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College Football’s Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All-Time
- 10. Andre Ware – Houston 1987-89
Andre Ware is most known for his last season at the University of Houston for setting a then 26 different records from the QB position. Had he not foregone his senior season it can only be assumed how much he would have torn up the field. Ware took over in midway through 1987 but came onto the scene in 1988. Between 88 and 89 he had a combined record of 18-5. Playing in an offense years ahead of its time, the run and shoot, he accumulated a crazy senior year of 4699 yards with 46 TD’s and 15INT’s .
- 9. Colt Brennan – Hawaii 2005-07
A three-year starter at Hawaii, Brennan put up some unreal numbers in that time. Never throwing for less than 4,300 yards and chucking over 35 TD’s each season. A list of astonishing records: Most 400 Yard Games (20), Most TD’s in a single-season (58), Most TD’s over two seasons (96). The kid could throw the ball with the best of the dudes. A career record of 28-11 is skewed by his first year where they went 5-7. Like most on this list, he couldn’t carry it over to the NFL.
- 8. Kellen Moore – Boise State 2008-11
A career record of 50-3. The winningest QB in CFB history. He averaged 3,666 yards per year and 35 TD’s throughout his four seasons. Moore was the leader for one of the nations most slept on teams for the course of his career. His first year they went into bowl season undefeated but due to their conference got no bid for the Natty. They would lose that game to TCU. In his second year they went on to go undefeated in the regular season again and while they argued for the National Title game, got stuck playing TCU again, this time winning. Losing amid their season his junior and senior year led them to settle for the Maaco Bowl, now known as the Las Vegas Bowl. Boise State will always be known for the dominance that Moore brought on.
- 7. Baker Mayfield – Texas Tech/Oklahoma 2013-17
No QB has been on the Heisman finalist three years in a row. Not many QB’s carry the confidence this man did. Mayfield led the Sooners to two playoff berths, losing both games in the semifinals. What makes Baker so great is the change Oklahoma saw when he arrived. In 2014 Oklahoma finished the year 8-5. Baker never lost more than 2 games a year, combining for a career record of 34-6. In his three seasons with the Sooners, he completed 69.8% of his passes, throwing an average of 39 TD’s to 7 INT’s a year. The kid was a winner not only on the field but with the media off the field.
- 6. Matt Leinart – USC 2003-2005
Carson Palmer’s understudy, a kid who would probably still be playing at USC if he was allowed. His first year starting USC went 11-1 being left out of the Natty. His junior and senior years were the ones to be remembered though. He would win 25 consecutive games over the last two years only losing the last game he ever played in. Playing on a team with one of CFB’s most prolific backs, Leinart had a career line of 10,693 yards, 99 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. 37-2 as a starter throughout his time at USC is still one of many reasons USC recruits great Pro-Style QB’s.
- 5. Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M 2012-13
A three-star recruit coming out of high school took the nation by storm after Tannehill left for the NFL. Johnny Football played the game like no other in his short two years. 20-6 as a career starter leading a top 5 offense in the nation was never able to make an impact due to the team’s defense. He came onto the scene out of nowhere in Week 4 of 2012 when he torched Arkansas for 557 yards. That year would not slow down for him. Following up a few weeks later by upsetting Alabama in Tuscaloosa. A Heisman winner in 2012 and a finalist the following year. Career numbers of 7,820 yards with 63 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.
- 4. Bryce Petty – Baylor 2011-14
Petty was a two-year starter at Baylor, backing up Robert Griffin and Nick Florence in his first two years. Bryce Petty carries one of the best TD/INT ratios by a CFB QB in the history of the game only throwing 10 picks in 845 career attempts. His junior year, Petty led the Baylor Bears to their first Big 12 conference win. In his two bowl appearances, he was never able to get a win but he is the reason that Baylor’s offense stayed prominent for years to come after RG3’s departure.
- 3. Marcus Mariota – Oregon 2012-14
The first freshman in 22 years to start at Oregon in 2012, he led them to a 12-1 record. Mariota is a product of the Chip Kelly offense. Absurd numbers playing for an offense that teams just could not figure out. A career 36-5 record which saw him throwing for 105TD’s and 14INT’s . Not to mention he carried the ball for over 700 yards a season. Mariota and Oregon had a chance to win the inaugural playoff but lost that game to Ohio State and Mariota would leave for the NFL shortly after.
- 2. Tim Tebow – Florida 2006-09
Tebow started three legit years in Florida. A record-setting sophomore year was only the start for him. The country fell in love with him. 2007 was only a sign of what was to come. Between 2008-2009, Florida would go 26-2. It wasn’t only what Tebow did passing but what he brought with his running ability. His sophomore year combined passing and rushing, he had over 4,000 total yards with 55 touchdowns. A college threat from the air to the ground makes Tebow the college great he is.
- 1. Cam Newton – Auburn 2010 This one can be debated and argued. But in his one season at Auburn, there has not been any other QB in the history to do the things Newton did. A 14-0 record, National Title, Heisman trophy. His 6 foot 5 inch frame just made him a wrecking ball on the field. They beat Bama in Tuscaloosa, hung 65 on Arkansas, throttled South Carolina in the SEC Championship. In his single season at Auburn, Newton combined for 51 touchdowns, throwing for just under 2,900 yards (30 TD’s) and running for just under 1,500 yards (21 TD’s). There has not been a more dominant player behind center in the history of the game.
