Worst college player that made a huge impact in the NFL

[GrantDawg]

Noting the inverse on the other thread, I thought this one may be more interesting (there are many guys who don't translate up, but to play better at a higher level than you did in the lower level is rare). Who's your best NFL player that did nothing in college?

Terrell Davis come to my mind, but that was more that Ray Goof didn't know what to do with talent than anything else. He actually had him lining up at WR in his early career.

[clintl]

How about some of those undrafted QBs who have become All-Pros, like Kurt Warner and Jeff Garcia?

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by clintl
How about some of those undrafted QBs who have become All-Pros, like Kurt Warner and Jeff Garcia?

Ok, but didn't they have good college careers? Then that's not what we're looking for. I want guys that never started in college, yet became solid to great pro's.

[Fritz]

Brad Johnson

[dacman]

Eric Swann -- didn't even play college ball.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by dacman
Eric Swann -- didn't even play college ball.

doh, I was just about to post that

[GrantDawg]

Swann may be the best.

[Ben E Lou]

Originally posted by GrantDawg
Swann may be the best. Hello!!!! Otis Sistrunk!!!

[MrBug708]

Drew Bennett is going to start for the Titans this year. He made like 3 career starts at QB then played sparing at WR. He was a non roster invitee to camp and now is going to play WR for Tennessee this year

Dan Fouts sucked in college I think

[Swaggs]

Jerry Porter was an "athlete" that ended up playing safety for WVU and looks to be one of the more promising WRs in the NFL this upcoming season.

[TroyF]

Priest Holmes was a good back in college, but never made an all-conference team. When you consider he's now the best all around back in the NFL, he's certainly above expectations.

Tom Rathman didn't do anything outside of block at Nebraska (like all of their fullbacks) and ended up with over 4500 combined yards in the pros.

TroyF

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by TroyF
Priest Holmes was a good back in college, but never made an all-conference team. When you consider he's now the best all around back in the NFL, he's certainly above expectations.


How many good years has Priest Holmes really had so far?

I'd hesitate to call him the best all-around back in the league. He may not be the best in his division (see: Tomlinson, LaDainian).

I think Marshall Faulk is still the best all-around back in the league (here's a thread subject - best NFL player that played for a college that no longer has a football team).

[Critch]

Renaldo Nehemiah?

[TroyF]

Franklin,

LT's been in the league two years. Here is the stats vs. Holmes those two years:

2001

LT - 339 carries, 1236 yards, 3.6 average, 59 catches, 367 yards, 10 total TD's, 1603 total yards
PH - 327 carries, 1555 yards, 4.8 average, 62 catches, 614 yards, 10 total TD's, 2169 total yards

2002

LT - 372 carries, 1683 yards, 4.8 average, 79 catches, 489 yards, 15 TD, 2172 total yards
PH - 313 carries, 1615 yards, 5.2 average, 70 catches 692 yards, 24TD, 2307 total yards.

LT had 68 yards rushing on 59 more carries last year. Had Priest played the final two games, he'd again have bested LT by at least 400 total yards. He'd probably have did it by 500 again.

I love LT. He's an amazing back. He's going to continue to put up amazing numbers. Priest has simply been better.

TroyF

[Franklinnoble]

Oh, sure, just because you have raw empirical data to back up your argument, you expect me to admit you're right? ;)

[Samdari]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Oh, sure, just because you have raw empirical data to back up your argument, you expect me to admit you're right? ;)
Huh? When have the facts gotten in the way of opinion around here? Stick to your guns.

[TroyF]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Oh, sure, just because you have raw empirical data to back up your argument, you expect me to admit you're right? ;)

Well, if I were in your shoes, I'd point out that:

1) the Chiefs have a much better offensive line than the Chargers do.

2) The Chiefs have a more creative coach, which forces the safties back and gives a major edge in yards per catch.

Of course, you could just give up too. That'd make it easier for me to come away with a clean win. :) :)

TroyF

[Franklinnoble]

Yeah, I surrender. If I don't stop now, I'll start arguing about how I think Steve Spurrier is gonna revive Trung Canidate and make him an all-pro...

[Franklinnoble]

Dola...

Gus Frerotte wasn't much in college, and had a few decent years as a pro... nothing spectacular, but he came outta nowhere...

[kurtism]

A bit of Colts homerism, but Marcus Pollard never played a snap at Bradley University, and has made a nice career for himself in Indy...

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by kurtism
A bit of Colts homerism, but Marcus Pollard never played a snap at Bradley University, and has made a nice career for himself in Indy...

Any relation to Scott Pollard, the Pacers newly acquired foward/center? ;)

[Dutch]

Did the Nigerian Nightmare ever play college football? What the hell was that guys real name? The KC Chiefs....

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by Dutch
Did the Nigerian Nightmare ever play college football? What the hell was that guys real name? The KC Chiefs....

His Nigerian name was Career Killed by Atwater.

[Draft Dodger]

Okoye

[alterra]

Tom Brady

[Philliesfan980]

Christian Okoye?

[tucker342]

I thought Tom Brady had a pretty good college career, i'm probably wrong though.... didn't he win the Rose Bowl???

[YoSoySean]

I know his NFL career has been short thusfar, but how about A.J. Feeley?

Feeley was back-up to Akili Smith his first couple of seasons, started 8 games as a junior before getting hurt and was replaced by Joey Harrington... then he never started again.

Feeley now has a 4-1 record starting in the NFL. It's a shame that no one tried to pick him up from the Eagles to give him an opportunity to play.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by YoSoySean
I know his NFL career has been short thusfar, but how about A.J. Feeley?

Feeley was back-up to Akili Smith his first couple of seasons, started 8 games as a junior before getting hurt and was replaced by Joey Harrington... then he never started again.

Feeley now has a 4-1 record starting in the NFL. It's a shame that no one tried to pick him up from the Eagles to give him an opportunity to play.

Jets did, but wasn't going to part with a 2nd rounder for him (can't blame them. They offered a 4, which was plenty)

[Darkiller]

My College Football knowledge is not as deep as yours obviously.
Then I'd go with Terrell Davis from the little I know.

[General Mike]

He hasn't done anything yet in the NFL, but Rashod Kent, from Rutgers, made the Texans roster as backup TE, after having not played a down of football since his freshman year of high school.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally posted by General Mike
He hasn't done anything yet in the NFL, but Rashod Kent, from Rutgers, made the Texans roster as backup TE, after having not played a down of football since his freshman year of high school.

How'd he manage to get signed with the Texans? Did he play another sport at Rutgers, or are the Texans just that desperate at TE?

[dawgfan]

Harald Hasselbach was never a starter for Washington but he went on to have a pretty decent career with the Broncos.

Dave Krieg came from a tiny school (Milton I believe) that either no longer exists or dropped football some time ago. He put up decent numbers in college, nothing spectacular though and he was playing at NAIA level. He was signed by the Seahawks as a favor to his college coach, and went on to have a very good career.

[Sloan]

Originally posted by tucker342
I thought Tom Brady had a pretty good college career, i'm probably wrong though.... didn't he win the Rose Bowl???


But in his junior season he earned All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention, as well as Academic All-Big Ten Pick. In his first year as the full-time starter he completed 214 of 350 passes (61.1%) for 2,636 yards and 15 touchdowns. Only Jim Harbaugh threw for more yards in a season for the Wolverines. Brady also set a school record for most attempts (350) and completions (214) in a season.

In 1999 he earned All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection honors and completed 214-of-341 passes (62.8%) for 2,586 yards, 20 touchdowns, an only six interceptions. Only Elvis Grbac (21 in '90, 25 in '91) had more touchdowns in a season for the Wolverines. His 2,586 yards rank third on the school's season-record list. Brady closed out his college career completing 34-of-46 throws for 369-yards, with touchdowns of 27,57, and 20 yards including a game-winning 25-yard scoring strike in overtime as the Wolverines rallied for a 35-24 decision over Alabama in the Orange bowl.

[timmynausea]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
How'd he manage to get signed with the Texans? Did he play another sport at Rutgers, or are the Texans just that desperate at TE?

He played basketball at Rutgers. He's originally a WV kid. Coach Nehlen and Cattlett at WVU tried to tell him his future was in football, but he wanted to play basketball so he went to Rutgers.

[Leonidas]

Bob Hayes. Didn't play college ball. The Cowboys drafted him straight out of the Olympics and now he's a HOF finalist. I recall reading about how he played in HS as a RB and had a career rush average of like 10 yds per carry. He also ran a 9.1 or 9.2 hundred in HS.

[cthomer5000]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
How'd he manage to get signed with the Texans? Did he play another sport at Rutgers, or are the Texans just that desperate at TE?

This is actually Rashod's second go-round with Houston. He was cut in the final wave of cuts last year, spent some of the seaon on the practice squad, and I believe was signed and allocated to NFL Europe in the spring. He looked excellent this preseason, and might have made the squad anyway had Bennie Jopru not been placed on the I.R.

I hope Ray Lucas can get back into the league, there aren't all that many Rutgers players kicking around.

[Ryche]

Joe Montana really wasn't that great a player for Notre Dame. He threw more interceptions than touchdowns every season of his career there.

[sabotai]

In 77 Montana threw 11 Tds and 8 INTs. In 78 he threw 10 TDs and 9 INTS. He also won the Cotton Bowl in both those years. (Even though he played pretty shitty in both those games...he still won. :) )

[Ryche]

Hmm, the stats I found must have been wrong then....misinformation on the internet, what a shock. His teams were very successful, that much is true. His numbers didn't reflect a future top 5 QB of all time though.

I also heard during one of the preseason games, not sure which, that Phil Simms had some awful looking stats while playing at Morehead St. Can't find those stats anywhere though.

[timmynausea]

Originally posted by cthomer5000
I hope Ray Lucas can get back into the league, there aren't all that many Rutgers players kicking around.

Whatever happened to those two quick running backs Rutgers had around 94 or 95? I think maybe Terrell Willis? Something like that. No idea what the other guy's name was. Did he/they ever even get a shot anywhere in the pros?

[Tigercat]

Two pro bowlers for ya(both from the Saints):

Michael Lewis, PR and KR, never played college ball, I dont think he even played HS ball. Drove a beer truck till his mid 20s when he decided to try out for arena league teams, eventually got a spot with the Saints. Was able to work his way up like that only because of his great speed.

Joe Horn, went to a JC, never attended a major college. Teams didnt want to risk going after him because he, unlike Lewis, had no track speed(said he ran a 4.7 or something like that for scouts). Chiefs picked him up and had him as a depth WR untill the Saints signed him.

[sterlingice]

Originally posted by TroyF
2) The Chiefs have a more creative coach, which forces the safties back and gives a major edge in yards per catch.

Isn't that why the Chiefs got rid of Marty in the first place? (well, there's a myriad of reasons, I suppose- but an uncreative offense is on the list)


Originally posted by TroyF
Priest Holmes was a good back in college, but never made an all-conference team. When you consider he's now the best all around back in the NFL, he's certainly above expectations.

I'm probably mistaken, but didn't he end up behind Ricky Williams on the depth chart before his days at Texas were done?

SI

[timmynausea]

Originally posted by sterlingice
I'm probably mistaken, but didn't he end up behind Ricky Williams on the depth chart before his days at Texas were done?

SI
You're right. Priest Holmes tore his ACL and missed most or all of his junior year. When he came back for his senior year Ricky Williams was starting at fullback in front of him. By the end of the year, of course, Ricky Williams was the starting tailback and had more than twice as many yards as Holmes. (About 1200 to 600 or so.) I just an article about it not long ago.

[Samdari]

Originally posted by Franklinnoble
Yeah, I surrender. If I don't stop now, I'll start arguing about how I think Steve Spurrier is gonna revive Trung Canidate and make him an all-pro...

Its funny, the Redskins front office recently forced Spurrier to cut their best running back just so they would not be embarassed at having traded a pick for a guy who was going to back up. Very pathetic.

[TroyF]

Originally posted by Samdari
Its funny, the Redskins front office recently forced Spurrier to cut their best running back just so they would not be embarassed at having traded a pick for a guy who was going to back up. Very pathetic.

Yeah, it is. I doubt Spurrier gets through th season. It's a shame because I'd really like to see Spurrier get to run his offense with some real players. His RB is horrible and he's going with a very young QB. Snyder will never give him the time to fully develop Ramsey.

TroyF

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by TroyF
Yeah, it is. I doubt Spurrier gets through th season. It's a shame because I'd really like to see Spurrier get to run his offense with some real players. His RB is horrible and he's going with a very young QB. Snyder will never give him the time to fully develop Ramsey.

TroyF

I'm with you, Troy. I wonder if he won't get another chance, though. He was not happy with what was going on in the college ramks, and he probably enjoys not having to recruit. There are teams that would still jump on him if he were free (not with the money he was making at Washington, but more than the 2-3 mill he would make working twice as hard in college).

[cuervo72]

Hmm....Pete Gogolak had a pretty big impact on the NFL.

edit: though I guess he wasn't too bad in college...or too great in the NFL. But he had an impact.

[Ksyrup]

Originally posted by TroyF
Yeah, it is. I doubt Spurrier gets through th season. It's a shame because I'd really like to see Spurrier get to run his offense with some real players. His RB is horrible and he's going with a very young QB. Snyder will never give him the time to fully develop Ramsey.

TroyF

You really think Snyder would eat $15 Million or however much it is that is left on his contract, and only give him 2 years to try to win with a rookie QB? I think he gets through next year, at a minimum.

[GrantDawg]

Originally posted by Ksyrup
You really think Snyder would eat $15 Million or however much it is that is left on his contract, and only give him 2 years to try to win with a rookie QB? I think he gets through next year, at a minimum.

Probably not, but never say never with this idiot.

[cuervo72]

How much did Snyder eat on Deion's contract?

[General Mike]

Originally posted by timmynausea
Whatever happened to those two quick running backs Rutgers had around 94 or 95? I think maybe Terrell Willis? Something like that. No idea what the other guy's name was. Did he/they ever even get a shot anywhere in the pros?

According to the program I bought at the Rutgers game the other day, Terrell Willis was signed as an undrafted Free Agent by the Jets, and Bruce Presley, was signed by the Colts. I'm not sure what they did after that, but profootballreference.com should show us more info.

[General Mike]

Dola -

ProFootballReference.com has nothing on either guy.

Edit:

Found this: http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/128791

Doesn't tell me anything tho


Marco Battaglia's still in the league with the Dolphins. But he's a guy who just never could breakthrough. Part of that can probably be blamed on the Bengals tho.