No offense or disrespect to my friend BabyTate, who has probably forgotten as much about college football as I know, but his list of the Top 20 NCAA quarterbacks is lacking. Again, no offense.
So, to further along the debate, here is my own list, and the reasons behind the selections.
1. Joe Montana, Notre Dame
The king of comebacks capped off a stellar Notre Dame career with the "chicken soup game" against Houston in the 1979 Cotton Bowl, when down by 22 points with only 7:37 left to go in the game, Montana rallied the Irish to a 35-34 victory on the last play of the game.
2. Tim Tebow, Florida
What will he do for an encore after two National Titles, two SEC Titles, and a Heisman Trophy?
3. Pat White, West Virginia
WVU was 46-9 in his four years there. Four bowl game wins (only college QB to do so), including the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia that validated the Big East after ACC defections.
4. Danny Wuerffel, Florida
Four straight SEC titles (not done before or since), 1996 Heisman Trophy, and National Championship.
5. Charlie Ward, Florida State
The master of the fast-break offense; won a National Championship and Heisman in 1993.
6.
Vince Young, TexasSinglehandedly defeated USC in 2006 Rose Bowl with 467 total yards, 30-2 as a starter, No. 1 all time for UT quarterbacks in wins.
7. Peyton Manning, Tennessee
39-6 as a starter, Tennessee's all-time leading passer. Set then-record for SEC wins as QB.
8. Tony Rice, Notre Dame
Last Notre Dame QB to win a national championship, 1989 Johnny Unitas winner.
9. Doug Flutie, Boston College
Most famous for the Hail Mary to beat Miami, Flutie left Boston College with a Heisman Trophy and the then-NCAA record for career passing yards.
10. Don McPherson, Syracuse
Davey O'Brien Winner, College Football Hall of Famer, led Syracuse to unbeaten 11-0-1 season in 1987, runner-up for Heisman Trophy, returned Syracuse football to national prominence.
11. Matt Leinart, USC
Two National Championships, Heisman Trophy winner, USC's all-time leader in touchdown passes.
12. Willie Totten, Mississippi Valley State
Leader of the famed "Satellite Express" offense, set more than 50 FCS passing records, College Football Hall of Famer.
13. Steve McNair, Alcorn State
FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award Winner, third in Heisman voting in 1994. Once completed 52 passes in FCS playoff game.
14. Vinny Testaverde, Miami
1986 Heisman Trophy winner, was Miami's all-time leader in passing touchdowns despite only playing in two seasons.
15. Tommie Frazier, Nebraska
Arguably the greatest option quarterback of all time, 33-3 as a starter, two National Championships and narrowly missed a third, Heisman runner-up in 1995.
16. Jamelle Holieway, Oklahoma
Won the 1985 National Championship as a true freshman, the only one to do so.
17. Jay Barker, Alabama
35-2-1 as a starter at Alabama, the best in Alabama history, including 13-0 National Championship season in 1992.
18. David Greene, Georgia
42 wins as a starter.
19. Major Harris, West Virginia
Twice in top five for Heisman Trophy, led WVU to its first undefeated, untied regular season. Literally ran around defenses ("The Play" vs. Penn State).
20. Philip Rivers, NC State
13,484 passing yards and 95 touchdowns, NCAA-record 51 games started in four years (34 wins).
26 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
James Colt 5 months ago
I'm sorry, but Danny Wuerffel, Pat White, and Tim Tebow have never gone undefeated so I don't think they should be above Vince Young. Tebow lost more games in a single season than VY lost in his carrer. Pat White only looked good with Steve Slaton. White shouldn't even be on the list much less #3. That is just flat out ridiculous to have him ahead of people that have won Heisman's and National Championships. He couldn't even navigate through one of the easiest conferences undefeated. Tommy Frazier only led probably the greatest team ever and won back to back titles and you have him at 15? Where is Eric Crouch I wonder? He was better than Pat White and David Greene. I'm sorry, but I think your list is a complete farce. I hadn't read BT's list, but I'm going to venture over and see what he thinks. On a final note while I completely disagree it is your right to have your own opinion and I respect that and enjoyed reading.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
I appreciate you taking the time to read the list, but I think Vince Young at #6 is right. If he had played all 4 years, he may have been placed higher. And, as far as Eric Crouch goes, he's probably about 4th best of the Nebraska QB's of the last 30 years behind Tommie Frazier, Turner Gill and Scott Frost.
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BabyTate 5 months ago
No disrespect taken. Nice list, I'd add another 20 years to it and put my favorite QB of all-time, Walt Rappold.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Thank you, I appreciate it.
Nice choice with Walt Rappold, an underappreciated Duke Blue Devil.
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Ronald Weathersby 5 months ago
FYI
Tim Tebow did not start on the 2007 SEC/National Championship team. Chris Leak started and was named MVP of the BCS Championship Game. One good thing about sports is they keep records. Maybe you should check them before you embarrass yourself with false information.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Ok, let me point out a few things:
"Tim Tebow did not start on the 2007 SEC/National Championship team."
No he didn't. He goes to Florida and not LSU. Florida won in 2006, LSU in 2007.
"Chris Leak started and was named MVP of the BCS Championship Game."
This is true, but Tim Tebow was a vital backup on the National Championship team, and earned the first of his 2 National Championships.
"One good thing about sports is they keep records."
This is also true, which is how I know who won the National Championships in 2006 and 2007.
"Maybe you should check them before you embarrass yourself with false information."
Take your own advice.
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Ronald Weathersby 5 months ago
You are the one attempting to beef up Tebow's resume by insinuating that his role was larger than it was ("Chris Leak started and was named MVP of the BCS Championship Game." "This is true, but..." in the BCS Championship game played January 8, 2007 in Glendale, Ariz.
My reference to the date is about WHEN the game was played. Sorry if I confused you.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Tebow accounted for 2 touchdowns in the BCS title game, was the second leading rusher on the 2006 team, made the SEC all-freshman team, and accounted for over 800 yards total offense and 13 touchdowns on the season, so to say that his role on the 2006 team wasn't enough to earn him a ring or have a national championship count is ridiculous.
The BCS Championship may have been played in 2007, but it was to determine the 2006 Champion. No confusion at all.
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Jonny Solovy 5 months ago
Great list and better than the other one that is circulating on here. Opinions are opinions though, everyone has one. One name I think you are missing that TRULY should be on here... Carson Palmer... maybe the strongest arm in college in the past few decades, sick stats, Heisman trophy etc.
I am glad to see Charlie Ward and Leinart on there.. some people bash them both but you are merely ignorant to not have them both on there... great job overall other than not having Palmer ;-)
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Palmer really had one season in college that was outstanding, 2002 obviously. Yes, he won the Heisman, yes he led USC back to the top of NCAA football, but Leinart was the one who really stood out for his whole career over Palmer.
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Jonny Solovy 5 months ago
There is no question you are right on about that... I would just argue that Palmer had much worse teams and still had decent seasons and in 2002 when he won, that was a phenomonal year. But I have said all along Leinart was one of the best ever, especially the past 30 years but so many fans don't think so because they judge him by his showing with Arizona so far.
My other guy I think deserves to be around 19 or 20 is Chris Weinke. His age gets counted against him but its not his fault... he went to be a pro baseball player and was struggling, I respect a sick athlete! He is the leader in nearly every FSU passing stat... he was GREAT
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Tim Bond 5 months ago
This list is a joke, right?
Pat White is not one of the top 20 QBs the last 10 years, let alone the last 30.
What about a QB that owns the Freshmam TD passes. A Qb that has led all major conferences in passer eff. in his two year starting? Has two conference titles as a starter. Has won a Heisman in just his second season to start? That owns almost all school passing records?
Then you have TEBLOW! come on man....Tommy Frazier was a much better runner and had a better arm than Tebow!
Major Harris? Charlie Ward? Willie Totten? Steve McNair? Danny Aweful?
Come on dude...there have been a lot better QBs then some that you listed.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Nope, no joke.
Pat White is one of the best NCAA quarterbacks of all time. Don't let the fact that he smoked OU in the Fiesta Bowl cloud your mind.
Sam Bradford?? He's good, and has the potential to be one of the best of all time. But for right now, he's not on this list. If he stays in school and puts up the same kind of numbers, maybe wins another Heisman and/or a National Title, then sure thing he makes the list.
You can't knock Tim Tebow. Even if you don't like him, its hard to not put him on the list. A National Championship as a key backup as a TRUE freshman, Heisman in his first year as a starter, another National Championship in his second year as a starter, and the potential for a second Heisman and a third NC, plus add in the stats he's accumulated. Please.
"Tommy Frazier was a much better runner and had a better arm than Tebow!"
I agree about the runner part because Frazier was an option qb, but arm?? Seriously??
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Tim Bond 5 months ago
LMFAO.
So since White beat OU in the Fiesta Bowl he deserves the #3 ranking? NOPE!
Hell if that is the case then Colt McCoy should be on the list, he as beaten OU twice.
Bradford has done more in College statistically and physically than Tim Tebow. Both have started two complete seasons and Bradford as a starter has a better record. Yet Messiah Tebow is on your list. Potential is the key word. He has not won that second heisman. He has not won that 3rd NC. If you cannot put a player that is currently in school in the list with him, then you are being nothing more than a homer.
It is obvious that you did not watch Tommy Frazier like those of us that are west of the Mississippi.
Speaking of West of the Mississippi, your biased in the list is noted. Considering you have only 4 QBs from the western United States listed in your top 20.
Where is Carson Palmer? Where is John Elway? How about Troy Aikmen? There are plenty that deserve to be on the list before Tebow, White, Leinart, Young, David Greene (Seriously?), and about half the list you mentioned.
Though overall list is not bad, it has some serious biased from your region.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
"It is obvious that you did not watch Tommy Frazier like those of us that are west of the Mississippi."
Actually, I watched a LOT of Tommie Frazier, that's how I know how his name is spelled. Plus, he's from Bradenton, Florida; so I've been familiar with him for a long time. He whipped the 3 major Florida schools in bowl games, winning the game MVP each time (including one in a losing cause).
And, as far as my list being regionally biased, Matt Leinart had a better college career than Palmer, Elway never made it to a bowl game and he had a much better pro career, and while Troy Aikman was in college, he wasn't even the best QB in the Pac-10 (Rodney Peete was) and Aikman had the better pro career.
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Dave R 5 months ago
The two guys that come to mind for me as missing are Donovan McNabb at Syracuse (who set all sorts of Big East career marks, and was not primarily an option QB -- the option was only a small part of the Syracuse offense in the late 1990s; Pat White passed some of them, but not all) and Drew Brees from Purdue (who was just amazing).
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Tim Bond 5 months ago
Very good players both of them.
Eli Manning was a damn good CFB QB, better than almost all that were listed.
Jason White was another one. He has Jamielle Holiway (Oklahoma) listed. But he is not even considered a top OU QB any more. I wouldn't put White on the list though.
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Tim Bond 5 months ago
Michael, I do not mean to disrepect your list. Just find it odd that players like David Greene, Pat White, Tim Tebow are on your list. That is all. IMHO, neither of the ones I have listed belong on the list. But it is your list and your opinion.
Thanks for the read either way.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
No disrespect taken.
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J.C. Ayvazi 5 months ago
Appreciate you putting together this list, especially since doing so paints a large target on your backside.
Like some others, I feel Carson Palmer should be on here. Dude had 4 different offensive coordinators and suffered from having Paul Hackett as a head coach. Still he perceived and was the cornerstone for the dominance the Trojans have enjoyed this decade.
Would also say Pat White and Tony Rice are too highly ranked, but as we are in America - this is America right - you have the right to your opinion.
No matter how soggy and swamp mud encrusted it may be 8^D
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
Put it all on my shoulders, I like having a target on me. If the list was 25 instead of 20, then Palmer would definitely be on it. Yes, he struggled through 4 years at USC, be he really had 1 outstanding year, which compared to Matt Leinert really doesn't measure up.
Ask yourself this question about Pat White -- If he played at a more elite school than West Virginia, say USC, Texas, or Florida, would he have had more or less success??
I think he would have had more, and then there would be no question as to whether or not he's the best.
Tony Rice may be a little high, but he did win Lou Holtz his only National Title, nearly won a second, and was undefeated against USC, even beating them without Ricky Watters and Tony Brooks, with a 65 yard touchdown run.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t82V6GfWBv4
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J.C. Ayvazi 5 months ago
I wouldn't slap "struggled" on all of Palmer's first four seasons.
"Ask yourself this question about Pat White -- If he played at a more elite school than West Virginia, say USC, Texas, or Florida, would he have had more or less success??"
Neither USC nor Florida would change their offense enough to accommodate White's rushing style. At Texas, he would have sat behind Young and fought like hell against McCoy.
And regarding the YouTube post of Rice, only a vicious SOB would post this for a USC fan to view 8^D
I didn't use the link because I remember the damn play.
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Michael Oleszek 5 months ago
I could have used a more vicious youtube. There was one out there of Frank Stams leveling Rodney Peete.
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Saraswathi Siriginia 5 months ago
Good job Michael countering the professor's choices for which if I read correctly he does not take offense :-)
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Chuck Herrington 5 months ago
Nice list... Pat White should be in the Top 20 (dude won 4 bowls!), but not in the top 5. I'd like to submit Ty Detmer, Timmy Chang, and Michael Vick as omissions that I think should be listed. To make room, I'd suggest to eliminate Tony Rice (more like a Trent Dilfer for the Ravens in leading the Irish to that NC--heck, Brady Quinn is the better Domer QB), and the two Div I-AA QB's (sorry McNair and Totten).
Ty Detmer was the epitome of the star college QB in the early 80's, with that monster 1990 season. He is the reason the WAC was given the stereotype of high-scoring offenses (with little defense). Besides the Heisman Trophy, Detmer also left school with the highest passer rating in college history, most career yards passing, and still holds the NCAA record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (35).
Michael Vick, while only playing for a couple of years at VaTech, revolutionized the QB position in college football. While not getting the accolades that Tommie Frazier received (due to leaving school early?), I believe he was the better runner of the two, and way better as a passer. Vick paved the way for the Pat White's and Tim Tebow's... both players who may have played different positions had it not been for Vick laying the blueprint/precedence.
Timmy Chang I only put up because of the fact that he holds multiple NCAA passing records (most career yards, most career attempts and most career completions. Granted he played for Hawaii, but those are career stats that shouldn't be overlooked.
And while I'm a Gator homer as well, I think Danny is a bit high (feels more like 6-10). Montana was not as accomplished as a college QB as Tebow and Leinart--his MO in college was coming back from behind (due to below average play in the first half). Not so sure Montana should be #1--prefer Tebow. I think Peyton should get bumped down as well--he could never win the big game in college. Frazier should be in the top 5--that beat down of Florida in the Fiesta Bowl was all him.
Thanks so much for putting this out there... I love controversial rankings.
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John Cate 4 months ago
Joe Montana's college career was nothing historic, with the exception of the 1979 Cotton Bowl. He wasn't even Notre Dame's starter until the fourth game of his redshirt junior season, and then only because of injuries to the two guys ahead of him. He was a good college quarterback from that point forward, but you have 10 guys on this list and omitted probably 30 or 40 more who were better college QBs in the last 30 years.
If you want to rank him way up the list just because of the 1979 Cotton Bowl, then Jim McMahon (a guy who had a better college career than Montana, but you didn't even list him) needs to be first for what he did in the 1980 Holiday Bowl.
Joe Montana was a great NFL quarterback. He doesn't get extra credit as a college player for it.
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