College Stars Who Don't Translate to the Pros

[GoldenIsThyFame]

40-31 are up.. no ND players this round.

Of note:
#38 Major Harris - WV QB in '89 Fiesta
#33 Chris Weinke

 

[bjohnmwc]

Who'll be the highest ranked ND player? Hurts to say, but Brady Quinn?

 

[calvegas04]

If Jimmy was a bigger college star I would say he would be on it

 

[Riddickulous]

If Jimmy was a bigger college star I would say he would be on it

He wasn't, and I guarantee you that he won't be on this list, especially after one year quarterbacking the league's worst team, with no offensive line, an overrated running game, and a mediocre receiving corps led by a selfish ***.

Quinn was the star quarterback of two BCS bowl teams and was a Heisman Trophy finalist in consecutive years. Clausen had a terrible freshman year, a decent sophomore year, and a marvelous junior year...but with no All-America accolades like Quinn.

 

[Riddickulous]

In Zorro's defense, he made the Pro Bowl in '93.

Yes, albeit a Pro Bowl alternate. His professional career lasted seven seasons.

He gathered more accolades in his four years at Notre Dame than he did in seven years in the NFL. He was a two-time Consensus All-American, and won both the 1989 UPI Lineman of the Year Award and the 1990 Lombardi Award.

I can also offer a future member of this prestigious list of NFL failures: Denard Robinson.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Up to 3 now...


#26 Angelo Bertelli

In 1943, Bertelli became the first of Notre Dame's seven Heisman Trophy winners, even though he played in only six of 10 games during his senior season.

Bertelli helped the Irish average 43.5 points in their first six games. Then he was called to active duty by the Marine Corps and was in boot camp while the Irish finished off their national championship season.

Bertelli fought on Iwo Jima and Guam and was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service in World War II. He played three seasons in the All-America Football Conference before a knee injury ended his pro career.

#24 John Huarte

Huarte might have been the most unlikely of Heisman Trophy winners.

He was injured for much of his sophomore season at Notre Dame in 1962 and didn't play enough in 1963 to even earn a school monogram. But as a senior in 1964, Huarte broke 12 school records en route to leading the Fighting Irish to a 9-1 record.

He was drafted by both the AFL's New York Jets and NFL's Philadelphia Eagles in 1965. Huarte chose the Jets and lost the starting job to fellow rookie Joe Namath. Huarte was a backup quarterback from 1966 to 1972.

 

[mgriff]

Up to 3 now...


#26 Angelo Bertelli



#24 John Huarte

#17 Tony Rice

Rice wasn't the best passer, but his swift feet and uncanny decision-making made him a perfect fit for Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz's option-based offense.
With Rice under center, the Fighting Irish had a 23-game winning streak and went 12-0 in 1988, winning the national championship. Along the way, the Irish also beat No. 1 Miami, No. 2 USC and No. 9 Michigan. Rice set Notre Dame records for rushing yards by a quarterback (884 in '89) and career (1,921).
He wasn't selected in the NFL draft and his career ended after playing in the Canadian Football League and World League.

#13 Rocket

One of the most electrifying players in Fighting Irish history, Ismail earned the moniker "The Rocket" because of his blinding speed.
After helping Notre Dame win the 1988 national championship and finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting in 1990, Ismail was a fourth-round selection of the Oakland Raiders in the 1991 NFL draft.
He bypassed the NFL and signed the richest contract in Canadian Football League history, before returning to play 10 seasons in the NFL. Although Ismail had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons in the NFL, "The Rocket" mostly fizzled in pro football.

#11 John Lattner

One of the most versatile players in Notre Dame history, the Irish lost only three games in three seasons with Lattner practically doing everything.
He scored 20 touchdowns and 120 points in his college career and won the Maxwell Trophy as college football's best player in 1952 and '53. He won the Heisman Trophy in '53, even though he didn't lead the Irish in rushing, passing, receiving or scoring.
A first-round selection of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1954 NFL draft, Lattner played only one season with them before entering the Air Force. He injured a knee in a military football game and never played pro football again.

We are well represented...

 

[polishjuice4]

I think they have it out for Notre Dame. A guy like Lattner should not be on there because of an injury. He never had a chance at the NFL. I heard he would of had a great career had it not be for that knee injury.

 

[IrishLax]

How is 500+ yards a season as a 4th round pick called "fizzling"? This list is bullshit. Most teams would love to get that out of a 4th rounder back in the days of The League not being super pass happy. And that's not even counting return game stuff.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Looks like the editors of this are treating OU with kid gloves. These guys all could have an argument:

Roy Williams- S Oklahoma (high draft pick)
Cedric Jones- DE Oklahoma (high draft pick)
Josh Heupel- QB Oklahoma
Teddy Lehman- LB Oklahoma
Rocky Clamus- LB Oklahoma

*I'm sure Boz will be top 5, but some of these guys could've been included, especially the ones who were drafted in the top 10.

 

[peredonov]

I hate, absolutely hate, sounding like this, however it seem that there is an anti-ND bias in this unofficial ESPN poll. However, considering the anti-ND bias of much of the country, they would likely get bombarded with complaints if they didn't have enough ND players on it.

Such is the power of propaganda in the media...

 

[Rocket89]

Not happy that Rocket is on here.

Not happy one bit.

 

[kmoose]

How is 500+ yards a season as a 4th round pick called "fizzling"? This list is bullshit. Most teams would love to get that out of a 4th rounder back in the days of The League not being super pass happy. And that's not even counting return game stuff.

I hate to see ANY ND player on this list, but to your point:

It's not about how well they played, in comparison to where they were drafted.

It's about how they lit up the world of College football, becoming household names, only to go on to have average, at best, NFL careers.

 

[BGIF]

I hate to see ANY ND player on this list, but to your point:

It's not about how well they played, in comparison to where they were drafted.

It's about how they lit up the world of College football, becoming household names, only to go on to have average, at best, NFL careers.

"Simply Saturday"

 

[military_irish]

Top 10 is out and no more ND guys.

top 3 are

#3 Ernie Davis
#2 Glenn Davis
#1 Archie Griffin

 

[woolybug25]

Top 10 is out and no more ND guys.

top 3 are

#3 Ernie Davis
#2 Glenn Davis
#1 Archie Griffin

Thats actually a pretty solid top 3. I probably would have put Ernie Davis #1. Damn shame what happened to him. He was one hell of a player.

 

[dshans]

I haven't followed the whole thing all that closely, but at least they had the good sense to leave Pat Tillman out of the mix.

At least I hope they did.

 

[military_irish]

Tillman was not on the list. He was a good pro before leaving for the service. But I can assure you if for some reason they thought he belonged on the list. I personally would have sent a letter and found a way to boycott ESPN. Granted it probably would not work, but I would try. Just my view

 

[WabashFalcon]

Insert spread option quarterback's name here.