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Big Ten Football: Ranking the 30 best players of all time

By Quinn Douglas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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2 Sep 2000: The Purdue Boilermakers huddle during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Boilermakers defeated the Chippewas 48-0.Mandatory Credit: Brandon Lopez /Allsport
2 Sep 2000: The Purdue Boilermakers huddle during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at the Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. The Boilermakers defeated the Chippewas 48-0.Mandatory Credit: Brandon Lopez /Allsport /

Drew Brees Career Statistics, 1997-2000

  • Games Played: 45
  • Completions: 1,026
  • Pass Attempts: 1,678
  • Completion Percentage: 61.1
  • Passing Yards: 11,792
  • Passing Touchdowns: 90
  • Interceptions: 45
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 262
  • Rushing Yards: 900
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 14
  • Notables: 1998 & 2000 Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner, 2000 Maxwell Award, Finished Third in 2000 Heisman Trophy.

The highest rated quarterback on the list held most of the Big Ten’s total offense records until they were broken by J.T. Barrett. Before he was a star player in the NFL, Drew Brees made his name known as a Purdue Boilermaker. Under coach Joe Tiller’s “Basketball on grass” spread offense, Brees lit up the stat sheet during his career, finishing with 11,792 passing yards and 90 touchdowns. His passing yard numbers are still the best in Big Ten history.

Brees arrived in West Lafayette in the fall of 1997, after seeing limited action as a freshman, Tiller made Brees his quarterback before the first game of the 1998 season. It was a move that propelled the Boilermakers program to new heights. He passed for over 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons as starter and led Purdue to a Big Ten Championship in his senior season and a Rose Bowl appearance.

Despite Brees’ mind-boggling numbers, he only received few awards while at Purdue. He was a two-time winner of the Chicago Tribune Silver Football and won the 2000 Maxwell Award. He finished third in the 2000 Heisman Trophy as well. Brees was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft.

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