[Mick]

Who are the best NFL quarterbacks from California? I don't mean Joe Montana, who was raised in Eastern Pennsylvania and went to college in Indiana, then played for the 49ers. I mean quarterbacks who played high school football in our great state; e.g. Tom Brady who played at Serra HS in San Mateo.

Of the top 181 NFL quarterbacks based on passer rating, 45 are from California. Can you name some of them?

[Mick]

Who are the best NFL quarterbacks from California? I don't mean Joe Montana, who was raised in Eastern Pennsylvania and went to college in Indiana, then played for the 49ers. I mean quarterbacks who played high school football in our great state; e.g. Tom Brady who played at Serra HS in San Mateo.

Of the top 181 NFL quarterbacks based on passer rating, 45 are from California. Can you name some of them?

[BostonCard]

Some guy named Harbaugh from Paly.
John Elway, who was from the San Fernando Valley
I don't know if Jim Plunkett would be one of the top QB's in terms of PER, but he went to high school in San Jose

BC

[BostonCard]

Some guy named Harbaugh from Paly.
John Elway, who was from the San Fernando Valley
I don't know if Jim Plunkett would be one of the top QB's in terms of PER, but he went to high school in San Jose

BC

[vataha]

Dan Fouts. S.I.

[vataha]

Dan Fouts. S.I.

[lex24]

Bartkowski, Pastorini, Bob Waterfield, John Brodie

Dan Fouts. S.I.

---

Dan Fouts. S.I.

[lex24]

Bartkowski, Pastorini, Bob Waterfield, John Brodie

Dan Fouts. S.I.

---

Dan Fouts. S.I.

[BobK]

Craig Morton
Steve Bartkowski
Bob Toledo
Fouts, Plunkett, Elway
Carr
Brady

And more

---

Van Brocklin
Brodie

[BobK]

Craig Morton
Steve Bartkowski
Bob Toledo
Fouts, Plunkett, Elway
Carr
Brady

And more

---

Van Brocklin
Brodie

[terry]

Aaron Rodgers

[terry]

Aaron Rodgers

[BobK]

Jim McMahon
Carson Palmer

---

Billy Kilmer
Ken O’Brian

[BobK]

Jim McMahon
Carson Palmer

---

Billy Kilmer
Ken O’Brian

[Spiny_Norman]

Does Troy Aikman count as a California QB for the purpose of this exercise? HS in Henryetta, OK but college at UCLA. If so, he has to be on the list.

[Spiny_Norman]

Does Troy Aikman count as a California QB for the purpose of this exercise? HS in Henryetta, OK but college at UCLA. If so, he has to be on the list.

[Phogge]

Hey Bobbbbb, Toledo was great at State but never played in the NFL. Two of his receivers did, Joe Kuntz with the Giants and Eddie Larios with the Falcons. Thanks anyway for a Gator mention.

---

Guesses:

Pretty sure: kaepernick, Warren Moon, Carson Palmer, Craig Morton, Derek Carr,

Longshots: Eddie LeBaron, Kilmer, Frankie Albert, Brian Sipe

[Phogge]

Hey Bobbbbb, Toledo was great at State but never played in the NFL. Two of his receivers did, Joe Kuntz with the Giants and Eddie Larios with the Falcons. Thanks anyway for a Gator mention.

---

Guesses:

Pretty sure: kaepernick, Warren Moon, Carson Palmer, Craig Morton, Derek Carr,

Longshots: Eddie LeBaron, Kilmer, Frankie Albert, Brian Sipe

[BobK]

I was just throwing you a bone Phogge.

Sipe good one

Guess I didn’t know Moon was a Californian

Albert and LeBaron would interesting

[BobK]

I was just throwing you a bone Phogge.

Sipe good one

Guess I didn’t know Moon was a Californian

Albert and LeBaron would interesting

[Mick]

Here's the list of all 46 high school quarterbacks from the Great State of California who are considered among the top 185 NFL quarterbacks. Listed is their position as determined by passer rating, from www.pro-football-reference.com, name, high school and career passer rating. Apart from passer rating, the sole minimum requirements are throwing 1,500 passes and graduating from a California high school.

I added six exceptions:

* Bob Lee (Lowell), 730 attempts. Lee played 12 years, had 30 starts. Would have finished at #173.
* Bob Berry (Willow Glen), 1,153 attempts. Berry played 11 years, had 52 starts and made a Pro Bowl.
* Jim McMahon (Andrew Hill), played two years at Andrew Hill in San Jose
* Jim Harbaugh (Palo Alto) finished at Pioneer in Michigan.
* Turk Schonert (Servite), 504 attempts. Played in 72 NFL games, but only started 12 games. His rating would have been around #105.
* Trent Edwards (Los Gatos), 929 attempts, had a similar rating, but had just 38 games.

Here's the link: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/l...career.htm

Here's the list:

1. Aaron Rodgers, Pleasant Valley HS, 103.1
4. Tom Brady, Serra HS, 97.6
18. Colin Kaepernick, Turlock HS, 88.9
19. Derek Carr, Bakersfield Christian HS, 88.8
23. Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita HS, 87.9
26. Jeff Garcia, Gilroy HS, 87.5
27. Alex Smith, Helix HS, 87.3
44. Mark Brunell, St. Joseph HS, 84.0
59. Randall Cunningham, Santa Barbara HS, 81.5
65. Warren Moon, Hamilton HS, 80.9
69. Ken O’Brien, Jesuit HS, 80.4
73. Steve Beuerlein, Servite HS, 80.3
74. Dan Fouts, St. Ignatius, 80.2
75. John Elway, Granada Hills Charter HS, 79.9
76. Tony Eason, Delta HS, 79.7
83. Matt Cassel, Chatsworth HS, 78.5
86. Jim McMahon, Andrew Hill HS, 78.2
*** Bob Berry, Willow Glen HS, 77.2
100. Bill Kenney, San Clemente HS, 77.0
101. Erik Kramer, Canoga Park HS, 76.6
*** Turk Schonert, Servite HS, 75.6
*** Trent Edwards, Los Gatos HS, 75.5
107. Steve Bartkowski, Buchser HS, 75.4
111. Norm Van Brocklin, Acalanes HS, 75.1
115. David Carr, Stockdale HS (Fresno), 74.9
117. Brian Sipe, Grossmont HS, 74.8
122. Steve DeBerg, Savanna HS (Anaheim), 74.2
126. Frankie Albert, Glendale HS, 73.5
126. Craig Morton, Campbell HS, 73.5
129. Mark Sanchez, Mission Viejo HS, 73.2
130. Darryl Lamonica, Clovis HS, 72.9
135. Tony Banks, Herbert Hoover HS, 72.4
136. John Brodie, Oakland Tech HS, 72.3
141. Jay Schroeder, Pacific Palisades HS, 71.7
142. Billy Kilmer, Citrus HS, 71.6
143. Bill Munson, Lodi HS, 71.5
149. Bill Nelsen, El Rancho HS, 70.2
149. Trent Dilfer, Aptos HS, 70.2
151. Vince Ferragamo, Phineas Banning HS, 70.1
153. Kyle Boller, William S. Hart HS, 69.5
158. Eric Hipple, Earl Warren HS, 68.7
164. Tom Flores, Sanger HS, 67.6
166. Jim Plunkett, James Lick HS, 67.5
168. Jim Zorn, Richard Gahr HS, 67.3
*** Bob Lee, Lowell HS, 63.7
175. Jack Trudeau, Granada HS, 63.3
178. Ed Brown, San Luis Obispo HS, 62.8
179. Mark Malone, Valley HS, 61.9
180. Bobby Waterfield, Van Nuys HS, 61.6
181. Eddie LeBaron, Oakdale HS, 61.4
184. Dan Pastorini, Bellarmine HS, 59.1
185. Jack Kemp, Fairfax HS, 57.3

[Mick]

Here's the list of all 46 high school quarterbacks from the Great State of California who are considered among the top 185 NFL quarterbacks. Listed is their position as determined by passer rating, from www.pro-football-reference.com, name, high school and career passer rating. Apart from passer rating, the sole minimum requirements are throwing 1,500 passes and graduating from a California high school.

I added six exceptions:

* Bob Lee (Lowell), 730 attempts. Lee played 12 years, had 30 starts. Would have finished at #173.
* Bob Berry (Willow Glen), 1,153 attempts. Berry played 11 years, had 52 starts and made a Pro Bowl.
* Jim McMahon (Andrew Hill), played two years at Andrew Hill in San Jose
* Jim Harbaugh (Palo Alto) finished at Pioneer in Michigan.
* Turk Schonert (Servite), 504 attempts. Played in 72 NFL games, but only started 12 games. His rating would have been around #105.
* Trent Edwards (Los Gatos), 929 attempts, had a similar rating, but had just 38 games.

Here's the link: https://www.pro-football-reference.com/l...career.htm

Here's the list:

1. Aaron Rodgers, Pleasant Valley HS, 103.1
4. Tom Brady, Serra HS, 97.6
18. Colin Kaepernick, Turlock HS, 88.9
19. Derek Carr, Bakersfield Christian HS, 88.8
23. Carson Palmer, Santa Margarita HS, 87.9
26. Jeff Garcia, Gilroy HS, 87.5
27. Alex Smith, Helix HS, 87.3
44. Mark Brunell, St. Joseph HS, 84.0
59. Randall Cunningham, Santa Barbara HS, 81.5
65. Warren Moon, Hamilton HS, 80.9
69. Ken O’Brien, Jesuit HS, 80.4
73. Steve Beuerlein, Servite HS, 80.3
74. Dan Fouts, St. Ignatius, 80.2
75. John Elway, Granada Hills Charter HS, 79.9
76. Tony Eason, Delta HS, 79.7
83. Matt Cassel, Chatsworth HS, 78.5
86. Jim McMahon, Andrew Hill HS, 78.2
*** Bob Berry, Willow Glen HS, 77.2
100. Bill Kenney, San Clemente HS, 77.0
101. Erik Kramer, Canoga Park HS, 76.6
*** Turk Schonert, Servite HS, 75.6
*** Trent Edwards, Los Gatos HS, 75.5
107. Steve Bartkowski, Buchser HS, 75.4
111. Norm Van Brocklin, Acalanes HS, 75.1
115. David Carr, Stockdale HS (Fresno), 74.9
117. Brian Sipe, Grossmont HS, 74.8
122. Steve DeBerg, Savanna HS (Anaheim), 74.2
126. Frankie Albert, Glendale HS, 73.5
126. Craig Morton, Campbell HS, 73.5
129. Mark Sanchez, Mission Viejo HS, 73.2
130. Darryl Lamonica, Clovis HS, 72.9
135. Tony Banks, Herbert Hoover HS, 72.4
136. John Brodie, Oakland Tech HS, 72.3
141. Jay Schroeder, Pacific Palisades HS, 71.7
142. Billy Kilmer, Citrus HS, 71.6
143. Bill Munson, Lodi HS, 71.5
149. Bill Nelsen, El Rancho HS, 70.2
149. Trent Dilfer, Aptos HS, 70.2
151. Vince Ferragamo, Phineas Banning HS, 70.1
153. Kyle Boller, William S. Hart HS, 69.5
158. Eric Hipple, Earl Warren HS, 68.7
164. Tom Flores, Sanger HS, 67.6
166. Jim Plunkett, James Lick HS, 67.5
168. Jim Zorn, Richard Gahr HS, 67.3
*** Bob Lee, Lowell HS, 63.7
175. Jack Trudeau, Granada HS, 63.3
178. Ed Brown, San Luis Obispo HS, 62.8
179. Mark Malone, Valley HS, 61.9
180. Bobby Waterfield, Van Nuys HS, 61.6
181. Eddie LeBaron, Oakdale HS, 61.4
184. Dan Pastorini, Bellarmine HS, 59.1
185. Jack Kemp, Fairfax HS, 57.3

[DenverCard]

To my quick scan, I didn't see any duplicate high schools. Surprising to me, given how talent tends to get concentrated at certain powerhouse schools.

[DenverCard]

To my quick scan, I didn't see any duplicate high schools. Surprising to me, given how talent tends to get concentrated at certain powerhouse schools.

[Mick]

To my quick scan, I didn't see any duplicate high schools. Surprising to me, given how talent tends to get concentrated at certain powerhouse schools.

Well, even football factories like De La Salle only produce a few NFL alums, one QB and in their case, no QBs that make the list:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b911c2

And you get schools like Long Beach Poly, with 58 alums in the NFL -- but no quarterbacks.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b87f5a

And you get schools like Mater Dei, with three NFL quarterbacks, but none of them played long enough to merit the list (Matt Barkley, Matt Leinart and John Huarte). None had more than 19 starts:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b8f152

Here's the link to all California high schools with NFL alumni:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...s_state=CA

BTW, and FWLIW, I think the list is pretty accurate. My high school, which is now closed, had produced exactly one (1) NFL player, a guy who played for Utah State, then played for the Rams during the strike season. I checked, and yep, he's on the list. 6'8", 290 pounds as a high school sophomore that I used to go up against every day in practice. Incidentally, he did well enough that the Rams asked him to join the regular roster, then he failed the physical (narrow vertebrae).

[Mick]

To my quick scan, I didn't see any duplicate high schools. Surprising to me, given how talent tends to get concentrated at certain powerhouse schools.

Well, even football factories like De La Salle only produce a few NFL alums, one QB and in their case, no QBs that make the list:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b911c2

And you get schools like Long Beach Poly, with 58 alums in the NFL -- but no quarterbacks.
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b87f5a

And you get schools like Mater Dei, with three NFL quarterbacks, but none of them played long enough to merit the list (Matt Barkley, Matt Leinart and John Huarte). None had more than 19 starts:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...d=93b8f152

Here's the link to all California high schools with NFL alumni:
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/s...s_state=CA

BTW, and FWLIW, I think the list is pretty accurate. My high school, which is now closed, had produced exactly one (1) NFL player, a guy who played for Utah State, then played for the Rams during the strike season. I checked, and yep, he's on the list. 6'8", 290 pounds as a high school sophomore that I used to go up against every day in practice. Incidentally, he did well enough that the Rams asked him to join the regular roster, then he failed the physical (narrow vertebrae).

[OutsiderFan]

It's utterly shocking to see Colin Kaepernick #18 on the all-time NFL passer rating list.

I understand his performance degraded the last couple years - and I was always skeptical of him since he was drafted - but given how desperate the NFL is for QBs who can play, it seems insane that nobody would give the guy a chance with a more talented roster than the Niners had those last years.

Of course, I understand the fact he isn't in the NFL has nothing at all to do with his ability to play the position.

[OutsiderFan]

It's utterly shocking to see Colin Kaepernick #18 on the all-time NFL passer rating list.

I understand his performance degraded the last couple years - and I was always skeptical of him since he was drafted - but given how desperate the NFL is for QBs who can play, it seems insane that nobody would give the guy a chance with a more talented roster than the Niners had those last years.

Of course, I understand the fact he isn't in the NFL has nothing at all to do with his ability to play the position.

[Mick]

It's utterly shocking to see Colin Kaepernick #18 on the all-time NFL passer rating list.

I understand his performance degraded the last couple years - and I was always skeptical of him since he was drafted - but given how desperate the NFL is for QBs who can play, it seems insane that nobody would give the guy a chance with a more talented roster than the Niners had those last years.

Of course, I understand the fact he isn't in the NFL has nothing at all to do with his ability to play the position.

Might have a little bit to do with how he plays the position. He had interest from several teams who wanted him as a backup, but Kaepernick wasn't interested in a backup role. He was new and Fresh in 2012 and 2013. He had skills that no one else had. Then defenses adjusted. He was 10th in the NFL in passer rating in 2013, fell to 20th in 2014, 31st in 2015 and 2016 his last year, he was 17th and "led" the 49ers to a 1-10 record. The Broncos wanted him for $7 million -- a backup's salary -- and he was due to make $11.9 million from the 49ers when they cut him.

[Mick]

It's utterly shocking to see Colin Kaepernick #18 on the all-time NFL passer rating list.

I understand his performance degraded the last couple years - and I was always skeptical of him since he was drafted - but given how desperate the NFL is for QBs who can play, it seems insane that nobody would give the guy a chance with a more talented roster than the Niners had those last years.

Of course, I understand the fact he isn't in the NFL has nothing at all to do with his ability to play the position.

Might have a little bit to do with how he plays the position. He had interest from several teams who wanted him as a backup, but Kaepernick wasn't interested in a backup role. He was new and Fresh in 2012 and 2013. He had skills that no one else had. Then defenses adjusted. He was 10th in the NFL in passer rating in 2013, fell to 20th in 2014, 31st in 2015 and 2016 his last year, he was 17th and "led" the 49ers to a 1-10 record. The Broncos wanted him for $7 million -- a backup's salary -- and he was due to make $11.9 million from the 49ers when they cut him.

[cardcrimson]

Great list. Surprising how many names I remember and have watched play. . . .

As for Kaepernick, this excerpt sums it up:

"At the time the Niners pulled him for Gabbert, Kaepernick was 1-of-5 passing for 4 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6. He was also sacked five times for 25 yards, leaving the Niners with negative-21 net passing yards and a 24-6 deficit at the time of his departure.

In the process, Kaepernick became the first quarterback in NFL history to be sacked five times and throw for fewer than 5 yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information."

I remember listening to some talking heads on KNBR. In one breath, they were stunned that Kaep couldn't find a team that wanted him and argued that it was his political views that were his albatross. Then in the next breath, they lamented the under performance of the 49ers running game, and completely blamed Kaepernick, as defenses were loading the box with 8 or 9 because they knew he couldn't pass.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1820...cago-bears

[cardcrimson]

Great list. Surprising how many names I remember and have watched play. . . .

As for Kaepernick, this excerpt sums it up:

"At the time the Niners pulled him for Gabbert, Kaepernick was 1-of-5 passing for 4 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6. He was also sacked five times for 25 yards, leaving the Niners with negative-21 net passing yards and a 24-6 deficit at the time of his departure.

In the process, Kaepernick became the first quarterback in NFL history to be sacked five times and throw for fewer than 5 yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information."

I remember listening to some talking heads on KNBR. In one breath, they were stunned that Kaep couldn't find a team that wanted him and argued that it was his political views that were his albatross. Then in the next breath, they lamented the under performance of the 49ers running game, and completely blamed Kaepernick, as defenses were loading the box with 8 or 9 because they knew he couldn't pass.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1820...cago-bears

[Mick]

Great list. Surprising how many names I remember and have watched play. . . .

As for Kaepernick, this excerpt sums it up:

"At the time the Niners pulled him for Gabbert, Kaepernick was 1-of-5 passing for 4 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6. He was also sacked five times for 25 yards, leaving the Niners with negative-21 net passing yards and a 24-6 deficit at the time of his departure.

In the process, Kaepernick became the first quarterback in NFL history to be sacked five times and throw for fewer than 5 yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information."

I remember listening to some talking heads on KNBR. In one breath, they were stunned that Kaep couldn't find a team that wanted him and argued that it was his political views that were his albatross. Then in the next breath, they lamented the under performance of the 49ers running game, and completely blamed Kaepernick, as defenses were loading the box with 8 or 9 because they knew he couldn't pass.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1820...cago-bears

At the time, Sports Illustrated was working on an article of the rapid demise of the read option in which they described Colin Kaepernick as the worst quarterback in the NFL.

I also made a few minor edits to the list and included the link to the live list. Lots of CA, TX and PA quarterbacks.

[Mick]

Great list. Surprising how many names I remember and have watched play. . . .

As for Kaepernick, this excerpt sums it up:

"At the time the Niners pulled him for Gabbert, Kaepernick was 1-of-5 passing for 4 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 39.6. He was also sacked five times for 25 yards, leaving the Niners with negative-21 net passing yards and a 24-6 deficit at the time of his departure.

In the process, Kaepernick became the first quarterback in NFL history to be sacked five times and throw for fewer than 5 yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information."

I remember listening to some talking heads on KNBR. In one breath, they were stunned that Kaep couldn't find a team that wanted him and argued that it was his political views that were his albatross. Then in the next breath, they lamented the under performance of the 49ers running game, and completely blamed Kaepernick, as defenses were loading the box with 8 or 9 because they knew he couldn't pass.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/1820...cago-bears

At the time, Sports Illustrated was working on an article of the rapid demise of the read option in which they described Colin Kaepernick as the worst quarterback in the NFL.

I also made a few minor edits to the list and included the link to the live list. Lots of CA, TX and PA quarterbacks.