Best college football quarterback born in every state
By Roje Smith
Washington: John Elway – Stanford Cardinal
Washington is the birthplace of former New England Patriot and Washington State Cougar Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe had a very productive career for the Cougars and was named the 1992 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year. He also finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year. Despite his success, he isn’t the best NCAA passer born in the Evergreen State. The best Washington-born quarterback is actually the legendary John Elway.
Elway was born in Port Angeles, Washington and attended high school in California. He graduated from Grenada Hills High School as the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the country. After sifting through over 60 scholarship offers, John decided to play for the Stanford Cardinal from 1979 to 1982.
Although Elway never led the Cardinal to a bowl game, he was a very accomplished college athlete. He led the nation in touchdown passes in 1982 and graduated with nearly every Stanford and Pac-10 record for passing and total offense. Elway was also a consensus All-American in 1980 and 1982 and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior.
John went on to achieve pro success with the Denver Broncos as a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time Super Bowl champion. He’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame and the pro version as well. Elway will go down in history as one of the most prolific passers we’ve ever seen.