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College football: Ranking the NFL careers of Heisman Trophy winners 1975-2005

By Nick Villano

Sep 1, 2018; South Bend, IN, USA; Tim Brown the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner poses with the Heisman Trophy at the Heisman House located outside Notre Dame Stadium before the Michigan Wolverines play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; South Bend, IN, USA; Tim Brown the 1987 Heisman Trophy winner poses with the Heisman Trophy at the Heisman House located outside Notre Dame Stadium before the Michigan Wolverines play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Earl Campbell
Earl Campbell (Photo by John Betancourt/Getty Images) /

Ranking NFL careers of Heisman winners: 14. Earl Campbell, RB, Texas

Wait, didn’t Earl Campbell go to the Southern Methodist Universit, and how is the current holder of the NFL rushing record 14th on this list? Nope, this isn’t THAT Earl Campbell. This is the one better known as “The Tyler Rose”. Earl Campbell from SMU was only a Heisman finalist.

Campbell played for the University of Texas from 1974 to 1977. He was great in his senior season, rushing for 1,744 and 18 touchdowns. He was the first Longhorns player to win the Heisman Trophy.

Campbell became the first-overall pick to the Houston Oilers (okay, this is purposely confusing now). He had a fine NFL career. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards five times. He led the league in rushing in 1980 with 1,934 yards. He was so very close to the 2,000-yard club that the more famous Campbell made popular.

Campbell was eventually traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he joined fellow Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers. It was the first time in NFL history that two Heisman winners would play in the same backfield.

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