Winners of the Heisman Trophy aren't guaranteed successful NFL careers. They aren't even guaranteed to be high draft picks, although that's become more common in recent years.
Just this week, the Carolina Panthers released quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the Heisman in 2017. Mayfield is now with his third team (the Los Angeles Rams) in six months.
A quartet of quarterbacks—Georgia's Stetson Bennett, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, TCU's Max Duggan and USC's Caleb Williams—are the finalists for this year's Heisman. Two of them could be No. 1 overall picks in the near future, while the other two might be late-round options at best.
We've also included Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and running back Blake Corum here since both could have been Heisman finalists if not for their respective late-season injuries.
Traits are more important than outcome when it comes to evaluations. How a player's skill set projects to translate to the NFL determines his draft status, since hardware doesn't travel from one level to the next.
No matter who wins the Heisman on Saturday, this group of incoming NFL talent features everything from a franchise centerpiece to a late-round flyer on a successful collegian.
6. QB Stetson Bennett, Georgia
Should the Heisman be given to the nation's best overall player regardless of his team's record, or should it be handed to the best player on the best team?
As of late, it has largely gone to the former, though those winners tended to be on great teams and primarily played quarterback. However, the latter once gave us the likes of Chris Weinke and Jason White instead of LaDainian Tomlinson or Larry Fitzgerald.
Stetson Bennett is the quarterback of the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs, this year's No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. He's been a steadying presence behind center, but he's nowhere near the best player on his own team, let alone all of college football.
From an NFL perspective, Bennett is a marginal talent at best. He's a 5'11", 190-pound former walk-on who doesn't have the natural athleticism, arm talent or elite efficiency to offset his lack of size in the pros.
Bennett will be able to walk with his head held high in the state of Georgia for the rest of his days. His ability to do anything more upon reaching the NFL is severely limited, though.
The Burlsworth Trophy winner maximized his time on campus and should be very proud of what he accomplished, regardless of what's next for him.