Top 6 Best College Football Quarterbacks of All Time

American college football is highly competitive, and much of each team’s success lies in the strength of their quarterback. To be counted as one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time, one must display accuracy, perfect footwork, team anticipation, high pocket presence, quick decision-making, peak mental endurance, and all-around athleticism. Listed below are the top six best college football quarterbacks of all time.

Who are the Best College Football Quarterbacks of All Time?

1. Tim Tebow
2. Vince Young
3. Cam Newton
4. Charlie Ward
5. Peyton Manning
6. Joe Burrow

1. Tim Tebow

• Heisman Trophy winner
• Two-time SEC Champion
• Two-time BCS National Champion

Tim Tebow is arguably the best college quarterback of all time. During his tenure at the University of Florida, he achieved 9,285 passing yards, 88 passing touchdowns, 2,947 rushing yards, and 57 rushing touchdowns. Tebow also led the University of Florida to two BCS National Championships and two SEC Championships. In addition to these accomplishments, Tebow broke 28 individual school records at the University of Florida and holds career records for QB rushing yards, total rushing touchdowns, completion percentage, passing efficiency, and total touchdowns in general. Due to his outstanding record, Tim Tebow will always be remembered as one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all time.

2. Vince Young

• 2005 Maxwell Award winner
• Awarded Davey O’Brien Award in junior year
• BCS National Champion in senior year

Though a non-traditional choice, Vince Young is often considered one of the greats among college football quarterbacks. During his four years at the University of Texas, Young achieved 8,964 passing yards, 46 touchdowns, and a 61.8% completion percentage. While he never took home the Heisman Award, he won the Maxwell Award in 2005 for the best player in college football. He was also voted the Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year following that season. Thanks to his leadership during an 11-1 season in 2004 and a National Championship title in 2005, Vince Young is easily one of the best college quarterbacks of all time.

3. Cam Newton

• 2010 BCS National Champion
• Most rush yards in SEC’s 2010 Season
• Scored 41.2 Points Per Game

Despite controversial flaggings and resulting transfers, Cam Newton is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in college football history due to one spectacular season. In 2010, Newton played for Auburn University, successfully rushing for 2,854 yards, throwing for 41.2 points per game, leading the team to an undefeated 12-0 regular season, and winning the BCS championship game over Oregon in a 22-19 victory. Thanks to one stellar year, Cam Newton was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in 2011 and went down as one of the best college football quarterbacks of all time.

4. Charlie Ward

• 1993 Heisman Trophy winner
• 1993 NCAA National Champion
• Inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame

Thanks to his sensational run for the Florida State Seminoles, Charlie Ward cemented his title as one of the best college quarterbacks of all time. Throughout his years with Florida State, Ward achieved 5,747 passing yards, 49 touchdowns, and a completion percentage of 62.3. In 1993, Ward threw over 3,000 passing yards during his final season, led the Seminoles to a National Championship against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, and was awarded the Heisman Trophy. Though he ultimately chose to continue a career in the NBA over the NFL, Charlie Ward is still forever remembered as one of the quarterback greats.

5. Peyton Manning

• 11,201 passing yards
• 89 touchdowns
• 1997 SEC Player of the Year

Before he was a star quarterback in the NFL, Peyton Manning became famous as a landmark in college football. During his four-year tenure at the University of Tennessee, Manning successfully threw for 89 touchdowns, 33 interceptions, and a total of 11,201 passing yards. In his most successful season in 1997, he won many awards and led his team, the Volunteers, in an 11-2 season. Before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, he finished his successful college career with a 39-6 record and the title of SEC’s all-time career passing leader.

6. Joe Burrow

• 8,565 passing yards
• 76 touchdowns
• 2019 Heisman Trophy winner and National Champion

Though now known for his success with the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow made his fame first playing for Louisiana State University. During his two-year stint playing for the Tigers, Burrow achieved 8,565 passing yards, 76 touchdowns, and a 68.5% completion percentage. During his second and most successful season, Burrow secured the 2019 National Championship for LSU and threw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and an epic 76.3% completion percentage. Thanks to these records and numerous awards, Joe Burrow will forever be known as one of the greatest college football quarterbacks of all time.

Honorable Mentions

Johnny Manziel

• 7,820 passing yards
• 2,196 rushing yards
• 93 touchdowns (63 passing, 30 rushing)
• 2012 Heisman Trophy winner

While he never quite made a name for himself in the NFL, Johnny Manziel is one of the most dominant quarterbacks NCAA football has ever seen. He played for Texas A&M for two seasons in 2012 and 2013. “Johnny Football” is considered one of the most mobile quarterbacks in NCAA history. Manziel won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman in 2012 after passing for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns, along with 21 rushing touchdowns. Manziel also came fifth in Heisman voting the following year. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns with the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Lamar Jackson

• 9,043 passing yards
• 4,132 rushing yards
• 119 touchdowns (69 passing, 50 rushing)
• 2016 Heisman Trophy winner

Lamar Jackson is considered one of the most versatile quarterbacks in NCAA football history. He played three years for the Louisville Cardinals before being drafted by the Baltimore Ravens with the 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Jackson won the Heisman Trophy in 2016 during his sophomore year at Louisville after passing for 30 touchdowns and 3,543 yards, along with 21 rushing touchdowns. Lamar Jackson has gone on to be dominant at the professional level and has been leading the Baltimore Ravens offense since 2018.

Baker Mayfield

• 14,607 passing yards
• 131 touchdowns
• Heisman Trophy winner in 2017

Baker Mayfield started his college career as a walk-on at Texas Tech University, but transferred to Oklahoma after his freshman year. He would eventually become one of the most exciting college football players ever. Over the course of his career, he threw for 14,607 passing yards and 131 touchdowns. Throughout his 48 college football games, he had an impressive 39-9 record. He attracted plenty of media attention as well, particularly for his crude and inflammatory actions toward opposing teams. Perhaps Baker’s best season came in 2017, when he led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff and won the Heisman Trophy. During this season, he completed over 70% of his passes with 43 touchdowns. Mayfield would go on to be the number one pick in the 2018 NFL Draft the following year. 

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