Jim Mcmahon

Few NCAA Division I college football programs have the established history and legacy at the quarterback position to match that of Brigham Young University (BYU). From Jim McMahon (1970s-1980s) to Steve Young (1980s) to Steve Sarkisian (1990s) to Taysom Hill (2010s) to Zach Wilson (2020), the program’s list of past quarterbacks who starred at the position is remarkable. Seven Cougar quarterbacks have been the recipient of the prestigious Sammy Baugh Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top passer, the most of any NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision program. In addition, over the past 30 years BYU has had five quarterbacks enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame - Gifford Nielsen, Marc Wilson, Jim McMahon, Steve Young, and Ty Detmer - the most of any NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program since 1990 and second all-time to the University of Notre Dame’s nine enshrined quarterbacks. In the following chapters some of the most memorable moments from the careers of BYU’s greatest quarterbacks during the modern era of the Cougar football program (1960-2020) are highlighted. The author attempts to address the interminable question of “Who is BYU’s Greatest Quarterback?” through a quantitative analysis of pre-weighted team and individual accomplishments during the tenure of each quarterback. The results support the nomination of four candidates to be honored on a “BYU Football Mount Rushmore of Quarterbacks.” Appendices are provided that summarize the career statistics of all 14 quarterbacks honored as the 'Greatest' along with career records of the fourteen BYU head football coaches to date. Cougar fans will enjoy a detailed stroll down BYU football memory lane as they reminisce about the many unforgettable players, coaches, and moments that have contributed to the rich history of the football program.