Heisman winners in the NFL draft (Updated)

(Updated 1-22-24)

The NFL loves the Heisman. The evidence for that claim is supported by the history of the league’s annual draft.

The first player ever drafted by the NFL was also the very first Heisman winner, Jay Berwanger of the University of Chicago. Berwanger was selected first overall by the Philadelphia Eagles and then traded to the Chicago Bears, but it didn’t matter — Berwanger decided to skip the NFL and pursue other interests.

His indifference didn’t stop the NFL from coveting future Heisman winners.

Of the 86 Heisman winners eligible for drafting, 60 have been selected in the first round. Twenty-four of them were taken with the first overall pick and 41 within the first five selections. Just four Heisman winners ended up not being drafted (two of them had military obligations, one went to the NBA and one had multiple knee injuries that affected his draft stock).

The 2018 NFL draft featured two Heisman winners for the 11th time overall and fourth time since 2010. Baker Mayfield became the 21st Heisman winner to be the first overall player selected. In 2019, Kyler Murray of Oklahoma matched his former Oklahoma teammate and become the the 22nd Heisman winner to be selected first overall. And, for the first time since 1986-87 (and fifth time overall), a Heisman winner went first overall in back-to-back drafts (it was the first time it happened from the same school).

When Joe Burrow was selected first in the 2020 NFL draft, it marked the first time Heisman winners went first overall in three straight years.

Alabama 2021 Heisman winner Bryce Young became the fourth Heisman winner to go first overall among the last five winners drafted when the Carolina Panthers selected him first in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Here’s a historical breakdown of Heisman winners and the professional draft (NFL/AFL/USFL):

(table is scrollable)

* Horvath was drafted in 1943 after his college eligibility had been completed in 1942 and before he was allowed an extra year in 1944.
** Jackson did not sign with Tampa Bay in 1986 and went back into the draft in 1987, where he was taken in the seventh round by the L.A. Raiders with the 183rd pick overall.