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

Ranking NFL careers of Heisman winners: 8. Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn

Bo Jackson was one of the most dynamic athletes of the century. Jackson had the skill to be the best running back ever. That’s not happenstance. Jackson had the perfect combination of skill and size to dominate the position. He could outrun anyone on the field, and if he needed to, he could just run through people.

Jackson was dynamic in college, but he suffered a few injuries that took him out of the national discussion. He missed most of his junior year, but when he did play he was dominant. His senior year was amazing. Jackson ran for 1,786 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Heisman voting came down to him and Iowa quarterback Chuck Long. It was one of the closest votes of all time. Jackson won by 45 points.

Jackson’s NFL career started with drama when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers caused him to lose his NCAA baseball eligibility, but they still took him with the number-one overall pick. He refused to play there and instead went to play baseball. Eventually, the Raiders took him in the next draft and let him play both baseball and football. He was incredible in his short time in the league, and he eventually supplanted Marcus Allen at the position.

Jackson would have been one of the greats if it wasn’t for a hip injury that ended his career. It was his fourth season, but it appeared playing two sports was finally catching up to him. The hip popped out of place, and eventually he lost all the cartilage in his hip. It basically took the best two sport athlete of all time (sorry Deion) and made him inept at both. It’s a sad end, but his peak was so great he has to be placed in the top ten.