5 Heisman winners who failed to cut it in the NFL feat. Johnny Manziel, Tim Tebow and more

One of the most sought-after honors in collegiate sports is the Heisman Trophy, given annually to the top college football player. However, it doesn't necessarily predict who will succeed in the NFL.

There have been many winners who have gone on to succeed in the NFL, but there have also been many who have fallen short.

Although there are many examples of Heisman Trophy winners who did not succeed in the NFL, we have chosen a few that are particularly noteworthy.

Five Heisman Trophy winners who were busts in the NFL

#1 QB Jason White, Oklahoma (2003)

Jason White won the 2003 Heisman Trophy over wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and quarterback Eli Manning. He led Oklahoma to an incredible 12-game regular-season winning run, completing 62 percent of his passes for 3,846 yards, 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

However, NFL teams were hesitant to select the quarterback because of his history of knee injuries, so he never got his chance in the league. He tried his luck with the Tennessee Titans and the Kansas City Chiefs, but his numerous knee problems kept him from playing.

#2 QB Tim Tebow, Florida (2007)

Tim Tebow recorded 3,286 passing yards and 32 touchdowns, along with 895 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns with Florida in 2007, making him the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.

The Denver Broncos selected Tebow with the 25th pick in the 2010 NFL draft.

Tebow is still regarded as one of the best college quarterbacks of all time, but he only lasted three seasons in the NFL.

In a strange turn of events, Tebow had an opportunity to play again as a tight end with the Jacksonville Jaguars years later but was cut during the preseason.

#3 QB Andre Ware, Houston (1989)

Andre Ware will always be known for being the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy, but his post-college career will not go down in the history books.

In his junior year at the University of Houston in 1989, Ware threw for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns, setting college records. He won the Heisman Trophy.

The Detroit Lions then selected him with the seventh pick in the 1990 draft. Ware never rose to prominence in the NFL, starting just six times for the Lions before bouncing around with other franchises.

Ware eventually played for multiple Canadian Football League sides before concluding his career.

#4 QB Robert Griffin III, Baylor (2011)

Robert Griffin III became Baylor's first-ever Heisman Trophy winner in 2011. He threw for 4,293 yards, 37 touchdowns and six interceptions that season. Additionally, he recorded 179 rushes, which resulted in 699 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Washington Redskins selected him with the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. In his first season with the Redskins, RGIII played like a superstar, earning a Pro Bowl selection and winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

But his career was cut short by injuries rather fast, and he was unable to replicate the success of his first season in the league. Before his career ended, Griffin played for the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens after Kirk Cousins eventually took over as Washington's starting quarterback.

#5 QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M (2012)

Johnny Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, making him one of the most thrilling college quarterbacks in the past few years.

Manziel threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushed for 1,410 yards and 21 touchdowns in his historic 2012 season at Texas A&M.

The Cleveland Browns traded up to choose Manziel with the 22nd pick in the 2014 draft after he had played one more season in college. He only appeared 14 times in the NFL, though, so he was unable to replicate his collegiate success.

In addition to his subpar performance, Manziel's off-field problems garnered a lot of media attention. After the 2015 season ended, the Browns cut him, and he was not picked up by another organization in the 2016 offseason due to additional off-field issues.

Manziel didn't play football for two years before heading to the Canadian Football League in 2018.