Perhaps the greatest kicker in Florida State history got bad news on Saturday and it was that he was no longer employed. Former FSU placekicker Roberto Aguayo was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team traded up to get him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
As a rookie in 2016, Aguayo was 22-for-31 on field goal attempts, which ranked last in the NFL by percentage for qualified kickers. A former Consensus All-American and the winner of the 2013 Lou Groza Award, Aguayo has plenty of time to resurrect his NFL career, but if he’s unable to do so, he wouldn’t be the first FSU legend to fail in the National Football League.
Below are 10 of the greatest players in FSU football history, who were simply unproductive at the NFL for various reasons — some for no fault of their own. It should be noted that landing on this list takes nothing away from anything any of these players accomplished in Tallahassee:
Clifton Abraham, CB
The best cornerback on Florida State’s 1993 national championship team and a 1994 Consensus All-American, Clifton Abraham recorded just three tackles in nine career games in the NFL with three different teams and never made a start.
Greg Allen, RB
Running back Greg Allen was a Consensus All-American in 1983 and left FSU as the school’s all-time leading rusher. Allen was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 1985 NFL Draft, but carried the ball just nine times total over two seasons for the Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Paul McGowan, LB
The 1987 winner of the Dick Butkus Award, Paul McGowan was in camp with both the Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings, but never made an NFL roster. McGowan did record 17 sacks in seven Arena Football League seasons.
Jamal Reynolds, DE
A 1999 national champion and a Consensus All-American in 2000, Jamal Reynolds recorded just three sacks in three NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers and never made a start.
Andre Wadsworth, DE
The No. 3 overall pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 1998 NFL Draft, Andre Wadsworth went from one of the greatest stories in FSU history to one of the NFL’s biggest draft busts. Wadsworth wasn’t completely unproductive, but managed just eight sacks in three seasons with the Cardinals.
Charlie Ward, QB
The 1993 Heisman Trophy winner, Charlie Ward’s reason for not succeeding in the NFL was the fact that he never played in the NFL. Ward instead chose to pursue basketball and wound up spending 11 seasons in the NBA.
Casey Weldon, QB
The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1991, quarterback Casey Weldon threw just one touchdown pass in the NFL and never made a start. He spent five seasons in the league as a backup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins.
Chris Weinke, QB
The second Heisman Trophy winner and third straight quarterback to make the list, Chris Weinke entered the NFL as a 28-year-old rookie in 2001. Weinke played five seasons and made 20 starts, but went just 2-18 in those starts and threw 26 interceptions, compared to 15 touchdowns.
Bjoern Werner, DE
A Consensus All-American in 2012, Bojoern Werner was selected in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, but recorded just 6.5 sacks in three seasons before retiring.
Jason Whitaker, T
A Consensus All-American for Florida State’s 1999 national championship team, Jason Whitaker went undrafted in 2000 and soon gave up his pro football dream to pursue a career in coaching.
Verdict Still Out On: Roberto Aguayo, Tre’ Jackson, Nick O’Leary
These three listed were all Consensus All-Americans, who have struggled to make an impact in the NFL. Aguayo’s struggles were listed above, but Tre’ Jackson was cut this offseason by the Los Angeles Rams after failing a physical. Jackson started nine games for the New England Patriots in 2015, but did not play at all last season. Nick O’Leary is a former John Mackey Award winner, but has caught just 10 passes in 20 NFL games for the Buffalo Bills.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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