2017 football: Five best Washington QBs of all-time

Thu., Aug. 31, 2017

Compiled by The Seattle Times

Debate on The S-R’s five best QBs series

The Spokesman-Review

High schools proved the most challenging. We enlisted former Spokesman-Review high school writers Dave Trimmer and Mike Vlahovich as well as current staffers Greg Lee and Chris Derrick. In addition, prep historians Mike Schock and Bill Pierce also weighed in. (Note: We limited our selection area to include only Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.)

In the end, our picks combined a number of factors: Statistics, team success and nostalgia – and obviously, the final choices are quite subjective (and for entertainment purposes only). We hope you’ll enjoy.

– Ralph Walter, Sports editor

1) Warren Moon

1975-77

242-496 (49 pct), 3,277 yds, 19 TD, 17 INT: Emergence in 1977, leading Huskies to Rose Bowl victory. His two rushing touchdowns and one passing TD led the four-loss Huskies over No. 4 Michigan and coach Bo Schembechler, and keyed UW’s revival. Was Pac-10 co-player of the year in ’77.

2) Bob Schloredt

1958-60

59-119 (50 pct), 1,077 yds, 6 TD, 6 INT: Only two-time Rose Bowl MVP in school history, led upsets of Wisconsin and Minnesota. In his junior season, he played quarterback and made the AP All-America team. He also was a defensive back and intercepted seven passes. A childhood accident, at age five, left him with only five percent vision in his left eye.

3) Marques Tuiasosopo

1997-2000

418-761 (55 pct), 5,501 yds, 31 TD, 28 INT: Consummate two-way college quarterback, and a terrific leader. Became the only player in FBS history to throw for 300 yards and run for 200 in the same game, finishing with 509. Recruited out high school as a defensive back.

4) Mark Brunell

1989-92

259-498 (52 pct), 3,423 yds, 23 TD, 16 INT: Long professional career backed up his excellent 1990-92 run that began as the Rose Bowl MVP for the 1990 season. He was the trigger for three consecutive Pac-10 titles and an inspiration during the run to the 1991 national championship,

5) Don Heinrich

1949-52

335-610 (55 pct), 4,392 yds, 33 TD: First great UW quarterback was a college Hall of Famer, then played nine years as a pro. He earned All-America honors in both 1950 and 1952; twice led NCAA in passing.

Honorable mention

Billy Joe Hobert (1990-92), quarterback of 1991 national champs never lost a game in his UW career. … Sonny Sixkiller (1970-72), ushered in the passing era of Huskies football, went 22-10 his three years. … Chris Chandler (1984-87), won modestly with Huskies, but then spent 17 seasons in the NFL. … Steve Pelluer (1980-83), took Huskies to ’82 Rose Bowl win before a seven-year pro career. … Tom Flick (1979-80), went 17-5 in two years as starter, including a Pasadena appearance.

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