Heisman Winners. Where are they now? Ron Dayne 1999
Ron Dayne, the Wisconsin Badgers running back, won the 1999 Heisman Trophy. He was the first player from Wisconsin to win the award, and he is the only player in NCAA history to rush for more than 7,000 yards in his career.
Dayne was a dominant player from the moment he stepped on the field at Wisconsin. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his three seasons with the Badgers, and he finished his career with 7,125 yards rushing and 62 touchdowns.
Dayne was a key part of Wisconsin's success during his time there. The Badgers won three Big Ten championships and played in two Rose Bowls. Dayne was also a consensus All-American in each of his three seasons.
After winning the Heisman Trophy, Dayne was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played eight seasons in the NFL with the Giants, Denver Broncos, and Houston Texans. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season with the Giants, but he never reached that level of success again.
Dayne retired from the NFL after the 2007 season. He is now a coach at the University of Wisconsin.
He was promoted to running backs coach in 2015. Dayne is a popular figure in Madison, Wisconsin, and is considered one of the greatest players in Wisconsin football history.