The 2000s were a golden era for college football quarterbacks. It was a decade where dual-threat QBs thrived, pocket passers lit up scoreboards, and future NFL stars (and a few legends who peaked in college) carved out their legacies on Saturdays.
These guys made college football must-watch TV, from BCS title runs to Heisman moments to viral highlight reels before TikTok existed. Here are the 18 best quarterbacks from the 2000s, ranked from great to greatest.
18. Chad Henne, Michigan
Henne started as a freshman and never looked back, becoming one of the most productive passers in Big Ten history. He was steady, efficient, and a four-year anchor for Michigan football.
17. Jason White, Oklahoma
White threw touchdowns like it was his part-time job and won a Heisman. Injuries may have slowed his pro career, but he was an absolute force in Norman.
16. Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Brennan made Hawaii football must-see TV with video game numbers and an unforgettable 2007 season. He threw for touchdowns like other QBs threw short screens.
15. Alex Smith, Utah
Before becoming a No. 1 NFL pick, Smith helped Utah crash the BCS party. Under Urban Meyer, he was the calm, smart, dual-threat engine of an unbeaten team.
14. Kellen Moore, Boise State
All Moore did was win—literally. With a 50–3 career record, he led Boise State through an era of giant-killing glory.
13. Eric Crouch, Nebraska
Crouch was an option QB nightmare who brought the Heisman back to Lincoln in 2001. His speed, grit, and highlight plays were straight out of a football fever dream.
12. Chris Leak, Florida
Leak never got the same spotlight as Tim Tebow, but he was the steady hand that led Florida to a national title in 2006. He threw for over 11,000 yards and managed the Gators’ offense with poise.
11. Tim Couch, Kentucky
Couch put Kentucky football on the map in the late ’90s and was still discussed throughout the early 2000s. His Air Raid numbers were ahead of their time and paved the way for future SEC gunslingers.
10. Ken Dorsey, Miami
Dorsey didn’t wow you with arm strength, but he kept winning. As the conductor of one of the most loaded teams in history, he went 38–2 as a starter.
9. Michael Vick, Virginia Tech
Vick only played one full season in the 2000s, but his impact was massive. His movement was unlike anything college football had seen before.
8. Sam Bradford, Oklahoma
Bradford tossed touchdowns like they were going out of style and walked away with a Heisman in 2008. Injuries got in the way later, but at OU, he was elite.
7. Andrew Luck, Stanford
Luck had the look, the brain, and the arm—and helped turn Stanford into a powerhouse. He was NFL-ready while still rocking shoulder pads that looked two sizes too big.
6. Matt Leinart, USC
Leinart won a Heisman, two national titles (well, kinda), and became the face of a college football dynasty. He made it look easy and always seemed in control.
5. Cam Newton, Auburn
He only needed one year to make his case. Newton’s 2010 season was a one-man wrecking crew that ended with a Heisman and a national championship.
4. Vince Young, Texas
Young’s game-winning drive in the 2006 Rose Bowl is college football’s Mona Lisa. His size, speed, and clutch gene forever made him a Texas legend.
3. Tim Tebow, Florida
Love him or roll your eyes, Tebow was everywhere in the late 2000s. Two national titles, a Heisman, and unmatched leadership made him a college football icon.
Read More: 20 Heisman Winners Who Disappointed Us in the NFL
2. Joe Burrow, LSU
Yes, he snuck into the 2000s with a 2019 season that felt like a scripted movie. Burrow’s swagger, precision, and dominance made it one of the greatest single seasons ever.
Read More: 15 Heisman Hopefuls Who Believed Their Own Hype Way Too Soon
1. Reggie Bush, USC
Technically a running back, sure—but Bush was a college QB’s dream and deserves a top spot on any 2000s football list. He changed how we viewed skill position players and was the heartbeat of USC’s dynasty.
