I posted a list of the single-game passing touchdown leaders (LINK).
Here are the career passing touchdown leaders through 2023:
- 87 - Chad Henne (2004-2007)
- 71 - Elvis Grbac (1989-1992)
- 70 - John Navarre (2000-2003)
- 49 - Denard Robinson (2009-2012)
- 49 - J.J. McCarthy (2021-2023)
- 46 - Rick Leach (1975-1978)
- 45 - Shea Patterson (2018-2019)
- 44 - Devin Gardner (2010-2014)
- 42 - Steve Smith (1980-1983)
- 37 - Todd Collins (1991-1994)
- 31 - Jim Harbaugh (1983-1986)
- 30 - Tom Brady (1996-1999)
- 27 - Brian Griese (1995-1997)
- 25 - John Wangler (1976-1980)
- 22 - Drew Henson (1998-2000)
- 22 - Wilton Speight (2015-2017)
- 21 - Cade McNamara (2019-2022)
- 20 - Jake Rudock (2015)
- 19 - Dennis Brown (1966-1968)
- 18 - Dennis Franklin (1972-1974)
- 17 - Demetrius Brown (1987-1988)
- 17 - Michael Taylor (1986-1989)
- 17 - Tate Forcier (2009-2010)
- 15 - Scott Dreisbach (1995-1998)
- 14 - Don Moorhead (1968-1970)
J.J. McCarthy ranks as the most prolific passer of anyone who has played 3 or fewer seasons at Michigan.
I would never objectively say that a guy's legacy is defined by a metric as basic as TD's thrown. But this list isn't a bad rough draft of my personal ranking of best Michigan QB career.
ReplyDeleteElevate a few guys for team accomplishments (McCarthy, Griese), add in rushing TDs (e.g., nudges Harbaugh over Collins), add some efficiency stats besides it (drop Navarre), and consider INTs (downgrade Henne, Robinson) and you've got yourself a pretty good ranking.
Still amazed how high up Grbac is on this list. The alternate reality where Moeller doesn't resign is wild to consider...
ReplyDeleteMoeller recruited TWO Heisman Trophy winners plus Brady.
DeleteWoodson, Brady, and Howard.
That 1997 team was mostly Moeller's dudes that he landed.
Fun fact, Mo was the HC of the Lions for half the season and has the highest win percentage. He was 6-4 or something like that.
Grbac was twice the most efficient Qb in all of the NCAA. He was deadly accurate for the times, particularly his last two years. Definitely not a threat to run.
ReplyDeleteHis real claim to fame was being appointed People Magazine's sexiest athlete of the year ... by mistake ... I'm serious. You can look it up.
The pipeline from Michigan o the best job in the country -- Chiefs backup QB -- has been going on for decades now. I'm a little surprised Shea Patterson isn't Pat Mahomes backup right now TBH.
DeleteLotta perks to that job but Grbac being named sexiest man probably tops them all. Gotta put that on your gravestone Elvis.
Here's a fun college QB comparison:
ReplyDeletePlayer A
4,773 passing yards, 7.5 ypa, 135 passer rating, 30 pass TDs to 17 INTs
25 games started
Player B
5,353 passing yards, 8.2 ypa, 146 passer rating, 37 pass TDs to 11 INTs
21 games started
Which had a better college career do you think based on these passing stats?
I'll give you hint who they are. They both won orange bowl MVPs and they both battled back and forth late in their careers for a starting job with highly talented competition.
I forgot the completion percentages - 65% vs 62%
DeleteGriese, Brady, Driesback, Henson was UM's QB room at one point.
ReplyDeleteMoeller sure did know how to recruit. He also landed Woodson. Loved Moeller. Went undefeated in 1993. Did have 3! ties however
He was a good coach. Getting drunk and yelling at a restaurant seems like such a minor infraction by modern standards. Different times.
DeleteThe admin and leadership at UM like to think they above the sports and tolerated it because the great unwashed seem to like it and it keeps them entertained. Look how they failed to defend Harbaugh over the hamburgers and signs. They seem to be dug in on not participating in or developing NIL. They are, however, at the money trough with both hands when it is time to collect TV money. Fine for them to get paid. But the athletes that are risking their careers on every play? Nah, here are some meal tickets.
ReplyDelete