J.J. Johnson - RB, Miami Dolphins, 1999
The NFL has always loved taking SEC running backs high in the draft. That was the case with J.J. Johnson in 1999 when he was the No. 39 overall pick in the draft by the Miami Dolphins. However, he never lived up to his billing as a high second-round pick.
A JUCO transfer from East Mississippi Community College, he played only two years in Starkville. However, during that time, he made quite the impression.
Staring at Mississippi State at the age of 23 (he spent time in the Navy before beginning his college football career), Johnson was a grown man when he arrived on campus. In 1997, he made a splash with 1,069 yards on 217 carries.
In 1998, he helped the Bulldogs reach the SEC Championship game. That year, he earned first-team All-SEC honors after racking up 1,383 yards on 236 carries.
The NFL wasn't as kind though. Over three seasons, he appeared in only 36 games for Miami. He ended up with just 748 yards and 5 TDs while starting only 5 games in total.
Life is short for most running backs in the NFL. That was the case for Johnson who never lived up to the hype as a professional. Though he will always be one of the best running backs in Mississippi State history, he also has to be considered one of the program's biggest busts after failing to shine with the Dolphins.