Fansided

25 biggest villains in college football history

By Brad Weiss

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 28: Johnny Manziel
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 28: Johnny Manziel /
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17 Nov 1990: Quarterback Todd Marinovich of the USC Trojans celebrates after the Trojans 45-42 victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Wade /Allsport
17 Nov 1990: Quarterback Todd Marinovich of the USC Trojans celebrates after the Trojans 45-42 victory over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Wade /Allsport /
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Todd Marinovich

Quarterback, USC

Whether or not Todd Marinovich played for your team, there are plenty of reasons to consider him a villain. During his time at USC, Marinovich established himself as an elite NFL quarterback prospect, but could never get his act together off the field. In the NFL, Marinovich was a blown top draft pick for the Los Angeles Raiders, who saw him make only eight starts for the team after selecting him No. 24 overall in the 1991 NFL Draft. When he was right, it was the opposition that hated him, as he could beat you on any day with his incredible passing talent.

During his youth, Todd’s father Marv decided to make his son a quarterback prodigy. Nicknamed “Robo QB,” Marinovich was on a strict plan from his youth to become the best quarterback in the country. His father actually was able to accomplish that feat, as he would go to become the best quarterback in the country during his time at Mission Viejo (CA) High School. As a freshman at USC, Marinovich would be named College Freshman of the Year for 1989, and his remarkable comeback against Washington State became the stuff of legend.

Down late in the fourth, Marinovich led his team on a 91-yard drive that saw him complete 11 passes. He capped the drive with a touchdown pass, and the completed the two-point conversion to give USC a last-second win. After a tumultuous 1990 season, that saw him get arrested for cocaine possession, Robo QB decided to leave school for the NFL, ending what would be a disappointing career with the Trojans to say the least.

During his time with the Trojans, Marinovich missed classes, was suspended from the team, got in shouting matches with his coaches on television, and iced his career with cocaine possession. He had all the talent in the world to be a Heisman Trophy-level quarterback, but allowed off the field distractions to get the best of him. Maybe his Dad pushed him too hard, but he has left a trail of haters in his path on his way up, and then on the way down.

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