While many players are able to turn their college football success into pro football success, many others struggle when they get to the next level after having great college careers. The College Football Hall of Fame takes into account what a player did in the amateur ranks, leaving the Pro Football Hall of Fame to handle the professional side.
Fans of the Cleveland Browns are used to a lot of great college players coming to their team only to fall on their face in the NFL. Whether due to talent, motivation or the ever-changing landscape of the Browns organization over the years, college success rarely led to professional success in Cleveland.
The College Football Hall of Fame just announced the names on the ballot for the 2023 class. Included on the ballot are two former Browns quarterbacks, Tim Couch and Ken Dorsey. Their college careers were summed up:
Tim Couch, Kentucky-Quarterback-1998 consensus First Team All-American who finished fourth in Heisman voting in 1998 and ninth in 1997…1998 SEC Player of the Year who led Cats to first win over Alabama in 75 years…Set seven NCAA, 14 SEC and 26 school records.
Ken Dorsey, Miami (FL)-Quarterback-2002 First Team All-American who led the Canes to back-to-back BCS Championship games, winning the national title his junior season…Two-time Big East Co-Offensive Player of the Year and 2001 Maxwell Player of the Year…Left Miami as the school record holder in career total offense and passing yards.
Couch was Cleveland’s first draft pick upon their return to the league. He played five seasons for the team completing just under 60% of his passes for 11,131 yards, 64 touchdowns and 67 interceptions.
Couch currently works in broadcasting sporting events.
Dorsey was acquired in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. He played six games for the team over three seasons with 91 pass attempts, seven interceptions and zero touchdowns.
Dorsey was promoted this offseason by the Buffalo Bills to replace Brian Daboll as the team’s offensive coordinator.
Voting by the over 12,000 “NFF members and current Hall of Famers” runs through June 30th with enshrinement to take place in December of 2023.