THE NFL TREND
Does this trend hold true today in the NFL? Below is a list of 10 of the best currently going in the league and the schools they came from. Those names that are in bold were quarterbacks who became the first in their schools’ history to reach at least one Pro Bowl.
- Tom Brady (Michigan)
- Aaron Rodgers (Cal)
- Drew Brees (Purdue)
- Ben Roethlisberger (Miami OH)
- Matt Ryan (Boston College)
- Cam Newton (Auburn)
- Matthew Stafford (Georgia)
- Andrew Luck (Stanford)
- Russell Wilson (Wisconsin)*
- Philip Rivers (N.C. State)
For those noting the asterisk next to Wilson’s name, it’s because he spent three of his four college seasons at N.C. State and only his last at Wisconsin. It’s important to note that his background was indeed influenced by a program known for producing top QBs. This leaves the biggest unanswered question of all.
ALL ABOUT WINNING
Forget Pro Bowls. What about championships?
Well between all the schools that produced top quarterbacks, a total of nine championships have been won. As before though, Notre Dame reigns supreme. The Irish have five Super Bowls to their credit with four going to Joe Montana and another to Joe Theismann. Next closest was Ole Miss with three courtesy of Eli Manning and Charlie Conerly. California and Aaron Rodgers delivered the other.
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So for those who believe history plays a part, however big or small, in the potential likelihood of success for a quarterback? This breakdown is pretty clear. If the Bears want a potential franchise guy, then Deshone Kizer has heritage on his side coming out of Notre Dame. Trubisky and Watson have had great success at UNC and Clemson, but they would be the first in many decades to become productive pros from those schools.
It’s also worth noting one other little detail. Of the six Pro Bowlers drafted out of South Bend since 1936, the Bears actually landed one. His name was Johnny Lujack. Taken back in 1946, he reached two All-Star games in Chicago during his career. Certainly an interesting omen with less than four months before the draft begins.
