Cam Newton isn’t officially retired from football, but it’s very hard to imagine any team signing him at this point.
He had a respectable career before injuries derailed him.
Nowadays, when he’s not busy fighting at youth camps, he routinely makes headlines for the hot-takes he makes on his podcast.
Cam Newton fighting off 3 dudes while dressed as the wicked witch of the west was not on my 2024 bingo card pic.twitter.com/IU08ii0ojY
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) February 25, 2024
ESPN recently released a list of the top college quarterbacks of the 2000’s. Here are their top ten…
#10. Robert Griffin III, Baylor
Years: 2008-11
Stats: 10,366 passing yards, 67% completion rate, 78 TD, 17 INT, 2,254 rushing yards, 33 rushing TD
#9. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Years: 2012-14
Stats: 10,796 passing yards, 67% completion rate, 105 TD, 14 INT, 2,237 rushing yards, 29 TD
#8. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
Years: 2015-17
Stats: 9,043 passing yards, 57% completion rate, 69 TD, 27 INT, 4,132 rushing yards, 50 rushing TD
#7. Kyler Murray, Texas A&M/Oklahoma
Years: 2015-18
Stats: 5,406 passing yards, 67% completion rate, 50 TD, 14 INT, 1,478 rushing yards, 13 rushing TD
#6. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Years: 2014-16
.Stats: 10,168 passing yards, 67% completion rate, 90 TD, 32 INT, 1,934 rushing yards, 26 TD
#5. Joe Burrow, Ohio State/LSU
Years: 2016-19
Stats: 8,852 passing yards, 69% completion rate, 78 TD, 11 INT, 13 rushing TD
#4. Tim Tebow, Florida
Years: 2006-09
Stats: 9,285 passing yards, 66% completion rate, 88 TD, 16 INT, 2,947 rushing yards, 57 rushing TD
#3. Vince Young, Texas
Years: 2003-05
Stats: 6,040 passing yards, 62% completion rate, 44 TD, 28 INT, 3,127 rushing yards, 37 rushing TD
#2. Cam Newton, Auburn
Years: 2007-10 (really, though, just 2010)
Stats: 2,908 passing yards, 65% completion rate, 30 TD, 7 INT, 1,586 rushing yards, 24 rushing TD
#1. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Years: 2013-17
Stats: 14,607 passing yards, 69% completion rate, 131 TD, 30 INT, 1,083 rushing yards, 21 rushing TD
ESPN Ranked their top 80 Quarterbacks from the 2000s today. Here is their top 10.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/2LXjWUEvDM
— CFBudge (@CF_Budge) February 27, 2024
This is a very interesting list which I’m sure everyone (myself included) takes some sort of issue with.
Regardless, it’s very thought-provoking and that of course was the whole point.
This is perfect lobs grenade and log off content
— Bud Elliott (@BudElliott3) February 27, 2024
Unsurprisingly, you can count Newton as one of the many who took issue with the list.
“Number one in my list is Vince Young,” the former Auburn star stated emphatically. “The Rose Bowl. What he was able to do that game, no moment was ever too big for him.”
.@CameronNewton reacts to ESPN’s list of top college football QBs since 2000 pic.twitter.com/SxCpg9vFdc
— 4thand1show (@4thand1show) March 2, 2024
Indeed, Young’s performance in the 2006 Rose Bowl remains etched in college football lore.
In a stunning upset, Young led the Texas Longhorns to victory over the heavily favored USC Trojans in the BCS National Championship Game.
His game-winning touchdown will be remembered forever.
Man even as a Texas A&M fan this gives me chills. Vince was a beast.
— Reid Harrison (@ReidHarrison91) August 18, 2022
Despite his phenomenal season, Young lost the Heisman Trophy to Trojans running back Reggie Bush (which has since been revoked).
REPORT: Johnny Manziel will no longer be involving himself with the Heisman trophy ceremony until Reggie Bush receives his Heisman back.
Bush lost his 2005 Heisman after the USC scandal. pic.twitter.com/MRKZyW0afq
— SportsBruiserz (@SportsBruiserz) March 2, 2024
ESPN’s decision to name Baker Mayfield as the best college quarterback of the 2000’s has certainly stirred a little controversy.
Mayfield had a tremendous college career and ended up winning the Heisman. The stats he put up were frightening – although a whole lot of that had to do with Lincoln Riley’s system at Oklahoma.
#TBT to November 14, 2015 in Waco, Texas.
A gutsy young gunslinger named Baker Mayfield leads Oklahoma to a 44-34 win over No. 6 Baylor.#OUDNA | #BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/ayWGQ6cYv1
— 𝕺𝖐𝖑𝖆𝖍𝖔𝖒𝖆 𝖛𝖘. 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖔𝖗𝖑𝖉 (@soonergridiron) November 11, 2021
What are your thoughts on ESPN’s rankings?
Do you agree with Newton that Vince Young deserves to be #1?
Who would be your top five???
Obviously, you never want to fumble but man the effort from Cam Newton on this play is awesome to see. pic.twitter.com/eWPw0AstRe
— MF⚜️ (@GOATED_WF) September 22, 2021