Fansided

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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
  • CFP National Champion (2015)
  • Third-Team All-American (2014)

J.T. Barrett’s first year on campus with the Ohio State Buckeyes saw him use his redshirt year and he was slotted in as the backup to Braxton Miller for the 2014 season in his redshirt freshman season. However, Miller succumbed to injury before the season began and Barrett was thrust into action. He was ready for the job, though.

In 12 games as a redshirt freshman, Barrett threw for 2,834 yards, 34 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while rushing for 938 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, in the rivalry matchup at the end of the regular season against Michigan, Barrett was injured and forced to miss the Buckeyes’ postseason as Cardale Jones came in and led Ohio State to a CFP National Championship victory.

With both Barrett and Jones returning in 2015, they split time and Barrett’s production suffered as he threw for under 1,000 yards, though he did still accrue 22 total touchdowns. However, he took the reins back over in 2016, throwing for 2,555 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions while rushing for 845 yards and nine scores.

For his finale in Columbus, Barrett continued to step up as he threw for a career-high 3,053 yards, 35 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. Furthermore, he added 798 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Overall, Barrett set numerous records for Ohio State as an offensive player while also becoming the only quarterback in school history to go 4-0 against Michigan. While not a polished passer by any stretch, the playmaking and exciting performance of Barrett sets him among some of the best college quarterbacks ever.

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