Greatest College Quarterbacks of All Time
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Lamar Jackson is the only Heisman Trophy winner in Louisville history.No position defines college football more than quarterback. Since Notre Dame's Knute Rockne and Gus Dorais figured out how to use the forward pass to their advantage as lifeguards in the summer of 1913, the game has never been the same.
The rich history of legends spans all across the country and includes some of the most well-known football players ever. They could pass or run (or both) and led their teams to a lot of wins.
These are the best college quarterbacks of all time.
50. Kordell Stewart
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Kordell Stewart played four seasons at Colorado.Born: Oct. 16, 1972 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
High school: John Ehret High School (Marrero, Louisiana)
College: Colorado
Years: 1991-94
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 218 pounds
Career highlights: AP All-American (1994), All-Big Eight (1994), Fiesta Bowl MVP (1995),
Kordell Stewart in the NFL
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Kordell Stewart played for three teams in the NFL.NFL career: Pittsburgh Steelers (1995-2002), Chicago Bears (2003), Baltimore Ravens (2004-05)
NFL career highlights: Pro Bowl (2001), AFC Offensive Player of the Year (2001)
Bottom Line: Kordell Stewart
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Kordell Stewart was an All-American at Colorado in 1994.Kordell Stewart was one of the most exciting college football players of the 1990s at the University of Colorado and is best remembered for his Hail Mary touchdown pass to Michael Westbrook to beat the University of Michigan in 1994.
Stewart was much more than that one pass, though. He finished his career as the Big Eight's career leader with 7,770 yards of total offense and went 27-5-1 over three years as a starter.
That is the best winning percentage for any quarterback in Colorado history.
49. Carson Palmer
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Carson Palmer went to Santa Margarita High School.Born: Dec. 27, 1979 (Fresno, California)
High school: Santa Margarita Catholic (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
College: USC
Years: 1998-2002
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 235 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2002), Unitas Award (2002), Sporting News Player of the Year (2002), Pac-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Year (2002), AP All-American (2002), All-Pac-10 (2002), Orange Bowl MVP (2003)
Carson Palmer in the NFL
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Carson Palmer was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft.NFL career: Cincinnati Bengals (2003-10), Oakland Raiders (2011-12), Arizona Cardinals (2013-17)
NFL career highlights: Three-time Pro Bowl (2005, 2006, 2015), Pro Bowl MVP (2006), Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year (2015)
Bottom Line: Carson Palmer
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The USC dynasty of the early 2000s got kicked off when Carson Palmer won the Heisman Trophy in 2002. He capped off his college playing days by being named Orange Bowl MVP.
Palmer's career took a huge leap when USC head coach Paul Hackett was fired and replaced by Pete Carroll following the 2001 season.
Palmer became the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NFL draft and was better as a pro than most people probably remember. He played 15 seasons, made three Pro Bowls and even made an All-Pro team in 2015.
48. John Elway
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John Elway was a two-sport star at Stanford.Born: June 28, 1960 (Port Angeles, Washington)
High school: Granada Hills High School (Granada Hills, California)
College: Stanford
Years: 1979-82
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds
Career highlights: AP All-American (1982), Sammy Baugh Trophy (1982), two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year (1980, 1982)
John Elway in the NFL
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John Elway led the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles.NFL career: Denver Broncos (1983-98)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1997, 1998), Super Bowl MVP (1998), NFL MVP (1987), three-time NFL All-Pro (1987, 1993, 1996), nine-time Pro Bowl (1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996-98), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Bottom Line: John Elway
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John Elway had a cannon for an arm.John Elway was a two-sport star in football and baseball at Stanford, but it was in football that he was truly special.
Despite playing on teams that hovered around .500 throughout his college career, Elway set himself apart as one of the best players in the country, earning Pac-10 Player of the Year honors as a junior and a senior.
He was selected No. 1 overall by the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 NFL draft and traded to the Denver Broncos, where he became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history — winning back-to-back Super Bowls to close out his career.
47. Sammy Baugh
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Sammy Baugh was nicknamed "Sligin' Sammy."Born: March 17, 2014 (Temple, Texas)
Died: Dec. 17, 2008 (age 94, Rotan, Texas)
High school: Sweetwater High School (Sweetwater, Texas)
College: TCU
Years: 1934-36
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 218 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time All-American (1935, 1936), Heisman Trophy finalist (1936), Cotton Bowl MVP (1937)
Sammy Baugh in the NFL
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Sammy Baugh passed for 21,886 yards in his NFL career.NFL career: Washington Redskins (1937-52)
NFL career highlights: Two-time NFL champion (1937, 1942), eight-time NFL All-Pro (1937, 1938, 1940-43, 1947, 1948), six-time Pro Bowl (1938-42, 1951)
Bottom Line: Sammy Baugh
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Sammy Baugh starred at TCU from 1934 to 1936.Sammy Baugh was a star at TCU in the mid-1930s — not just in football, but also in baseball, where he flirted with playing professionally and was in the farm system for the St. Louis Cardinals at one point.
Luckily for football history, he stuck with the gridiron and led the Horned Frogs to wins in the Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl in his final two seasons and was a two-time All-American.
In the pros, Baugh won two NFL championships with the Washington Redskins and became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
46. Tua Tagovailoa
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Tua Tagovailoa won a national championship at Alabama.Born: March 2, 1998 (Ewa Beach, Hawaii)
High school: Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii)
College: Alabama
Years: 2017-19
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 217 pounds
Career highlights: CFP national champion (2017), CFP national championship Offensive MVP (2017), Orange Bowl MVP (2018), Sporting News Player of the Year (2018), Maxwell Award (2018), Walter Camp Award (2018), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2018), AP All-American (2018), two-time All-SEC (2018, 2019)
Tua Tagovailoa in the NFL
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The Miami Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.NFL career: Miami Dolphins (2020-present)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Tua Tagovailoa
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Tua Tagovailoa won a lot of games (and awards) at Alabama.You will never see a more thrilling game than the 2017 CFP national championship game, where freshman Tua Tagovailoa came in after halftime to lead the University of Alabama to a comeback win over Georgia.
Tagovailoa was far from a one-hit wonder, however. He was an All-American in 2018 and led the Crimson Tide back to the BCS national championship game in 2018.
He was on his way to another All-American season in 2019 before suffering a serious injury.
45. Chuck Long
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Chuck Long was an All-American at Iowa in 1985.Born: Feb. 18, 1963 (Norman, Oklahoma)
High school: Wheaton North High School (Wheaton, Illinois)
College: Iowa
Years: 1981-85
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 217 pounds
Career highlights: Big Ten MVP (1985), Davey O'Brien Award (1985), Maxwell Award (1985), AP All-American (1985), Big Ten Player of the Year (1985), three-time All-Big Ten (1983-85)
Chuck Long in the NFL
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Chuck Long played five seasons in the NFL.NFL career: Detroit Lions (1986-89), Los Angeles Rams (1990)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Chuck Long
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Chuck Long led Iowa to the 1986 Rose Bowl, where the UCLA Bruins beat the Hawkeyes 45-28.Mention Chuck Long to your longtime Midwestern college football fan, and you're likely to hear some Paul Bunyan-esque stories about his accomplishments at the University of Iowa in the early 1980s.
Long lost the closest Heisman Trophy voting in history to Auburn's Bo Jackson in 1985 — they were separated by just 45 points — after Long threw for 2,978 yards and 26 touchdowns while the Hawkeyes went 10-2 and earned a spot in the Rose Bowl.
44. Vinny Testaverde
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Vinny Testaverde won a national championship at Miami under coach Jimmy Johnson.Born: Nov. 13, 1963 (Brooklyn, New York)
High school: Sewanhaka High School (Floral Park, New York)
College: Miami
Years: 1982-86
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 233 pounds
Career highlights: National champion (1983), Heisman Trophy (1986), Maxwell Award (1986), Davey O'Brien Award (1986), Walter Camp Award (1986), Sporting News Player of the Year (1986), UPI Player of the Year (1986), AP All-American (1986)
Vinny Testaverde in the NFL
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Vinny Testaverde started his NFL career with the Tampa Buccaneers in 1987.NFL career: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987-92), Cleveland Browns (1993-95), Baltimore Ravens (1996-97), New York Jets (1998-2003, 2005), Dallas Cowboys (2004), New England Patriots (2006), Carolina Panthers (2007)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (1996, 1998)
Bottom Line: Vinny Testaverde
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Vinny Testaverde won the Heisman Trophy in 1986.Vinny Testaverde won a national championship as Bernie Kosar's backup at the University of Miami before he became the full-time starter and won the Heisman Trophy in 1986.
Testaverde's Heisman win was largely overshadowed — as was his entire career — by a loss to Penn State in the 1987 Fiesta Bowl. Playing for the national championship in his final game and heavily favored, Testaverde entered the game with just four interceptions.
But he threw five interceptions in a 14-10 loss to the Nittany Lions.
43. Sam Bradford
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Sam Bradford put up big numbers at Oklahoma.Born: Nov. 8, 1987 (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
High school: Putnam City North High School (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
College: Oklahoma
Years: 2007-09
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 224 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2008), Davey O'Brien Award (2008), AP Player of the Year (2008), Sporting News Player of the Year (2008), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2008), AP All-American (2008), All-Big 12 (2008)
Sam Bradford in the NFL
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Sam Bradford was the NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2010, but it was all downhill after that.NFL career: St. Louis Rams (2010-14), Philadelphia Eagles (2015), Minnesota Vikings (2016-17), Arizona Cardinals (2018)
NFL career highlights: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2010)
Bottom Line: Sam Bradford
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Sam Bradford took home every major college award in 2008.Sam Bradford grew up just a hop, skip and a jump away from the University of Oklahoma and eventually became a star for the Sooners.
Bradford put together one of the best seasons ever for a college quarterback in 2008, his second season as a starter, when he threw for 4,720 yards, 50 touchdowns and 8 interceptions on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy.
Bradford was the No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams, but his career only lasted nine seasons and he played for four different teams.
42. A.J. McCarron
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A.J. McCarron was a three-time national champion at Alabama.Born: Sept. 13, 1990 (Mobile, Alabama)
High school: St. Paul's Episcopal School (Mobile, Alabama)
College: Alabama
Years: 2010-13
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds
Career highlights: Three-time BCS national champion (2010, 2012, 2013), Maxwell Award (2013), Unitas Award (2013), Kellen Moore Award (2013), AP All-American (2013), two-time All-SEC (2013, 2013)
A.J. McCarron in the NFL
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A.J. McCarron began his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals.NFL career: Cincinnati Bengals (2014-17), Oakland Raiders (2018), Houston Texans (2019-20), Atlanta Falcons (2021)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: A.J. McCarron
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A.J. McCarron threw 77 touchdowns at Alabama.A.J. McCarron is one of the greatest winners in college football history. He won three national championships at the University of Alabama, including two as the starting quarterback.
McCarron probably never got his due and proper credit while he was playing because of the massive amount of talent around him. But it was McCarron who kept the machine rolling smoothly through three seasons as Alabama's starter.
He was especially good at not turning the ball over and had 77 touchdowns against 15 interceptions for his career. McCarron played eight seasons in the NFL for four different teams and was out of football entirely in 2022 before rejuvenating his career with the St. Louis BattleHawks of the XFL in 2023.
41. Michael Bishop
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Michael Bishop went to Willis High School in Texas.Born: May 15, 1976 (Galveston, Texas)
High school: Willis High School (Willis, Texas)
College: Kansas State (Blinn College)
Years: 1997-98
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Career highlights: AP All-American (1998), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (1998), two-time All-Big 12 (1997, 1998), Davey O'Brien Award (1997), Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year (1997), two-time NJCAA national champion (1995, 1996)
Michael Bishop in the NFL
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Michael Bishop had more success in the CFL than the NFL.NFL/NFL Europe/CFL career: New England Patriots (1999-2000), Frankfurt Galaxy (2001), Toronto Argonauts (2002-08), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2008), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2009-10, 2011), Calgary Stampeders (2011),
NFL/NFL Europe/CFL career highlights: Grey Cup champion (2004)
Bottom Line: Michael Bishop
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Michael Bishop was an AP All-American in 1998.One player propelled Kansas State into the nation's elite in the late 1990s. That was quarterback Michael Bishop, who came to the Wildcats after leading Blinn College to back-to-back junior college national championships in 1995 and 1996.
Amazingly, only Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder wanted Bishop as a quarterback. Other schools wanted him to play defensive back.
Bishop led Kansas State to an 11-1 record and Fiesta Bowl win in 1997 and within seconds of playing for a national title in 1998.
40. Andrew Luck
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Andrew Luck was a two-time All-American at Stanford.Born: Sept. 12, 1969 (Washington, D.C.)
High school: Stratford High School (Houston, Texas)
College: Stanford
Years: 2009-11
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 240 pounds
Career highlights: Maxwell Award (2011), Walter Camp Award (2011), Unitas Award (2011), two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2010, 2011), two-time AP All-American (2010, 2011), two-time All-Pac-12 (2010, 2011)
Andrew Luck in the NFL
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Andrew Luck threw for 23,671 yards in his college career.NFL career: Indianapolis Colts (2012-18)
NFL career highlights: NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2018), four-time Pro Bowl (2012-14, 2018)
Bottom Line: Andrew Luck
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Andrew Luck was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.Watching Andrew Luck play for Stanford was nothing short of college football heaven. The son of former NFL quarterback Oliver Luck capped his career by going 11-2 and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up for the second consecutive year.
Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, famously retired in 2018 — just two years after he signed a six-year, $140 million contract which made him the highest-paid player in the NFL.
39. Troy Smith
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Troy Smith won the Heisman Trophy in 2006.Born: July 20, 1984 (Columbus, Ohio)
High school: Glenville High School (Cleveland, Ohio)
College: Ohio State
Years: 2002-06
Height/weight: 6-foot, 217 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2006), Walter Camp Award (2006), Davey O'Brien Award (2006), AP Player of the Year (2006), Sporting News Player of the Year (2006), AP All-American (2006), Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2006)
Troy Smith in the NFL
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Troy Smith had a brief NFL career.NFL/CFL career: Baltimore Ravens (2007-08), San Francisco 49ers (2010), Montreal Alouettes (2013-14)
NFL/CFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Troy Smith
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Tray Smith was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.Troy Smith and Cleveland Glenville High teammate Ted Ginn Jr. both stayed home to play for Ohio State, where the duo lit up college teams together as well.
Smith became the Buckeyes' starter midway through his sophomore season and became a star as a junior and senior, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading his team to the BCS national championship game in his final year.
38. Ken Dorsey
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Ken Dorsey led Miami to the national title in 2001.Born: April 22, 1981 (Orinda, California)
High school: Miramonte High School (Orinda, California)
College: Miami
Years: 1999-2002
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 218 pounds
Career highlights: AP All-American (2002), Maxwell Award (2001), BCS national champion (2001), Rose Bowl MVP (2002), two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year (2001, 2002), three-time All-Big East
Ken Dorsey in the NFL
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Ken Dorsey played for the 49ers and Browns in the NFL.NFL/CFL career: San Francisco 49ers (2003-05), Cleveland Browns (2006-08), Toronto Argonauts (2010)
NFL/CFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Ken Dorsey
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Ken Dorsey was an All-American at Miami in 2002.Ken Dorsey was the ultimate winner at the University of Miami, which is saying a lot considering the quarterback lineage for the Hurricanes.
Dorsey went a staggering 38-2 as a starter, led the Hurricanes to a national championship in 2001 with arguably the greatest college football team of all time and came one questionable pass interference penalty away from winning another title in 2002.
37. Steve Young
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Steve Young was a two-time WAC offensive player of the year.Born: Oct. 11, 1961 (Salt Lake City, Utah)
High school: Greenwich High School (Greenwich, Connecticut)
College: BYU
Years: 1980-83
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Davey O'Brien Award (1983), two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year (1982, 1983), two-time All-WAC (1982, 1983)
Steve Young in the NFL
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Steve Young was the Super Bowl MVP in 1994.USFL/NFL career: Los Angeles Express (1984-85), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1985-86), San Francisco 49ers (1987-99)
NFL career highlights: Three-time Super Bowl champion (1988, 1989, 1994), Super Bowl MVP (1994), two-time NFL MVP (1992, 1994), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1992), six-time NFL All-Pro (1992-95, 1997, 1998), seven-time Pro Bowl (1992-98)
Bottom Line: Steve Young
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Steve Young was a great passer and runner at BYU.Steve Young was no less than a wizard running the football throughout his college and pro career, and it was at BYU where he truly learned to be a great pass as well as a great runner.
Young backed up All-American Jim McMahon during his first two college seasons before becoming an All-American himself.
As a senior in 1983, Young led the Cougars to an 11-1 season, was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and caught the game-winning touchdown pass against Missouri in the Holiday Bowl.
36. Jason White
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Jason White is still a football legend in Oklahoma.Born: June 19, 1980 (Tuttle, Oklahoma)
High school: Tuttle High School (Tuttle, Oklahoma)
College: Oklahoma
Years: 1999-2004
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 220 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2003), two-time Davey O'Brien Award winner (2003, 2004), AP Player of the Year (2003), Maxwell Award (2004), AP All-American (2003), Unitas Award (2004), two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2003, 2004), two-time All-Big 12 (2003, 2004)
Jason White in the NFL
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Jason White never played in the NFL.NFL career: None
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Jason White
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Jason White won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma in 2003.Jason White's career at the University of Oklahoma was a study in perseverance. He tore the ACL in both of his knees in consecutive seasons before returning to lead the Sooners to back-to-back BCS national championship game losses in 2003 and 2004.
White, who was essentially immobile after the two knee surgeries, actually won the Heisman Trophy in 2003 when he threw for 3,846 yards, 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Because of his knee injuries, White never got a chance to play in the NFL.
35. Drew Brees
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Drew Brees put up big numbers at Purdue.Born: Jan. 15, 1979 (Dallas, Texas)
High school: Westlake High School (Austin, Texas)
College: Purdue
Years: 1997-2000
Height/weight: 6-foot, 210 pounds
Career highlights: Maxwell Award (2000), two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1998, 2000), Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award (2000)
Drew Brees in the NFL
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Drew Brees played 20 seasons in the NFL.NFL career: San Diego Chargers (2001-05), New Orleans Saints (2006-20)
NFL career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2010), Super Bowl MVP (2010), two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2004), five-time NFL All-Pro (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018), 13-time Pro Bowl (2004, 2006, 2008-14, 2016-19), Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year (2010), AP Athlete of the Year (2010)
Bottom Line: Drew Brees
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Drew Brees won the Maxwell Award in 2000.Drew Brees went 28-0-1 over his two seasons as a starter at Austin Westlake High School and won a Texas high school state championship but didn't receive scholarship offers from the two in-state schools he coveted most — Texas and Texas A&M.
What he did have was an offer from Purdue and head coach Joe Tiller. Brees took that opportunity, became a three-year starter and begin a run as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, on any level. With the Boilermakers, Brees set 13 Big Ten career records, including passing yards, touchdown passes, total offensive yards, completions and attempts.
Brees went on to play 20 years in the NFL, is in the top five in almost every major passing statistic, and won won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints following the 2009 season.
34. Pat White
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Pat White had serious speed.Born: Feb. 25, 1986 (Daphne, Alabama)
High school: Daphne High School (Daphne, Alabama)
College: West Virginia
Years: 2005-08
Height/weight: 6-foot, 205 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year (2006, 2007), three-time All-Big East (2006-08)
Pat White in the NFL
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Pat White got a cup of coffee in the NFLNFL/CFL career: Miami Dolphins (2009), Washington Redskins (2013), Edmonton Eskimos (2014)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Pat White
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Pat White started four years at West Virginia and won 42 games.Pat White might be the most underrated college quarterback of all time. He was brilliant in four seasons as a starter at West Virginia, where he was named Big East Offensive Player of the Year twice.
White was as good at running the football as almost any quarterback in college football history. He rushed for over 1,200 yards as a sophomore and junior and missed rushing for 1,000 yards for four consecutive seasons by a measly 74 yards. He had 952 rushing yards as a freshman and 974 rushing yards as a senior.
White also went 42-9 as a starter and won four consecutive bowl games, including the Sugar Bowl in 2006 and Fiesta Bowl in 2008.
33. Dan Marino
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Dan Marino was born and raised in Pittsburgh.Born: Sept. 15, 1961 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
High school: Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
College: Pittsburgh
Years: 1979-82
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds
Career highlights: AP All-American (1981)
Dan Marino in the NFL
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Dan Marino threw for over 61,000 yards in his NFL career.NFL career: Miami Dolphins (1983-99)
NFL career highlights: NFL MVP (1984), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1984), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994), six-time NFL All-Pro (1983-86, 1994, 1995), nine-time Pro Bowl (1983-87, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995), NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Bottom Line: Dan Marino
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Dan Marino was an All-American at Pitt in 1981.Few quarterbacks who have ever lived could compare with the absolute flamethrower of an arm Dan Marino possessed. The nation got its first glimpse of his talent during four years as a starter at his hometown college, the University of Pittsburgh.
While Marino's numbers famously dipped as a senior under new head coach Foge Fazio, Marino was 33-3 in his first three seasons as a starter and finished his career with 8,597 passing yards, 79 touchdowns and a whopping 69 interceptions.
32. Kellen Moore
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Kellen Moore helped put Boise State on the college football map.Born: July 5, 1988 (Prosser, Washington)
High school: Prosser High School (Prosser, Washington)
College: Boise State
Years: 2007-11
Height/weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time Kellen Moore Award winner (2010, 2011), two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year (2009, 2010), MWC Offensive Player of the Year (2011), WAC Freshman of the Year (2008), three-time All-WAC (2008-10), All-MWC (2011)
Kellen Moore in the NFL
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Kellen Moore played six seasons in the NFL.NFL career: Detroit Lions (2012-14), Dallas Cowboys (2015-17)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Kellen Moore
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Kellen Moore was a two-time WAC offensive player of the year.It's a testament to the success Kellen Moore has had as an NFL assistant coach that he's now known more as the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys than the record-setting quarterback he was at Boise State.
Moore was truly great in college, where he went 50-3 as a starter and set the record for the most wins by a quarterback in FBS history. Moore was good enough that the Touchdown Club of Columbus renamed its Quarterback of the Year Award to the Kellen Moore Award in 2012 in honor of the two-time winner.
31. Cam Newton
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Cam Newton was a a fan favorite at Auburn.Born: May 11, 1989 (Atlanta, Georgia)
High school: Westlake High School (Atlanta, Georgia)
College: Auburn (Blinn College, Florida)
Years: 2010
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time BCS national champion (2008, 2010), Heisman Trophy (2010), Maxwell Award (2010), Walter Camp Award (2010), Manning Award (2010), Davey O'Brien Award (2010), AP All-American (2010), AP Player of the Year (2010), Sporting News Player of the Year (2010), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2010), All-SEC (2010), NJCAA national champion (2009)
Cam Newton in the NFL
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Cam Newton was the NFL MVP in 2015.NFL career: Carolina Panthers (2011-19, 2021), New England Patriots (2020)
NFL career highlights: NFL MVP (2015), NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2015), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2011), NFL All-Pro (2015), three-time Pro Bowl (2011, 2013, 2015)
Bottom Line: Cam Newton
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Cam Newton won the Heisman Trophy in 2010.Common thinking is that Cam Newton only had one great college season in 2010 at Auburn, when he led the Tigers to an unbeaten season and the national championship along with winning the Heisman Trophy.
What most people don't know is that the 2010 season was Newton's third consecutive. Newton won a national title as a backup at Florida in 2008 and won a junior college national title at Blinn (Texas) College in 2009 before coming to Auburn.
30. Eric Crouch
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Eric Crouch rushed for 1,100 yards in 2001.Born: Nov. 16, 1978 (Omaha, Nebraska)
High school: Millard North High School (Omaha, Nebraska)
College: Nebraska
Years: 1998-2001
Height/weight: 6-foot, 210 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2001), Davey O'Brien Award (2001), two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (1999, 2001)
Eric Crouch in the NFL
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Eric Crouch tried out for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League in 2011.NFL/CFL career: St. Louis Rams (2002), Toronto Argonauts (2006-07)
NFL/CFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Eric Crouch
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Eric Crouch won the Heisman Trophy in 2001.Few players in college football history could match Eric Crouch for sheer speed. And the fact he could barely throw speaks to how good of a runner he was that he ended up on this list.
Crouch capped things off his senior year with a Heisman Trophy by rushing for 1,100 yards and throwing for 1,500 yards.
29. Peyton Manning
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Peyton Manning threw for over 11,000 yards at Tennessee.Born: March 24, 1976 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
High school: Isidore Newman School (New Orleans, Louisiana)
College: Tennessee
Years: 1994-97
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 230 pounds
Career highlights: Maxwell Award (1997), AP All-American (1997)
Peyton Manning in the NFL
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Peyton Manning won two Super Bowls.NFL career: Indianapolis Colts (1998-2011), Denver Broncos (2012-15)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (2007, 2016), Five-time NFL Most Valuable Player (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013), Super Bowl Most Valuable Player (2007), 10-time NFL All-Pro (1999, 2000, 2003-06, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013), 14-time Pro Bowl (1999, 2000, 2002-10, 2012-14)
Bottom Line: Peyton Manning
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Peyton Manning rushed for 12 touchdowns at Tennessee.Peyton Manning's college career at Tennessee was defined by two things — his failure to beat Florida in four years and his stunning loss to Charles Woodson at the 1997 Heisman Trophy ceremony.
But Manning was a marvel for the Volunteers, throwing for 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns in just three seasons as a full-time starter.
28. Colt Brennan
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Colt Brennan's off-field troubles landed him at Hawaii after starting his college career at Colorado.Born: Aug. 16, 1983 (Laguna Beach, California)
Died: May 11, 2021, 37 years old (Newport Beach, California)
High school: Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)
College: Hawaii
Years: 2005-07
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 212 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy finalist (2007), two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year (2006, 2007), two-time AP All-American (2006, 2007), two-time All-WAC (2006, 2007)
Colt Brennan in the NFL
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Colt Brennan was a sixth-round pick (186th overall) of the Washington Redskins in the 2008 NFL draft.NFL career: Washington Redskins (2008-09)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Colt Brennan
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Colt Brennan threw for 14,193 yards in college.Colt Brennan's college football career began at Colorado, where he was eventually dismissed from the team after a litany of criminal charges were levied against him.
Brennan eventually landed at Hawaii, and head coach June Jones molded him into one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time.
Brennan ended his career with eight NCAA records, including most 400-yard games with 20.
27. Jim McMahon
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Jim McMahon was a two-time All-American at BYU.Born: Aug. 21, 1959 (Jersey City, New Jersey)
High school: Roy High School (Roy, Utah)
College: BYU
Years: 1977-81
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 195 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time Holiday Bowl MVP (1980, 1981), two-time AP All-American (1980, 1981), Davey O'Brien Award (1981)
Jim McMahon in the NFL
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Jim McMahon quarterbacked the Chicago Bears in the 1980s.NFL career: Chicago Bears (1982-88), San Diego Chargers (1989), Philadelphia Eagles (1990-92), Minnesota Vikings (1993), Arizona Cardinals (1994), Green Bay Packers (1995-96)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1985, 1996), Pro Bowl (1985)
Bottom Line: Jim McMahon
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Jim McMahon won a Super Bowl with the Bears in the NFL.The punky quarterback known as Jim McMahon got his start at BYU. It was a conservative place for one of the most controversial, hardest-partying players in football history. But it was at BYU where McMahon's legend truly began to take hold because of his play on the field.
He was a two-time All-American and engineered arguably the greatest comeback in college football history when he led the Cougars to win over SMU in the 1980 Holiday Bowl despite trailing 45-25 with just four minutes left in the game.
26. Robert Griffin III
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Robert Griffin III won one of the closest Heisman Trophy races in history.Born: Feb. 12, 1990 (Okinawa, Japan)
High school: Copperas Cove High School (Copperas Cove, Texas)
College: Baylor
Years: 2008-11
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2011), Davey O'Brien Award (2011), AP Player of the Year (2011), AP All-American (2011), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2011), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2008)
Robert Griffin III in the NFL
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Robert Griffin threw for 9,271 yards in NFL career.NFL career: Washington Redskins (2012-15), Cleveland Browns (2016), Baltimore Ravens (2018-20)
NFL career highlights: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2012), Pro Bowl (2012), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012)
Bottom Line: Robert Griffin III
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Robert Griffin threw for 78 touchdowns in college.You don't know electric on a football field until you watch the film of Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III during his Heisman Trophy-winning year of 2011.
RG3 and Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck had one of the more enduring Heisman battles of all time that year.
But the Baylor standout and All-American hurdler's 4,952 yards of total offense and 47 touchdowns took the day.
25. Johnny Manziel
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Johnny Manziel was the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.Born: Dec. 6, 1992 (Tyler, Texas)
High school: Tivy High School (Kerrville, Texas)
College: Texas A&M
Years: 2012-13
Height/weight: 6-foot, 210 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2012), Davey O'Brien Award (2012), AP Player of the Year (2012), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2012), AP All-American (2012), two-time All-SEC (2012, 2013)
Johnny Manziel in the NFL
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Johnny Manziel did not live up to the hype in the NFL.NFL/CFL career: Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2018), Montreal Alouettes (2018)
NFL/CFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Johnny Manziel
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Johnny Manziel was an All-American in 2012.Fame came fast for Johnny Manziel when he became the first freshman in college football history to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012.
The Texas A&M star wowed America with an upset of No. 1 Alabama on the road that year and continued to shine in the spotlight despite a bevy of off-field problems.
Those problems made him college football's No. 1 problem child — maybe of all time.
24. Graham Harrell
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Graham Harrell's best games came against in-state rival Texas.Born: May 22, 1985 (Brownwood, Texas)
High school: Ennis High School (Ennis, Texas)
College: Texas Tech
Years: 2005-08
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Sporting News Player of the Year (2008), Gator Bowl MVP (2008), Insight Bowl MVP (2006), Johnny Unitas Award (2008), AP All-American (2008), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2007)
Graham Harrell in the NFL
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Graham Harrell won a Super Bowl ring with the Packers in 2010.NFL/CFL career: Saskatchewan Roughriders (2009), Green Bay Packers (2010-12)
NFL/CFL career highlights: Super Bowl champion (2010)
Bottom Line: Graham Harrell
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Graham Harrell threw for 15,793 yards in college.It's no surprise that one of the greatest high school quarterbacks in Texas history became one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history.
Graham Harrell ended his career at Texas Tech with eight NCAA records. And he was never better than when he played against Texas and averaged 486.6 passing yards in three starts.
23. Jameis Winston
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Jameis Winston also played baseball at Florida State.Born: Jan. 6, 1994 (Bessemer, Alabama)
High school: Hueytown High School (Hueytown, Alabama)
College: Florida State
Years: 2013-14
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 230 pounds
Career highlights: BCS national champion (2013), Heisman Trophy (2013), Davey O'Brien Award (2013), AP Player of the Year (2013), ACC Player of the Year (2013), AP All-American (2013)
Jameis Winston in the NFL
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Jameis Winston has played for the Bucs and Saints in the NFL.NFL career: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2015-19), New Orleans Saints (2020-present)
NFL career highlights: Pro Bowl (2015), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2015)
Bottom Line: Jameis Winston
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Jameis Winston led Florida State to a national title in 2013.Jameis Winston's college career was short — he only played two seasons — but what a ride it was.
He led Florida State to the national title and became just the second freshman to win the Heisman Trophy in his first season, then led them into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff as a sophomore.
Having already redshirted in 2012, Winston was eligible for the 2015 NFL draft and went No. 1 overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite a litany of off-field problems.
22. Andre Ware
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Andre Ware was the first Heisman Trophy winner in Houston history.Born: July 31, 1968 (Galveston, Texas)
High school: Dickinson High School (Dickinson, Texas)
College: Houston
Years: 1987-89
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1989), Davey O'Brien Award (1989), AP All-American (1989), All-SWC (1989), UPI Player of the Year (1989)
Andre Ware in the NFL
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Andre Ware started six games for the Detroit Lions in his NFL career.NFL/CFL career: Detroit Lions (1990-93), Ottawa Rough Riders (1995), BC Lions (1996), Toronto Argonauts (1997)
NFL/CFL career highlights: Grey Cup champion (1997)
Bottom Line: Andre Ware
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Andre Ware was an All-American in 1989.Andre Ware was a true 1980s phenomenon at Houston.
He was the star of an over-the-top passing attack in a weird league with bright red uniforms who became a national obsession.
In Ware's junior year, he threw for 4,699 yards and 44 touchdowns in the run-and-shoot offense on the way to winning the Heisman Trophy.
21. Charlie Ward
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Charlie Ward led Florida State to a national title.Born: Oct. 12, 1970 (Thomasville, Georgia)
High school: Thomas County Central High School (Thomasville, Georgia)
College: Florida State
Years: 1989-93
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
Career highlights: National champion (1993), Heisman Trophy (1993), AP All-American (1993), Davey O'Brien Award (1993), two-time ACC Player of the Year (1992, 1993), two-time ACC Athlete of the Year (1993, 1994)
Charlie Ward in the NBA
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Charlie Ward played 11 seasons in the NBA after his FSU playing days.NBA career: New York Knicks (1994-2004), San Antonio Spurs (2004), Houston Rockets (2004-05)
NBA career highlights: Two-time Eastern Conference champion (1995, 1999)
Bottom Line: Charlie Ward
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Charlie Ward won the Heisman Trophy in 1993.Charlie Ward was a soft-spoken, two-sport athlete who led Florida State to its first national title in football and also starred on the basketball court.
Ward swept every major college football award in 1993 but chose to play professional basketball instead, where he carved an 11-year career in the NBA.
20. Colt McCoy
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Colt McCoy was a four-time team MVP for the Texas Longhorns.Born: Sept. 5, 1986 (Hobbs, New Mexico)
High school: Jim Ned High School (Tuscola, Texas)
College: Texas
Years: 2006-09
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Career highlights: BCS national champion (2005), Davey O'Brien Award (2009), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2009), two-time AP All-American (2008, 2009), two-time Heisman Trophy finalist (2008, 2009), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2006)
Colt McCoy in the NFL
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Colt McCoy has been a journeyman in the NFL.NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2010-12), San Francisco 49ers (2013), Washington Football Team (2014-19), New York Giants (2020), Arizona Cardinals (2021-present)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Colt McCoy
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Colt McCoy was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist.Colt McCoy redshirted on Texas' national championship team in 2005, then was a four-year starter for the Longhorns, becoming the only player in school history to win the team MVP award all four years.
Unfortunately for McCoy and Texas, he was knocked out of the BCS National Championship Game against Alabama in his senior year on the first series of the game.
19. Doug Flutie
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Doug Flutie's Hail Mary pass to beat Miami is one of the most iconic plays in college football history.Born: Oct. 23, 1962 (Manchester, Maryland)
High school: Natick High School (Natick, Massachusetts)
College: Boston College
Years: 1981-84
Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 180 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1984), Maxwell Award (1984), Davey O'Brien Award (1984), AP All-American (1984)
Doug Flutie in the NFL
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Doug Flutie was the NFL comeback player of the year in 1998.USFL/CFL/NFL career: New Jersey Generals (1985), Chicago Bears (1986-87), New England Patriots (1987-89), BC Lions (1990-91), Calgary Stampeders (1992-95), Toronto Argonauts (1996-97), Buffalo Bills (1998-2000), San Diego Chargers (2001-04), New England Patriots (2005)
USFL/CFL/NFL career highlights: Pro Bowl (1998), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1998), three-time Grey Cup champion (1992, 1996, 1997), three-time Grey Cup MVP (1992, 1996, 1997), six-time CFL Most Outstanding Player (1991-94), six-time CFL All-Star (1991-94, 1996, 1997)
Bottom Line: Doug Flutie
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Doug Flutie is proof it's not the size of the dog in the fight. It's the size of the fight in the dog.Doug Flutie is by far the smallest player on this list, but his size had little to do with his success on the football field other than giving his opponents a reason to underestimate him.
Flutie, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1984, is the author of one of the greatest college football plays of all time when Boston College beat Miami, the defending national champs, on the road with a Hail Mary pass to Gerard Phelan as time expired.
18. Jim Plunkett
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Jim Plunkett led Stanford to an upset of Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.Born: Dec. 5, 1947 (San Jose, California)
High school: James Lick High School (San Jose, California)
College: Stanford
Years: 1968-70
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1970), Maxwell Award (1970), Sporting News Player of the Year (1970), AP All-American (1970)
Jim Plunkett in the NFL
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Jim Plunkett won two Super Bowls with the Raiders.NFL career: New England Patriots (1971-75), San Francisco 49ers (1976-77), Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1978-86)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1980, 1983), Super Bowl MVP (1980), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1980), AFC Rookie of the Year (1971)
Bottom Line: Jim Plunkett
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Jim Plunkett won the Heisman Trophy in 1970. The story of Jim Plunkett's life should be a movie.
He was the son of blind parents, grew up in abject poverty, and became one of the greatest college and pro quarterbacks of all time.
Plunkett won the Heisman Trophy as a senior at Stanford, when he led the Cardinal to a stunning Rose Bowl upset of Ohio State.
17. Michael Vick
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Michael Vick only played two seasons at Virginia Tech.Born: June 26, 1980 (Newport News, Virginia)
High school: Warwick High School (Newport News, Virginia)
College: Virginia Tech
Years: 1999-2000
Height/weight: 6-foot, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Big East Offensive Player of the Year (1999), Big East Rookie of the Year (1999), Heisman Trophy finalist (1999)
Michael Vick in the NFL
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Michael Vick was electric on the football field.NFL career: Atlanta Falcons (2001-08), Philadelphia Eagles (2009-13), New York Jets (2014), Pittsburgh Steelers (2015)
NFL career highlights: NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2010), four-time Pro Bowl (2002, 2004, 2005, 2010)
Bottom Line: Michael Vick
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Michael Vick was the Big East Rookie of the Year in 1999.Michael Vick only played two seasons for Virginia Tech, but set college football ablaze in those two years, including almost single-handedly defeating Florida State in the 2000 BCS Championship Game.
Vick left college with two years of eligibility remaining and was the No. 1 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft.
16. Steve Spurrier
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Steve Spurrier won a Heisman Trophy at Florida, then became the school's head coach.Born: April 20, 1945 (Miami Beach, Florida)
High school: Science Hill High School (Johnson City, Tennessee)
College: Florida
Years: 1964-66
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 205 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1966), two-time AP All-American (1965, 1966), Walter Camp Trophy (1966), SEC Player of the Year (1986)
Steve Spurrier in the NFL
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Steve Spurrier played for the 49ers and Buccaneers in the NFL.NFL career: San Francisco 49ers (1967-75), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Steve Spurrier
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Steve Spurrier played 10 years in the NFL.It speaks to how great of a college football coach Steve Spurrier became that his football career was lost to history in some respect. And that's a shame because, man, could he play.
After Spurrier waved off Florida's kicker and booted a 40-yard field goal himself to beat Auburn 30-27, Atlanta Journal-Constitution sportswriter John Logue wrote this: "Blindfolded, with his back to the wall, with his hands tied behind him, Steve Spurrier would still be a two-point favorite at his own execution."
15. Johnny Lujack
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Johnny Lujack won three national titles at Notre Dame.Born: Jan. 4, 1925 (Connellsville, Pennsylvania)
High school: Connellsville High School (Connellsville, Pennsylvania)
College: Notre Dame
Years: 1943, 1946-47
Height/weight: 6-foot, 185 pounds
Career highlights: Three-time national champion (1943, 1946, 1947), Heisman Trophy (1947), AP Athlete of the Year (1947), two-time AP All-American (1946, 1947)
Johnny Lujack in the NFL
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Johnny Lujack, left, was a two-time Pro Bowler.NFL career: Chicago Bears (1948-51)
NFL career highlights: AP Athlete of the Year (1947), NFL All-Pro (1950), two-time Pro Bowl (1950, 1951)
Bottom Line: Johnny Lujack
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Johnny Lujack won the Heisman in 1947.Johnny Lujack was a football prodigy out of a coal-mining town in Pennsylvania who picked Notre Dame over Army.
Lujack, despite being undersized, led the Irish to three national championships — with a two-year break after the first title in 1943 to go fight in World War II.
They don't make 'em quite like they used to, do they?
14. Lamar Jackson
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Lamar Jackson is the youngest Heisman Trophy winner in history.Born: Jan. 7, 1997 (Pompano Beach, Florida)
High school: Boynton Beach Community High School (Boynton Beach, Florida)
College: Louisville
Years: 2015-17
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 212 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2016), AP Player of the Year (2016), AP Player of the Year (2016), AP All-American (2016), two-time ACC Player of the Year (2016, 2017), ACC Athlete of the Year (2018)
Lamar Jackson in the NFL
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Lamar Jackson was the NFL MVP in 2019.NFL career: Baltimore Ravens (2018-present)
NFL career highlights: NFL MVP (2019), NFL All-Pro (2019), two-time Pro Bowl (2019, 2021)
Bottom Line: Lamar Jackson
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Lamar Jackson had 13,175 yards of total offense and 119 touchdowns at Louisville.Lamar Jackson became the first Heisman Trophy winner in Louisville history in 2016 and the youngest winner of the award at 19 years and 337 days old.
In three seasons at Louisville and only two as a full-time starter, Jackson racked up a staggering 13,175 yards of total offense and 119 touchdowns, including 4,132 rushing yards.
Jackson won NFL MVP honors with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 and in 2023 signed a five-year, $260 million contract with the Ravens, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.
13. Marcus Mariota
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Marcus Mariota is the only Heisman Trophy winner from the state of Hawaii.Born: Oct. 30, 1993 (Honolulu, Hawaii)
High school: Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii)
College: Oregon
Years: 2012-14
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2014), Davey O'Brien Award (2014), AP Player of the Year (2014), Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2014), AP All-American (2014), three-time All-Pac-12 (2012-14), Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2012)
Marcus Mariota in the NFL
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Marcus Mariota started his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans.NFL career: Tennessee Titans (2015-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020-21), Atlanta Falcons (2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2023-present)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Marcus Mariota
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Marcus Mariota was an All-American in 2014.Hawaii has a great legacy of football talent, and none of the players from the Aloha State have ever been better than Marcus Mariota on the college level.
Mariota became the first player from Oregon and first player from Hawaii to win the Heisman Trophy in 2014 after he racked up an astonishing 5,224 yards of total offense and 57 touchdowns while leading the Ducks to the CFP championship game.
12. Ty Detmer
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Ty Detmer is the only player in BYU history to win the Heisman Trophy.Born: Oct. 30, 1967 (San Marcos, Texas)
High school: Southwest High School (San Antonio, Texas)
College: BYU
Years: 1988-91
Height/weight: 6-foot, 190 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1990), two-time Davey O'Brien Award winner (1990, 1991), UPI Player of the Year (1990), two-time AP All-American (1990, 1991)
Ty Detmer in the NFL
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Ty Detmer played for six NFL teams.NFL career: Green Bay Packers (1992-95), Philadelphia Eagles (1996-97), San Francisco 49ers (1998), Cleveland Browns (1999-2000), Detroit Lions (2001-03), Atlanta Falcons (2004-05)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Ty Detmer
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Ty Detmer was a two-time All-American.There have been a lot of great quarterbacks to come through BYU, including NFL stars Steve Young and Jim McMahon.
Only one has ever walked away with the Heisman Trophy, and that's Ty Detmer, who finished his career as a three-year starter with 62 NCAA records to his name.
Detmer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
11. Roger Staubach
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Roger Staubach was the last player from a military academy to win a Heisman Trophy.Born: Feb. 5, 1942 (Cincinnati, Ohio)
High school: Purcell Marian High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
College: Navy
Years: 1962-64
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (1963), Maxwell Award (1963), Sporting News Player of the Year (1963), AP All-American (1963)
Roger Staubach in the NFL
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Roger Staubach won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys.NFL career: Dallas Cowboys (1969-79)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Super Bowl champion (1971, 1977), Super Bowl MVP (1971), NFL All-Pro (1971), six-time Pro Bowl (1971 1975-79), NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, NFL 100th Anniversary Team
Bottom Line: Roger Staubach
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Roger Staubach was an All-American in 1963.Roger Staubach is one of the greatest college football players of all time.
He led Navy to the doorstep of the national championship in 1963 before the Midshipmen lost a 1-2 matchup against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Staubach also is the last player from a military academy to win the Heisman Trophy and won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys.
10. Steve McNair
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Steve McNair racked up over 6,000 yards of total offense as a senior at Alcorn State.Born: Feb. 14, 1973 (Mount Olive, Mississippi)
Died: July 4, 2009, 36 years old (Nashville, Tennessee)
High school: Mount Olive High School (Mount Olive, Mississippi)
College: Alcorn State
Years: 1991-94
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 230 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy finalist (1994), Walter Payton Award (1994)
Steve McNair in the NFL
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Steve McNair was the NFL MVP in 2003.NFL career: Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans (1995-2005), Baltimore Ravens (2006-07)
NFL career highlights: NFL Most Valuable Player (2003), NFL All-Pro (2003), three-time Pro Bowl (2000, 2003, 2005)
Bottom Line: Steve McNair
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Steve McNair was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1994.Steve McNair could have gone to any number of elite colleges coming out of high school. The only problem was they all wanted him to play running back.
McNair bet on himself and went to FCS Alcorn State to play quarterback. McNair walked away with the FCS career record for career yards with 16,283 and as a senior threw for 5,377 yards and rushed for 904 yards on the way to winning the Walter Payton Award.
McNair played 13 seasons in the NFL and was named NFL MVP in 2003. McNair died in 2009 at just 36 years old, the victim of a murder-suicide in Nashville.
9. Danny Wuerffel
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Danny Wuerffel was the first Heisman Trophy winner coached by another Heisman Trophy winner.Born: May 27, 1974 (Fort Walton Beach, Florida)
High school: Fort Walton Beach High School (Fort Walton Beach, Florida)
College: Florida
Years: 1993-96
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 212 pounds
Career highlights: National champion (1996), Heisman Trophy (1996), Maxwell Award (1996), two-time Davey O'Brien Award (1995, 1996), two-time SEC Player of the Year (1995, 1996), two-time AP All-American (1995, 1996)
Danny Wuerffel in the NFL
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Danny Wuerffel played in 25 NFL games.NFL/NFL Europe career: New Orleans Saints (1997-99), Rhein Fire (2000), Green Bay Packers (2000), Chicago Bears (2001), Washington Football Team (2002)
NFL/NFL Europe career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Danny Wuerffel
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Danny Wuerffel led Florida to a national championship in 1996.Danny Wuerffel led the nation in touchdown passes twice and led Florida to its first national title in 1996, which was the same year he won the Heisman Trophy.
Wuerffel was a two-time Davey O'Brien Award winner and also the first Heisman Trophy winner to be coached by another Heisman Trophy winner, fellow Florida alum Steve Spurrier.
8. Joe Burrow
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Joe Burrow had one of the greatest college football seasons of all time in 2019.Born: Dec. 10, 1996 (Ames, Iowa)
High school: Athens High School (The Plains, Ohio)
College: Ohio State, LSU
Years: 2015-19
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 220 pounds
Career highlights: CFP national champion (2019), Heisman Trophy (2019), AP Player of the Year (2019), Davey O'Brien Award (2019), AP All-American (2019)
Joe Burrow in the NFL
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Joe Burrow was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.NFL career: Cincinnati Bengals (2020-present)
NFL career highlights: NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2021), Pro Bowl (2022)
Bottom Line: Joe Burrow
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Joe Burrow won the Heisman Trophy in 2019.Joe Burrow transferred to LSU after three years as a redshirt and backup at Ohio State. And it might have been one of the best moves a college football player has ever made.
Burrow proceeded to rewrite the college football record books, leading LSU to an undefeated record and national title in his second season as a starter and bringing home the Tigers' first Heisman Trophy in 60 years.
All his hard work paid off. Burrow was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and has led the Bengals to bak-to-back AFC Championship games in 2021 and 2022, making it to the Super Bowl following the 2021 season.
7. Deshaun Watson
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Deshaun Watson won a national title at Clemson before leaving school early to play in the NFL.Born: Sept. 14, 1995 (Gainesville, Georgia)
High school: Gainesville High School (Gainesville, Georgia)
College: Clemson
Years: 2014-16
Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Career highlights: CFP national champion (2016), two-time Davey O'Brien Award winner (2015, 2016), two-time Heisman Trophy finalist (2015, 2016), ACC Player of the Year (2015), AP All-American (2015), two-time All-ACC (2015, 2016)
Deshaun Watson in the NFL
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Deshaun Watson made three straight Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020.NFL career: Houston Texans (2017-22), Cleveland Browns (2022-present)
NFL career highlights: Three-time Pro Bowl (2018-20), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2017)
Bottom Line: Deshaun Watson
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Deshaun Watson did a lot of celebrating at Clemson.Deshaun Watson never won a Heisman Trophy, but there are too many college quarterbacks you would take over him in a big game.
Watson led Clemson to a CFP championship game loss in 2015, then came back the next year to win it all on a last-second touchdown pass to Hunter Renfrow.
In September 2020, Watson signed a four-year, $177.5 million contract with the Houston Texans, including $111 million guaranteed — the second-largest contract in NFL history. After a sexual assault scandal, Watson was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and signed a five-year, $230 million, fully-guaranteed contract.
6. Matt Leinart
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Matt Leinart led USC to two national titles and came up just short of a third.Born: May 11, 1983 (Santa Ana, California)
High school: Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)
College: USC
Years: 2003-05
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 225 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2004), two-time national champion (2003, 2004), two-time AP All-American (2004, 2005), two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2005)
Matt Leinart in the NFL
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Matt Leinart played for the Cardinals, Texans and Raiders in the NFL.NFL career: Arizona Cardinals (2006-09), Houston Texans (2010-11), Oakland Raiders (2012)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Matt Leinart
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Matt Leinart won the Heisman Trophy in 2004.Matt Leinart's place among the greatest college football quarterbacks of all time is unquestioned.
He won two national championships at USC and came one bravura performance by Texas quarterback Vince Young away from winning a third consecutive national title.
Interestingly, Leinart backed up another Heisman Trophy winner in Carson Palmer before taking over as the Trojans' starter.
5. Case Keenum
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Case Keenum is the NCAA career passing leader.Born: Feb. 17, 1988 (Brownwood, Texas)
High school: Wylie High School (Abilene, Texas)
College: Houston
Years: 2007-11
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time Conference USA (2009, 2011), AP All-American (2009), two-time Sammy Baugh Trophy winner (2009, 2011)
Case Keenum in the NFL
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Case Keenum made his NFL debut in 2013.NFL career: Houston Texans (2012-13, 2014), St. Louis Rams (2014), St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2015-16), Minnesota Vikings (2017), Denver Broncos (2018), Washington Football Team (2019), Cleveland Browns (2020-present)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Case Keenum
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Case Keenum was an All-American in 2009.Case Keenum is the NCAA career leader for passing yards (19,217), touchdowns (155) and completions (1,546) after four years as a full-time starter at Houston, plus three games in an injury-shortened season that earned him a sixth year of eligibility.
In all, Keenum holds nine NCAA career passing records and has been a part-time or full-time starter for seven different NFL teams in eight seasons.
4. Baker Mayfield
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Baker Mayfield started his career at Texas Tech, but they didn't want to offer him a scholarship.Born: April 14, 1995 (Austin, Texas)
High school: Lake Travis High School (Austin, Texas)
College: Texas Tech, Oklahoma
Years: 2013-17
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds
Career highlights: Heisman Trophy (2017), Davey O'Brien Award (2017), AP Player of the Year (2017), two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2015, 2017), two-time AP All-American (2015, 2017), three-time All-Big 12 (2015-17), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2013)
Baker Mayfield in the NFL
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Can Baker Mayfield lead Cleveland to a Super Bowl?NFL career: Cleveland Browns (2018-22), Carolina Panthers (2022), Los Angeles Rams (2022), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2023-present)
NFL career highlights: PFWA All-Rookie Team (2018)
Bottom Line: Baker Mayfield
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Baker Mayfield won the Heisman Trophy in 2017.Baker Mayfield started his college career as a walk-on at Texas Tech, where he was the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2013.
But former Texas Tech coach Kliff Kingsbury didn't think that was enough to warrant offering Mayfield a scholarship, so he bolted to Oklahoma.
With the Sooners, Mayfield became one of the most exciting, dynamic quarterbacks in college football history and won the Heisman Trophy in 2017.
3. Vince Young
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Vince Young was a four-year starter for Texas, leading the Longhorns to the national title as a senior.Born: May 18, 1983 (Houston, Texas)
High school: Madison High School (Houston, Texas)
College: Texas
Years: 2003-05
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 230 pounds
Career highlights: BCS national champion (2005), Davey O'Brien Award (2005), AP All-American (2005), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2005), Heisman Trophy runner-up (2005), Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year (2003)
Vince Young in the NFL
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Vince Young was the NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2006.NFL/CFL career: Tennessee Titans (2006-10), Philadelphia Eagles (2011), Buffalo Bills (2012), Green Bay Packers (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2017)
NFL career highlights: Two-time Pro Bowl (2006, 2009), NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2006), Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year (2009)
Bottom Line: Vince Young
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Vince Young was an All-American in 2005.As a high school football phenom, Vince Young was the equivalent of a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant. That promise paid off in a big way at the University of Texas, where he was a three-year starter.
Young capped his career by winning a national championship and becoming the first NCAA player to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
2. Tommie Frazier
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Tommie Frazier won two national titles as Nebraska's starter.Born: July 16, 1974 (Bradenton, Florida)
High school: Manatee High School (Bradenton, Florida)
College: Nebraska
Years: 1992-95
Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time national champion (1994, 1995), Heisman Trophy runner-up (1995), Orange Bowl MVP (1994), two-time Fiesta Bowl MVP (1995, 1996), AP All-American (1995)
Tommie Frazier in the CFL
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Tommie Frazier never played in the NFL.CFL career: Montreal Alouettes (1996)
CFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Tommie Frazier
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Tommie Frazier was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1995.Few players in college football history won on the level Tommie Frazier did.
As a three-year starter for Nebraska, he led the Huskers to a national runner-up finish his first season and back-to-back titles in his last two years.
His 75-yard touchdown run against Florida in his final game is considered one of the greatest college football plays of all time.
1. Tim Tebow
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Tim Tebow won two national titles at Florida.Born: Aug. 14, 1987 (Makati, Philippines)
High school: Nease High School (Ponte Vedra, Florida)
College: Florida
Years: 2006-09
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 245 pounds
Career highlights: Two-time BCS national champion (2006, 2008), Heisman Trophy (2007), two-time SEC Player of the Year (2008, 2009), Davey O'Brien Award (2007), AP Player of the Year (2007), three-time AP All-American (2007, 2008)
Tim Tebow in the NFL
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Tim Tebow started 16 games in the NFL.NFL career: Denver Broncos (2010-11), New York Jets (2012)
NFL career highlights: None
Bottom Line: Tim Tebow
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Tim Tebow, right, won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.There has never been a college football quarterback like Tim Tebow — the perfect player for the team, coach, time and place he played.
Tebow won two national championships at Florida and became the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007, which wasn't even one of the national title years.
Few college athletes, in any sport, captured the public's imagination like Tebow did in his time at Florida. You'd be hard-pressed to find an American sports fan, much less a college football fan, who didn't know his career chapter and verse.
Related:Greatest College Football Fans