Top 15 Quarterbacks in College Football History
These 15 college quarterbacks redefined what it meant to lead, inspire, and win under the brightest lights of Saturday football.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
College football has always been a stage where young men grow into legends, and nowhere is that more apparent than at the quarterback position. This list highlights 15 signal-callers whose college careers transcended stats — blending clutch play, leadership, and unforgettable moments. Whether through grit, intelligence, or sheer talent, each left a mark on the sport that still resonates today.
15. Doug Flutie – Boston College
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He stood just 5'10", but Doug Flutie’s arm and grit made him a giant in college football lore. His “Hail Mary” pass to beat Miami in 1984 still plays on highlight reels like a myth passed down through generations. Flutie won the Heisman that year and changed perceptions of what a quarterback could be.
14. Johnny Manziel – Texas A&M
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“Johnny Football” lit up the SEC with backyard-style brilliance and dizzying footwork, becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman in 2012. He pulled off Houdini-like escapes, slinging touchdowns off-balance and on the run like a video game character. Say what you will about his pro career — his college tape is electric.
13. Ken Dorsey – Miami (FL)
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Ken Dorsey didn’t have the biggest arm, but he had ice in his veins and two national championship appearances to show for it. His leadership of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes — arguably the most stacked team ever — was calm, calculated, and ruthless. He finished his college career 38-2, a record as clean as his poise.
12. Cam Newton – Auburn
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In 2010, Cam Newton did it all — ran, threw, lifted Auburn on his broad shoulders, and carried them to a national title. He passed for 2,854 yards, rushed for 1,473 more, and accounted for 50 touchdowns in just one season. That singular, dominant campaign won him the Heisman and immortality on The Plains.
11. Marcus Mariota – Oregon
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Mariota was poetry in motion in Eugene, blending speed, accuracy, and decision-making into a nearly flawless style. He became the first Oregon player to win the Heisman, and his 2014 campaign was a masterclass in dual-threat quarterbacking. Soft-spoken but surgical, he turned the Ducks into national contenders.
10. Vince Young – Texas
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Vince Young’s 2006 Rose Bowl performance against USC wasn’t just a game — it was a mic drop. He racked up 467 total yards and the game-winning touchdown with 19 seconds left, ending one of the greatest dynasties in college football. His legs broke tackles, but his will broke hearts.
9. Peyton Manning – Tennessee
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Even though he never won the Heisman or a national title, Peyton Manning’s Tennessee career was textbook brilliance. He left with nearly every school passing record and a reputation for outsmarting defenses before the snap. The SEC crowds watched a general grow into a legend, even without a ring.
8. Joe Burrow – LSU
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Burrow’s 2019 season feels like something out of fiction: 60 touchdowns, a perfect record, a Heisman, and a national championship. With unshakable confidence and deadly accuracy, he turned LSU into a juggernaut. Every Saturday, he played like the coolest guy at the party — and he owned the place.
7. Andrew Luck – Stanford
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Andrew Luck was equal parts engineer and artist, blending brainy reads with smooth mechanics. A two-time Heisman runner-up, he elevated Stanford from an academic powerhouse to a football threat. His unflashy excellence became the gold standard for a pro-style college QB.
6. Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma
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Walk-on turned Heisman winner, Baker Mayfield’s story reads like a script Hollywood forgot to write. He played with swagger, fire, and a chip big enough to take on entire defenses and win. Mayfield left Norman with school records, a flag planted in Columbus, and a legacy etched in grit.
5. Roger Staubach – Navy
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Long before he was “Captain America” in the NFL, Staubach was dodging tacklers and fulfilling military duties in the Navy. He won the Heisman in 1963 and made Navy football a national contender during his tenure. His style blended grace and toughness in an era when quarterbacks still got roughed up without flags.
4. Deshaun Watson – Clemson
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Watson brought Clemson its first national title in 35 years and beat Nick Saban’s Alabama dynasty in a thriller. He passed for over 4,000 yards in back-to-back seasons and made pressure moments look routine. His poise in chaos was the stuff of legend, and he gave Clemson fans a new identity.
3. Tommie Frazier – Nebraska
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Tommie Frazier was the engine of Nebraska’s mid-90s domination, guiding the Cornhuskers to two national championships. His option runs felt like controlled demolition — speed, strength, and surgical precision. Despite battling blood clots, he put together a college resume full of heart and hardware.
2. Tim Tebow – Florida
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Tebow was raw passion wrapped in muscle and conviction, the face of Urban Meyer’s Florida machine. He won the Heisman in 2007, led Florida to two national titles, and delivered locker room speeches that still echo in college football lore. Love him or hate him, you couldn’t ignore him.
1. Matt Leinart – USC
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Leinart’s time at USC was peak Hollywood: big games, bright lights, and a Heisman in 2004. He led the Trojans to two national titles and a near-third in that epic Rose Bowl against Texas. Calm and precise, he thrived in high-pressure moments and became the golden boy of an unforgettable era.