Why The NFL Wanted Him: He set a whopping 47 records in his time at the University of Florida.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His record-setting did not carry

over and he famously had trouble completing passes, which had many question his ability to go pro.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: This Heisman Trophy finalist set a myriad of records before moving onto the big leagues. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He famously fumbled after

getting tripped during his first game with the Green Bay Packers and didn’t last long beyond that. 

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He led his team to a Sugar Bowl win before being drafted. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He was drafted by the Seahawks but

showed little promise, bounced from team to team, and retired quietly.  

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He set multiple records and led his team to many college-level Bowl games.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: After suffering a head

collision injury, he was eventually let go from the Miami Dolphins and could not jumpstart a career with any other teams (despite trying). 

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His ‘06 Rose Bowl touchdown made him a hot ticket item.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He couldn’t lock down his plays and, despite the

touchdown, couldn’t quite master proper throwing mechanics.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He started his career off great as a Heisman finalist with his college team.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His bad attitude infected the whole of the

San Diego Chargers team and his lack of impressive stats meant he was let go. He became a “draft bust.”

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He had impressive stats that made him the No. 1 pick of the 1990 season.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He couldn’t get along with

coaches and his less than stellar pro stats led to him being jettisoned and going from team to team (with no success).

Why The NFL Wanted Him: Despite reservations, he was drafted due to a Heisman win and other fantastic stats. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His wins did not translate well

to the NFL.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He held the Notre Dame record for most touchdowns.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He started strong, but his record slipped and only got worse as time

passed, which quietly killed his career.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He won a Heisman and almost got a second one. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He was benched due to injuries and questionable accuracy.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He was a ‘92 Heisman winner back in college.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He barely saw any play time in his 5-year-career and then ended

up disappearing without much fuss.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He and his team were responsible for 3 bowl game wins during his years in college. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He went for baseball instead of

football, came back years later and seemed to have lost the spark.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He was a top-10 draft in the ‘03 season.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He had a serious lack of speed and mobility but his size made

him seem like a winner. Spoiler: he wasn’t.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He set all sorts of records before getting drafted.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: Somehow, he only got drafted in the sixth round in 2008, wasn’t impressive,

and ended up playing for the Canadian Football League in the end.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He went down in history as one of the best college players in Iowa.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His abilities never translated to the pro level

and he only lasted 5 seasons, none of which were particularly remarkable.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He was well known for his exquisite passes back in Tennessee.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His abilities completely failed to make a blip at

the professional level and injuries led to him being done after 2 seasons.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His throwing arm was the stuff of legend.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He couldn't hit a target if it walked up to him and said,

“Hi, I’m a target.” he was let go pretty quickly.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He did Florida right by earning a Heisman.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He toiled away for 9 seasons as a backup quarterback. Not shockingly, his

career died a slow death.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He set records, had great stats, and won a Heisman in 1996.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He made a whopping 12 touchdowns in an

8-year career. In 2003, he couldn’t find a team to sign him.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His stats were insanely impressive and his size (6’8”) was a great selling point. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He couldn’t cut it in the

big leagues and was replaced 2 seasons later.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He showed enough potential to be a first draft pick.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His career so far has been littered with injuries and he’s

basically been labeled a disappointment.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: This kind of questionable. He was always just a so-so quarterback.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: Unsurprisingly, he did not get any better after going

pro.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He's in the Hall of Fame for his work as a wide receiver. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His touchdown/interception ratio was laughable at best, despite

an 11-year career.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He did both Washington State and Utah proud right before the pros took notice and drafted him. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He had

a quiet, uneventful career that ended after just five years.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He got a good start as the Gators quarterback and got drafted in ‘93. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He never got a chance to play. His

first game was 3 years later, in 1996. What?!

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He got his team a Heisman back in Nebraska before leveling up to the NFL.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He transitioned to receiver as a rookie

but ultimately didn’t play.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He beat O.J. Freakin’ Simpson for the Heisman in the ‘60s!

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He never really got a chance to prove himself,

getting stuck as a backup quarterback for his pro career.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His talent shone through and he was quickly picked up by the pros.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: A stint in prison basically killed any

hope of reclaiming his glory days.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He was known for his passing skills at Fresno State and was first pick.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His team was more at fault than him,

they could not support him and it led to his career demise.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He almost won a Heisman in 2001 and it was enough for the pros to take notice and take a chance on him.

So, WTF Went

Wrong?: This proved to be a mistake as he couldn’t level up to the big leagues. He spent time as a backup before quietly retiring.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His time at UCLA was a highlight of his football career and got him drafted. 

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He was 12th pick for the Bears

and lasted only 4 seasons.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He won both the Heisman and the Davey O’Brien Award.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His pro career was not great, and he was eventually

transferred, before moving on completely and entering the broadcasting world.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: An old school winner of the Heisman back in 1962.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: After being drafted in ‘63, he stayed with the Los Angeles Rams

for 3 years before exiling himself to Canada.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: Known as the “Throwin’ Samoan,” he set a myriad of WA records.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He got bounced around from team to team and

ended up sitting bench more than playing.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His record was good enough for him to be a first round draft.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He didn’t end up panning out and hung out

as a backup quarterback for a few seasons before disappearing.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His career was stable but he suffered from drug use. Despite this he was desirable to the pros.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: His drug use proved

to be too much and he failed drug tests, which led to him getting ousted.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He took Penn State to a national title in his 1982 year.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He couldn't cut it with the pros and flamed out,

before making a name for himself as an analyst.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: His college career blew scouts out of the water and he was quickly picked up.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: The concept of a playbook was

apparently too much for him and he couldn’t get any of the plays down, which led to the end of his career.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He was responsible for winning consecutive titles back home in Nebraska by 1972.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: No one thing went wrong—he just wasn’t cut out

for the NFL, and after 3 seasons he was out.

Why The NFL Wanted Him: He set records back home in Kentucky, including NCAA records.

So, WTF Went Wrong?: He just couldn’t hack it in the big leagues and

injuries ended up killing his career.