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The 30 best college football quarterbacks of the 21st century

By Cody Williams

LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) attempts a pass during the second half of the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow (9) attempts a pass during the second half of the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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(Photo by David Madison/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) /

Most football fans would agree that Aaron Rodgers is arguably the most talented quarterback in the NFL. Thus, it’s hard to believe that he was once barely wanted by any college football programs. A late bloomer in terms of his size, his only Division I college offer was from Illinois, who only wanted him as a walk-on and not on scholarship. As such, Rodgers took a different path.

Rodgers started his collegiate career at Butte Community College and dominated the NorCal Conference in the junior college ranks. Playing in California, Cal Golden Bears head coach Jeff Tedford took noticed and jumped at the opportunity to bring the quarterback into his program. Ultimately, that was a decision that he wouldn’t regret in the slightest.

After his unconventional path to Cal, Rodgers wasn’t given the starting job right away in the 2003 season as a sophomore. However, he earned that position midway through the season and showed off why he was the right man for the spot. Appearing in 13 games and starting in 10, he went 7-3 as a starter while throwing for 2,903 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Moreover, he also led the Golden Bears to a bowl-game win over Virginia Tech.

Fully entrenched as the starter, Rodgers led the Golden Bears to a wildly successful 2004 season with their only loss in the regular season coming against the top-ranked USC Trojans. For the year, the quarterback threw for 2,566 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions, though the team lost in the Insight Bowl to Texas Tech. Rodgers then decided to head to the NFL rather than play his senior year.

Due to Tedford’s offense, Rodgers didn’t necessarily have the production you might’ve expected. However, he showcased the talent and leadership that brought Cal fantastic success during his time, which is enough to get him in this spot on this list.

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