While first-round picks or players from prestigious college programs represent the majority of the all-time greats of the quarterback, some have come a long way. long way to stand out in the NFL. Here are the top QBs from small schools — be they Division I low-level programs or non-Division I schools — during the general draft period (1967-present).
Ken Anderson, University of Augustana
The most accurate passer of his time, Anderson went to the NFL after graduating from Augustana University (Illinois). Mike Brown and then Bengals QBs coach Bill Walsh suggested Paul Brown beat Anderson in Round 2, but the Bengals tsar waited until the third round in 1971 for an atypical opportunity. Anderson filled the void left by the career-ending shoulder injury of Greg Cook in the first round of the 1969 Bengals, replacing Virgil Carter as the starter for Cincinnati and holding the reins until Boomer Esiason showed up. Anderson was the initiator of the match that became the West Coast Offense, then won the MVP in 1981 guiding the Bengal team to Super Bowl XVI.
Terry Bradshaw, Louisiana Technology
The small-school quarterbacks have made the top five a few times, but Bradshaw’s No. 1 spot overall stands alone in the general draft era. The future FOX mainstay is expected to be a Louisiana Tech third or fourth round pick, illustrating the state of the NFL draft in 1970 and coming to Pittsburgh just because the Steelers won. Toss coin with Bears to locate the 1st pick up. It took Bradshaw a while to find his footing during tough times for the midfielders; he was on the bench during the 1974 Super Bowl IX campaign. But the non-Division I prospect would join Joe Montana and Tom Brady as four-time Super Bowl-winning QBs.
Daunte Culpepper, Central Florida
While Central Florida has enjoyed success as a Team of Five program, now stationed at the United States Athletics Conference, Culpepper has played for the school’s first Division I teams. The Knights moved up from what was then Division I-AA in 1996, Culpepper’s sophomore year, and their massive quarterback became a first-round prospect for the next three seasons. Despite Randall Cunningham’s first team of the 1998 All-Pro season, the Vikings used the 11th overall pick they got by sending Brad Johnson to Washington to draft the Culpepper. The 1999 first-place finisher trailed Jeff George as a rookie but won three Pro Bowls in six years as Minnesota’s QB1.
Steve DeBerg, State of San Jose
DeBerg started college in 1972; he was still in the NFL in 1998. While this is deceiving, since the QB cruiser/groomer took a couple of years off, the San Jose State alum has achieved considerable standing as is an expert. The Cowboys picked DeBerg in the 10th round in 1977 but eliminated him before the season. DeBerg quickly caught up with the 49ers, then became a placeholder for Joe Montana. The Broncos traded for DeBerg in 1981, and he ended up playing the same role alongside John Elway. The Buccaneers then kept DeBerg to start Vinny Testaverde’s career. DeBerg’s most notable period came with the Captain, with whom he made the quarterfinals to the knockout stages in 1990 and ’91.
Jake Delhomme, Louisiana-Lafayette
Playing for what is today simply known as the University of Louisiana, Delhomme has seen years pass between his Ragin’ Cajun seasons and a chance to start the NFL legally. Delhomme ended her college career in 1996; His Panthers debut didn’t come until 2003. After supporting Kurt Warner in NFL Europe, Delhomme was considered a Saint for many years. The Panthers gave him a two-year contract in 2003 to succeed Rodney Peete; The southern QB led Carolina to Super Bowl XXXVIII that season and narrowly won the duel against Tom Brady. Delhomme drove the Panthers to two more games as they began the 2009 season.
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