Most Passing Yards in College Football History

These college quarterbacks ruled the air.

Most Passing Yards in College Football History

We are in an era of college football where the quarterback rules over everything. They are the key to every offense, and every program's hopes and dreams rest on their shoulders.

In the history of college football, some schools went to the air and went all in on the passing game long before everyone else. They used quarterbacks in eras where everyone else was still trying to win games running the ball. And while those "air raid" offenses made games more exciting to watch, it didn't always result in wins.

Sometimes, a great offense just needs a really good quarterback to run well. Sometimes, a great quarterback can elevate a pretty good offense with his arm. History decides which was which.

Here's a look at the college football quarterbacks with the most passing yards of all time.

30. Mason Fine, North Texas — 12,505 Passing Yards

Born: April 19, 1997 (Peggs, Oklahoma)

High School: Locust Grove High School (Locust Grove, Oklahoma)

Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time Conference USA Player of the Year (2017, 2018), three-time All-Conference USA (2017-19), All-Conference USA Freshman Team (2016)

Bottom line: Mason Fine set records at Locust Grove High before going right down the road to set records at North Texas. Fine had his best years as a sophomore in 2017, when he threw for 4,052 yards, 31 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

Fine was in his third season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL in 2023.

(All passing yardage stats include regular season and bowl games)

29. Chase Daniel, Missouri — 12,515 Passing Yards

Born: October 7, 1986 (Irving, Texas)

High School: Southlake Carroll High School (Southlake, Texas)

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 229 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-Big 12 (2006, 2007), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2007), Super Bowl champion (2009)

Bottom line: Chase Daniel was the star for Missouri during a time when the program was one of the best in the country, earning All-Big 12 honors twice and leading his team to within one game of the BCS Championship Game in 2007.

Daniel has spent the last 15 years as one of the most reliable backup quarterbacks in the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints as Drew Brees' backup in the 2009 season.

28. Ryan Lindley, San Diego State — 12,690 Passing Yards

San Diego State quarterback Ryan Lindley

Born: June 22, 1989 (San Diego, California)

High School: El Capitan High School (Lakeside, California)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 232 pounds

Career highlights: All-MWC (2010)

Bottom line: Ryan Lindley started all four years for San Diego State, setting school record for passing yards, touchdowns (90), completions (961), consecutive starts (44) and wins (23). As a junior in 2010, he led the Aztecs to a win over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, their first bowl game since 1998.

Lindley played four seasons in the NFL and is currently the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for San Diego State.

27. Tim Rattay, Louisiana Tech — 12,746 Passing Yards

Born: March 15, 1977 (Elyria, Ohio)

High School: Phoenix Christian Prep (Phoenix, Arizona)

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds

Career highlights: Louisiana Tech Hall of Fame, two-time UFL champion (2009, 2010)

Bottom line: Tim Rattay was the ultimate underdog. Virtually unrecruited out of high school, he played one season at Scottsdale Community College in Arizona, where he started out as No. 5 on the depth chart before eventually leading the NJCAA in passing that season with 3,526 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Rattay transferred to Louisana Tech and started for three seasons. As a junior in 1997, he had one of the greatest passing seasons in NCAA history, throwing for 4,943 yards and 46 touchdowns. Rattay played eight seasons in the NFL and has been Oklahoma State's quarterbacks coach since 2020.

26. Derek Carr, Fresno State — 12,843 Passing Yards

Born: March 28, 1991 (Fresno, California)

High School: Bakersfield Christian High School (Bakersfield, California)

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time MWC Offensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013), two-time All-MWC (2012, 2013), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2013), four-time Pro Bowl (2015-17, 2022)

Bottom line: Derek Carr led Fresno State to an 11-2 record in 2013, and was a two-time MWC Offensive Player of the Year. Carr led the nation with 5,083 passing yards and 50 touchdowns in 2013 and threw just 24 interceptions over his entire college career.

When Carr's current contract with the New Orleans Saints runs out after the 2026 season he will have banked almost $300 million in NFL career earnings.

25. Brandon Doughty, Western Kentucky — 12,855 Passing Yards

Western Kentucky quarterback Brandon Doughty

Born: October 6, 1991 (Davie, Florida)

High School: North Boward Prep (Coconut Creek, Florida)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time Conference USA MVP (2014, 2015), two-time All-Conference USA (2014, 2015), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2014)

Bottom line: Brandon Doughty flipped his commitment from Florida Atlantic to Western Kentucky and became arguably the greatest player in Hilltopper history.

Doughty won back-to-back Conference USA MVP honors in 2014 and 2015 and had his best statistical season as a senior in 2015 when he threw for 5,055 yards, 48 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

24. Cooper Rush, Central Michigan — 12,891 Passing Yards

Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush

Born: November 21, 1993 (Charlotte, Michigan)

High School: Lansing Catholic High School (Lansing, Michigan)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 225 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-MAC (2015, 2016)

Bottom line: Football fans know Cooper Rush from his time as the more-than-adept backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, but before that, he was a star at Central Michigan and earned All-MAC honors twice.

Rush finished his career with 49 consecutive starts and set an NCAA bowl record with seven touchdown passes in the 2014 Bahamas Bowl. He was also on the winning end of one of the wildest finishes in college football history when Central Michigan defeated Oklahoma State on a Hail Mary followed by a lateral for a touchdown with no time remaining.

23. Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan — 12,905 Passing Yards

Central Michigan quarterback Dan LeFevour

Born: March 19, 1987 (Downers Grove, Illinois)

High School: Lisle Benet Academy (Lisle, Illinois)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 230 pounds

Career highlights: MAC Most Valuable Player (2009), two-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2007, 2009), MAC Freshman of the Year (2006), four-time All-MAC (2006-09), Sporting News Freshman All-American (2006), Motor City Bowl MVP (2006), two-time MAC Championship Game MVP (2007, 2009), GMAC Bowl MVP (2010), Senior Bowl Most Outstanding Player (2010)

Bottom line: Central Michigan's Dan LeFevour is one of the few on this list who could be truly listed as a dual-threat quarterback: He finished his career with almost 3,000 rushing yards and 47 rushing touchdowns. LeFevour played eight seasons of professional football — two in the NFL and six more in the CFL.

22. Kevin Kolb, Houston — 12,964 Passing Yards

Born: August 24, 1984 (Victoria, Texas)

High School: Stephenville High School (Stephenville, Texas)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 218 pounds

Career highlights: Conference USA Offensive MVP (2006), three-time All-Conference USA (2003, 2005, 2006), Conference USA Freshman of the Year (2003), Sporting New Freshman All-American (2003)

Bottom line: Houston head coach Art Briles made true freshman Kevin Kolb a starter in Briles' first year at the school — a bold move for a rookie head coach. Briles had inside info as a former head coach at Stephenville High, where Kolb played, and his hunch paid off in a big way as Kolb was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2003 and Conference USA Offensive MVP in 2006.

Kolb played seven years in the NFL, mostly as a backup.

21. Luke McCown, Louisiana Tech — 12,984 Passing Yards

Kai quarterback Luke McCown of Louisiana Tech

Born: July 12, 1981 (Jacksonville, Texas)

High School: Jacksonville High School (Jacksonville, Texas)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 217 pounds

Career highlights: None

Bottom line: Louisiana Tech signing Luke McCown was a true Hail Mary — the Texas high school football star picked them over offers from powerhouse schools like Oklahoma and Florida State.

McCown is one of two Louisiana Tech quarterbacks to make this list, along with Tim Rattay. He also played in the WAC at one of the most competitive times imaginable, making his plight for individual recognition more than difficult — future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU) and future No. 1 overall draft pick David Carr were the WAC Offensive Players of the Year in McCown's first two seasons.

20. Aaron Murray, Georgia — 13,166 Passing Yards

Born: November 10, 1990 (Tampa, Florida)

High School: Henry B. Plant High School (Tampa, Florida)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 207 pounds

Career highlights: All-SEC (2011), Freshman All-SEC (2010), College Football News All-American (2012), Freshman All-American (2010)

Bottom line: Aaron Murray threw for a lot of yards as a four-year starter for Georgia. The problem was that the majority of the time, they weren't very good. The Bulldogs went 6-7 Murray's freshman year and were 8-5 when he was a senior. It seems like a cruel joke that he's the SEC's career leader for touchdown passes.

19. Chris Redman, Louisville — 13,191 Passing Yards

Born: July 7, 1977 (Louisville, Kentucky)

High School: Male High School (Louisville, Kentucky)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 225 pounds

Career highlights: Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year (1999), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (1999), Super Bowl champion (2000), Louisville Cardinals Ring of Honor

Bottom line: Louisville native Chris Redman was originally committed to Louisville and legendary head coach Howard Schellenberger, then backed out when Schellenberger left for Oklahoma.

Schellenberger refused to recruit Redman at Oklahoma out of respect for his former employer. Redman ended up signing with Illinois based on his relationship with offensive coordinator Greg Landry, who head coach Lou Tepper fired one day after Redman signed.

In a stunning turn of events for that era, the NCAA sided with Redman, let him out of his commitment and granted him five full years of eligibility. He decided to go to Oklahoma … only to flip at the last second because it was too far from home. Then he signed with Louisville.

18. Colt McCoy, Texas — 13,253 Passing Yards

Born: September 5, 1986 (Hobbs, New Mexico)

High School: Jim Ned High School (Tuscola, Texas)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds

Career highlights: 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), BCS National Champion (2005)

Bottom line: After he redshirted on Texas' national championship team in 2005, Colt McCoy started for the Longhorns for the next four years and was the team MVP each year — he guided them to the BCS National Championship Game in 2009 but was knocked out of the game by Alabama's defense on the first series of the game.

17. Corey Robinson, Troy — 13,477 Passing Yards

Born: March 29, 1990 (Paducah, Kentucky)

High School: Lone Oak High School (Paducah, Kentucky)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-Sun Belt (2010, 2013), Sun Belt Freshman of the Year (2010), New Orleans Bowl MVP (2010)

Bottom line: Corey Robinson set a national high school record with 91 touchdown passes as a senior at Lone Oak High. He was a four-year starter at Troy and threw for over 3,000 yards each year, with his best statistical season as a freshman in 2010, when he threw for 3,726 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

16. Philip Rivers, North Carolina State — 13,484 Passing Yards

North Carolina State quarterback Philip Rivers

Born: December 8, 1981 (Decatur, Alabama)

High School: Athens High School (Athens, Alabama)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 228 pounds

Career highlights: ACC Player of the Year (2003), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2003), ACC Rookie of the Year (2000), two-time All-ACC (2002, 2003), ACC Athlete of the Year (2004), NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2013), eight-time Pro Bowl (2006, 2009-11, 2013, 2016-18)

Bottom line: Philip Rivers was an early enrollee at North Carolina State in 2000 and became the Wolfpack's starting quarterback as a true freshman, kicking off a career that would see him make an NCAA record 51 consecutive starts. Rivers led North Carolina State to bowl games in each of his four seasons and was named ACC Player of the Year as a senior in 2003.

Rivers played 17 seasons in the NFL and finished his career with 63,440 passing yards, putting him in the Top 10 NFL career leaders.

15. Brett Rypien, Boise State — 13,578 Passing Yards

Born: July 9, 1996 (Spokane, Washington)

High School: Shadle Park High School (Spokane, Washington)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 202 pounds

Career highlights: MWC Offensive Player of the Year (2018), MWC Freshman of the Year (2015), four-time All-MWC (2015-18)

Bottom line: The nephew of former Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien, Brett Rypien broke all of Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore's high school records in Washington before following Moore to bluer pastures. Rypien ended up as a four-year starter for Boise State, earning Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior in 2018.

14. Sean Mannion, Oregon State — 13,600 Passing Yards

Born: April 25, 1992 (San Jose, California)

High School: Foothill High School (Pleasanton, California)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 230 pounds

Career highlights: None

Bottom line: Sometimes you come across sports facts that boggle the mind. One of those is that Oregon State's Sean Mannion set the Pac-12 career record for passing yards and was a four-year starter, yet was never selected All-Pac-12. Doesn't seem right.

Mannion played seven seasons in the NFL, entirely as a backup.

13. Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State — 13,618 Passing Yards

Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph

Born: July 17, 1995 (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

High School: Northwestern High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-5, 235 pounds

Career highlights: AP All-American (2017), All-Big 12 (2017), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (2017), Sammy Baugh Trophy (2017), Camping World Bowl MVP (2017)

Bottom line: Mason Rudolph started three games as a freshman then was Oklahoma State's starter for the next three seasons and put up insane numbers, throwing for over 4,000 yards in each of his last two seasons.

A true dropback passer, Rudolph was also incredibly effective running the ball in short-yardage situations, using his 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame to muscle into the end zone for 17 career rushing touchdowns, including 10 as a senior in 2017.

12. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest/Notre Dame — 13,698 Passing Yards

Born: July 29, 1999 (Charlotte, North Carolina)

High School: Oceanside Collegiate Academy (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 212 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-ACC (2021, 2022), Gator Bowl MVP (2021), Gasparilla Bowl MVP (2022), Brian Piccolo Award (2022)

Bottom line: The only active player to make this list, Sam Hartman was virtually a lock to jump into the Top 10 after transferring from Wake Forest to Notre Dame and earning the starting job for the Irish in 2023. Hartman did what most college football fans know to be almost impossible in his final two seasons at Wake Forest by leading his school to back-to-back winning records, going 11-3 in 2021 and 7-5 in 2022.

11. Holton Ahlers, East Carolina — 13,927 Passing Yards

Born: November 10, 1999 (Greenville, North Carolina)

High School: D.H. Conley High School (Greenville, North Carolina)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 227 pounds

Career highlights: Hula Bowl MVP (2022), Birmingham Bowl MVP (2022), NFLPA Collegiate Bowl MVP (2022)

Bottom line: There aren't many dual-threat quarterbacks on this list but East Carolina's Holton Ahlers was one of the nation's best at throwing and running the ball in four years as his team's full-time starter. Ahlers started five games as a freshman in 2018 and got an extra year of eligibility thanks to the pandemic, setting American Athletic Conference records for total offensive yards (15,373), passing yards (13,933), completions (1,127) and touchdowns responsible for (122).

10. Rakeem Cato, Marshall — 14,079 Passing Yards

Born: March 28, 1992 (Liberty City, Florida)

High School: Miami Central High School (West Little River, Florida)

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 181 pounds

Career highlights: Conference USA MVP (2012), two-time Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year (2013, 2014), three-time All-Conference USA (2012-14), Military Bowl MVP (2013), Boca Raton Bowl MVP (2014)

Bottom line: One of the smaller quarterbacks on this list at 6-foot, 181 pounds, Rakeem Cato starred at powerhouse Miami Central High before becoming a four-year starter for Marshall. Cato led the nation in passing yards per game as a sophomore on the way to being named Conference USA Most Valuable Player in 2012 and was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

Cato has played nine seasons of pro football since leaving Marshall through 2023 — two years in the Canadian Footbal League and seven years of indoor football.

9. Colt Brennan, Hawaii — 14,193 Passing Yards

Born: August 16, 1983 (Laguna Beach, California)

Died: May 11, 2021, 37 years old (Newport Beach, California)

High School: Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California)

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)

Bottom line: Colt Brenan took a winding road to stardom after he was kicked off the team at Colorado and finally made his way to Hawaii and head coach June Jones, who molded him into one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time. Brennan finished his career as a Heisman Trophy finalist, two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year and the owner of the NCAA record for most career 400-yard passing games (20). Brennan died of a drug overdose in 2021 in California. He was 37 years old.

8. Luke Falk, Washington State — 14,481 Passing Yards

Born: December 28, 1994 (Logan, Utah)

High School: Logan High School (Logan, Utah)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-Pac-12 (2015, 2016), Burlsworth Trophy (2017)

Bottom line: Luke Falk was originally committed to play in the Ivy League for Cornell but changed his mind and decided to walk on at Washington State, where he set Pac-12 records for career pass attempts, completions, completion percentage, passing yards and passing touchdowns. Falk played two seasons in the NFL.

7. Baker Mayfield, Texas Tech/Oklahoma — 14,607 Passing Yards

Born: April 14, 1995 (Austin, Texas)

High School: Lake Travis High School (Austin, Texas)

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)

Bottom line: Few quarterbacks in college football history were worth the price of admission more than Baker Mayfield, who won a Heisman Trophy in 2017 and led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoffs twice. Mayfield actually started his career as a walk-on at Texas Tech, won Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2013 and transferred to Oklahoma when Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury wouldn't put him on a scholarship. Smart move, Kliff!

6. Kellen Moore, Boise State — 14,667 Passing Yards

Born: July 5, 1988 (Prosser, Washington)

High School: Prosser High School (Prosser, Washington)

Height/Weight: 6-foot, 200 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time National Quarterback of the Year (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), first-team All-MWC (2011)

Bottom line: Kellen Moore started four years at Boise State, a stretch in which he went 50-3, never lost more than one game in a season and went 14-0 in 2009, setting the record for most career wins by a quarterback. For his efforts, The Touchdown Club of Columbus changed the name of its National Quarterback of the Year award to the Kellen Moore Award after he won it twice.

5. Graham Harrell, Texas Tech — 15,793 Passing Yards

Born: May 22, 1985 (Brownwood, Texas)

High School: Ennis High School (Ennis, Texas)

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)

Bottom line: Graham Harrell led Texas Tech to its greatest win, beating No. 1 Texas at home in 2008 on a touchdown pass to All-American wide receiver Michael Crabtree as time ran out. To that end, Harrell was never better than when he faced the Longhorns, averaging 486.6 passing yards in three starts. Harell still holds eight NCAA records, including most 400-yard passing games in a career and in a single season, as well as most seasons with over 4,000 yards of total offense, with three.

4. Ty Detmer, BYU — 16,206 Passing Yards

Born: October 30, 1967 (San Marcos, Texas)

High School: Southwest High School (San Antonio, Texas)

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)

Bottom line: Of all the great quarterbacks who have played for BYU, including Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Zach Wilson, only one has won the Heisman Trophy: Ty Detmer.

Detmer started three years for the Cougars and left college with the NCAA record for passing yards — one of 62 NCAA records he held at one point. Detmer was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

3. Landry Jones, Oklahoma — 16,646 Passing Yards

Born: April 4, 1989 (Artesia, New Mexico)

High School: Artesia High School (Artesia, New Mexico)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 225 pounds

Career highlights: Sammy Baugh Trophy (2010)

Bottom line: Landry Jones was one of the highest-rated recruits in the nation coming out of Artesia High and was thrust into a starting role for Oklahoma when Sam Bradford couldn't stay healthy in 2009. For all of Jones' record-setting stats, he's not even in the conversation as one of Oklahoma's greatest quarterbacks. Kind of weird.

2. Timmy Chang, Hawaii — 17,072 Passing Yards

Born: October 9, 1981 (Honolulu, Hawaii)

High School: Saint Louis School (Honolulu, Hawaii)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 207 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-WAC (2002, 2004), WAC Freshman of the Year (2000), two-time Hawaii Bowl MVP (2003, 2004)

Bottom line: Timmy Chang was born and raised in Hawaii and starred at Saint Louis School in Honolulu before staying home to play college football. Chang threw for a lot of yards in college and walked away with NCAA career records for pass attempts and total plays. While Chang threw for a lot of yards, his 80 career interceptions are also an NCAA record. After spending a decade as a college assistant coach, Chang became the head coach at Hawaii in 2022.

1. Case Keenum, Houston – 19,217 Passing Yards

Born: February 17, 1988 (Brownwood, Texas)

High School: Wylie High School (Abilene, Texas)

Height/Weight: 6-foot-1, 215 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time All-Conference USA (2009, 2011), AP All-American (2009), two-time Sammy Baugh Trophy winner (2009, 2011)

Bottom line: Case Keenum rewrote the NCAA record books in four years as Houston's starter and is still the career leader for passing yards, touchdowns (155) and completions (1,546).

Keenum was in his 11th season in the NFL in 2023, where he's been a backup or part-time starter for seven different teams.