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QBU: Schools That Produce the Best Quarterbacks in the NFL

By Hunter Haas

Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs near Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second quarter of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs near Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) during the second quarter of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
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NFL, Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
NFL Quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images) /

5. Oregon Ducks

•Justin Herbert

•Marcus Mariota

I had the most difficult time deciding on an order for the next three programs. I will explain what separated each from the other as I go. First, the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks feature a Heisman-winning quarterback in Marcus Mariota, and one of the best in the sport, Justin Herbert.

Mariota began his NFL career with the Tennessee Titans as the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Mariota started 12 games, but would enter the next three seasons of his career as the unquestioned starter in Nashville. In 2016, Mariota had the best statistical season of his career to date. He parlayed that success into a playoff appearance in 2017, highlighted by a victory at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately, that was the peak of his stint with the Titans. After another 9-7 campaign, Ryan Tannehill eventually took over as starter in the 2019 season. After spending two seasons as the backup to Derek Carr with the Raiders, Mariota is in line to start for the rebuilding Atlanta Falcons. Hopefully he can find a way to succeed in such a terrible situation, but the upside is limited headed into the new  year.

QBU: Which Schools Produce the Best Quarterbacks in the NFL?

Justin Herbert didn’t take long to make a name for himself in the league. After being the third quarterback taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, Herbert went on to set a rookie record for touchdown passes with 31. He came up just short of the passing yard record by a mere 38 yards. This didn’t result in much team success, but his second season saw the quarterback — and team — take a leap. Herbert became the ninth different NFL quarterback to eclipse the 5000-yard mark in a single season. He tossed 38 touchdowns (third in the NFL) en route to earning Pro Bowl honors. His team won nine games and came within one win of a playoff berth. With an improved roster heading into 2022, expect Herbert to enter his name in the “best quarterback in the NFL” discussions — if he isn’t there already.

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