Ranking the top ten quarterbacks in Michigan State football's history

USA Today

a day ago

Michigan State football has had a long storied history, being one of the top 25 programs in college football history. With all of the success the Spartans have had, there have been a ton of different quarterbacks leading the way.
The Spartans have had the luxury of having a ton of different quality quarterbacks come through their program, leading them to success. With six national championships and nine Big Ten titles, the Spartans have had a ton of seasons to remember, coming on the back of great QB play.
With all of the great quarterbacks that have come through the program, it is hard to pinpoint who are the best and worst, as some quarterbacks have had better stats, while others won more games.
Here, we are going to attempt to rank the top ten quarterbacks in Michigan State history, taking both personal stats and team success into account.
HM: Bill Burke (1996-1999)
The quarterback of the Nick Saban era, Burke falls in the honorable mention category for the list. A touch turnover prone, and never quite won as much as expected, Burke should be thought of favorably in Spartan history, though.
Final stats: 385-714 (53.9%), 5,509 yards, 49 TDs and 29 INTs
HM: Brian Lewerke (2016-2019)
The last quarterback of the Dantonio era, Lewerke came onto the scene with a boom, winning ten games in 2017. In fourth place all time for passing yards, Lewerke has the stats that make him an all-time great, but ultimately, his teams fell short in the win column. One of the greatest "what ifs" in Michigan State history, a shoulder injury really prevented Lewerke from reaching his true potential.
Final stats: 721-1249 (57.7%), 8293 yards, 47 TDs, 32 INTs
10. Brian Hoyer (2005-2008)
The quarterback that spearheaded the Dantonio era at MSU, Hoyer did a ton in laying the groundwork for the foundation that was set to build the greatest run in modern Michigan State history. Hoyer is the perfect middle man, with stats that are quality, but also having quality wins in his career, highlighted by a 9-4 season in 2008 and making the 2009 Capital One Bowl.
Final stats: 500-896 (55.8%), 6159 yards, 35 TDs, 23 INTs
9. Drew Stanton (2003-2006)
All of the stats, with none of the wins, Stanton was an outstanding quarterback in the green and white. The lack of success the teams had was more to do with the coaching staff and lack of a defense. Stanton ranks No. 5 in MSU's all-time passing list and had his career rewarded with a second round NFL draft pick.
Final stats: 543-846 (64.2%), 6524 yards, 42 TDs, 28 INTs
8. Jeff Smoker (2000-2003)
Honestly, you could copy and paste the Stanton section here for Smoker, with the Spartan holding all of the statistical greatness but having none of the wins. No. 3 all time in Michigan State passing, Smoker had potential to be the greatest QB in MSU history, but ultimately, the Spartans did not win enough in his tenure. Although he did lead the Spartans to the 2001 Silicon Valley Bowl.
Final stats: 663-1118 (59.3%), 8556 yards, 58 TDs, 38 INTs
7. Bobby McAllister (1985-1988)
McAllister's career at Michigan State had some of the most impressive feats of winning, but mediocre stats. The quarterback and leader of the 1987 Rose Bowl team, he was a massive part in the Spartans third ever Rose Bowl victory. Unfortunately, a lackluster 1988 hinders the long term view of the career.
Final stats: 176-355 (49.6%), 2777 yards, 14 TDs, 16 INTs
6. Dan Enos (1987-1990)
Enos was a part of one of the best four year stretches in Michigan State history, being the main backup to McAllister in 1987 and 1988 before leading the Spartans in 1989 and 1990, both seasons ending with bowl victories for the Spartans. Not to mention, Enos led the Spartans to a Big Ten title in 1990. Enos possessed the winning to go along with a quality stat line.
Final stats: 281-449 (62.6%), 3590 yards, 12 TDs, 22 INTs
5. Ed Smith (1976-1978)
The main quarterback of Darryl Rogers' era at MSU, Smith gave the Spartans wins and stats in a perfect pair. Sitting at No. 8 in MSU's all-time passing list, Smith was a gunslinger far before his time. The leader of the Spartans 1978 Big Ten championship run, Smith had three successful seasons in green and white, compiling a 19-12-2 record, pulling the Spartans out of a dark decade.
Final stats: 418-789 (53.0%), 5706 yards, 43 TDs, 32 INTs
4. Steve Juday (1963-1965)
The leader of Michigan State's 1965 National Championship, Juday was a standout for the Spartans, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1965. Albeit, his one true impact year as a Spartan, a Heisman finalist and a national champion classifies as being one of the best QBs in the programs history.
Final stats: 198-384 (51.6%), 2576 yards, 21 TDs, 24 INTs
3. Jimmy Raye (1965-1967)
Raye was a part of the group of players to help break segregation in college football. A collegiate hall of famer, he was the South's first black quarterback to win a national title. A key contributor as a backup in 1965, while following it up with starting in 1966, Raye is a back-to-back national championship. Unfortunately, a poor 1967 keeps him from having a real shot at being No. 1 on this list.
Final stats: 105-232 (45.3%) 1703 yards, 14 TDs,18 INTs. 240 attempts, 885 yards, 9 TDs
2. Kirk Cousins (2008-2011)
Piggybacking off of the foundation Hoyer left, Cousins spring boarded the Spartans into the dominance of the Dantonio era. Standing at No. 2 all time in MSU's passing record books, Cousins paired statistical greatness with winning, leading MSU to the 2010 Big Ten championship, as well as making the inaugural Big Ten title game in 2011, falling just short to Wisconsin.
Final stats: 723-1128 (64.1%), 9131 yards, 66 TDs, 30 INTs
1. Connor Cook (2012-2015)
The No. 1 position on the list is also the No. 1 leader in passing in MSU history. Cook was an absolute beast for the Spartans, leading the program to one of, if not the greatest three year stretch in program history. Two Big Ten titles in 2013 and 2015, sandwiching an 11-2 season in 2014 that included a Cotton Bowl victory, Cook led the Spartans to their first Rose Bowl win since 1987, while also making a College Football Playoff appearance.
Final stats: 673-1170 (57.5%) 9194 yards, 71 TDs, 22 INTs
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