Arkansas Qb Rankings (1935-2014)

[Dr. Starcs]

As some of you know, I've been working on a somewhat comprehensive list of ranking the starting qb's of UA history.

I will admit it has some flaws, but I did the best I could with the research I had available. Having said that, this does not include Brandon Allen's current year. And it only includes the season's listed starter according to the press guide.

Without further adieu, here is my ranking of the qb's (1935-2014)

Qb's were ranked according to their college qb rating, winning percentage as the starter and total seasons as starting qb for the Hogs.

1. Bill Montgomery
2. Quinn Grovey
3. Ryan Mallett
4. Mark Calcagni
5. Jon Brittenum
6. Matt Jones
7. Kevin Scanlon
8. Greg Thomas
9. Tyler Wilson
9. Clint Stoerner
9. George McKinney
12. Brad Taylor
13. George Walker
14. Billy Moore
15. Barry Lunney
16. Scott Bull
17. Casey Dick
18. Fred Marshall
19. Joe Ferguson
19. Jack Robbins
19. Ron Calcagni
22. Gordon Lang
23. James Monroe
24. Brandon Allen
24. Ronny South
26. Tom Jones
27. Jason Allen
28. Zack Clark
28. Don Christian
30. Robby Hampon
31. Lamar McHan
32. Bill Gray
33. Don Logue
33. Pete Burks
35. Mike Kirkland
36. Kay Eakin
37. Robert Johnson
38. Bud Canada
39. Jim Rinehart

[scruf]

Good work! If you go off of individual seasons then this one has to be Top 10.

[hawgmasta]

C'mon Bud Canada is way too low!

[Dr. Starcs]

It was off of each quarterbacks career as a starter, not a specific year.

And Bud Canada was 36 of 39 in qbr, 37 of 39 in win %.

[East Clintwood]

Just from my memory of watching them play, I would have had Bill Montgomery and Jon Brittenum as my first two so we're close.

[orvillesghost]

Enjoyed looking this over..just a few random musings

Bill Montgomery was my boyhood idol so glad to see he came out at number one..

Has any UA quarterback ever had a better one year mark than Kevin Scanlon in 79? Without him that year, I figure that team might have been 7-4 or worse. I cannot remember Fred Marshall or obviously his one year would be the best?

Joe Ferguson at No. 19?

[Dr. Starcs]

big pig, you have to remember this has not taken into account this year for Brandon. I would imagine he will make a pretty good leap when his stats are factored in.

[Dr. Starcs]

Orville, thanks for the feedback. Joe was surprisingly low. I think that had to do with him having such a good pro career.

At the u of a, he was 22 of 39 in qbr, 16 of 39 in win % in his two years as starter.

[Lake City Hog]

Why would you not include a QB's BEST season?

[Dr. Starcs]

Their best season was included. The qbr and win % are both based on their entire careers.

I don't have Brandon's stats readily available and his career is not yet complete. Therefore, I only counted his soph and jr years to this point. After this season is over, I will go back and refigure. I would assume he will move up significantly.

[jvanhorn]

Just from my memory of watching them play, I would have had Bill Montgomery and Jon Brittenum as my first two so we're close.

I remember Brittenum and Moore winning some very important games not only for the Razorbacks but for the program as a whole becoming a state wide obsession.  I don't know how you could rank that though, LOL.

[Music City Razorback]

Good list and brings back good memories.  The main issues I have is Joe Ferguson is way too low and Greg Thomas is WAY too high.  Good overall.....thanks for the list.

[warriorlion]

Greg Thomas way to high-how is Ron calcagni and joe so low? Don't see it.

[rlamb]

You have Mark Calcagni high and he was mainly a receiver here. He did start a few games at QB in the 80's but nothing like his brother Ron, who engineered the 77 Orange Bowl over Oklahoma. Ron had seasons of 11-1 in 77' and 9-2-1 in 78". How in the heck could he be ranked so low? He was also the starter in 76' but got hurt mid year when we were 5-1.

[Dr. Starcs]

Greg Thomas has the 3rd highest qbr in u of history and he is 7th in win %.

Mark Calcagni has the highest qbr in u of a history and is 4th in win %.

As I mentioned, I was limited with knowledge as to how many games each player actually started.

Ron Calcagni is 37th out of 39 qb's in qbr even though his winning % is 9th.

[gmarv]

seeing that list reminded me of how much I have forgotten.i will always have found memories of the 60s.when something like this reminds me that is.

[Inhogswetrust]

Why would you not include a QB's BEST season?

Yep this thread should have waited until after BA's current year. Otherwise to include all qb's years except all of his is unfair and an invalid comparison.

[BPsTheMan]

good stuff buddy

you're going to get hammered by every little disagreement folks have though 



edit: okay, yeah you need to fix Mark Calcagni

[Dr. Starcs]

I've tried to explain myself multiple times including in the original post.

Reading comprehension people. Lol

[oldhawg]

Disagreements probably result from your data analysis criteria, and the intangibles.  For example, how do the following factor in:

1. Number of national championships won.
2. Number of conference championships won or tied for.
3. Bowl victories.
4. Number of ranked teams beaten.
5. Pro draft status/careers.
6. Related national awards considerations.
7. Probably other considerations.

Also, and I kinda hate to bring this up, but wasn't Mitch Mustain 7-0 or 8-0 as a starting quarterback?  Just wondering why he is not in the mix, or is the criteria to have played as a starter for a minimum of one full year?

Nevertheless, excellent job.  Required some time and research on your part.  Not a task that I would have considered undertaking.  Thanks for your efforts and information.

[Swine-as-wine]

just goes to show you how little stats mean alot of the time. Casey Dick even being in this list is a joke, let alone middle of
the pack amongst them.

[Dr. Starcs]

The guy started multiple seasons for us and had the 16th best qbr of the 39

[Razor1997]

Where is Peanut Adams?

[Dr. Starcs]

Peanut and mustain were not listed in the Arkansas media guide as starting qb's for their respective years, therefore I did not include them as I did not have their stats.

[JIHawg]

In 1969, Bill Montgomery played two teams with winning records during the season.  Brandon this year played, what, two teams with losing records?  There's a big difference in the SWC and the SEC as far as competition goes.

[Dr. Starcs]

Yes, there are many variables to be considered for sure.

I only based it on tangible stats and not subjective factors.

[PossumFan]

Yes, there are many variables to be considered for sure.

I only based it on tangible stats and not subjective factors.

Whereas the list I posted was TOTALLY subjective.

Good quarterbacks are kind of like pornography. Hard to define, but you know it when you see it.

[DeltaBoy]

Good List