[FarmBoy]

NFL.com recently ranked the last 20 QBs chosen #1 in the NFL draft. These lists are always a great reminder of the NFL success that Stanford QBs have had over the years. Elway comes in at #3, Luck at #5 and Plunkett at #7. Can someone anonymously post this to Costello's Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Tinder/whatever kids use these days account?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...fb_Fischer

[FarmBoy]

NFL.com recently ranked the last 20 QBs chosen #1 in the NFL draft. These lists are always a great reminder of the NFL success that Stanford QBs have had over the years. Elway comes in at #3, Luck at #5 and Plunkett at #7. Can someone anonymously post this to Costello's Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Tinder/whatever kids use these days account?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000...fb_Fischer

[BobK]

Bob Garrett was # 1 overall after the 1953 season.  Just sayin  8)

[BobK]

Bob Garrett was # 1 overall after the 1953 season.  Just sayin  8)

[BobK]

Could be on Albert, he served 4 years.

John Brodie # 3 overall

[BobK]

Could be on Albert, he served 4 years.

John Brodie # 3 overall

[terry]

I would argue that Stanford's "top 5" list of successful pro quarterbacks beats anyone's. (I'm talking about success in pro football, not success in college.)

Stanford:  Elway, Brodie, Luck, Plunkett, Albert

Alabama:  Starr, Namath, Stabler, ? ? ?

Purdue:  Dawson, Griese, Brees, ? ? ?

NotreDame:  Montana, Theismann, Lamonica, ? ? ?

C.al:  Rodgers, Morton, Bartkowski, ? ? ?

Miami:  Kelly, Testaverde, ? ? ?

BYU:  Young, McMahon, ? ? ?

Michigan:  Brady, Harbaugh, ? ? ?

[terry]

I would argue that Stanford's "top 5" list of successful pro quarterbacks beats anyone's. (I'm talking about success in pro football, not success in college.)

Stanford:  Elway, Brodie, Luck, Plunkett, Albert

Alabama:  Starr, Namath, Stabler, ? ? ?

Purdue:  Dawson, Griese, Brees, ? ? ?

NotreDame:  Montana, Theismann, Lamonica, ? ? ?

C.al:  Rodgers, Morton, Bartkowski, ? ? ?

Miami:  Kelly, Testaverde, ? ? ?

BYU:  Young, McMahon, ? ? ?

Michigan:  Brady, Harbaugh, ? ? ?

[FarmBoy]

The wiki article on QB U is pretty informative for this discussion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_U

UW's track record with putting QBs in the pros is pretty impressive. As of 2012, 16 of its last 18 starting QBs had gone to start in the NFL. Another you missed was Miami: George Mira, Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Craig Erickson, and Gino Torretta

But I don't see anyone topping Stanford's track record in NFL performance across 3-5 different QBs.

[FarmBoy]

The wiki article on QB U is pretty informative for this discussion: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarterback_U

UW's track record with putting QBs in the pros is pretty impressive. As of 2012, 16 of its last 18 starting QBs had gone to start in the NFL. Another you missed was Miami: George Mira, Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Craig Erickson, and Gino Torretta

But I don't see anyone topping Stanford's track record in NFL performance across 3-5 different QBs.

[terry]

Putting guys in the NFL is different from having success in the NFL.

I did mention Miami, specifically Kelly and Testaverde. You could add Kosar as Miami's #3 guy. But QBs like Dorsey, Toretta, Walsh, and Erickson didn't have success as pro players. Mira was a career back-up, as I recall.

Washington has had one guy with a pro career comparable to the careers of the guys on Stanford's list -- Moon. You could put Brunell and Chandler on UW's list, as they were starters for a significant time. But that's it for them.

All five of the guys on Stanford's list had good, long, successful pro careers as starting QBs. (Well, Luck's career isn't long yet, but with 3 Pro Bowls in 3 years, he obviously belongs on the list.) I don't think anyone else can match the track record of Stanford's top 5.

[terry]

Putting guys in the NFL is different from having success in the NFL.

I did mention Miami, specifically Kelly and Testaverde. You could add Kosar as Miami's #3 guy. But QBs like Dorsey, Toretta, Walsh, and Erickson didn't have success as pro players. Mira was a career back-up, as I recall.

Washington has had one guy with a pro career comparable to the careers of the guys on Stanford's list -- Moon. You could put Brunell and Chandler on UW's list, as they were starters for a significant time. But that's it for them.

All five of the guys on Stanford's list had good, long, successful pro careers as starting QBs. (Well, Luck's career isn't long yet, but with 3 Pro Bowls in 3 years, he obviously belongs on the list.) I don't think anyone else can match the track record of Stanford's top 5.

[FarmBoy]

I did mention Miami

Oops, sorry I missed that.

But I completely agree that putting guys in the NFL is different from high level success. I don't see anyone competing with Stanford in that regard.

From a recruiting standpoint, I wonder which is a more compelling story to recruits: UW's 16 of 18 starting QBs getting a shot at the NFL or Stanford's 3 pro-bowl quality QBs over a 45 year period.

[FarmBoy]

I did mention Miami

Oops, sorry I missed that.

But I completely agree that putting guys in the NFL is different from high level success. I don't see anyone competing with Stanford in that regard.

From a recruiting standpoint, I wonder which is a more compelling story to recruits: UW's 16 of 18 starting QBs getting a shot at the NFL or Stanford's 3 pro-bowl quality QBs over a 45 year period.

[BobK]

Four Stanford QB pro bowlers in the last 45 years

[BobK]

Four Stanford QB pro bowlers in the last 45 years

[terry]

From a recruiting standpoint, I wonder which is a more compelling story to recruits: UW's 16 of 18 starting QBs getting a shot at the NFL or Stanford's 3 pro-bowl quality QBs over a 45 year period.

From a recruiting standpoint, Andrew Luck alone trumps Keith Price, Jake Locker, Isaiah Stanback, Cody Pickett, both Huards, Billy Joe Hobert, Mark Brunell, Cary Conklin, Chris Chandler, Hugh Millen, and the rest of UW's last 18 quarterbacks put together. And it's not even close.

[terry]

From a recruiting standpoint, I wonder which is a more compelling story to recruits: UW's 16 of 18 starting QBs getting a shot at the NFL or Stanford's 3 pro-bowl quality QBs over a 45 year period.

From a recruiting standpoint, Andrew Luck alone trumps Keith Price, Jake Locker, Isaiah Stanback, Cody Pickett, both Huards, Billy Joe Hobert, Mark Brunell, Cary Conklin, Chris Chandler, Hugh Millen, and the rest of UW's last 18 quarterbacks put together. And it's not even close.

[FarmBoy]

Four Stanford QB pro bowlers in the last 45 years

Are you referring to Brodie? When I said "over the last 45 years", I meant that they graduated from Stanford over that period. Basically, every 10-15 years, Stanford "produces" a Pro Bowl caliber QB.

From a recruiting standpoint, Andrew Luck alone trumps Jake Locker, Isaiah Stanback, Cody Pickett, both Huards, Billy Joe Hobert, Mark Brunell, Cary Conklin, Chris Chandler, Hugh Millen, and the rest of UW's last 18 quarterbacks put together. And it's not even close.

I think you're probably right that kids will be impressed more by one star than by a consistent performer. As a pragmatist, I would probably steer myself to the school that has a consistent track record though, even if the ceiling isn't as high. In the end, the skeptic in me doesn't believe Stanford really had that much to do with their success. Plunkett, Elway and Luck were probably going to be elite no matter where they went based on their inherent characteristics. It's mostly a reflection of their intelligence and character to choose Stanford over football factories.

[FarmBoy]

Four Stanford QB pro bowlers in the last 45 years

Are you referring to Brodie? When I said "over the last 45 years", I meant that they graduated from Stanford over that period. Basically, every 10-15 years, Stanford "produces" a Pro Bowl caliber QB.

From a recruiting standpoint, Andrew Luck alone trumps Jake Locker, Isaiah Stanback, Cody Pickett, both Huards, Billy Joe Hobert, Mark Brunell, Cary Conklin, Chris Chandler, Hugh Millen, and the rest of UW's last 18 quarterbacks put together. And it's not even close.

I think you're probably right that kids will be impressed more by one star than by a consistent performer. As a pragmatist, I would probably steer myself to the school that has a consistent track record though, even if the ceiling isn't as high. In the end, the skeptic in me doesn't believe Stanford really had that much to do with their success. Plunkett, Elway and Luck were probably going to be elite no matter where they went based on their inherent characteristics. It's mostly a reflection of their intelligence and character to choose Stanford over football factories.

[BurgXXIII]

So what is the expectation for Mariota? Oregon has had many QBs recently who started NFL games, the only successful one that comes to my mind right now is Fouts. Why is this?

[BurgXXIII]

So what is the expectation for Mariota? Oregon has had many QBs recently who started NFL games, the only successful one that comes to my mind right now is Fouts. Why is this?

[terry]

Wikipedia says that 16 of Washington's last 18 starting QBs made the NFL, but I don't think that's right.

The source given for that stat is this Wikipedia page. This page shows that since 1975, 15 of the last 17 UW quarterbacks made the NFL -- not 16 of 18. This page lists Keith Price and Isaiah Stanback in the NFL, but Price was cut in training camp and never made an NFL roster or practice squad, and Stanback played WR in the NFL. So the truth is that UW has put 13 QBs in the NFL since 1975. And it's interesting that only one of the last five UW starting QBs played QB in the NFL (Locker).

Pro Football Reference lists 14 Stanford QBs since 1970 who made the NFL -- Luck, Edwards, Fasani, Husak, Hutchinson, Stenstrom, Elway, Laufenberg, Schonert, Dils, Benjamin, Boryla, Plunkett, and Freitas. (Two of them went to Stanford and then transferred elsewhere, Laufenberg and Freitas.) That doesn't count 3 Stanford QBs who signed NFL contracts but didn't do enough to get listed in Pro Football Reference (Butterfield, Paye, Cordova). Nor does it count Scott Frost, who transferred and made the NFL as a DB.

So just based on sheer numbers, I think Stanford's quarterback record is comparable to UW's. And the quality of Stanford's "top 5" is much better, beyond dispute.

[terry]

Wikipedia says that 16 of Washington's last 18 starting QBs made the NFL, but I don't think that's right.

The source given for that stat is this Wikipedia page. This page shows that since 1975, 15 of the last 17 UW quarterbacks made the NFL -- not 16 of 18. This page lists Keith Price and Isaiah Stanback in the NFL, but Price was cut in training camp and never made an NFL roster or practice squad, and Stanback played WR in the NFL. So the truth is that UW has put 13 QBs in the NFL since 1975. And it's interesting that only one of the last five UW starting QBs played QB in the NFL (Locker).

Pro Football Reference lists 14 Stanford QBs since 1970 who made the NFL -- Luck, Edwards, Fasani, Husak, Hutchinson, Stenstrom, Elway, Laufenberg, Schonert, Dils, Benjamin, Boryla, Plunkett, and Freitas. (Two of them went to Stanford and then transferred elsewhere, Laufenberg and Freitas.) That doesn't count 3 Stanford QBs who signed NFL contracts but didn't do enough to get listed in Pro Football Reference (Butterfield, Paye, Cordova). Nor does it count Scott Frost, who transferred and made the NFL as a DB.

So just based on sheer numbers, I think Stanford's quarterback record is comparable to UW's. And the quality of Stanford's "top 5" is much better, beyond dispute.

[Leftcoast]

Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

[Leftcoast]

Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

[terry]

Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

My top 5 Stanford QBs, based on their success in pro football, are Elway, Luck, Plunkett, Brodie, and Albert.

Frankie Albert, who played for the 49ers, was either first team or second team All-Conference every season in the old All-America Conference. I think he pretty clearly was the second best QB in the history of that conference, after the great Otto Graham. And he was a Pro Bowler in the NFL after the 49ers joined the NFL. So Albert gets the #5 spot on my list.

[terry]

Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

My top 5 Stanford QBs, based on their success in pro football, are Elway, Luck, Plunkett, Brodie, and Albert.

Frankie Albert, who played for the 49ers, was either first team or second team All-Conference every season in the old All-America Conference. I think he pretty clearly was the second best QB in the history of that conference, after the great Otto Graham. And he was a Pro Bowler in the NFL after the 49ers joined the NFL. So Albert gets the #5 spot on my list.

[BobK]

Agree with Terry on the Top 5.  No question. 

Gary Kerkorian was the Baltimore starter in 1954.  In the area of what you learn, George Shaw of Oregon was drafted the next year at Baltimore and replaced Kerkorian.  Kerkorian had replaced Shaw's brother at Stanford. 

[BobK]

Agree with Terry on the Top 5.  No question. 

Gary Kerkorian was the Baltimore starter in 1954.  In the area of what you learn, George Shaw of Oregon was drafted the next year at Baltimore and replaced Kerkorian.  Kerkorian had replaced Shaw's brother at Stanford. 

[Mick]

[quote author=leftcoast link=topic=11895.msg115001#msg115001 date=1426721571]
Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

My top 5 Stanford QBs, based on their success in pro football, are Elway, Luck, Plunkett, Brodie, and Albert.

Frankie Albert, who played for the 49ers, was either first team or second team All-Conference every season in the old All-America Conference. I think he pretty clearly was the second best QB in the history of that conference, after the great Otto Graham. And he was a Pro Bowler in the NFL after the 49ers joined the NFL. So Albert gets the #5 spot on my list.
[/quote]

Agree with Terry's list.

Otto Graham was an interesting guy.  Heaviest baby born in Illinois to that point (10 pounds plus) he attended Northwestern on a basketball scholarship, making first team all American.  Pappy Waldorf, the football coach saw him playing intramural football and asked him to come out for the team.

Graham still holds the NFL record for yards per pass attempt/career with 9, highest career winning percentage for a QB at .814, was in the AAFC or NFL championship game every year of his 10 year career, winning 7 of the 10.  Graham won the MVP in 1947 and shared it in 1948 with Frankie Albert.

[Mick]

[quote author=leftcoast link=topic=11895.msg115001#msg115001 date=1426721571]
Who would Stanford's top 5 be?  I see four locks and a question mark.  Luck, Elway, Plunkett, Edwards and ..... Dills? Benjamin? Stenstrom? 

(Not that this takes away from your very valid comparison - Just wondering who you had in mind.)

My top 5 Stanford QBs, based on their success in pro football, are Elway, Luck, Plunkett, Brodie, and Albert.

Frankie Albert, who played for the 49ers, was either first team or second team All-Conference every season in the old All-America Conference. I think he pretty clearly was the second best QB in the history of that conference, after the great Otto Graham. And he was a Pro Bowler in the NFL after the 49ers joined the NFL. So Albert gets the #5 spot on my list.
[/quote]

Agree with Terry's list.

Otto Graham was an interesting guy.  Heaviest baby born in Illinois to that point (10 pounds plus) he attended Northwestern on a basketball scholarship, making first team all American.  Pappy Waldorf, the football coach saw him playing intramural football and asked him to come out for the team.

Graham still holds the NFL record for yards per pass attempt/career with 9, highest career winning percentage for a QB at .814, was in the AAFC or NFL championship game every year of his 10 year career, winning 7 of the 10.  Graham won the MVP in 1947 and shared it in 1948 with Frankie Albert.