17 Greatest college football quarterbacks Of All Time

Colleges: Baylor Bears (2008-2011)

Passing Yards: 10,366, best: 4,293 (2011)

Touchdowns: 78

Rushing Yards: 2,254 (TDs: 33)

Awards and Recognition: Heisman Trophy (2011), Davey O’Brien Award (2011), Manning Award (2011), AP College Football Player of the Year (2011), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2011)

More than just a quarterback, Robert Griffin III was a phenomenon. During his dominance at Baylor from 2008 to 2011, this dazzling dual-threat master left defenders stunned and supporters yelling “RG3!”

Deshaun Watson was a hurricane in cleats, who would spin away from defenders, launch laser throws across the field, and leave opposing fans gasping for air.

Colleges: Clemson Tigers (2014-2016)

Passing Yards: 10,168, best: 4,593 (2016)

Touchdowns: 90

Rushing Yards: 1,9344 (TDs: 26)

Championships: CFP National Champion (2016)

Awards and Recognitions: CFP National Championship Offensive MVP (2016), Johnny Unitas Award (2016), ACC Athlete of the Year (2016, 2017), ACC Player of the Year (2015), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2015)

Before lighting up the NFL like a Mardi Gras float, Brees was a Boilermaker phenom at Purdue. 

Brees led the Boilermakers to their first Big Ten championship in over 30 years in 2000, orchestrating last-minute upsets against Ohio State and Michigan that still send shivers down Hoosier’s spines.

Colleges: Purdue Boilermakers (1997-2000)

Passing Yards: 11,792, best: 3,983 (1998)

Touchdowns: 45

Championships: Big Ten Championship (2010)

Awards and Recognitions: Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1998, 2000), Davey O’Brien Award finalist (1999)

Case Keenum, the name that might not ring with the same star power as some, deserves a spot in the pantheon of QB greats. This gunslinger rewrote record books and defied expectations.

Colleges: Houston Cougars (2006-2011)

Passing Yards: 19,217 (NCAA record), best: 5,671 (2009), crossed the 5,000 yards three times (2008, 2009, 2011): A NCAA Record

Touchdowns: 155 (NCAA record) 

Rushing Yards: 897 (TDs: 23)

Awards and Recognitions: Sammy Baugh Trophy (2009, 2011), Conference USA MVP (2009, 2011), C-USA Offensive Player of the Year (2008)

Trevor arrived at Clemson as a five-star prodigy and left as a champion. He led the Tigers to a national championship as a freshman, slinging lasers for 3,280 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Colleges: Clemson Tigers (2018-2020)

Win-loss record: 34-2

Passing Yards: 10,0988, best: 3,655 (2019), crossed the 3K mark every year

Touchdowns: 90

Rushing Yards: 943 (TDs: 18)

Championships: CFP Nationa Champion (2018)

Awards and Recognitions: CFP National Championship Offensive MVP (2018), ACC Player of the Year (2020), ACC Offensive Player of the Year (2020), ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year (2018)

Enter Matt Leinart, the golden boy of Southern California. He was the face of USC’s dynasty, the conductor of the “Trojan Thunder” offense, and a leader who commanded respect from teammates and opponents alike.

Colleges: USC Trojans (2001-2005)

Passing Yards: 10,693, best: 3,815 (2005)

Touchdowns: 99

Rushing TDs: 9

Championships: AP National Champion (2003, 2004), BCS National Champion (2004)

Some Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (2004), Walter Camp Award (2004), Johnny Unitas Award (2005)

Colleges: Oregon Ducks (2011-2014)

Passing Yards: 10,796, best: 3,665 (2013)

Touchdowns: 105

Rushing Yards: 2,237 (TDs: 29)

Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (2014), Maxwell Award (2014), Johnny Unitas Award (2014), AP College Football Player of the Year (2014), Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year (2014)

Marcus Mariota, the Hawaiian Houdini, painted his magic with a pigskin and a smile. He was a human highlight reel, weaving through defenders like a palm tree swaying in the breeze.

Johnny Manziel was a freshman phenom who wasn’t just a Heisman magnet; he was a cultural tidal wave that left defenses drenched in Gatorade and fans screaming “Johnny Football!” at the top of their lungs.

Colleges: Texas A&M Aggies (2011-2013)

Win-loss record: 26-9

Passing Yards: 7,820, best 4,114 (2013)

Touchdowns: 63

Rushing Yards: 2,169 (TDs: 30)

Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (2012), Davey O’Brien Award (2012), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2012), AP College Football Player of the Year (2012)

Forget Miami Vice pastels and neon – in Pittsburgh, Dan Marino wasn’t painting the town, he was painting the sky with pigskins.

Colleges: Pittsburgh Panthers (1979-1982)

Passing Yards: 8,597, best: 2,8876 (1981)

Touchdowns: 79

Awards and Recognitions: First-team All-American (1981), College Football Hall of Fame (2003), Pittsburgh Panthers retired no. 13

Joe Montana’s arm was the real Golden Dome magic. This unassuming Californian wasn’t just slinging pigskins, he was launching rockets, painting masterpieces across the gridiron with his pinpoint throws.

Colleges: Notre Dame (1974-1978)

Win-loss record: 27-8

Passing Yards: 4,123, best: 2,010 (1978)

Touchdowns: 25

Rushing TDs: 14

Championships: National Champion (1977)

Awards and Recognitions: AP Athlete of the Year (1989, 1990), George Halas Award (1988, 1994), Bert Bell Award (1989)

Roger Staubach, the “Captain Comeback,” was a different breed.  He didn’t have fancy footwork or laser throws, instead, this Nay Midshipman was pure grits and guts under center.

Colleges: New Mexico Military Institute (1960), Navy Midshipmen (1961-1964)

Passing Yards: 3,571, best: 1,474 (1963)

Touchdowns: 18

Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (1963), Maxwell Award(1963), Chic Harley Award (1963), UPI Player of the Year (1963), College Football Hall of Fame (1981)

Before Tim Tebow’s gator chomp, before Burrow’s bombs, there was Cam Newton, the Superman in cleats. He hurdled defenders, stiff-armed linebackers, and unleashed touchdown throws that seemed to defy physics.

Colleges: Florida Gators (2007-2008), Blinn College (2009), Auburn Tigers (2010)

Passing Yards: 5,741, best: 2,854 (2010)

Touchdowns: 52

Rushing Yards: 2,241 (TDs: 40)

Championships: BCS National Champion (2008, 2010), CJCAA National Champion (2009)

Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (2010), Maxwell Award (2010), AP College Football Player of the Year (2010), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2010)

Remember the Rose Bowl upset? The “Hook and Shoot” carving up USC? Vince Young was the architect and the conductor of this offensive masterpiece.

Colleges: Texas Longhorns (2002-2005)

Passing Yards: 6,040, best: 3,036 (2005)

Touchdowns: 44

Rushing Yards: 3,127 (TDs: 37)

Championships: BCS National Champion (2005)

Awards and Recognitions: Maxwell Award (2005), Manning Award (2005), Davey O’Brien Award (2005), Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (2005), College Football Hall of Fame (2019)

Forget the textbook playbook, Peyton Manning rewrote the quarterback manual with his mind-bending pre-snap reads and laser-guided throws. This Tennessee legend wasn’t just an arm, he was a walking encyclopedia, orchestrating offenses like a symphony conductor.

Colleges: Tennessee Volunteers (1994-1997)

Passing Yards: 11,201, best: 3,819 (1997)

Touchdowns: 89

Rushing TDs: 12

Awards and Recognitions: Maxwell Award (1997), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (1997), SEC Player of the Year (1997),  Davey O’Brien Award (1997), William V. Campbell Trophy (1997)

Forget the sleek Falcons jersey, picture a raw, electric blur carving through defenses on Virginia Tech’s gridiron. That’s Michael Vick, the college football force who redefined the quarterback position with his electrifying dual-threat game.

Colleges: Virginia Tech Hokies (1998-2000)

Passing Yards: 3,279, best: 1,840 (1999)

Touchdowns: 21

Rushing Yards: 1,216 (TDs: 17)

Awards and Recognitions: Big East Rookie of the Year (1999), Big East Offensive Player of the Year (1999), Archie Griffin Award (1999), Heisman Runner-up (1999)

This Heisman-hoisting hero wasn’t just about stats; Tim was known for his clutch throws, crazy runs, and fourth-down conversion that amazed everyone.

Colleges: Florida Gators (2006-2009)

Win-loss record: 45-6 as a starter

Passing Yards: 9,288, best: 3,286 
(2007)

Touchdowns: 88

Rushing Yards: 2,947 (TDs: 57)

Championships: BCS National Champion (2006, 2008)

Awards and Recognitions: Heisman Trophy (2007), Maxwell Award (2007, 2008), AP College Football Player of the Year (2007), BCS National Championship MVP (2008), SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2009)

Joe Burrow transformed LSU into an offensive juggernaut, carving up defenses with laser accuracy and leaving fans breathless. His 2019 season remains one of the most dominant in college football history.

Colleges: Ohio State Buckeyes (2015-2017), LSU Tigers (2018-2019)

Win-loss record: 25-3 as a starter

Passing Yards: 8,852, best: 5,671 (2019)

Touchdowns: 78

Championships: 2019 National Champion

Awards and Recognition: Heisman Trophy (2019), Davey O’Brien Award (2019), AP College Football Player of the Year (2019), 2019 CFP National Championship Offensive MVP