Top 5 QB's of the Past 25 Years

Rather than tell everyone what they already know, i.e., the Tigers don’t have a reliable QB, I thought I’d reflect back on the best LSU signal callers from the last 25 years. I have personally seen all these guys play, and they have very different styles. But what they held in common was the ability to make plays at critical junctures. Each has a signature victory, which LSU fans, young and old, will reminisce about for years to come.

1. Tommy Hodson - #1 in career passing yards, attempts, completions and TD passes in LSU history. This was really a no brainer. As cool as they come, Hodson orchestrated the game winning drive in 1988 in the legendary Earth Quake game against Auburn. He won 2 SEC Championships and played in three bowl games. He was All-SEC four times (86-89). Along with Y. A. Tittle and Bert Jones, Hodson is one of the best EVER to don the purple and gold.

2. Matt Mauck – I know, how can you rank the guy second when he won a National Championship? Mauck was the beneficiary of a tremendous defense and surrounded by a bevy of talent. Mauck knew how to make plays and was definitely a big game type of guy. He played masterfully in 2 SEC Championship games and who can forget the TD throw in the 2004 Georgia game. Ranking him 2^nd is not a knock on Mauck, only a tribute to Hodson.

3. Herb Tyler – In looking at the last 25 years, I cannot think another player who squeezed as much production out of his ability as Herb. He ranks in the top four in LSU history in every important career passing statistic. In addition to his passing, Tyler racked up 23 rushing TD’s. The 1997 victory over #1 Florida ranks with one of the greatest wins in LSU history. He was never appreciated fully until he was gone.

4. Rohan Davey – Injuries and that nightmare it sickens me to mention (the sorry good for nothing Josh Booty) are the ONLY reason Davey is not ranked higher. He led LSU to the 2001 SEC Championship and a Sugar Bowl victory over Illinois. He holds the single season record for yards, attempts and completions. Davey holds the SEC record for total yards in a single game for his 540 yards against the Crimson Tide in 2001. Don’t forget, LSU’s only Biletnikoff winner, Josh Reed, owes a great deal to Davey’s right arm.

5. Allen Risher – My dad calls him the smartest QB he’s seen play at LSU. The “Slidell Slinger” played from 1980 to 1982. The ’82 team, which finished 8-3-1, was a grand total of 7 points away from an undefeated season. He led LSU to a huge victory over the Criminoles as Oranges rained down on Tiger Stadium on a very special Saturday night. While he was probably less athletic than the QB’s ahead of him, he was a leader and his senior season was my first as an LSU fan. So yeah, I like the guy.