4 Greatest Quarterbacks in LSU History

The LSU Tigers are fresh off being crowned the 2020 College Football Playoff National Champions, largely in part to terrific quarterback play down the stretch of the season. However, the Tigers are no stranger to strong quarterback play, with multiple former LSU quarterbacks making the jump to the NFL.

Here's a look at four of the greatest quarterbacks in LSU football history.

4. Zach Mettenberger (2011-13)

Zach Mettenberger played college football for the LSU Tigers from 2011-13. / Gene Sweeney Jr./AAF/Getty Images

It's tough to split hairs for this fourth choice, especially with Matt Flynn on the outside looking in, but we're going with Zach Mettenberger because his final season edged out the other players. In his third and final season with LSU, Mettenberger completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,082 yards, 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He ranks seventh all-time in career passing yards, with 5,783. He also has the third-highest passer rating among players with at least 100 passes, with 148.4.

3. Tommy Hodson (1986-89)

Tommy Hodson may not have the same sort of National Championship recognition as other names on this list, but his mark is plastered all over the program's passing record book as he remains LSU's all-time leader in passing yards, with 9,115. Hodson was also a two-time SEC Champion (1986, 1988) and ranks second all-time in passing TDs (69), sitting behind only Joe Burrow.

2. JaMarcus Russell (2004-06)

JaMarcus Russell is fourth all-time in LSU passing yards. / Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

It's important to remember that we are only talking about LSU careers, not NFL careers, when bringing up JaMarcus Russell. The former first overall draft choice improved every season at LSU, ranking fourth all-time in passing yards (6,625), while throwing 52 touchdowns to 21 interceptions. In his third and final season with the team, he passed for 3,129 yards, 28 touchdowns and only eight interceptions, placing him among the LSU greats.

1. Joe Burrow (2018-19)

Joe Burrow is the projected first overall pick in the NFL Draft. / Chris Graythen/Getty Images

We have to start with the most recent quarterback, the Heisman winner, projected first overall draft pick and the greatest LSU quarterback of all time. While Joe Burrow played just two seasons for the Tigers, he ranks second all-time in passing yards (8,565) and first in touchdowns (76), while throwing just 11 interceptions. Burrow also completed an incredible 68.5 percent of his passes over his LSU career, and he also ran in 12 touchdowns, despite not being labeled as a runner.

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