Is the Heisman Trophy final four in 1997 the greatest ever assembled?

The greatest accolade
Hall of Famers
Greatest class
The finalists
Why?
First rounders
Charles Woodson
Decorated
One of two
Randy Moss
Offensive juggernaut
'Mossed'
Ryan Leaf
Legal issues
Peyton Manning
Unbelievable arm
NFL records
The greatest accolade

The Heisman Trophy is the premier individual award in college football, with four of the best college players in the country all looking to take the accolade each year.

Hall of Famers

In 1997, the Heisman Trophy finalists featured three of the greatest players to play in the NFL and future Hall of Famers.

Greatest class

Now, 27 years later, college football still hasn't found a class of finalists that rival these four players, and when you hear the names, you won't be shocked.

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The finalists

The four finalists were Tennessee's quarterback Peyton Manning, Michigan's do-it-all Charles Woodson, Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss, and Washington State QB Ryan Leaf.

 

Why?

Here's why the 1997 Heisman Trophy class is the greatest group of finalists that college football has seen!

First rounders

All four players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, with Manning and Leaf picked one and two, Woodson picked fourth, and Moss selected 21st overall.

Charles Woodson

The winner of the 1997 Heisman Trophy, Charles Woodson, played 18 seasons in the NFL, spending 14 seasons as a cornerback and four seasons as a safety.

Decorated

Woodson has an NFL record for most defensive touchdowns (13) and won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010. He is an NFL Defensive Player of the Year, two-time interceptions leader, and had four first-team All-Pro selections.

One of two

He is one of only two players (with Hall of Famer Marcus Allen) to win a Heisman Trophy, AP Rookie of the Year Award, AP Player of the Year Award, and a Super Bowl title in his career.

Randy Moss

After being selected 21st in the 1998 draft, Randy Moss would become one of the greatest wide receivers ever, holding the NFL record for single-season touchdown receptions (23) in 2007. All time, he ranks second in career touchdown receptions (156), leading the NFL five times.

Offensive juggernaut

The five-time touchdown receiving leader was named in six Pro Bowls and four first-team All-Pro selections. He was also named the NFL 100thanniversary All-Time team.

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'Mossed'

Throughout his Hall of Fame career, Moss was known for making spectacular catches under intense coverage from a defender by overpowering them. The term 'Mossed' is now used to describe that play.

Ryan Leaf

Unlike the other players on this list, Ryan Leaf had a professional career to forget in the NFL, playing four seasons, having been known to have a bad work ethic, laziness, poor play, and injuries.

Legal issues

Since finishing his NFL career in 2002, Leaf has served prison time, having been charged with drugs, burglary, and domestic violence. Since his release, Leaf has hosted a radio show and covers college football on television.

Peyton Manning

After being selected as the first overall pick in 1998, Peyton Manning cemented himself as one of the GOATs of football, winning two Super Bowls, one Super Bowl MVP, and five NFL Most Valuable Player awards.

Unbelievable arm

The former quarterback has one of the greatest throwing arms in history, leading the league in passing yards three times and passing touchdown leader on four occasions.

NFL records

The former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos player has just about everything there is to win in the professional game and holds NFL records for most passing touchdowns in a season (55), most passing yards in a season (5,477), and most touchdown passes in a game (7).

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