Kirby Jackson Posted May 24 Posted May 24 After that Johnny Manziel fight last night I started thinking about the best college players that never made it in the NFL. There are a lot of obvious ones (Manziel, Tebow, Torretta, Crouch, etc…). The question though is meant to exclude Heisman winners are really obvious guys. Who are some of the best college players that you’ve ever seen, excluding the super obvious, that didn’t make it as pros or were WAY better in college? Who were some guys that you thought would be great that never got close to that? As an Ohio State fan, I was pretty sure Beanie Wells was going to be a great pro. He had a pretty good rookie year, 1 other good year, 2 not good years and was out of the league. I thought he was going to be an all pro. He had less than 2500 yards rushing in his career. Who are some that come to mind for you? Quote
Kirby Jackson Posted May 25 Author Posted May 25 2 hours ago, Buffalo716 said: Sammy watkins The boz Great answer. He was idiot proof coming out. Quote
Stenbar Posted May 25 Posted May 25 Ryan Leaf, I didn't particularly watch his every game, just the obvious ones. He looked and played the part in college, huge arm, accurate, super competitive and had the size to make it. His problems were mental I would guess 2 2 Quote
SinceThe70s Posted May 25 Posted May 25 This goes way back but USC running back Anthony Davis. 1 Quote
Stenbar Posted May 25 Posted May 25 Ki Jana Carter Brady Quinn Perry Tuttle Steve Walsh Pretty much all had can't miss marks on them. All played their best years in the NCAA, Carter's was more due to injury. One player I thought would fall flat on his face and spend more time in prison than on the field was Randy Moss. Could be the greatest turn around in life a football player ever changed his path and fortunes for himself. Kudos to one of the greatest if not the greatest wr of all time. Quote
Bill from NYC Posted May 25 Posted May 25 Reuben Brown - LB - Alabama He was one of the toughest, most vicious players I have ever seen. I think that he could have been an all pro, but he had some issues. Here is just one sample of how hard he hit people. Leonard Fournette was a tough guy, no? Quote
Another Fan Posted May 25 Posted May 25 I thought EJ Manuel was a pretty good college player? I mean FSU went 25-6 and won 4 bowl games with him Quote
Buffalo716 Posted May 25 Posted May 25 2 hours ago, Another Fan said: I thought EJ Manuel was a pretty good college player? I mean FSU went 25-6 and won 4 bowl games with him He was really good not elite You have to remember a freshman James Winston came in and won the National championship after EJ was starting for years He was the start of the turnaround but not good enough to get over the hump Tim Tebow might be the greatest college player of all time Quote
SoonerBillsFan Posted May 26 Posted May 26 Sam Bradord. It was his knees that derailed his career. He wasnt bad, but no where the QB he was in college. 1 Quote
Steve O Posted May 26 Posted May 26 (edited) Aaron Maybin Edit: He really wasn't that good in college, had a few good games though. CJ Spiller's another Edited May 26 by Steve O Quote
Ridgewaycynic2013 Posted May 26 Posted May 26 5 hours ago, Steve O said: CJ Spiller's another Needed a CFL sized field to get the space he needed. 🤔 2 Quote
US Egg Posted May 27 Posted May 27 Tony Mandarich-2nd overall in ‘89. Guy was plastered all over magazines covers. Big ego type. Gone in 3 years. 1 Quote
Kirby Jackson Posted May 27 Author Posted May 27 (edited) Todd Marinovich was another sad story of what could have been. On a totally different note, Charles Rogers from MSU is a great answer. Edited May 27 by Kirby Jackson 1 Quote
Jauronimo Posted May 27 Posted May 27 On 5/25/2026 at 10:19 AM, Bill from NYC said: Reuben Brown - LB - Alabama He was one of the toughest, most vicious players I have ever seen. I think that he could have been an all pro, but he had some issues. Here is just one sample of how hard he hit people. Leonard Fournette was a tough guy, no? Ruben Brown had an excellent career and was a 4x second team all pro, 9x pro bowler back when it mattered more. Quote
Pecos Bills Posted May 27 Posted May 27 On 5/24/2026 at 11:32 AM, Kirby Jackson said: As an Ohio State fan, I was pretty sure Beanie Wells was going to be a great pro. He had a pretty good rookie year, 1 other good year, 2 not good years and was out of the league. I thought he was going to be an all pro. He had less than 2500 yards rushing in his career. Who are some that come to mind for you? Also among former Buckeyes, Vernon Gholston: he was dominant for 2 years at OSU, with 22 sacks and 30 TfLs, he was a combine freak, then only played 3 years for the Jets and never had a single sack. Like they said at the time, he was "built like Tarzan, plays like Jane." ☹️ 1 Quote
Steve O Posted May 27 Posted May 27 1 hour ago, Jauronimo said: Ruben Brown had an excellent career and was a 4x second team all pro, 9x pro bowler back when it mattered more. He certainly lived up to his 14th overall selection, but his legendary pro bowl parties is what got him elected to return by his peers year after year. Quote
Mikie2times Posted May 28 Posted May 28 I didn’t feel like he was a sure thing, but certainly undeniable talent. Vince Young. 1 1 Quote
Billy Claude Posted May 28 Posted May 28 On 5/25/2026 at 5:35 PM, Buffalo716 said: Tim Tebow might be the greatest college player of all time I am surprised Tim Tebow hasn't gotten more support in this thread. I know his limitations were well known before the draft but has any other player matched his folk hero status in college? 11 hours ago, Mikie2times said: I didn’t feel like he was a sure thing, but certainly undeniable talent. Vince Young. Also another player in the 2006 Rose Bowl, Reggie Bush. Drafted 2 and 3 the next year and both were with the Bills for a short time. 1 Quote
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