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 Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
  • First-Team All-Big Ten (2011)
  • First-Team All-ACC (2008)

Russell Wilson did not have your prototypical journey through college football and into superstardom in the NFL. However, he undoubtedly left his mark on the sport throughout his career, which started with the NC State Wolfpack. He redshirted his first year in Raleigh, then coming into a platoon to start his redshirt freshman season in 2008.

After seeing sporadic playing time to start the 2008 season, Wilson eventually earned the starting job outright for the final seven games of the season, going 4-3 over that run. In 11 games on the year, Wilson threw for 1,955 yards, 17 touchdowns and only one interception while also rushing for four touchdowns. Unfortunately, a mid-game injury in the Wolfpack’s bowl game proved costly for NC State as they lost the finale.

Wilson put up great numbers in his redshirt sophomore and junior seasons with the Wolfpack, though they went just 5-7 in 2009 before a strong 9-4 season in 2010. Wilson threw for 3,027 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a sophomore and then 3,563 yards, 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in a pass-happy junior season.

After that season, Wilson spent time at MLB spring training with the Rockies and then played a bit of minor league baseball, much to the chagrin of NC State head coach Tom O’Brien. O’Brien then released Wilson from his scholarship, freeing him up to use his final year of eligibility elsewhere.

Wilson then landed with the Wisconsin Badgers for his final collegiate season and produced statistically the most efficient quarterback season ever. Despite throwing 218 fewer attempts than at his final year with NC State, Wilson still threw for 3,175 yards, 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions while completing 72.8 percent of his throws.

Some may call this a bit too high for Wilson but his sustained success and the remarkable efficiency of his final season earn him a spot just outside the top 20.

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