Does Being an NFL Bust Take Away From College Greatness?

About three and a half years ago, I watched one of the best college football games I have ever seen. It was the Rose Bowl between USC and Texas for the National Championship.

The game featured great players such as Reggie Bush, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart. These guys were all taken among the top draft picks in the NFL Draft, and all were expected to be great.

Three years later, I think it is safe to say that none of these three have lived up to the hype. Leinart and Young are currently backups after previously being starters. Bush has done some good things but has really yet to establish an identity in the NFL.

To be fair, Leinart and Young will likely get another chance to compete for starting jobs at some point.

Bush's inconsistency is partly due to injury, and the Saints not using him correctly. Making him a featured back won't work. He wasn't that in college. He excels as a wild card. Needless to say, their careers are far from over.

However, there is a good chance that at least one of these guys ends up being a bust. My question is, does that change what they did in college? Is that game any less exciting now? I would say no.

Let's look at a few others. I thought the Colts were crazy for taking Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf. I am okay with admitting that because I know I wasn't alone.

Rick Mirer was an excellent quarterback for Notre Dame. His NFL career was mainly as a backup.

Desmond Howard was Mr. Everything for Michigan when winning the Heisman. Although he was a Super Bowl MVP, it is safe to say his career fell short of what was expected.

Raghib Ismail was fast as lightning at Notre Dame. His NFL career was, well, okay I guess.

Brian Griese led Michigan to their only national title in about 50 years. Injuries have really affected his ability to establish himself as a starter in the NFL. As a consolation, I think it is safe to say he is one of the best backups in the league.

Does anybody remember Ron Dayne?

Looking at this list, it proves that you never do really know what players will do at the next level.

I am sure somebody can write an article about players who weren't great in college but turned out great in the NFL. The name Tom Brady comes to mind.

Nonetheless, does the fact that these guys failed in the NFL change how we look at their college accomplishments? Can anybody deny that these guys were great college players?