Top Four Biggest Wastes Of Talent in Football History

We see it so often in sports.  An athlete coming out of college has all the potential in the world, only to throw it all away.  It might stem from drugs, women, alcohol, or just plain sucking.

Somehow, these guys' games just didn't make it in the professional ranks, and it's quite a shame.  Let's see who made the list for the biggest wastes of talent.

4. Archie Griffin, Ohio State Buckeyes

College: A two-time Heisman Trophy winner and Maxwell Award winner.  Two-time Big Ten MVP.  Number retired by Ohio State.  Rushed for 1,428 yards and had a 8.9 yards-per-carry average as a freshman.  Rushed for 5,589 yards and 26 touchdowns over his career.  Led the Big Ten in rushing three straight years.  Only player ever to start four Rose Bowls.  Rushed for over 100 yards in 34 games, including an NCAA-record 31 straight.  Woody Hayes said, "He's a better young man than he is a football player, and he's the best football player I've ever seen."

Pro: Never played in a Pro Bowl.  Rushed for only 2,808 yards and seven TDs over seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals.

3. Heath Shuler, Tennessee Volunteers

College: In 1993, second place in Heisman Trophy voting.  Threw 36 touchdown passes over his career. Considered by many to be the best UT quarterback of all time, and yes that includes Peyton Manning.

Pro: Never selected to a Pro Bowl.  Benched in second and third years in Washington before moving to the Saints.  In four NFL seasons, only passed for 3,691 yards while passing for 15 TDs and 31 INTs.

2. Akili Smith, Oregon Ducks

College: Threw for 32 TD passes in only 11 starts at Oregon.  Threw for 3,763 yards and only eight INTs his senior year.  Tossed 36 TDs as a senior, an Oregon record.  Oregon's 1998 MVP.  First-team All-Pac 10.

Pro: Played in two NFL games and was cut the following season.

1. Ryan Leaf, Washington State Cougars

College: Averaged 330.6 yards per game over 32 appearances.  Threw Pac-10 record 33 TD passes his junior year.  Led Washington State to first Rose Bowl in school history.  Finished third in Heisman voting his senior year.  Pac-10 POY, First-team All-American.  Skipped senior year to turn pro.

Pro: Threw two TDs compared to 13 INTs in nine games, then benched.  Finished the season with a QB rating of 39.  Leaf just struggled from there with numerous off-the-field incidents and strained relationships with his teammates.