The Best 20 College Quarterbacks of the Last 20 Years

College football has exploded with high-end quarterback talent over the past two decades as the game has become more passing-oriented and dual-threats have become a valued asset. Attempting to rank them all is a fool’s errand. I am that fool. Here are the top 20 of the last 20 years.

1. Tim Tebow

College football is about pageantry and stories and to this day it’s hard to believe that Tim Tebow was real. A walking winner and inspirational poster, he transcended sports and became a cultural icon. He was a study of sheer will and determination on the field, overcoming talent deficiencies to get the job done. The lefthander threw 88 touchdowns compared to only 16 picks and added another 57 scores on the ground during his illustrious Florida Gators career. Though he did enough to earn the top spot on this list, it’s the least we can do in exchange for providing the content creators with so many clicks through the years.

2. Michael Vick

There was nothing like seeing a young Michael Vick run from one side of the field to the other, never slowing down, then turning upfield and dusting defenders. He was a video game come to life for the enjoyment of a generation just learning the joy of a scrambling quarterback. And then there was the arm, the hidden howitzer he’d bust out to throw a 65-yard strike to a streaking receiver. The Virginia Tech signal caller was everything a fan wanted, a high we’ve been chasing ever since. We feel bad for those out there too young to remember.

3. Marcus Mariota

No one executed Oregon’s uptempo offense better than Marcus Mariota, who combined the physical gifts and intelligence required to really make it hum. He threw 105 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while adding another 29 on the ground. Mariota played fast but was always in control, and always level-headed. Reflecting back, it’s tough to believe his team never captured a national title with him at the helm.

4. Vince Young

The Texas Longhorns star could beat you with his legs and with his arm. He took long, devastating strides in the open field. Simply put, Young was spellbinding to watch. It felt as though he was reinventing the wheel. He ran for 998 yards his freshman year and over 1,000 in the next two. His remarkable fourth-quarter exploits against USC to win the national championship are indelible. Perhaps the biggest argument for his inclusion so high on this list is the sheer shock that came when his skill set and productivity did not translate to the NFL.

5. Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson led Clemson to two consecutive national title games and played like a world-beater in both, combining for 825 passing yards and eight touchdowns against Alabama’s defense. Watson is third all-time in the ACC’s passing yard and touchdowns responsible for categories, and the leader in completion percentage. What stood out during his tenure was his polish and poise in close games.

6. Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson threw for over 9,000 yards and rushed for over 4,000 more. He won the Heisman Trophy — and probably deserved to win another. And he did it at Louisville, no small feat.

7. Baker Mayfield

A bumpy start at Texas Tech led to Norman and an incredible three-year run in which Baker Mayfield threw 119 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. During his junior and senior campaigns, he put up ratings of 196.4 and 198.9. Few have ever done it with as brash an attitude, one that drove opponents and starched shirts mad. He did it his way, and that way was spectacular.

8. Drew Brees

The point guard of Joe Tiller’s famed Basketball on Grass concept, Brees turned dormant Purdue into a monster. He still holds Big Ten records for completions and passing yards, and is second in touchdowns.

9. Cam Newton

It didn’t work out at Florida. It worked out big-time at Auburn, where Cam Newton led the Tigers to a national championship. Newton accounted for over 4,300 yards and an eye-popping 51 touchdowns during his one magical year as a starter. He averaged 11.2 yards per pass attempt and 5.6 per rush attempt. A bruising physical specimen, the Heisman Trophy winner had the unique ability to crush an opponent’s spirit by wearing them down.

10. Matt Leinart

Was arguably Los Angeles’ second-biggest sports star during his run at USC. The Trojans took on the aura of a pro team and Matt Leinart was the prototypical handsome face of the franchise. Oh yeah, he could play a bit too. The southpaw threw 99 touchdowns in his career, and he had a pretty memorable sneak against Notre Dame. Leinart won two national championships and came up just short in a third attempt. Born winner.

11. Johnny Manziel

Watching the Texas A&M quarterback do things people didn’t think he could do was so much fun. He was a jitterbug in the pocket and lethal once he escaped it. Johnny Manziel rewrote the book when it comes to cockiness, and more than often backed it up. His Heisman Trophy-winning campaign will remain frozen in time.

12. Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III amassed 4,992 yards for Baylor during his incredible junior season. Attempting to stop the Bears was an exercise in futility. Griffin’s ability to throw deep bombs to streaking wide receivers was uncanny.

13. Sam Bradford

Bradford stepped into the Oklahoma starting job as a freshman and hit the ground running, throwing 88 touchdowns in an injury-shortened 31-game career. To this day he holds the NCAA record for passing efficiency.

14. Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck earned back-to-back Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year awards while helping Jim Harbaugh lead Stanford back into prominence. The three-year starter accounted for over 10,000 yards of offense and showcased talent that made him a no-brainer as the No. 1 overall pick.

15. J.T. Barrett

He lacked the raw physical skills of some of the other players on this list, but he was like Tebow in that he was a born leader and champion. J.T. Barrett’s four years at Ohio State saw a bit of everything, including a national championship win he watched from the sidelines. Through it all, he persevered and emerged as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in touchdown passes. A true Buckeye legend.

16. Colt McCoy

Colt McCoy is the NCAA’s all-time leader in completion percentage at over 70 percent. He was steady and reliable as a two-time All-American and unfortunately suffered an injury in the national championship game against Alabama, robbing Texas of a true chance at greatness.

17. Jason White

By far, the most non-descript and least sexy name of the bunch. Until you remember that he wore these jeans.

18. Philip Rivers

A four-year starter, Philip Rivers rewrote the ACC record books by completing 1087 passes for 13,484 yards in his career. Rushed for 10 touchdowns in 2003, showing he was once a spry lad.

19. Jameis Winston

It was an odd journey for Jameis Winston at Florida State. There were the highs of a national title and Heisman Trophy. There were the lows of suspension and serious allegations. Through it all, he found a way to persevere with his back up against the wall, and seeing him dig the Seminoles out of a hole was commonplace.

20. Brady Quinn

It felt like Brady Quinn was at Notre Dame forever. He won the Johnny Unitas Award, the Sammy Baugh Award, and the Maxwell Award. He threw for 95 touchdowns. He never made an All-American team, which seems like an oversight. The Irish can’t get any respect.

Honorable mentions: Carson Palmer, Eric Crouch, Aaron Rodgers, A.J. McCarron