The Big 12 Conference might need a bit of a historical primer when it comes to its current setup — 16 teams that include seven new additions over the last two years and one returning member in the University of Colorado.
And in that historical context, here’s a look at the greatest quarterback of all time from all 16 Big 12 football programs, in alphabetical order:
Arizona, Nick Foles (2009-11) — Foles was the best of a limited selection but could eventually be replaced by current Arizona starter Noah Fifita. In 124 years of college football, Arizona has never had an All-American quarterback.
Arizona State, Jake Plummer (1993-96) — Plummer got Arizona State to within minutes of winning a national championship in 1996 _ the same season he was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and an AP All-American. What else do you need to know?
Baylor, Robert Griffin III (2008-11) — Griffin won the Heisman Trophy in 2011, when he had 4,952 yards of total offense and 47 total touchdowns.
BYU, Jim McMahon (1977-81) — McMahon was a two-time AP All-American and set 32 NCAA single-season passing records in 1980. He was 23-3 as starter and finished his career 71 NCAA records then led the Chicago Bears to a Super Bowl win following the 1985 season.
Central Florida, Daunte Culpepper (1995-98) — Culpepper guided UCF rom Division I-AA to Division I-A and set the NCAA single-season record for completion percentage in 1998 (73.6 percent). He was also just the third player in NCAA history with 10,00 career passing yards and 1,000 career rushing yards.
Cincinnati, Desmond Ridder (2018-21) — Ridder was central to Cincinnati’s move from the American Athletic Conference to the BIg 12 after earning two-time AAC Offensive Player of the Year honors and guiding the Bearcats into the College Football Playoff. It was the first time a team from outside of the Power Five made the CFP.
Colorado: Darian Hagan (1988-91) — Hagan was a quarterback from a different era, when option quarterbacks could dominate the game. Hagan led the Buffs to a national championship in 1990 and came a hair’s breath from winning another title in 1991 — and was just the sixth player in NCAA history with over 1,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.
Houston, Andre Ware (1987-89) — Ware became the first black quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy in 1989, when Houston was on NCAA probation. That season, he threw for 4,699 yards and 46 touchdowns and set 27 NCAA single-season records as the Cougars went 9-2.
Iowa State, George Amundson (1970-72) —Amundson played quarterback as a sophomore, tailback as a junior and moved back to quarterback as a senior in 1972. That season, he set a Big Eight record with 2,387 yards of total offense and was named Big Eight Offensive Player of the Year over Nebraska tailback Johnny Rodgers, who went on to win the Heisman Trophy.
Kansas, Todd Reesing (2006-09) — Reesing was 5-foot-11 (maybe 5-foot-10) and dominated opponents, earning All-Big 12 honors twice and leading Kansas (Kansas!) to an Orange Bowl win. If Reesing was 10 years younger he would have been a legitimate NFL prospect.
Kansas State, Michael Bishop (1997-98) — Michael Bishop went 45-3 as a starter over four years of college football at Blinn (Texas) Junior College and Kansas State, winning two NJCAA national championships and bringing the Wildcats and legendary coach within minutes of playing for the national title in 1998.
Oklahoma State, Mason Rudolph (2014-17) — Rudolph put up big numbers in three seasons, throwing for 13,267 yards and 90 touchdowns. He added 17 career rushing touchdowns, including 10 in 2017 and mostly in goalline situations.
TCU, Sammy Baugh (1934-36) — One of college football’s first superstars, Baugh was a two-time All-American and led TCU to wins in the Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl.
Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes (2014-16) — Mahomes dissected college defenses for three seasons at Texas Tech, including 4,653 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as a sophomore in 2015 followed by 5,052 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a junior in 2016 before he left school early for the NFL Draft. Mahomes was selected No. 10 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017 and is a three-time Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player.
Utah, Alex Smith (2002-04) — Smith went 21-1 in two years as the starter for Urban Meyer at Utah and led his team to a 12-0 record in 2004, including a blowout win over Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. Smith was selected No. 1 overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
West Virginia, Pat White (2005-08) — White had 10,531 yards of total offense and 103 total touchdowns, including an NCAA record for quarterbacks with 4,480 rushing yards and 47 rushing touchdowns. He was also a two-time Big East Offensive Player of the Year.
Some people tell on themselves that they didn’t watch the games when they say Patrick Mahomes wasn’t what we see now when he was coming out of Texas Tech. Know ball. https://t.co/xtoai244Wb pic.twitter.com/YNWh5jxyrO
— Chase Snyder (@ChasingSnyder) February 10, 2024
