Best QB of this century

[The Cats]

Who's the best FCS football QB of the 21st century?

Keep in mind, the 21 century started on 1 January 2001.

[SU DOG]

Not sure what criteria is to be used. While I would like to have a Samford QB named here, I think I have a good choice in saying Jimmy Garoppolo of Eastern Illinois.

[ST_Lawson]

Who's the best FCS football QB of the 21st century?

Keep in mind, the 21 century started on 1 January 2001.

Like, best when they were playing in the FCS specifically, or best overall? Just asking because sometimes you have players who are spectacular in college and then fizzle out in the NFL (if they even make the NFL) or players who did fairly well in college and just took off in the NFL.

The ones that really stood out to me would be guys like Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State), Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion), and Eric Barriere (Eastern Washington).

If Lindsey Scott Jr. had done what he did last year for a couple more years in the FCS, he'd be up there.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets points for leading a team that was not really a historic "powerhouse" to a decent amount of success.

[MR. CHICKEN]

JOE FLACCO......32804........DUH!

[Tribe4SF]

Lang Campbell!!!

[caribbeanhen]

Armanti but Flacco if you include his big NFL career

[The Cats]

Like, best when they were playing in the FCS specifically, or best overall? Just asking because sometimes you have players who are spectacular in college and then fizzle out in the NFL (if they even make the NFL) or players who did fairly well in college and just took off in the NFL.

The ones that really stood out to me would be guys like Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State), Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion), and Eric Barriere (Eastern Washington).

If Lindsey Scott Jr. had done what he did last year for a couple more years in the FCS, he'd be up there.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets points for leading a team that was not really a historic "powerhouse" to a decent amount of success.

Id say best when playing in the FCS...

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Armanti Edwards would get my vote!

Ryan Fitzpatrick definitely deserves consideration too. I also think Brock Jensen will forever be overlooked despite the fact he was excellent.....

[POD Knows]

Depends on how you define “best”, is it stats, is it winning and leadership? If it is leadership and winning, I would put Easton Stick for NDSU up there.

[UNHWildcat18]

Ricky Santos UNH

[FUBeAR]

Ingle Martin, Furman, 2004-2005

probably not “the best,” but qualifies to be in the conversation.

FUBeAR Hot Take: Furman’s current QB may be better.

[uofmman1122]

It's absolutely Armanti Edwards.

[Daytripper]

Armanti Edwards, but based on FCS production the homer in me might toss out the name of Jeremiah Briscoe.

[uni88]

It's absolutely Armanti Edwards.

xthumbsupx Definitely Edwards based on his FCS play vs the others.

Richie Williams was a helluva leader too.

No mention of Tony Romo? 2 of his 3 starting seasons were in this century.

[ncspiderfan]

Armanti Edwards was best remember seeing as far as both throwing it and running it. He gets my vote.

Got to see him a lot too, as Spiders played App State three straight years from 2007-2009 in playoffs.

As for being a team leader will give a shout out to Eric Ward of Spiders 2006-2009 teams. Did not have flashy stats, but just was a great leader and won games. 41-12 for his career including 6-5 freshman year. Compiled a good record playing 5 to 6 ranked conference teams every year during the regular season back in A10/CAA stronger years. 2-2 vs FBS and 1-2 vs Edwards. 7-2 playoff record, if I remember, did not look it up.
Probably not near all time great QB, but figure few remember his leadership of the Spiders from those years, so thought I would give him a plug.

As a sidebar, one of his backups was Will Healy of Austin Peay coaching fame.

[caribbeanhen]

Armanti Edwards was best remember seeing as far as both throwing it and running it. He gets my vote.

Got to see him a lot too, as Spiders played App State three straight years from 2007-2009 in playoffs.

As for being a team leader will give a shout out to Eric Ward of Spiders 2006-2009 teams. Did not have flashy stats, but just was a great leader and won games. 41-12 for his career including 6-5 freshman year. Compiled a good record playing 5 to 6 ranked conference teams every year during the regular season back in A10/CAA stronger years. 2-2 vs FBS and 1-2 vs Edwards. 7-2 playoff record, if I remember, did not look it up.
Probably not near all time great QB, but figure few remember his leadership of the Spiders from those years, so thought I would give him a plug.

As a sidebar, one of his backups was Will Healy of Austin Peay coaching fame.

Eric Ward was damn good

[KPSUL]

JOE FLACCO......32804........DUH!

Flacco vs. Rick Santos:

Santos - 2 wins
Flacco - 2 Losses

[Herder]

Edwards, Jensen, Stick. . . Each with 3 titles. I think that separates them.

[ncspiderfan]

Edwards, Jensen, Stick. . . Each with 3 titles. I think that separates them.

App State's first was 2005. Edwards then had two. 2006 and 2007. Richmond beat them 2008 then Montana beat them in 2009 after App State had eliminated Richmond the week before.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

App State's first was 2005. Edwards then had two. 2006 and 2007. Richmond beat them 2008 then Montana beat them in 2009 after App State had eliminated Richmond the week before.

Richie Williams was very good in his own right!

https://www.goupstate.com/gcdn/authoring/2005/10/22/NHEJ/ghows-NC-828ab49a-0c8e-4235-b892-3043354c341b-acbf1b13.jpeg?width=300&height=433&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp

JMU's Rodney Landers was awesome too. It's a shame his injury against Montana in the playoffs happened because I think it altered history a bit. Reminds me a bit of Colt McCoy against Alabama around the same time....

[Gil Dobie]

Easton Stick was 49-3 as a starter.

[clenz]

Flacco vs. Rick Santos:

Santos - 2 wins
Flacco - 2 Losses
Shiney white shoes vs Eric Sanders:

Santos - 0 wins
Sanders - 3 wins

[Bisonator]

It's absolutely Armanti Edwards.
Yep

[ST_Lawson]

Easton Stick was 49-3 as a starter.

Which is incredibly impressive, for sure, but I think he doesn't get as much attention because there were so many good players on those teams.
Ground game guys like King Frazier and Chase Morlock, then later Bruce Anderson. O-Line guys Joe Haeg, Zach Johnson, Landon Lechler, Austin Kuhnert, and Tanner Volson.
And I'm not even going to dig into all the defensive power that NDSU had in that timeframe...although I will mention Jabril Cox.

Was Stick a really good QB...absolutely. But I also feel like a number of really good QBs would have succeeded with the rest of those teams. When I think of the best QBs in the FCS, I usually think of guys who took their teams to the playoffs, but without them, might not have even had a winning season. NDSU went 15-0 in 2018 with Stick as QB, but without Stick...they're probably 10-1 or 9-2 going into the playoffs, still end up with a top 8 seed, and still make a deep playoff run. They might not win the championship and go undefeated, but they're still one of the best teams in the FCS.

Compare that with Garoppolo at EIU in 2013...without Jimmy G there, they probably don't make the playoffs.

[SFA 93]

JEREMY MOSES (SFA)
CMP:1,184;YDS:13,401;TD:121

2010 WALTER PAYTON AWARD WINNER
2X SLC POY

[100%GRIZ]

Double DD of MT was kind of good too, as a player in FCS, and a Coach up North!

[Gil Dobie]

Which is incredibly impressive, for sure, but I think he doesn't get as much attention because there were so many good players on those teams.
Ground game guys like King Frazier and Chase Morlock, then later Bruce Anderson. O-Line guys Joe Haeg, Zach Johnson, Landon Lechler, Austin Kuhnert, and Tanner Volson.
And I'm not even going to dig into all the defensive power that NDSU had in that timeframe...although I will mention Jabril Cox.

Was Stick a really good QB...absolutely. But I also feel like a number of really good QBs would have succeeded with the rest of those teams. When I think of the best QBs in the FCS, I usually think of guys who took their teams to the playoffs, but without them, might not have even had a winning season. NDSU went 15-0 in 2018 with Stick as QB, but without Stick...they're probably 10-1 or 9-2 going into the playoffs, still end up with a top 8 seed, and still make a deep playoff run. They might not win the championship and go undefeated, but they're still one of the best teams in the FCS.

Compare that with Garoppolo at EIU in 2013...without Jimmy G there, they probably don't make the playoffs.

Stick is the best college QB the played for NDSU during FCS play. When Wentz got hurt, Stick came in and took NDSU to 8 straight wins, including playoff games, as a Freshman. Wentz came back for the championship game. He has been overlooked because of the players and teams he played with. We didn't see enough of Trey Lance to put him above Stick. Jensen is a close second. Walker and Wentz are in the discussion.

[Henny]

Flacco vs. Rick Santos:

Santos - 2 wins
Flacco - 2 Losses


LOL

Flacco - Super Bowl MVP
Santos - Third stringer for Montreal

The answer to the original question is Armanti Edwards.

[caribbeanhen]

LOL

Flacco - Super Bowl MVP
Santos - Third stringer for Montreal

The answer to the original question is Armanti Edwards.

Boom

It’s all true !

[KPSUL]

LOL

Flacco - Super Bowl MVP
Santos - Third stringer for Montreal

The answer to the original question is Armanti Edwards.

Flacco was an upper tier NFL QB, but he wasn't even among the Top 5 FCS/1AA QBs of the last 22 years. He had a two year career at Delaware, and a losing record his first year. He was a very effective QB his 2nd year, a solid playoffs performance, and a 2nd place finish. I never made the statement that Santos was the #1 FCS QB so far in the 21st Century; however, his performance at the FCS level was more impressive than Flacco's; arguably Rick Santos was a top 5 FCS QB in the period in question. And my very brief post was in response to Mr Chicken's post implying that it was a no brainer that Flacco was the best 21st Century FCS QB - which is a ridiculous assertion.

If you think that pro football achievement should be the primary criteria for evaluating FCS QBs, why did you declare Edwards as the Best FCS QB? Using your logic, it would have to be Flacco.

[100%GRIZ]

Double DD of MT was kind of good too, as a player in FCS, and a Coach up North!

DD aka Dave Dickenson of Montana!

[KPSUL]

Shiney white shoes vs Eric Sanders:

Santos - 0 wins
Sanders - 3 wins

Santos graduated in 2007, and a guy name Grace threw for 250 yards and ran for 82 yards for UNI in 2008 so I'd assume he was the QB.

So: Sanders 2, Santos 0

All three of those UNH vs UNI games were memorable!

[uni88]

DD aka Dave Dickenson of Montana!

This century?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MR. CHICKEN]

Flacco was an upper tier NFL QB, but he wasn't even among the Top 5 FCS/1AA QBs of the last 22 years. He had a two year career at Delaware, and a losing record his first year. He was a very effective QB his 2nd year, a solid playoffs performance, and a 2nd place finish. I never made the statement that Santos was the #1 FCS QB so far in the 21st Century; however, his performance at the FCS level was more impressive than Flacco's; arguably Rick Santos was a top 5 FCS QB in the period in question. And my very brief post was in response to Mr Chicken's post implying that it was a no brainer that Flacco was the best 21st Century FCS QB - which is a ridiculous assertion.

If you think that pro football achievement should be the primary criteria for evaluating FCS QBs, why did you declare Edwards as the Best FCS QB? Using your logic, it would have to be Flacco.



32808


....UMMMM!.......NEVER SAID BEST FCS QB........THREAD TITLE.......IS NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR...(SPECIFIC)...AH'D AGREE WHIFF ARMANTI....AS FCS........BUT SEVERAL UH QB'S LISTED....WENT ON TA TRY NFL......FLACCO......INKED UH 180 MIL DEAL....(IFIN' NOT MISTAKEN)......AFTER RAVENS....BLING!........HUNG 'ROUND LONG TIME GI......HE'S PREMIER QB...FROM FCS TA NFL.....IN TWO THOUSANDS...BAWK!

ps....POSTS #2/#3.....QUESTIONED THREAD TITLE...AN' ONE MENTIONED GRAPPOLO....SO AH WENT WHIFF FLACCO.......AH'M UH SERIOUS I-AA/FCS....FAN....WHO DILLIGENTLY.....AVOIDS...STUPID POSTS...AH RESSPONDED EARLY IN THREAD......B/4....IT BECAME CLEAR.....TALKIN' FCS........xsighxxsighx......DOODLE-DOO!

[caribbeanhen]

Flacco was an upper tier NFL QB, but he wasn't even among the Top 5 FCS/1AA QBs of the last 22 years. He had a two year career at Delaware, and a losing record his first year. He was a very effective QB his 2nd year, a solid playoffs performance, and a 2nd place finish. I never made the statement that Santos was the #1 FCS QB so far in the 21st Century; however, his performance at the FCS level was more impressive than Flacco's; arguably Rick Santos was a top 5 FCS QB in the period in question. And my very brief post was in response to Mr Chicken's post implying that it was a no brainer that Flacco was the best 21st Century FCS QB - which is a ridiculous assertion.

If you think that pro football achievement should be the primary criteria for evaluating FCS QBs, why did you declare Edwards as the Best FCS QB? Using your logic, it would have to be Flacco.

You can say it …. National Championship game

New Hampshire and Ricky Santos have never played in one

[MR. CHICKEN]

Santos graduated in 2007, and a guy name Grace threw for 250 yards and ran for 82 yards for UNI in 2008 so I'd assume he was the QB.

So: Sanders 2, Santos 0

All three of those UNH vs UNI games were memorable!


.....YEAH....OURAH GAMES WHIFF UNI.....WERE MEMORABLE..TOO......'CAUSE....WE WON 'EM.......FLACCO....ENGINEERED ONE OF 'UM!........BRAWK!

[KPSUL]

32808


....UMMMM!.......NEVER SAID BEST FCS QB........THREAD TITLE.......IS NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR...(SPECIFIC)...AH'D AGREE WHIFF ARMANTI....AS FCS........BUT SEVERAL UH QB'S LISTED....WENT ON TA TRY NFL......FLACCO......INKED UH 180 MIL DEAL....(IFIN' NOT MISTAKEN)......AFTER RAVENS....BLING!........HUNG 'ROUND LONG TIME GI......HE'S PREMIER QB...FROM FCS TA NFL.....IN TWO THOUSANDS...BAWK!

ps....POSTS #2/#3.....QUESTIONED THREAD TITLE...AN' ONE MENTIONED GRAPPOLO....SO AH WENT WHIFF FLACCO.......AH'M UH SERIOUS I-AA/FCS....FAN....WHO DILLIGENTLY.....AVOIDS...STUPID POSTS...AH RESSPONDED EARLY IN THREAD......B/4....IT BECAME CLEAR.....TALKIN' FCS........xsighxxsighx......DOODLE-DOO!

I hear ya! The criteria wasn't clear initially, but I figured it meant a QB's total career in 1AA/FCS football. I would concede that Flacco was the best NFL QB to come out of FCS football in the 21st Century; with Tony Romo a pretty close 2nd.

Armanti may be the best pick using only 1AA/FCS performance, but playing on one of the NDSU teams that has won multiple Championships and 90%+ of their games, like Easton Stick or Trey Lance, is also a compelling argument. It's really tough picking a #1, Top Five is probably easier, but drawing a firm line anywhere is not easy.

[KPSUL]

You can say it …. National Championship game

New Hampshire and Ricky Santos have never played in one

Gee, I didn't know that, but there's always next season! Most older UNH fans were also long suffering Red Sox and Patriots fans before they finally won World Series / Super Bowl championships. I'd have to say it ain't that bad supporting a team that plays hard, usually over-achieves, and frequently plays better in the 2nd half of the season than the 1st.

So I'll go back and change it from "2nd Place Finish", to "National Championship Game participant and loser", will that make you happier?

I don't believe that the post of mine you quoted was in response to anything you said. To keep this in context, I'd recommend you stay away from nitpicking semantics, and instead address the substance of my quote which can be found in the last paragraph:
If you think that pro football achievement should be the primary criteria for evaluating FCS QBs, why did you declare Edwards as the Best FCS QB? Using your logic, it would have to be Flacco.

[caribbeanhen]

Gee, I didn't know that, but there's always next season! Most older UNH fans were also long suffering Red Sox and Patriots fans before they finally won World Series / Super Bowl championships. I'd have to say it ain't that bad supporting a team that plays hard, usually over-achieves, and frequently plays better in the 2nd half of the season than the 1st.

So I'll go back and change it from "2nd Place Finish", to "National Championship Game participant and loser", will that make you happier?

I don't believe that the post of mine you quoted was in response to anything you said. To keep this in context, I'd recommend you stay away from nitpicking semantics, and instead address the substance of my quote which can be found in the last paragraph:
If you think that pro football achievement should be the primary criteria for evaluating FCS QBs, why did you declare Edwards as the Best FCS QB? Using your logic, it would have to be Flacco.

save the lecture KPSUL and take your zinger like a man

my comment to you not worth your time….

What has Santos done to improve the Wildcats this off-season?

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

If we're considering FCS and professional accolade then Bo Levi Mitchell has to be up for consideration! Dude has had one helluva run.....

2010 FCS Champ
2011 Walter Payton Award Winner
2x CFL MVP
2x Grey Cup Champion
2x Grey Cup MVP

[KPSUL]

What has Santos done to improve the Wildcats this off-season?


Continued to provide leadership and inspiration to the team.
Retained a very good coaching staff
Lost no one to the transfer portal that was expected to play on the two deep this season.

As far as transfers and incoming Freshmen, there are very few holes left to fill. And there were very few scholarships available.

We added one promising Grad Transfer WR from Div 3 Wesleyan, Logan Tomlinson, who appears to have a very similar game to one of the few graduating senior who played a significant role last season - Brian Espanet. We also lost Sean Coyne who was a productive WR for about 3 seasons and was the only graduating senior to get an Undrafted Free Agent Contract with an NFL team.

The one area on the team that may be a minor question mark is Defensive Tackle, but there are at least three guys with significant game experience.

[caribbeanhen]

Continued to provide leadership and inspiration to the team.
Retained a very good coaching staff
Lost no one to the transfer portal that was expected to play on the two deep this season.

As far as transfers and incoming Freshmen, there are very few holes left to fill. And there were very few scholarships available.

We added one promising Grad Transfer WR from Div 3 Wesleyan, Logan Tomlinson, who appears to have a very similar game to one of the few graduating senior who played a significant role last season - Brian Espanet. We also lost Sean Coyne who was a productive WR for about 3 seasons and was the only graduating senior to get an Undrafted Free Agent Contract with an NFL team.

The one area on the team that may be a minor question mark is Defensive Tackle, but there are at least three guys with significant game experience.

nice review

[Go...gate]

I vote for Flacco.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Armanti Edwards IMO takes the cake. Two national titles, the Michigan game, at this level he was the most talented QB I've seen. Probably should've won at least one more title between his junior and senior years. Upset by 2008 champ Richmond in the quarters I believe. And then lost a tough semifinal in a snowstorm in Missoula in 2009 -- IMO App beats 'Nova in Chatty that year if they make it out of Montana alive.

[NY Crusader 2010]

There's always going to be debate as far as who was #1 with so many great QBs over 25 years. Why don't we do a list of top 3 QBs from everyone's school from the past 25 years?

I can do Holy Cross:

1) Matthew Sluka (2020 - )
2) Dominic Randolph (2005 - 2009)
3) Peter Pujals (2013 - 2017)

[ST_Lawson]

There's always going to be debate as far as who was #1 with so many great QBs over 25 years. Why don't we do a list of top 3 QBs from everyone's school from the past 25 years?

I agree with yours (and many people's) take that Armanti Edwards was overall the best QB at the FCS/I-AA level in a long time...possibly ever.

As for WIU, here's who I'd say are our top 3 QBs of the last 25 years:

1. Matt Barr (2007-2010) - 2010 Conference Offensive PoY, second in Walter Payton Award voting, accounted for 3,410 yards, 27 passing TDs, and 7 rushing TDs in his incredible 2010 season. Led the Leathernecks to the second round of the playoffs in 2010.

2. Russ Michna (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Michna) (2000-2003, but only started 2002 and 2003) - 2002 and 2003 Conference Offensive PoY (the only two years he was the starter), 6th in Walter Payton Award voting in 2003. Took his team all the way to a #2 FCS ranking in 2002 and had back-to-back quarterfinals appearances in '02 and '03. Only player to have been signed to a team in every major professional football league at the time (NFL, CFL, UFL, AFL) and also played in the CIFL. Total of 11 years playing in various professional leagues.

3. Sean McGuire (2015-2018) - holds the school career passing yards (9,819), yards per game (223.2), completions (771), and TDs (72) records. Led the Leathernecks to a second-round playoff appearance in 2015 (took over starting duties mid-season) and a top 10 ranking and first-round narrow playoff loss to Weber State in 2017. Played for 2 years in the CFL.

[Baron Sardonicus]

Honorable mention to San Diego's Josh Johnson. More than a journeyman, he's in the record book, now with his 14th NFL team.

[Daytripper]

There's always going to be debate as far as who was #1 with so many great QBs over 25 years. Why don't we do a list of top 3 QBs from everyone's school from the past 25 years?

I can do Holy Cross:

1) Matthew Sluka (2020 - )
2) Dominic Randolph (2005 - 2009)
3) Peter Pujals (2013 - 2017)

Sam Houston:

1) Jeremiah Briscoe (2015-2017)
2) Eric Schmid (2018-2021)
3) Brian Bell (2010-2013)

[BisonFan02]

Easton Stick has 4 natty rings and is 49-3 as a starter for NDSU....winningest QB in FCS history.

[POD Knows]

Easton Stick has 4 natty rings and is 49-3 as a starter for NDSU....winningest QB in FCS history.Yep, Stick, Jenson, Wentz, in that order

[FUBeAR]

Mercer
1. John Russ
2. Fred Payton
3. N/A

Furman
1. Ingle Martin
2T. Billy Napier
2T. Jordan Sorrells

* Current Furman QB, Tyler Huff, could very well vault to the top of this list if his 2023 performance lives up to the expectations he created with his outstanding 2022 results.

[uni88]

I agree with yours (and many people's) take that Armanti Edwards was overall the best QB at the FCS/I-AA level in a long time...possibly ever.

As for WIU, here's who I'd say are our top 3 QBs of the last 25 years:

1. Matt Barr (2007-2010) - 2010 Conference Offensive PoY, second in Walter Payton Award voting, accounted for 3,410 yards, 27 passing TDs, and 7 rushing TDs in his incredible 2010 season. Led the Leathernecks to the second round of the playoffs in 2010.

2. Russ Michna (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russ_Michna) (2000-2003, but only started 2002 and 2003) - 2002 and 2003 Conference Offensive PoY (the only two years he was the starter), 6th in Walter Payton Award voting in 2003. Took his team all the way to a #2 FCS ranking in 2002 and had back-to-back quarterfinals appearances in '02 and '03. Only player to have been signed to a team in every major professional football league at the time (NFL, CFL, UFL, AFL) and also played in the CIFL. Total of 11 years playing in various professional leagues.

3. Sean McGuire (2015-2018) - holds the school career passing yards (9,819), yards per game (223.2), completions (771), and TDs (72) records. Led the Leathernecks to a second-round playoff appearance in 2015 (took over starting duties mid-season) and a top 10 ranking and first-round narrow playoff loss to Weber State in 2017. Played for 2 years in the CFL.

I'd put Tracy Ham up against Edwards for greatest FCS/I-AA QB of all time. Georgia Southern didn't have a team in 1981 and played club football in 1982 & 1983. Ham led them to an 8-3 record in 1984 and national championships in 1985 & 1986. He and Erk Russell put Southern on the I-AA map.

[Bisonoline]

Yep, Stick, Jenson, Wentz, in that order

Bingo

But I think I might take Walker over Wentz. Maybe.

[ST_Lawson]

I'd put Tracy Ham up against Edwards for greatest FCS/I-AA QB of all time. Georgia Southern didn't have a team in 1981 and played club football in 1982 & 1983. Ham led them to an 8-3 record in 1984 and national championships in 1985 & 1986. He and Erk Russell put Southern on the I-AA map.

That's fair, I misspoke. I meant to say "this century" like the original question, but said "possibly ever". I don't have much knowledge of I-AA prior to the mid-90s, so I can't really speak to much before that timeframe.

[POD Knows]

Bingo

But I think I might take Walker over Wentz. Maybe.Yea, it is a coin flip for me.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Armanti Edwards would get my vote!

Ryan Fitzpatrick definitely deserves consideration too. I also think Brock Jensen will forever be overlooked despite the fact he was excellent.....

I never really got the whole Brock Jensen thing. I know he has diehard fans. But he only had 1 really good year (2013), though playing on the arguably best FCS team ever. Prior to that year, he was middle of the pack in the MVFC, again playing for the best team in the country. I watched ISUr Matt Brown outplay him playing with less. Matt was top MVFC QB in 2012. Jenner was tops in 2013. I though Brown was better, but I wouldn't say he was best this century either .. but he could sling it better than most. Brown also outdueled Garapolo most games. Spack kind of held Brown back some with his conservative ways .. to this day !!!

Reminder how dominant 2013 Bison were .. just crazy how many Team Stats they lead the MVFC in, and by a lot usually.





SCORING OFFENSE
G
TD
FG
XPT
2XP
DXP
Saf
Points
Avg/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
79
10
77
0
0
0
581
38.7


2.
Youngstown State
12
56
6
49
1
0
0
405
33.8


3.
South Dakota State
14
53
12
49
0
0
1
405
28.9


4.
Southern Illinois
12
41
18
40
0
0
1
342
28.5


5.
Missouri State
12
44
8
38
1
0
0
328
27.3


6.
Northern Iowa
12
36
21
34
1
0
0
315
26.2


7.
Illinois State
11
35
9
35
0
0
0
272
24.7


8.
Western Illinois
12
36
3
30
1
0
0
257
21.4


9.
Indiana State
12
33
6
28
2
0
0
248
20.7


10.
South Dakota
12
25
12
21
1
0
0
209
17.4





SCORING DEFENSE
G
TD
FG
XPT
2XP
DXP
Saf
Points
Avg/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
20
10
19
0
0
0
169
11.3


2.
Northern Iowa
12
28
11
25
0
0
0
226
18.8


3.
Missouri State
12
36
9
29
2
0
0
276
23.0


4.
South Dakota State
14
43
11
35
2
0
0
330
23.6


5.
Southern Illinois
12
39
11
33
1
0
0
302
25.2


6.
Western Illinois
12
40
8
37
1
0
0
303
25.2


7.
South Dakota
12
43
5
36
0
0
0
309
25.8


8.
Youngstown State
12
41
10
36
1
0
0
314
26.2


9.
Illinois State
11
44
7
40
0
0
0
325
29.5


10.
Indiana State
12
57
11
56
0
0
0
431
35.9





TOTAL OFFENSE
G
Rush
Pass
Plays
Yards
Avg/P
TD
Avg/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
3860
3002
1009
6862
6.8
70
457.5


2.
Youngstown State
12
2350
2457
745
4807
6.5
54
400.6


3.
Southern Illinois
12
1837
2782
865
4619
5.3
39
384.9


4.
South Dakota State
14
2354
3031
952
5385
5.7
48
384.6


5.
Northern Iowa
12
1957
2276
800
4233
5.3
32
352.8


6.
Missouri State
12
2149
1968
829
4117
5.0
37
343.1


7.
South Dakota
12
1730
2343
852
4073
4.8
23
339.4


8.
Western Illinois
12
1854
2152
869
4006
4.6
30
333.8


9.
Illinois State
11
1506
2066
720
3572
5.0
31
324.7


10.
Indiana State
12
1458
2022
793
3480
4.4
27
290.0





TOTAL DEFENSE
G
Rush
Pass
Plays
Yards
Avg/P
TD
Avg/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
1369
2469
910
3838
4.2
17
255.9


2.
Western Illinois
12
1876
1788
781
3664
4.7
36
305.3


3.
Northern Iowa
12
1579
2435
865
4014
4.6
24
334.5


4.
South Dakota
12
2098
2053
798
4151
5.2
37
345.9


5.
Missouri State
12
1580
2599
854
4179
4.9
31
348.2


6.
Southern Illinois
12
1474
2875
814
4349
5.3
34
362.4


7.
Indiana State
12
2259
2128
847
4387
5.2
44
365.6


8.
Illinois State
11
1600
2470
752
4070
5.4
44
370.0


9.
South Dakota State
14
2277
3073
940
5350
5.7
41
382.1


10.
Youngstown State
12
1960
2966
863
4926
5.7
41
410.5





RUSHING OFFENSE
G
Att
Yards
Avg.
TD
Yards/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
649
3860
5.9
35
257.3


2.
Youngstown State
12
449
2350
5.2
31
195.8


3.
Missouri State
12
515
2149
4.2
24
179.1


4.
South Dakota State
14
539
2354
4.4
28
168.1


5.
Northern Iowa
12
469
1957
4.2
16
163.1


6.
Western Illinois
12
479
1854
3.9
13
154.5


7.
Southern Illinois
12
456
1837
4.0
14
153.1


8.
South Dakota
12
451
1730
3.8
12
144.2


9.
Illinois State
11
449
1506
3.4
16
136.9


10.
Indiana State
12
428
1458
3.4
9
121.5





RUSHING DEFENSE
G
Att
Yards
Avg.
TD
Yards/G


1.
North Dakota State
15
470
1369
2.9
7
91.3


2.
Southern Illinois
12
420
1474
3.5
13
122.8


3.
Northern Iowa
12
474
1579
3.3
9
131.6


4.
Missouri State
12
446
1580
3.5
12
131.7


5.
Illinois State
11
404
1600
4.0
18
145.5


6.
Western Illinois
12
484
1876
3.9
23
156.3


7.
South Dakota State
14
528
2277
4.3
23
162.6


8.
Youngstown State
12
452
1960
4.3
15
163.3


9.
South Dakota
12
498
2098
4.2
20
174.8


10.
Indiana State
12
568
2259
4.0
27
188.2





PASS OFFENSE
G
Comp
Att
Int
Pct.
Yards
Avg.
TD
Avg/G


1.
Southern Illinois
12
233
409
10
57.0
2782
6.8
25
231.8


2.
South Dakota State
14
243
413
8
58.8
3031
7.3
20
216.5


3.
Youngstown State
12
178
296
7
60.1
2457
8.3
23
204.8


4.
North Dakota State
15
240
360
7
66.7
3002
8.3
35
200.1


5.
South Dakota
12
205
401
11
51.1
2343
5.8
11
195.2


6.
Northern Iowa
12
198
331
9
59.8
2276
6.9
16
189.7


7.
Illinois State
11
156
271
13
57.6
2066
7.6
15
187.8


8.
Western Illinois
12
196
390
16
50.3
2152
5.5
17
179.3


9.
Indiana State
12
183
365
17
50.1
2022
5.5
18
168.5


10.
Missouri State
12
164
314
13
52.2
1968
6.3
13
164.0





PASS DEFENSE
G
Comp
Att
Int
Pct.
Yards
Avg.
TD
Avg/G


1.
Western Illinois
12
160
297
16
53.9
1788
6.0
13
149.0


2.
North Dakota State
15
223
440
17
50.7
2469
5.6
10
164.6


3.
South Dakota
12
167
300
15
55.7
2053
6.8
17
171.1


4.
Indiana State
12
172
279
11
61.6
2128
7.6
17
177.3


5.
Northern Iowa
12
217
391
11
55.5
2435
6.2
15
202.9


6.
Missouri State
12
244
408
17
59.8
2599
6.4
19
216.6


7.
South Dakota State
14
237
412
22
57.5
3073
7.5
18
219.5


8.
Illinois State
11
186
348
6
53.4
2470
7.1
26
224.5


9.
Southern Illinois
12
234
394
10
59.4
2875
7.3
21
239.6


10.
Youngstown State
12
245
411
10
59.6
2966
7.2
26
247.2





PASS EFFICIENCY
G
Comp
Att
Int
Pct.
Yards
TD
Effic.


1.
North Dakota State
15
240
360
7
66.7
3002
35
164.9


2.
Youngstown State
12
178
296
7
60.1
2457
23
150.8


3.
South Dakota State
14
243
413
8
58.8
3031
20
132.6


4.
Illinois State
11
156
271
13
57.6
2066
15
130.3


5.
Southern Illinois
12
233
409
10
57.0
2782
25
129.4


6.
Northern Iowa
12
198
331
9
59.8
2276
16
128.1


7.
Missouri State
12
164
314
13
52.2
1968
13
110.3


8.
South Dakota
12
205
401
11
51.1
2343
11
103.8


9.
Indiana State
12
183
365
17
50.1
2022
18
103.6


10.
Western Illinois
12
196
390
16
50.3
2152
17
102.8





PASS DEFENSE EFFIC.
G
Comp
Att
Int
Pct.
Yards
TD
Effic.


1.
North Dakota State
15
223
440
17
50.7
2469
10
97.6


2.
Western Illinois
12
160
297
16
53.9
1788
13
108.1


3.
Northern Iowa
12
217
391
11
55.5
2435
15
114.8


4.
Missouri State
12
244
408
17
59.8
2599
19
120.3


5.
South Dakota
12
167
300
15
55.7
2053
17
121.9


6.
South Dakota State
14
237
412
22
57.5
3073
18
123.9


7.
Southern Illinois
12
234
394
10
59.4
2875
21
133.2


8.
Illinois State
11
186
348
6
53.4
2470
26
134.3


9.
Youngstown State
12
245
411
10
59.6
2966
26
136.2


10.
Indiana State
12
172
279
11
61.6
2128
17
137.9





KICKOFF RETURNS
G
No.
Yards
TD
Avg.


1.
North Dakota State
15
32
808
1
25.2


2.
Youngstown State
12
44
1076
0
24.5


3.
Southern Illinois
12
36
782
1
21.7


4.
Missouri State
12
37
802
0
21.7


5.
South Dakota
12
29
628
0
21.7


6.
Northern Iowa
12
31
620
0
20.0


7.
Illinois State
11
36
719
1
20.0


8.
Indiana State
12
55
1095
1
19.9


9.
Western Illinois
12
36
704
0
19.6


10.
South Dakota State
14
38
739
0
19.4





PUNT RETURN AVG
G
No.
Yards
TD
Avg.


1.
North Dakota State
15
30
399
3
13.3


2.
Indiana State
12
11
134
0
12.2


3.
Western Illinois
12
28
317
0
11.3


4.
South Dakota State
14
33
337
1
10.2


5.
Illinois State
11
18
159
1
8.8


6.
Missouri State
12
24
189
2
7.9


7.
Youngstown State
12
17
90
0
5.3


8.
Northern Iowa
12
21
107
0
5.1


9.
Southern Illinois
12
16
64
0
4.0


10.
South Dakota
12
19
74
0
3.9





INTERCEPTIONS
G
No.
Yards
TD
Avg.


1.
South Dakota State
14
22
407
4
18.5


2.
Missouri State
12
17
366
5
21.5


3.
North Dakota State
15
17
301
4
17.7


4.
Western Illinois
12
16
207
4
12.9


5.
South Dakota
12
15
215
2
14.3


6.
Indiana State
12
11
259
4
23.5


7.
Northern Iowa
12
11
301
3
27.4


8.
Southern Illinois
12
10
176
0
17.6


9.
Youngstown State
12
10
197
2
19.7


10.
Illinois State
11
6
138
1
23.0





PUNTING
G
No.
Yards
Avg/P
Ret.
Avg.
TB
Net/P


1.
North Dakota State
15
52
2270
43.7
21
0.4
10
38.4


2.
Youngstown State
12
50
2208
44.2
258
5.2
3
37.5


3.
Southern Illinois
12
55
2201
40.0
87
1.6
3
37.1


4.
Missouri State
12
69
2644
38.3
107
1.6
5
35.0


5.
Illinois State
11
72
2792
38.8
186
2.6
4
34.8


6.
Northern Iowa
12
64
2552
39.9
237
3.7
4
34.6


7.
South Dakota State
14
67
2699
40.3
110
1.6
12
34.2


8.
South Dakota
12
75
3003
40.0
385
5.1
5
33.2


9.
Western Illinois
12
76
2618
34.4
124
1.6
1
32.5


10.
Indiana State
12
76
2762
36.3
309
4.1
2
31.6

[NY Crusader 2010]

Yep, Stick, Jenson, Wentz, in that order

I would go

1. Stick
2. Lance
3. Either Jenson or Wentz => you guys would know better than I who was the better QB at FCS level. Wentz was only the starter for 1 year, right?

I know he left with eligibility remaining, but IMO Lance was perhaps the most talented FCS QB (for this level) since Edwards.

[Gil Dobie]

I would go

1. Stick
2. Lance
3. Either Jenson or Wentz => you guys would know better than I who was the better QB at FCS level. Wentz was only the starter for 1 year, right?

I know he left with eligibility remaining, but IMO Lance was perhaps the most talented FCS QB (for this level) since Edwards.

Stick
Jenson
Walker
Lance
Wentz

Lance and Wentz didn't play as long, therefore lower. Jensen was great at managing the offense, and didn't put up stats like the others. Walker was a great passer, would have made playoff runs, but NDSU was not eligible. Lance over Wentz because he never lost. Wentz played a year and a half. Walker was 20-2 his last 2 seasons.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Like, best when they were playing in the FCS specifically, or best overall? Just asking because sometimes you have players who are spectacular in college and then fizzle out in the NFL (if they even make the NFL) or players who did fairly well in college and just took off in the NFL.

The ones that really stood out to me would be guys like Armanti Edwards (Appalachian State), Taylor Heinicke (Old Dominion), and Eric Barriere (Eastern Washington).

If Lindsey Scott Jr. had done what he did last year for a couple more years in the FCS, he'd be up there.

Jimmy Garoppolo gets points for leading a team that was not really a historic "powerhouse" to a decent amount of success.

If not for the driving snow storm against Towson and stud RB Terrance West in the 2013 quarters, EIU would likely have made it to Natty .. only to lose to the best NDSU team ever.

[POD Knows]

I would go

1. Stick
2. Lance
3. Either Jenson or Wentz => you guys would know better than I who was the better QB at FCS level. Wentz was only the starter for 1 year, right?

I know he left with eligibility remaining, but IMO Lance was perhaps the most talented FCS QB (for this level) since Edwards.
Lance wasn’t here long enough to warrant the ranking. Lance probably had the greatest single season of any Bison QB but I just don’t think one year is enough of a legacy.

[caribbeanhen]

Lance wasn’t here long enough to warrant the ranking. Lance probably had the greatest single season of any Bison QB but I just don’t think one year is enough of a legacy.

I understand that logic but Lance put a lack luster by Bison standards team on his back and beat JMU

JMU the better team until you plug a dynamic QB like Lance into the equation, that’s why I go with Lance as best Bison QB

[POD Knows]

I understand that logic but Lance put a lack luster by Bison standards team on his back and beat JMU

JMU the better team until you plug a dynamic QB like Lance into the equation, that’s why I go with Lance as best Bison QBNope, not going to give the title for a guy that literally was a rookie with a great season. I stated he had the best year of any Bison QB, but that doesn't make him the best Bison QB of this century.

[uni88]

That's fair, I misspoke. I meant to say "this century" like the original question, but said "possibly ever". I don't have much knowledge of I-AA prior to the mid-90s, so I can't really speak to much before that timeframe.

Tracy Ham was amazing. Best option QB I ever saw play, better than Frazier, Holieway, Rice, etc. They called the offense the Hambone when he ran it.

[FUBeAR]

Tracy Ham was amazing. Best option QB I ever saw play, better than Frazier, Holieway, Rice, etc. They called the offense the Hambone when he ran it.
Yep - Unbelievable player and a total gamer. Threw a 25 yard laser shot between 3 tight defenders with 10 seconds left to steal the ‘85 I-AA National Championship from Furman. Still hate him for that…an option QB can’t do THAT…dammit!!!

He was also a STAR for over a decade in the CFL - multiple Grey Cup wins, MVP of Grey Cup, MVP of League. He is pre-21st century, but he would (should) be #1 on everyone’s list without that limitation. Just wish he’d had 1, maybe 2, more incompletions during his college career.

[Preferred Walk-On]

I never really got the whole Brock Jensen thing. I know he has diehard fans. But he only had 1 really good year (2013), though playing on the arguably best FCS team ever. Prior to that year, he was middle of the pack in the MVFC, again playing for the best team in the country. I watched ISUr Matt Brown outplay him playing with less. Matt was top MVFC QB in 2012. Jenner was tops in 2013. I though Brown was better, but I wouldn't say he was best this century either .. but he could sling it better than most. Brown also outdueled Garapolo most games. Spack kind of held Brown back some with his conservative ways .. to this day !!!

It was never about stats with Brock. It was entirely about leadership and clutch playmaking. Period. Brock Jensen was the best DI Bison QB in this category, followed closely by Easton. Some people have their stats…others have their rings. Not trying to say Brock or Easton were “Best FCS QBs of the Century”. Just trying to say exactly why Bison fans appreciated those two so much. If the thread were “Best FCS Leaders of the Century”, those two should be up there with any.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NY Crusader 2010]

Nope, not going to give the title for a guy that literally was a rookie with a great season. I stated he had the best year of any Bison QB, but that doesn't make him the best Bison QB of this century.

I get both arguments. I actually forgot he only played one season, thought it was 2.

[POD Knows]

I get both arguments. I actually forgot he only played one season, thought it was 2.He was the starter for one season, he redshirted and got a few snaps in a couple games, he did play one game in the fall of 2020, (played poorly) against Central Arkansas.

[uni88]

It was never about stats with Brock. It was entirely about leadership and clutch playmaking. Period. Brock Jensen was the best DI Bison QB in this category, followed closely by Easton. Some people have their stats…others have their rings. Not trying to say Brock or Easton were “Best FCS QBs of the Century”. Just trying to say exactly why Bison fans appreciated those two so much. If the thread were “Best FCS Leaders of the Century”, those two should be up there with any.


I appreciated watching Jensen play. He was definitely a leader. Eric Sanders with UNI and Richie Williams with App St were similar.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Stick is the best college QB the played for NDSU during FCS play. When Wentz got hurt, Stick came in and took NDSU to 8 straight wins, including playoff games, as a Freshman. Wentz came back for the championship game. He has been overlooked because of the players and teams he played with. We didn't see enough of Trey Lance to put him above Stick. Jensen is a close second. Walker and Wentz are in the discussion.
I feel like Trey Lance was the best RS FR QB ever for NDSU .. he was so dominant, talented, disciplined, etc early on. Stick slowly turned into a very good QB - I felt like he grew into a dominant QB, and had some help. Wentz always impressed my a lot as the most NFL ready, but his resume was thin like Lance's. As I said earlier, I was never really impressed with Jensen like I was with the subsequent 3.

But this thread implies, who was the most dominant for their career. Not who had the best year or 2 while they were there.

So ignoring the # of great years (body of work), I would rank NDSU QBs: Lance (off the charts early on), then Wentz a close 2nd (he could have done more if needed), then Stick (became great), then maybe Jensen a distant 4th based largely on 2013 .. I don't know the others prior to Jensen.

For my ISUr .. Matt Brown was really good, and I felt he was held back by Spack's conservatism. Plus he had 3 or 4 OCs in 5 years I think. He could really sling it .. talented, smart, big accurate arm, and fearless. I think of it like the old quip .. who was the only coach to hold Jordan under 20 ppg for his career .. Dean Smith. As for Tre Roberson, he had one great year, but if you watched as close as I did. You would know he was a little inconsistent at times. Fortunately, by game 8 or so, he went on an incredible tear. His QBR the last 7 games was astronomical, plus he was legit dual threat. But the first half of 2014-15 season, he was very sporadic at best.

[Gil Dobie]

I feel like Trey Lance was the best RS FR QB ever for NDSU .. he was so dominant, talented, disciplined, etc early on. Stick slowly turned into a very good QB - I felt like he grew into a dominant QB, and had some help. Wentz always impressed my a lot as the most NFL ready, but his resume was thin like Lance's. As I said earlier, I was never really impressed with Jensen like I was with the subsequent 3.

But this thread implies, who was the most dominant for their career. Not who had the best year or 2 while they were there.

So ignoring the # of great years (body of work), I would rank NDSU QBs: Lance (off the charts early on), then Wentz a close 2nd (he could have done more if needed), then Stick (became great), then maybe Jensen a distant 4th based largely on 2013 .. I don't know the others prior to Jensen.

For my ISUr .. Matt Brown was really good, and I felt he was held back by Spack's conservatism. Plus he had 3 or 4 OCs in 5 years I think. He could really sling it .. talented, smart, big accurate arm, and fearless. I think of it like the old quip .. who was the only coach to hold Jordan under 20 ppg for his career .. Dean Smith. As for Tre Roberson, he had one great year, but if you watched as close as I did. You would know he was a little inconsistent at times. Fortunately, by game 8 or so, he went on an incredible tear. His QBR the last 7 games was astronomical, plus he was legit dual threat. But the first half of 2014-15 season, he was very sporadic at best.

Jensen was a field general, awesome manager on the field, not a stat compiler. Stick came in when Wentz was hurt, and led the Bison to 8 straight wins as a Redshirt Freshman, and Wentz returned for the championship game. Walker was great, but wasn't playoff eligible. Lance and Wentz had more talent, but didn't play as many games, hence I listed them behind the 3 QBs that played 4 years.

[NY Crusader 2010]

He was the starter for one season, he redshirted and got a few snaps in a couple games, he did play one game in the fall of 2020, (played poorly) against Central Arkansas.

I think at any other FCS school, he'd have to be a shoe-in for Top 3 even though he only played one full season. Because in that 1 season, he led the Bison to a national championship.

But, as we know, national title's are a dime-a-dozen in Fargo. So, 1 championship doesn't exactly secure immortality at NDSU.

[caribbeanhen]

Nope, not going to give the title for a guy that literally was a rookie with a great season. I stated he had the best year of any Bison QB, but that doesn't make him the best Bison QB of this century.

And if I could pick any Bison QB for just one season I’ll go with Lance

[Bisonoline]

I understand that logic but Lance put a lack luster by Bison standards team on his back and beat JMU

JMU the better team until you plug a dynamic QB like Lance into the equation, that’s why I go with Lance as best Bison QB

No way. There are at least six ahead of him.

[KPSUL]

Reference Material for this Thread:

https://theanalyst.com/na/2023/06/air-it-out-fcs-quarterbacks-with-the-most-passing-yards-in-a-game-season-and-career/

[Redbird 4th & short]

No way. There are at least six ahead of him.

Putting aside the "body of work" argument, this seems very doubtful .. you think Lance was 7th best ??

Statistically, I think it was the best single season Bison QB performance ever, passing and running combined. And I would imagine he carried that offense more than any Bison QB ever, for a single season. So who are the 6 after presumably Stick, Wentz, Jensen ?

For full body of actual work, I would go with Stick.

For who was the sheer best, who could have done so much more if he had been required to .. for me, it is Carson Wentz with razor thin edge over Lance. Like if he had been forced to do as much as Trey Lance, then Wentz' stats could have been crazy good. I also think Wentz was the best NFL prospect .. but that isn't the debate.

So would love to see your ranked top 6 ahead of Trey Lance.

[AmsterBison]

Putting aside the "body of work" argument, this seems very doubtful .. you think Lance was 7th best ??


Lance was the best freshman QB I ever saw, and I saw Jeff Bentrim play in 1983 (Bentrim is in the College Football Hall of Fame.)

In the single-season records, Lance sits at #9 on pass attempts but ranks #1 in passing efficiency, #1 in total offense, #2 in passing TDs, and #3 in yardage. He also holds an all-time record with 288 consecutive pass attempts without an interception. And he was the team's leading rusher in 2019.

I think maybe he is undervalued because he had a poor game passing the ball in his game against JMU and that was his last real game. He was way off on his deep balls, but stretching the field like that allowed him to take off and run for 166 yards. The most yards rushing JMU gave up in a game up to that point was 118.

I can't think of what more Trey could've done.

[Bisonator]

Putting aside the "body of work" argument, this seems very doubtful .. you think Lance was 7th best ??

Statistically, I think it was the best single season Bison QB performance ever, passing and running combined. And I would imagine he carried that offense more than any Bison QB ever, for a single season. So who are the 6 after presumably Stick, Wentz, Jensen ?

For full body of actual work, I would go with Stick.

For who was the sheer best, who could have done so much more if he had been required to .. for me, it is Carson Wentz with razor thin edge over Lance. Like if he had been forced to do as much as Trey Lance, then Wentz' stats could have been crazy good. I also think Wentz was the best NFL prospect .. but that isn't the debate.

So would love to see your ranked top 6 ahead of Trey Lance.
Lance gets some disrespect from older Bison fans and players for his social stance. It's rather unfortunate but it is what it is now days.

I'd rank Bison QB's on pure talent like this:

1. Wentz
2. Lance
3. Stick
4. Jensen

If I needed a QB to lead a game winning drive I'd probably rank them:

1. Jensen
2. Stick
3. Wentz
4. Lance

That's all just going by their last season at NDSU. They all were very different players from freshmen to seniors except for Lance who only played a short time. Lance wins the freshman award hands down.

[Redbird 4th & short]

ok, so he's in your top 4 then, which makes more sense. And you acknowledged his great RS FR season. So the rest of the debate is a matter of how anyone weighs their individual achievements against whether there was enough body of work. And then from leadership/intangible perspective. That said, Trey Lance clearly proved himself in the limited time he had, then got drafted 3rd in NFL.


Lance gets some disrespect from older Bison fans and players for his social stance. It's rather unfortunate but it is what it is now days.

I'd rank Bison QB's on pure talent like this:

1. Wentz
2. Lance
3. Stick
4. Jensen

If I needed a QB to lead a game winning drive I'd probably rank them:

1. Jensen
2. Stick
3. Wentz
4. Lance

That's all just going by their last season at NDSU. They all were very different players from freshmen to seniors except for Lance who only played a short time. Lance wins the freshman award hands down.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Lance gets some disrespect from older Bison fans and players for his social stance. It's rather unfortunate but it is what it is now days.

I'd rank Bison QB's on pure talent like this:

1. Wentz
2. Lance
3. Stick
4. Jensen

If I needed a QB to lead a game winning drive I'd probably rank them:

1. Jensen
2. Stick
3. Wentz
4. Lance

That's all just going by their last season at NDSU. They all were very different players from freshmen to seniors except for Lance who only played a short time. Lance wins the freshman award hands down.

Lance wins the freshman award for the entire history of I-AA/FCS, let alone NDSU. He gets a challenge from Armanti Edwards who helped lead App State to a natty as a true frosh.

[Bisonator]

ok, so he's in your top 4 then, which makes more sense. And you acknowledged his great RS FR season. So the rest of the debate is a matter of how anyone weighs their individual achievements against whether there was enough body of work. And then from leadership/intangible perspective. That said, Trey Lance clearly proved himself in the limited time he had, then got drafted 3rd in NFL.
Yes of course if we are just talking this century. Not sure I'd have him on the mount rushmore of Bison QB's of all time though as we had a couple Harlon Hill award winners and even a couple other QB's that were pretty outstanding in their day as well.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Yes of course if we are just talking this century. Not sure I'd have him on the mount rushmore of Bison QB's of all time though as we had a couple Harlon Hill award winners and even a couple other QB's that were pretty outstanding in their day as well.

Except since 2015, the Bison have put 3 QBs in the NFL. So I think your QBs are at a much higher level now, than before .. unless there are pre-2000 Bison QBs who also got drafted and started (Wentz, Lance) in the NFL. Or at least are still waiting their turn on the 2 deep (Stick). I'm not aware of any anyway.

So IMO the QB bar has been raised considerably over the pre-2000 QBs. Wentz was #2 pick and started, Lance #3 pick and started, and Stick was picked in round 5 (166th pick) and is a backup.

Anyway .. my real point is that all of this just so unfair that the best programd with the most run dominant offense also gets most of the best QBs !!!!

xsmhx

[Bisonator]

Except since 2015, the Bison have put 3 QBs in the NFL. So I think your QBs are at a much higher level now, than before .. unless there are pre-2000 Bison QBs who also got drafted and started (Wentz, Lance) in the NFL. Or at least are still waiting their turn on the 2 deep (Stick). I'm not aware of any anyway.

So IMO the QB bar has been raised considerably over the pre-2000 QBs. Wentz was #2 pick and started, Lance #3 pick and started, and Stick was picked in round 5 (166th pick) and is a backup.

Anyway .. my real point is that all of this just so unfair that the best programd with the most run dominant offense also gets most of the best QBs !!!!

xsmhx
Not sure best college QB's equates to NFL QB's. There's a ton of college HOF QB's who never sniffed the NFL. Not to mention there's a lot of luck involved as far as getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it at the NFL level. I think there's plenty of D2 QB's that coulda, woulda, shoulda made pretty good if not great NFL QB's if given the chance. The small number of roster spots available any given year makes it incredibly difficult to get those opportunities.

Agree that NDSU has been extremely fortunate to get some of these guys but they've developed most of them too. It's not like they had to beat out a bunch of bigger FBS offers to get most of them. Pretty sure Wentz only FBS offer was from Central Michigan, I think Stick had a Rutgers offer maybe WY too after Bohl went there can't remember, Lance was highly recruited but not as a QB.

[NY Crusader 2010]

Not sure best college QB's equates to NFL QB's. There's a ton of college HOF QB's who never sniffed the NFL. Not to mention there's a lot of luck involved as far as getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it at the NFL level. I think there's plenty of D2 QB's that coulda, woulda, shoulda made pretty good if not great NFL QB's if given the chance. The small number of roster spots available any given year makes it incredibly difficult to get those opportunities.

Agree that NDSU has been extremely fortunate to get some of these guys but they've developed most of them too. It's not like they had to beat out a bunch of bigger FBS offers to get most of them. Pretty sure Wentz only FBS offer was from Central Michigan, I think Stick had a Rutgers offer maybe WY too after Bohl went there can't remember, Lance was highly recruited but not as a QB.

Absolutely. The other piece is that college QB's become "great" by winning championships. Tim Tebow, AJ McCarron, Josh Heupel, Danny Wuerffel, Ty Detmer, etc. All those guys had the advantage of having phenomenal weapons around them. Josh Allen, of course played at Wyoming and was projected to be a 1st Round pick before his senior year even started but he was never considered great due to a) playing at G5 level, b) not putting up great stats and c) not winning a conference title and/or having Wyoming in the running for a New Year's Bowl.

The other piece is the skill set translating to the next level. Aside from Lamar Jackson (and Vince Young, Colin Kaepernick & RGIII for short stretches each), run-first QBs have had a tough time cracking that "elite" status in the NFL. Part of it's longevity -- you build dynasties and franchises on the guys like Brady, Manning and Rodgers who can play the position at a Pro Bowl-level for 15 years --and you don't have to overhaul your offensive roster to run a new system for them. The Lamar Jackson's of the world are going to be past their prime much earlier than guys like Brady or a Patrick Mahomes.

Holy Cross' Matt Sluka is looking to fall into that category of great FCS QB but likely will get even less of an NFL look than Dominic Randolph '10 and Peter Pujals '17 got. Unless he can go the Chris Streveler route...

[Redbird 4th & short]

Not sure best college QB's equates to NFL QB's. There's a ton of college HOF QB's who never sniffed the NFL. Not to mention there's a lot of luck involved as far as getting the right opportunity and taking advantage of it at the NFL level. I think there's plenty of D2 QB's that coulda, woulda, shoulda made pretty good if not great NFL QB's if given the chance. The small number of roster spots available any given year makes it incredibly difficult to get those opportunities.

Agree that NDSU has been extremely fortunate to get some of these guys but they've developed most of them too. It's not like they had to beat out a bunch of bigger FBS offers to get most of them. Pretty sure Wentz only FBS offer was from Central Michigan, I think Stick had a Rutgers offer maybe WY too after Bohl went there can't remember, Lance was highly recruited but not as a QB.

THIS !!

So many have failed at next level. NFL is not just better .. they are bigger, stronger, faster, smarter, and they scout the crap out of you. If you have a weakness, they will find it. Back to my Bears .. Rex Grossman could throw it as well as most and was the talk of the league for half a season .. but .. they figured him (and our OC) out, and learned if you take away the middle of the field with 2 big DTs bull rushing the inside .. he couldn't handle it and would panick in the pocket. Plus he had smallish hands. But he may have been the best 7v7 QB coming out of college of his era.

And if you are dual threat QB, you better be a pass first, buy time second, and run as last resort .. or NFL defenses will crush 90% of you eventually. Justin Fields won't last doing what he has been doing. He's got a better OL and WR group this year .. let's see if he can sit in pocket, read his progressions, and just throw it .. he might just last another season. Love his heart and talent regardless, but ...... gotta stay healthy. move chains, and get in the end zone.

[Gil Dobie]

Except since 2015, the Bison have put 3 QBs in the NFL. So I think your QBs are at a much higher level now, than before .. unless there are pre-2000 Bison QBs who also got drafted and started (Wentz, Lance) in the NFL. Or at least are still waiting their turn on the 2 deep (Stick). I'm not aware of any anyway.

So IMO the QB bar has been raised considerably over the pre-2000 QBs. Wentz was #2 pick and started, Lance #3 pick and started, and Stick was picked in round 5 (166th pick) and is a backup.

Anyway .. my real point is that all of this just so unfair that the best programd with the most run dominant offense also gets most of the best QBs !!!!

xsmhx

Jeff Bentrim is in the college football Hall of Fame. He was a option QB, different style. He led NDSU to 3 titles, losing thec4th on a last second 50 yd FG. Also a Harlan Hill winner, best QB in DII. Chris Simdorn 2 titles and a Harlan Hill, another option QB. If Lance had stayed, there is a very good chance he would be #1. I'm one of the oldest Bison fans on here, and Lance's social stance has nothing to do with my opinion on his ranking. Check the poli board if you don't believe me. Has nothing to do with age.

[Redbird 4th & short]

Jeff Bentrim is in the college football Hall of Fame. He was a option QB, different style. He led NDSU to 3 titles, losing thec4th on a last second 50 yd FG. Also a Harlan Hill winner, best QB in DII. Chris Simdorn 2 titles and a Harlan Hill, another option QB. If Lance had stayed, there is a very good chance he would be #1. I'm one of the oldest Bison fans on here, and Lance's social stance has nothing to do with my opinion on his ranking. Check the poli board if you don't believe me. Has nothing to do with age.
impressive 4 years, especially to make that last run after losing your head coach.