Matt Leinart in recent memory - 2005 Notre Dame says it all, had the game in his hands, great decisionmaking, execution, too bad for the wrong call in the 2006 National Championship game, should have placed the ball in his hands on 4th down. Will never forget his first starting game, Auburn 2003 and off they went!!
barney r - 15 years ago
I voted for Leinert, but in fairness to Carson Palmer, he didn't have Reggie Bush and LenDale White in his backfield.
Davey C - 15 years ago
Who voted for Booty? You must be joking.
Wilford J. - 15 years ago
My vote goes to Matt Leinart. I would bet the farm with him at qb. That 4th down pass against Notre Dame cemented his place in USC football history. No other USC qb has demonstrated the poise, control and confidence he exhibited. He always made me feel that no matter what...we could still come back and win the game. Unfortunately, I agree with Burt, he may have been the best college qb ever but has not gotten over the hurdle at the next level.
doc faustus - 15 years ago
Gotta go with Matt
4th and nine, baby!
BearFlagFan - 15 years ago
Leinart was excellent, especially in his senior year, but I always thought Palmer was better wire-to-wire for his overall USC career. Palmer is also the most successful USC QB in the NFL, with an 88.0 QB rating. The next one never started a down at QB as a Trojan - Matt Cassell (86.8) followed by Leinart (71.9) and Sanchez (56.2). Booty isn't even in the NFL any more.
Instead of Booty, you should have listed Pat Haden. He is certainly among USC's most accomplished QBs - 3 Rose Bowls, 2 National Championships, Rhodes Scholar, lawyer, broadcaster and QB for USC's greatest comeback game ever, the 55-24 victory over Notre Dame.
Burt - 15 years ago
Matt Leinart just won the award as the best and most outstanding quarterback of the decade. I think that Matt is the greatest college football player who ever lived! I just hope he doesn't throw it all the way. I think he'll get his chance next year with AZ/
Shane - 15 years ago
You forgot about Matt Cassel
miguel - 15 years ago
How is this even a question?! 1 AP championship, 1 BCS championship, and 1 heisman; this isn't even close. Too bad he's a horrible pro.
Bill Baldwin, Jr. - 15 years ago
I was at the Rose Bowl for the best game Marinovich ever played beating UCLA and Tommy Maddux in 1990, but for me the best USC quarterback of all time has to be Pat Haden.
Matt Leinart in recent memory - 2005 Notre Dame says it all, had the game in his hands, great decisionmaking, execution, too bad for the wrong call in the 2006 National Championship game, should have placed the ball in his hands on 4th down. Will never forget his first starting game, Auburn 2003 and off they went!!
I voted for Leinert, but in fairness to Carson Palmer, he didn't have Reggie Bush and LenDale White in his backfield.
Who voted for Booty? You must be joking.
My vote goes to Matt Leinart. I would bet the farm with him at qb. That 4th down pass against Notre Dame cemented his place in USC football history. No other USC qb has demonstrated the poise, control and confidence he exhibited. He always made me feel that no matter what...we could still come back and win the game. Unfortunately, I agree with Burt, he may have been the best college qb ever but has not gotten over the hurdle at the next level.
Gotta go with Matt
4th and nine, baby!
Leinart was excellent, especially in his senior year, but I always thought Palmer was better wire-to-wire for his overall USC career. Palmer is also the most successful USC QB in the NFL, with an 88.0 QB rating. The next one never started a down at QB as a Trojan - Matt Cassell (86.8) followed by Leinart (71.9) and Sanchez (56.2). Booty isn't even in the NFL any more.
Instead of Booty, you should have listed Pat Haden. He is certainly among USC's most accomplished QBs - 3 Rose Bowls, 2 National Championships, Rhodes Scholar, lawyer, broadcaster and QB for USC's greatest comeback game ever, the 55-24 victory over Notre Dame.
Matt Leinart just won the award as the best and most outstanding quarterback of the decade. I think that Matt is the greatest college football player who ever lived! I just hope he doesn't throw it all the way. I think he'll get his chance next year with AZ/
You forgot about Matt Cassel
How is this even a question?! 1 AP championship, 1 BCS championship, and 1 heisman; this isn't even close. Too bad he's a horrible pro.
I was at the Rose Bowl for the best game Marinovich ever played beating UCLA and Tommy Maddux in 1990, but for me the best USC quarterback of all time has to be Pat Haden.
Todd Marinovich is the best of all time!!