2011 Heisman Hopefuls That Will Succeed in the NFL

The Heisman Trophy winner is the most outstanding player in college football, yet only the most outstanding of the Heisman winners can succeed in the NFL as Heisman winners have truly struggled to make the transition into the NFL in recent years. 

However, 2011 seems to be a different story for Heisman winners like Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, and Sam Bradford.  All three have looked good so far in their young careers but that is a distinct change in the trend.  Since 2000, there have been six Heisman busts (Tim Tebow, Troy Smith, Matt Leinhart, Jason White, Eric Crouch, and Chris Weinke), but with the recent string of successes, it may be fair to think that this year's winner could succeed on the next level. 

Let's look at some Heisman hopefuls this year that could not only win the bronze, stiff-arming award, but succeed soon after in the NFL.

Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck is the obvious first choice for Heisman candidates that could succeed in the NFL. He has already been appointed as the first choice of the 2012 draft, as he would have been a consensus first pick of the 2011 draft.

He has drawn, somewhat unwarranted, comparisons to John Elway and shows all of the physical tools, as well as the demeanor, that any coach would love to have on his team. In addition to all of the praise he receives for his fundamentals, he has put up some amazing stats. During a complete season last year, Luck passed for over 3300 yards, had a four to one touchdown to interception ratio, completed 70 percent of he passes, and also rushed for 450 yards and two touchdowns. 

Thus far this season he has thrown eight touchdowns and only one interception while keeping his completion percentage and quarterback rating at about the same level. Luck should absolutely be expected to succeed on the next level (his amateur stats are actually quite similar to Peyton Manning's to this point in his career), but college stats and success are not always accurate indicators of future success in the NFL.

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson offers a unique package as not only a Heisman hopeful, but an NFL draft prospect.  Richardson has been on the national scene since his freshman year but has never truly exploded because of Heisman winner Mark Ingram's presence on the team. 

This means that he will easily break all of his personal records despite having a track record of success in the SEC. It also means that he will still have fresh legs for his career in the NFL. Coming into this season, Richardson only had 257 carries. 

Just as a point of comparison, Arian Foster had 327 carries last year as he lead the NFL in rushing.  At 5'11" and 224 pounds, Richardson is an almighty bowling ball with breakaway speed (fast enough to break a 71-yard run).  His prospects also look better because in his limited work Ingram has looked good for the Saints.

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III is almost certainly the most dynamic, explosive, and exciting player in the country.  The fact that he plays at Baylor hurts his chances at winning the Heisman, but it won't hurt his chances of succeeding in the NFL. If anything, playing on a team that is chronically less talented may actually make him a more enticing pick for an NFL team at the top of the draft. 

However, the lack of talent at Baylor has not stopped him from throwing up ridiculous stats this year.  So far he is completing 85 percent of his passes for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also has the ability to scramble and make plays with his legs, and even has a 15-yard pass reception for a key third down conversion en route to beating TCU. 

Griffin has all of the physical talent that he will ever need on this level or the next, and his 54:11 touchdown to interception ratio for his career shows that he understands the offense, which is run by Art Briles (Kevin Kolb's coach at the University of Houston). 

If Baylor can keep on winning, Griffin will have a good chance at the Heisman. But, regardless, he will have a good shot of succeeding in the NFL no matter how the Bears' season plays out.

Case Keenum

Case Keenum is clearly the dark horse in this list, but that is only because he plays at Houston.  Keenum has had a fantastic career at UH, and has thrown up some massive stats. He is well on his way to doing the same thing this year after recovering from a season-ending injury last year. 

In four games, Keenum has thrown for over 1,500 yards at a 12:2 touchdown to interception ratio. For Keenum to have a chance at the Heisman, the Cougars will have to go undefeated and look dominant while doing it. While his career numbers won't help him win the Heisman, it is important to look at when people try to project where his pro career will be. 

His career totals are extremely impressive as Keenum has thrown for over 15,000 yards with a 119:43 touchdown to interception ratio.  However, the most impressive thing about Keenum is what happened when he wasn't there last year. 

The Cougars went from being one of the most explosive offenses in the nation to struggling to score points.  This shows that Keenum is not just a system quarterback.  His predecessor, Kevin Kolb, had to fight the same knocks about being a system quarterback but is currently starting for the Cardinals and tossing touchdowns to Larry Fitzgerald.