Greatest college football player born in each state
Arizona has produced its share of talented football players, though the best college career belongs to quarterback Rodney Peete. A three-yaear starter at USC, Peete finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1988 after leading the Trojans to a 10-2 overall record, including a perfect 8-0 mark in the Pac-10 to earn a spot in the Rose Bowl. USC began the season 10-0 and rose to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 before losing to No. 1 Notre Dame in the season finale and to No. 11 Michigan in Pasadena.
Peete completed 223 of 359 passes (62.1 percent) for the Trojans in 1988 for 2,812 yards and 18 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, and gained 68 rushing yards and five more TDs on the ground, which made him an All-American and the Pac-10 Conference Player of the Year. The Mesa, Arizona native also won the Pop Warner Trophy and the Johnny Unitas Award, becoming the first USC quarterback ever to win the trophy given to the nation’s top quarterback.
In four seasons with the Trojans, Peete threw for 8,225 yards and 54 touchdowns and was intercepted 42 times. He also ran for 415 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns. After college, Peete was selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 1989 NFL Draft and he played 15 years in the league.
Other Notable College Football Players Born in Arizona:
- Trung Candidate, RB, Arizona
- Curley Culp, DT, Arizona State
- Na’il Diggs, LB, Ohio State
- Todd Heap, TE, Arizona State
- Darren Woodson, LB/DB, Arizona State
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