Heisman Winning Quarterbacks Picked First in NFL Draft

Winning the Heisman Trophy is the ultimate goal for all college football players, with the exception of winning the national title. However, for quarterbacks, winning the Heisman clearly does not guarantee success in the National Football League (NFL), even you are the first overall draft pick. Throughout the years, these quarterbacks enjoyed moderate success throughout their playing days.

Angelo Bertelli was a Heisman Trophy winner while playing for Notre Dame in 1943. The Boston Yanks picked him first overall in 1944. He never materialized as an elite quarterback, even while playing in the All-American Football Conference (AAFC). He walked away from football in 1949 following a series of knee injuries.

Over a decade later, in 1957, the Green Bay Packers selected 1956 Heisman winner Paul Hornung as the first play in the NFL draft. Hornung, from Notre Dame, was a versatile player who not only took snaps as a quarterback, but he played the halfback and fullback positions as well. His success in the NFL was measured by his skills as a running back not quarterback. He also was a field goal kicker. Hornung, the two-time MVP, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986. He spent 10 years in the NFL.

In 1963, the Los Angeles Rams selected 1962 Heisman winner Terry Baker out of Oregon State University as the first overall draft pick. It is worth mentioning that he was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 12^th round, 90^th overall, of the American Football League (AFL) as well. However, he opted for the Rams and the NFL. His transitory career ended with little to no success or impact in the NFL. In only one career start, he never threw a touchdown pass.

In 1970, Jim Plunkett was awarded with the coveted Heisman Trophy, and was drafted first overall by the New England Patriots in the 1971 NFL draft. Plunkett was hit or miss with the Patriots before a less than stellar two-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers. Many link Plunkett's career to the silver and black garb of the Raiders (Oakland and Los Angeles), as his finest NFL moment occurred during his comeback season when he led the Raiders to the Super Bowl championship over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV (1980-81 season). He was the Super Bowl MVP after the 27-10 thumping. Overall, he spent 16 years in the NFL. Unlike Bertelli and Baker, Plunkett is not identified as a complete NFL Draft bust.

Seventeen years went by before another Heisman winning quarterback would be selected first in an NFL draft. In 1987, the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted 1986 Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde as the top pick in the NFL draft. Testaverde was a dominant force for the University of Miami Hurricanes, and despite the past failures of previous No. 1 Heisman picks, many expected him to become the savior to the Buccaneers. He never became the quarterback they hoped for, and he would become a journeyman quarterback playing for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Carolina Panthers. He spent 20 years in the NFL.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected Carson Palmer first overall in the 2003 after he won the Heisman award with USC. Injuries impacted Palmer throughout his career, but he enjoyed some solid seasons, leading the Bengals to AFC North division titles in 2005 and 2009.

In 2010, Sam Bradford enjoyed a solid rookie season with the St. Louis Rams, nearly leading them to a NFC West divisional title. Bradford won the Heisman award in 2008, and drafted first by the Rams in 2010.

Resource: Pro Football Reference, NFL Draft History