Tennessee football’s five QBs with greatest NFL careers

Teams played for:

• Washington Redskins: 1994-1996
• New Orleans Saints: 1997-1998
• Oakland Raiders: 1999* (Cut in training camp)

Obviously, this one is a bit infamous. Heath Shuler is known as an NFL bust. Heath Shuler was a two-year starter for Tennessee football and a Heisman Trophy runner-up. He was the third pick in the 1994 NFL Draft after deciding to leave early for the pros, and there were high hopes for him as a dual-threat quarterback with the Washington Redskins.

Things got off to a rocky start for Shuler, as he held out of training camp for a long-term deal. It only looked worse with the way he started the year. He had a horrendous time, completing 45.3 percent of his passes for 1,658 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions en route to a 1-7 record, losing his starting job to Gus Frerotte. On the ground, Shulder had over 100 yards rushing.

Things got better in 1995, as he went 3-2 and completed over 50 percent of his passes for 745 yards, but he had three touchdowns and seven interceptions. Also, the damage from his first year with lack of production plus the holdout was done.

In 1996, Shuler played one game. He got another chance when he signed with the New Orleans Saints in 1997 and started nine games, and he completed over 52 percent of his passes for 1,288 yards. However, his touchdown-to-interception ratio got worse, as he had two touchdowns and 14 interceptions on the year.

That was the last year Shuler started a pro game, as he went 8-14 for his career with 15 touchdowns and 33 interceptions. His second professional career as a three-term congressman was more productive, but even as a bust, he’s the third best pro quarterback from UT.