List of Vanderbilt Commodores starting quarterbacks

This is a list of every Vanderbilt Commodores football team quarterback and the years they participated on the Vanderbilt Commodores football team. Vanderbilt quarterbacks have led Vanderbilt to 583 wins, 7 bowl games, and 4 bowl victories. Clyde Berryman selected Vanderbilt for two National Championships.

Five Vanderbilt quarterbacks have been taken in the National Football League draft since 1936. Including the NFL, Vanderbilt quarterbacks have also played professionally in the Arena Football League and United States Football League. 7 Vanderbilt quarterbacks went on to be head coaches in Division I-A or professional football. 2 Vanderbilt quarterbacks are members of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Vanderbilt quarterbacks have played prominent roles in American society off the gridiron as well. Irby Curry, the starting quarterback for the "point-a-minute" 1915 Vanderbilt Commodores football team, served in World War I after graduating in 1916, dying in aerial combat in France. Rand Dixon was a decorated World War II veteran.

Main starting quarterbacks

1890 to 1894 (incomplete)

Pat Estes

The following players were the predominant quarters for the Commodores each season the team was a non-conference independent team, following the birth of Vanderbilt football.

Name Years Started Notability References
Estes, PatPat Estes 1890 The quarterback of Vanderbilt's first game against Nashville (Peabody). [1]
? 1891
Beard, William E.William E. Beard 1892 Said to be the first to dub Vanderbilt the Commodores in the Nashville Banner. First Vandy quarterback to play Tennessee. [2]
Keller, W. J.W. J. Keller 1893–1894 He also coached the Vandy team in '93, and had before played for Amos Alonzo Stagg. [3][4]

1895 to 1918

The following quarterbacks were the predominant quarters for the Commodores each season after the establishment of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association until the end of the war.

Name Years Started Notability References
O'Connor, Myles P.Myles P. O'Connor 1895–1896 He won Bachelor of Ugliness, the most coveted award for a male Vanderbilt undergraduate. [5]
Goodson, JoeJoe Goodson 1897–1898 Led team to its first conference title. [6]
Godchaux, Sr., FrankFrank Godchaux, Sr. 1899–1900 Transfer from LSU. Father of Frank Godchaux Jr. [7][8]
Hume, FredFred Hume 1901 He weighed just 122 pounds. [9]
Kyle, FrankFrank Kyle 1902–1905 First starting quarterback under coach Dan McGugin. 1912 All-time Vandy 2nd team. One time coach at Ole Miss. [10]
Costen, SamSam Costen 1906–1907 All-Southern (1906) One time coach at The Citadel. [11]
Morrison, RayRay Morrison 1908–1911 He was the starter for the scoreless tie with defending national champion Yale at Yale Field. All-Southern (1910, 1911); All-American (1911). Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach. 1912 All-time Vandy 1st team. Associated Press Southeast Area All-Time football team 1869-1919 era. One of six players McGugin ranked as his best. 1934 All-time Vandy team. He was the head coach of Vanderbilt after McGugin, as well as during 1918. [12][10][13][14]
Curlin, ZachZach Curlin 1912–1913 Long time Memphis Tigers coach. Made drop kicks against Harvard and Michigan. [15]
Boensch, HordHord Boensch 1913 All-Southern (1913). Kicked the field goal to beat Tennessee 7 to 6 in 1913. [16]
Curry, IrbyIrby Curry 1914–1916 Known as "Rabbit". All-Southern (1915, 1916) and third-team All-American. Led the SIAA Champion "point a minute" team of 1915. A beloved player described as the one "who has most appealed to the imagination, admiration, and affection of the entire university community through the years." Curry was killed in aerial combat over France in the First World War. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Namesake of Curry Field. Coach McGugin until his dying day had three pictures in his office, of Lincoln, General Lee, and Curry. [17][18]
Wilhite, SamSam Wilhite 1917 [19]
Sherman, DoochDooch Sherman 1918 Won the Porter Cup [20]

1919 to 1932

The following quarterbacks were the predominant quarters for the Commodores each season after the First World War and before the founding of the SEC in 1932. In 1922 the team joined the Southern Conference.

Name Years Started Notability References
Latham, SwayneSwayne Latham 1919–1920 All-Southern (1919). [21]
Godchaux Jr., FrankFrank Godchaux Jr. 1921 The first son to follow in his father's footsteps as a Vanderbilt football player. Godchaux was the second leading scorer on the SIAA champion team, behind only Rupert Smith. [9]
Kuhn, DocDoc Kuhn 1921–1923 He was captain of the 1923 football team and '22-'23 basketball team. The Atlanta Journal once quipped, "Doc Kuhn is captain and president of everything at Vanderbilt but the co-eds." Kuhn was quarterback for teams which won three straight conference titles, including Vandy's most recent. He was the starter for the scoreless tie with the Michigan Wolverines at the dedication of Dudley Field in 1922. Made Walter Camp's Honorable Mention in 1922, and Billy Evans's All-American. He was the recipient of the Porter Cup in 1923. [22][23][24][25]
Waller, E. M.E. M. Waller 1924 Coached at Middle Tennessee State University when it was first dubbed the "Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders". Known as "Nig" due to his dark complexion. [26]
Cargile, NeilNeil Cargile 1924–1925 Starter for 1924 defeat of Minnesota, Vandy's first victory over a Western school. [27]
Spears, BillBill Spears 1925–1927 All-Southern (1926, 1927). All-American (1926, 1927). One of six players Dan McGugin ranked as his best he ever coached. College Football Hall of Fame (1962). Partly responsible for halfback James Armistead leading the nation in scoring in 1927. Spears was fast and rarely threw an interception. [12]
Armistead, JimmyJimmy Armistead 1928 He took over the duties once Spears graduated. Formerly a running back, he led the nation in scoring in 1927. [28][29]
Parker, BennyBenny Parker 1929–1930 Flipped three touchdowns in the 33 to 7 win over Minnesota in 1930. [30]
Henderson, TommyTommy Henderson 1930–1932 He said of Josh Cody, “Josh was one of my closest friends until he went to Temple. After that I’m afraid we lost contact. He had a lasting influence on the men who played for him..." [31]

1933 to 1955 (incomplete)

Bill Wade with Donna Reed, 1959.

The following players were the predominant quarters for the Commodores each season the team was a member of the Southeastern Conference, until its first bowl victory in the 1955 Gator Bowl.

Name Years Started Notability References
Dixon, RandRand Dixon 1933–1935 Broke off an 80-yard run against Cincinnati in 1934. Decorated World War II veteran. [32]
Huggins, JimmyJimmy Huggins 1936–1937 Known as "Lunny," was 5'6" and 145 pounds. Led the team over LSU in 1937. [33]
Marshall, BertBert Marshall 1937–1938
Plunkett, JuniusJunius Plunkett 1939
Davis, CharltonCharlton Davis 1940
Jenkins, JackJack Jenkins 1941–1942 National Football League player. Drafted 10th overall in the 1943 NFL Draft. [34]
Kaley, JackJack Kaley 1943 [35]
? 1944
Rich, JohnJohn Rich 1945 He came to Vanderbilt on a football scholarship. He started the first Vanderbilt game he ever saw as a blocking back in its single wing offense. Successful businessman as founder of Delta Coals, Incorporated. Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. [36][37]
Wade, JamieJamie Wade 1946–1947, 1949
Berry, BobbyBobby Berry 1948
Wade, BillBill Wade 1950–1951 1st Overall pick of the 1952 NFL Draft. SEC's Most Valuable Player (1951). 2nd-team All-American. He threw for 1,609 yards and 13 touchdowns in 1951. Twice All-Pro and twice a Pro Bowl selection. NFL champion (1963). Vandy Athletics Hall of Fame. SEC Football Legend (1994). [36][38]
Krietemeyer, BillBill Krietemeyer 1952
Looney, JimJim Looney 1953–1954
Orr, DonDon Orr 1955 Led Vandy to its first bowl victory in the '55 Gator Bowl, coached by Arthur Guepe. Orr was a long time NFL official. [39]

1956 to present

The following players were the predominant quarters for the Commodores each season after the team's first bowl victory in the 1955 Gator Bowl.

Name Years Started Notability References
Smith, BoyceBoyce Smith 1956–1958
Morris, RussRuss Morris 1959
Lesesne, HankHank Lesesne 1960–1962
Cleveland, JonJon Cleveland 1963
Waller, DavidDavid Waller 1964
Kerr, BobBob Kerr 1965
Davis, GaryGary Davis 1966 Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in 1968 with the 1st pick in the 3rd round.
May, RogerRoger May 1967
Miller, JohnJohn Miller 1968
Brown, WatsonWatson Brown 1969 He led the winning touchdown drive in 1969 against 13th ranked Alabama in Nashville. Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Older brother of Mack Brown. Watson later coached. [40]
Painter, DennyDenny Painter 1969–1970
Burger, SteveSteve Burger 1971
Lainhart, SteveSteve Lainhart 1972
Fisher, FredFred Fisher 1973–1975
Lee, DavidDavid Lee 1974 Team's most valuable player (1974). Now coach. [41]
Hampton, RandyRandy Hampton 1976
Wright, MikeMike Wright 1977 Drafted by Cincinnati Bengals in 1980 with the 3rd pick in the 12th round.
Heflin, VanVan Heflin 1978–1979
Taylor, WhitWhit Taylor 1980–1982 Single-game passing record of 464 yards against Tennessee. Third in career total yardage at Vanderbilt (6,727). First Team All-SEC (1982). That year he threw for 2,481 yards with 22 touchdowns. ArenaBowl 1 Champion (1987). SEC Football Legend (2003). [42]
Page, KurtKurt Page 1983–1984
Gromos, JohnJohn Gromos 1985; 1989 Drafted by Seattle Seahawks in 1990 with the 8th pick in the 12th round.
Wracher, MarkMark Wracher 1986
Jones, EricEric Jones 1987-1988
Healy, MikeMike Healy 1990
Wilson, MarcusMarcus Wilson 1991–1992
Gordon, RonnieRonnie Gordon 1993–1994
Allen, DamianDamian Allen 1995–1997
Zolman, GregGreg Zolman 1998–2001
Cutler, JayJay Cutler 2002–2005 currently plays for the Chicago Bears. Pro Bowl Selection (2008). SEC Offensive Player of the Year (2005). First-team All-SEC (2005). His last game was the first win over the Volunteers since 1982. [43]
Nicklson, ChrisChris Nicklson 2006–2008
Adams, MackenziMackenzi Adams 2007–2009 Finished career with solid effort at Tennessee, hitting 19 of 35 passes for 174 yards and a TD, earning team's Offensive Player of the Week honors [44]
Smith, LarryLarry Smith 2008–2011
Carson, ErickErick Carson 2009 Cut due to ACL injury
Rodgers, JordanJordan Rodgers 2011–2012 Brother of current Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Jordan was named to the 2010, 2011 and 2012 SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Carta-Samuels, AustynAustyn Carta-Samuels 2012–2013
Robinette, PattonPatton Robinette 2013–2014 Tennessee's Gatorade Player of the Year in high school. Helped guide Vanderbilt to a come-from-behind win over nationally ranked Georgia [45]
Rivers, StephenStephen Rivers 2014 Brother of current San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers.
Freebeck, WadeWade Freebeck 2014 Played for St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
McCrary, JohnnyJohnny McCrary 2014 Tied a school record and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors with five touchdown passes in a 42-28 victory over Old Dominion. Jay Cutler and Bill Wade are the others to throw five. [46][47]

Other starting quarterbacks

These are quarterbacks that started a few games in the season for special cases, or were backs who often passed the ball.

Name Years Started Notability References
Howell, JoeJoe Howell 1902 Played since the Tulane game after Kyle was injured. [48]
Haygood, Jimmy R.Jimmy R. Haygood 1904
Potts, HughHugh Potts 1907 Was quarterback in the 17 to 12 victory over Sewanee which netted the conference championship.
Robbins, RabbiRabbi Robbins 1912 His skills better suited to the mud, he led the team to its largest win in its history, a 105 to 0 win over Bethel. [49]
Neely, JessJess Neely 1922 The captain and halfback of the undefeated squad was considered the team's best passer. College Football Hall of Fame as a coach. [50]
Rountree, Walter B.Walter B. Rountree 1922 He started the Mercer game. Much of the Mercer team had been struck with dengue fever, and Vanderbilt took the opportunity to rest its starters. [51]

References

  1. ↑ "University News". Vanderbilt University Quarterly 10: 309.
  2. ↑ Bill Traughber (November 20, 2013). "Vanderbilt defeated Vols twice in 1892".
  3. ↑ "Football In the South". Outing 25: 263.
  4. ↑ "University News". Vanderbilt University Quarterly 3: 70.
  5. ↑ "The Vanderbilt B. U. Election". Caduceus of Kappa Sigma 20: 230.
  6. ↑ Bill Traughber (September 14, 2011). "Vandy students' 1897 cheer banned".
  7. ↑ "Vanderbilt–A University of the New South". Outing 64: 320–331. 1914.
  8. ↑ "Godchaux Honored by Vanderbilt". The Kappa Alpha Journal 38 (1): 58.
  9. 1 2 Ernie Couch (2001). SEC Football Trivia.
  10. 1 2 Vanderbilt University. Vanderbilt University Quarterly 13. p. 56.
  11. ↑ "The Banquet". Vanderbilt University Quarterly 8: 55.
  12. 1 2 "Vandy Coach Picks Greatest Grid Players of Long Football Career". The Evening Independent. August 26, 1930.
  13. ↑ Vanderbilt University (1934). The Commodore. p. 126.
  14. ↑ "All-Time Football Team Lists Greats Of Past, Present". Gadsden Times. July 27, 1969.
  15. ↑ "Athletics". Vanderbilt University Quarterly 11: 258–265.
  16. ↑ "Constitution's All-Southern Picked By Coach Donahue of Champion Auburn Team". Atlanta Constitution. November 30, 1913.
  17. ↑ Bill Traughber (August 18, 2005). "Rabbit Curry Inspired McGugin".
  18. ↑ Edwin Mims (1946). History of Vanderbilt University. p. 285.
  19. ↑ "Vanderbilt". The Beta Theta Pi 45 (2): 150. 1917.
  20. ↑ "The Kappa Alpha Journal". google.com.
  21. ↑ "All-Southern Elevens". Spalding Football Guide. 1920. pp. 41, 69; 27, 67.
  22. ↑ "Kuhn Vandy's Pilot". The Washington Post. December 6, 1922.
  23. ↑ Evans, Billy (December 13, 1922). "Big Ten Given Eleven Places on Honor Roll: Kirk, Kirke and Goebel Named". The Lima News.
  24. ↑ "Kuhn Given Porter Cup". Atlanta Constitution. June 1, 1923. p. 10.
  25. ↑ Notre Dame Alumnus (PDF). December 1929. p. 121.
  26. ↑ "Oral History Interview With Isa Lee Freeman" (PDF). July 3, 1995.
  27. ↑ Bill Traughber (October 13, 2005). "Vanderbilt Upset Minnesota in 1924".
  28. ↑ "Armistead of Vanderbilt Dixie's Brightest Star". The Milwaukee Journal. November 13, 1928.
  29. ↑ "Southern Grid Teams to Lose Many Stars At Close of Season". The Evening Independent. December 1, 1928.
  30. ↑ "Easy Minnesota Victory Brightens Vandy's Chances For Dixie Title". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. October 12, 1930.
  31. ↑ Bill Traughber (September 30, 2009). "Josh Cody, a College Football Hall of Famer".
  32. ↑ "Top 10 Longest Rushing Plays".
  33. ↑ Howell Peiser. "Flashback: Hidden-ball play beat LSU in 1937".
  34. ↑ "Redskins Draft History".
  35. ↑ "Vanderbilt, Through With Grid Game, Revives Football". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. October 22, 1943.
  36. 1 2 "2008 Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame".
  37. ↑ "John Rich Obituary".
  38. ↑ "Bill Wade".
  39. ↑ Bill Traughber (November 9, 2011). "Don Orr: Vandy QB to NFL Official".
  40. ↑ Bill Traughber (August 29, 2007). "CHC: Watson Brown - Always a Commodore".
  41. ↑ "David Lee Bio".
  42. ↑ Bill Traughber (November 15, 2012). "Whit Taylor Was All-SEC QB".
  43. ↑ "Jay Cutler".
  44. ↑ "Mackenzi Adams".
  45. ↑ "Patton Robinette".
  46. ↑ Jerome Boettcher (November 1, 2014). "McCrary joins elite company with five-touchdown night".
  47. ↑ "McCrary earns SEC Freshman of the Week honors". November 3, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Vanderbilt Is Given Drubbing". Atlanta Constitution. November 28, 1902. p. 1. Retrieved March 30, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  49. ↑ Bill Traughber (September 22, 2005). "Vanderbilt Records 105 Points Against Bethel".
  50. ↑ Russell, Fred, and Maxwell Edward Benson. Fifty Years of Vanderbilt Football. Nashville, TN
  51. ↑ "M-"Dengues" Hold Big Vandy To 25-0". The Mercer Cluster. November 3, 1922.
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