), Eli Manning (3)

2004 – QB Matt Leinart, USC

Draft Position: Round: 1, Pick: 10

NFL Career: Leinart started 11 games for the Cardinals in his rookie season and had a relatively strong year given the circumstances. In the two years since, he’s started 5 games and has been replaced as the starter by Kurt Warner. To date, Leinart has thrown more interceptions than TDs, and owns a 72.2 career passer rating.

Where are they now?: Back-up Quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Adrian Peterson (2), Jason White (3), Alex Smith (4), Reggie Bush (5)

2005 – RB Reggie Bush, USC

Draft Position: Round: 1, Pick: 2

NFL Career: Bush was hyped as a true difference maker, maybe in the mold of Barry Sanders. After a year of anticipation, he was shockingly passed over with the first overall pick. The Houston Texans instead favored DE Mario Williams. In hindsight, it appears the Texans made the right move. Bush has not been a successful runner at the pro level, but remains an excellent receiver and electric punt returner. Given space, he’s one of the most exciting players in today’s NFL. He’s been plagued by some minor injuries, but has managed 30 TDs in almost four seasons.

Where are they now?: Running Back for the New Orleans Saints.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Vince Young (2), Matt Leinart (3), Brady Quinn (4)

2006 – QB Troy Smith, Ohio State

Draft Position: Round: 5, Pick: 174

NFL Career: Smith is in his third year with the Baltimore Ravens. He sat most of his rookie season, but appeared in four late games, throwing two scores and running for another. After being considered to start for Baltimore coming into 2008, he lost the job to rookie Joe Flacco after he became ill with a rare case of tonsillitis.

Where are they now?: Back-up Quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Darren McFadden (2), Brady Quinn (3), Steve Slaton (4)

2007 – QB Tim Tebow, Florida

Draft Position: N/A

NFL Career: N/A

Where are they now?: The first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, Tebow is currently a senior with the Florida Gators. He’s been a member of two national championship teams, and will finally head to the NFL after the end of the collegiate season. Once projected as a second day pick at best, Tebow now looks like a potential first rounder. Whether that means professional success or not, only time will tell.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Darren McFadden (2)

2008 – QB Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

Draft Position: N/A

NFL Career: N/A

Where are they now?: As a redshirt sophomore, Bradford opted to not declare for the NFL Draft in 2009 and instead returned to Oklahoma for his junior year. It did not go well, as Bradford suffered through an injury plagued season.  In fact, his entire post-Heisman career hasn’t gone too well, as he promtly lost the BCS Championship to Florida in a clash with 2007 Heisman winner Tim Tebow before his disappointing 2009 season.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Colt McCoy (2), Tim Tebow (3), Michael Crabtree (5)

2009 – RB Mark Ingram, Alabama

Draft Position: N/A

NFL Career: N/A

Where are they now?: Ingram should thank Tebow for breaking the “Sophomore Heisman Winner” barrier. As a true sophomore, Ingram has to wait another year before trying out the NFL. In the immediate future he’s heading to the BCS Championship to battle Texas and two time near-Heisman winner Colt McCoy.

Notable Players on Heisman Ballot in the Top 5: Toby Gerhart (2), Colt McCoy (3), Ndamukong Suh (4), Tim Tebow (5)

For more Heisman goodness, check out the 16 Greatest Moments In Heisman Trophy Posing History over at Busted Coverage.

Pages: 1 2