Kerry Collins vs Every OSU QB

[fastlax16]

Lots of handwringing about how our QBs don't have meaningful NFL careers, and that its a big reason why we haven't been able to get over the hump.

This season is over and we compare ourselves to OSU for better or worse, so (while meaningless) I thought it'd be entertaining to do a little comparison. Kerry Collins vs all 22 OSU QBs that have ever been drafted. I would like to note that Don Scott joined the Army and was killed in WW2 in 1943.

	Starts	Completions	Yards	Touchdowns	Playoff Starts
Don Scott (41)	0	0	0	0	0
Les Horvath (43)	0	0	0	0	0
Dave Leggett (55)	0	0	0	0	0
Frank Kremblas (59)	0	0	0	0	0
Rex Kern (71)	0	0	0	0	0
Ron Maciejowski (71)	0	0	0	0	0
Greg Hare (74)	0	0	0	0	0
Cornelus Greene (76)	0	0	0	0	0
Art Schlichter (82)	6	91	1006	3	0
Jim Karsatos (87)	0	0	0	0	0
Kent Graham (92)	38	694	7801	39	0
Bob Hoying (96)	13	244	2544	11	0
Joe Germain (99)	0	9	136	1	0
Steve Bellisari (02)	0	0	0	0	0
Craig Krenzel (04)	5	59	718	3	0
Troy Smith (07)	8	121	1734	8	0
Terrelle Pryor (11)	10	175	1994	9	0
Cardale Jones (16)	0	6	96	0	0
Dwayne Haskins (19)	13	267	2804	12	0
Justin Fields (21)	50	770	8625	49	0
CJ Stroud (23)	38	780	9140	52	4
Will Howard (25)	0	0	0	0	0
OSU Combined	181	3216	36598	187	4
Collins (95)	191	3657	43135	220	7

Collins has more starts, playoff starts, completions, yards and touchdowns than all 22 OSU QBs combined. Take from this what you will.

 

[Blair10]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1973 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

 

[Ram20]

I think its less about NFL stats and more about NFL cash. Fields got $40M from the jets. Plus, if you're a college qb, lets just say the OSU guys are having a little more fun out on that field.

 

[LionJim]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1972 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

Hufnagel was a first team All-America. (I’ll check but I’m sure I’m correct. Pans out. First team Associated Press and first team Walter Camp.)

 

[Midnighter]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1972 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

Don’t disagree, but Richardson and Robinson were pretty great college QBs.

 

[[email protected]]

Clarke was a good college qb as was Zach mills prior to his shoulder getting wrecked

 

[DELion]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1972 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

Purdue has produced the most starting NFL quarterbacks. Would you rather be them?

 

[Blair10]

Hufnagel was a first team All-America. (I’ll check but I’m sure I’m correct. Pans out. First team Associated Press and first team Walter Camp.)

I respect your opinion. I never saw Hufnagel play. My first year of exposure to Joe Paterno and Penn State was 1973 now that I think about it.

 

[Blair10]

Don’t disagree, but Richardson and Robinson were pretty great college QBs.

My take on those players:

Wally Richardson was solid but nowhere near great.

Robinson was a great combo athlete known more for his running. However, as a pure passer he was terrible.

 

[CVLion]

I was expecting a “One gorilla vs 100 men” kind of debate.

I do like those stats though, thanks for sharing!

 

[KingLando]

My take on those players:

Wally Richardson was solid but nowhere near great.

Robinson was a great combo athlete known more for his running. However, as a pure passer he was terrible.

This...Robinson is one of my favorite Penn Staters but he wasn't a great QB. Subpar passer.

Wally never lived up to anything close to his potential. Which goes back to we've never been great at developing QBs.

 

[Anon1759755408]

This is great research. Clearly PSU must dominate the series.

 

[Electric Lion]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1973 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

How soon they forget. Daryll Clark was a pretty good college QB. Big Ten Offensive POY. I wouldn't call that average. MRob really only had one year as a full time starter and finished in the top 5 of the Heisman voting. Yes, more of a dual threat, but isn't that what everybody is saying we are lacking as a QB? That being said, point is, OSU has had more success at the position AND as a team.

 

[PSUwolf]

I've seen this narrative about OSU - and Oklahoma - QBs in the NFL several times over the years and it gets ridiculous. Why? Go back and look at the type of COLLEGE offenses those schools used over the years/several decades under coaches like Wilkinson, Switzer, Hayes, Tressel.....and several more that don't come to mind right now, Those style of offenses - Wishbone, R-O etc... - don't feature future NFL QBs but they sure kicked butt in CF.

Those 2 programs are generally recognized as 2 of the top 3 or 4 of all-time with Alabama - IMO - no. 1

 

[olelion]

My take on those players:

Wally Richardson was solid but nowhere near great.

Robinson was a great combo athlete known more for his running. However, as a pure passer he was terrible.

Robinson's greatest trait was leadership. He willed that team to victory

 

[JerseyLion]

Penn State has generally had mediocre to lousy QBs since the time I have been a fan. Over the last 30 years, I can only point to four that I wished could stick around a little longer - Collins, Robinson, Clark and McSorely.

 

[Big_O]

The reason Rex kern had zero starts as QB n the NFL is that he was converted to playing safety.

 

[razpsu]

My take on those players:

Wally Richardson was solid but nowhere near great.

Robinson was a great combo athlete known more for his running. However, as a pure passer he was terrible.

As a leader he was great. That last scoring drive against Michigan was greatness. Paterno always regretted kicking off to breaston. That team should have been undefeated

 

[JVP_Yahweh]

It's a strange way to compare QB's, IMO. You could do Drew Brees or Kurt Warner or Brett Farve vs every PSU QB combined at the NFL level and probably get a similar result. It doesn't tell us anything really about Purdue, Southern Miss or Northern Iowa vs PSU because that's not even in question. It certainly doesn't argue that you can use this as a predictor of success or recruiting prowess. The only thing that really matters is performance at the college level. That's it

 

[PSUwolf]

It's a strange way to compare QB's, IMO. You could do Drew Brees or Kurt Warner or Brett Farve vs every PSU QB combined at the NFL level and probably get a similar result. It doesn't tell us anything really about Purdue, Southern Miss or Northern Iowa vs PSU because that's not even in question. It certainly doesn't argue that you can use this as a predictor of success or recruiting prowess. The only thing that really matters is performance at the college level. That's it

100% agree

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

Big difference between effective college QBs and college QBs who are pro prospects.

Blackledge, Collins, Morelli, Hackenburg and Allar were as prototypical NFL style QBs as any PSU has had. Blackledge and Collins obviously were successful but in the last 30 years, PSU has had better success with a McSorley or MRob (who was like Brad Banks from Iowa) they just made plays. It is so crucial on 3rd and 5 when nothing is open, that the QB has the ability and wherewithal to tuck it and gain 6 yards to keep drives alive. That is not just huge for the offense but demoralizing for the opponent's defense and gives your defense rest.

 

[LionJim]

Big difference between effective college QBs and college QBs who are pro prospects.

Blackledge, Collins, Morelli, Hackenburg and Allar were as prototypical NFL style QBs as any PSU has had. Blackledge and Collins obviously were successful but in the last 30 years, PSU has had better success with a McSorley or MRob (who was like Brad Banks from Iowa) they just made plays. It is so crucial on 3rd and 5 when nothing is open, that the QB has the ability and wherewithal to tuck it and gain 6 yards to keep drives alive. That is not just huge for the offense but demoralizing for the opponent's defense and gives your defense rest.

Mike Robinson is my #1 favorite PSU player ever. (Aaron Harris is #1a.)

 

[KingLando]

How soon they forget. Daryll Clark was a pretty good college QB. Big Ten Offensive POY. I wouldn't call that average. MRob really only had one year as a full time starter and finished in the top 5 of the Heisman voting. Yes, more of a dual threat, but isn't that what everybody is saying we are lacking as a QB? That being said, point is, OSU has had more success at the position AND as a team.

No, not everyone is obsessed with a dual threat at QB. What we're lacking is development of the QBs

 

[Blair10]

Robinson's greatest trait was leadership. He willed that team to victory

I am not diminishing the intangible skills like leadership. The reality is that most top player lists in football focus on the tangible skills on the field.

Sean Clifford had great leadership. John Shaffer had great leadership. However, neither one of these guys were considered great college QBs.

 

[olelion]

I am not diminishing the intangible skills like leadership. The reality is that most top player lists in football focus on the tangible skills on the field.

Sean Clifford had great leadership. John Shaffer had great leadership. However, neither one of these guys were considered great college QBs.

Fair enough

 

[fastlax16]

It's a strange way to compare QB's, IMO. You could do Drew Brees or Kurt Warner or Brett Farve vs every PSU QB combined at the NFL level and probably get a similar result. It doesn't tell us anything really about Purdue, Southern Miss or Northern Iowa vs PSU because that's not even in question. It certainly doesn't argue that you can use this as a predictor of success or recruiting prowess. The only thing that really matters is performance at the college level. That's it

That was the point. There is no correlation between college success and NFL success.

 

[Steve JG]

I would say forget focusing on the NFL.

The problem with Penn State‘s QBs historically, is that the football program has produced less than 5 QBs who have had at least one great year in college.

In no particular order, starting 1973 (year I started following PSU) the pantheon of Penn State QBs are:
Kerry Collins, Trace McSorley, Todd Blackledge, and Chuck Fusina.

All these guys played outstanding football and made a huge impact on their team.

Every other Penn State QB was average, below average, or just forgettable.

So, overall Penn State has a terrible track record producing great college QBs.

where does John Shaffer fit in that list?

 

[barry j fenchak]

Better yet, let us compare with those crappy bama qbs. You know, like Starr, Stabler, Namath.....

Those hayseeds seemed to figure it out. Dont say much for us, does it?

But JVP, the god of CFB puts us above such crass, earthly goals.

We Are ...... a confederacy of dunces

 

[Indian rocks rich]

No, not everyone is obsessed with a dual threat at QB. What we're lacking is development of the QBs

What PSU lacks is an offensive line that pushes the other team around. And defensive line

 

[Bvillebaron]

Big difference between effective college QBs and college QBs who are pro prospects.

Blackledge, Collins, Morelli, Hackenburg and Allar were as prototypical NFL style QBs as any PSU has had. Blackledge and Collins obviously were successful but in the last 30 years, PSU has had better success with a McSorley or MRob (who was like Brad Banks from Iowa) they just made plays. It is so crucial on 3rd and 5 when nothing is open, that the QB has the ability and wherewithal to tuck it and gain 6 yards to keep drives alive. That is not just huge for the offense but demoralizing for the opponent's defense and gives your defense rest.

None of the QBs you mention had more success than Collins in 1994. Of course he played behind a great OL.

 

[barry j fenchak]

None of the QBs you mention had more success than Collins in 1994. Of course he played behind a great OL.

Care to refresh my memory about the many super bowls that collins won? I seemed to miss that stat

 

[JerseyLion]

Care to refresh my memory about the many super bowls that collins won? I seemed to miss that stat

Same number as Dan Marino and Josh Allen. There is a reason QBs don’t have won-loss records like baseball pitchers.

 

[KingoftheBigTen]

I think posting this type of stuff really puts the reality of the program the last 39 years in the spotlight and not in a good way.

 

[barry j fenchak]

Same number as Dan Marino and Josh Allen. There is a reason QBs don’t have won-loss records like baseball pitchers.

Understood. PSU QBs don't seem to immediately strike fear into their opponents. Get back to me when PS is awarded QBU for the century.

 

[KingLando]

What PSU lacks is an offensive line that pushes the other team around. And defensive line

That too

 

[Catch1lion]

My money is on Art Schlicher for the win.

 

[ChiefJusticeMarshall]

None of the QBs you mention had more success than Collins in 1994. Of course he played behind a great OL.

Hence "last 30 years". Let's face it, that was a loaded offense. Kijana at RB. Milne and Witman at FB. Brady at TE. Engram, Freddie Scott and Jurevicious at WR. Hartings, Johnson, Rivera and Conlin on the OL. That's a lot of NFL talent right there.

 

[MtNittany]

... It doesn't tell us anything really about Purdue, Southern Miss or Northern Iowa vs PSU because that's not even in question...

Do any of those schools belong in the same sentence with Tosu when it comes to college football?

 

[Blair10]

where does John Shaffer fit in that list?

My opinion is that Shaffer was average at best. He was a game manager whose sole responsibility was “don’t do anything to lose the game”. Shaffer was fortunate in that he played on Penn State teams dominated and carried by an insane defense.

 

[pendal1]

Mike Robinson is my #1 favorite PAU player ever. (Aaron Harris is #1a.)

Yeah, loved Harris. He was a beast. That 97 team with Enis and Harris in the backfield was unstoppable. When Harris got Hurt and the defenses could focus on Enis that was the end. We barely pulled out the Minnesota game when Harris got hurt. Damn shame and he was never the same.