Ranking the 10 best small school college football QBs of all time
By Zach Bigalke
Tim Rattay actually spent his first year of eligibility at Scottsdale Community College in 1996 after receiving no scholarship offers from I-A schools. He was the national leader in passing yards and touchdowns among junior college quarterbacks that year. From there he transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he immediately became the starter. In 1997, Rattay was still adjusting to the transition. Even then, the Bulldogs went 9-2 with Rattay as the starter. He completed over 61 percent of his passes for 34 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions while leading the FBS in total yards produced.
The next year, Louisiana Tech regressed to 6-6 but Rattay was even better. As a junior in 1998, he completed 68 percent of his passes, throwing for just under 5000 yards and 46 touchdowns to lead the FBS in both categories. Even with 1000 fewer passing yards in 1999, Rattay still led the FBS in that category for a second straight season.
Because Louisiana Tech was still independent at that point, he never got the chance to win a conference title. Rattay also never got to play in a bowl game. Despite missing out on those opportunities, he was nevertheless drafted in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft by San Francisco and spent eight seasons in the league with the 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Arizona Cardinals. Over his journeyman career, Rattay threw for 31 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.