Indiana Football: Top 5 quarterbacks since 2000
4. Ben Chappell (2007-2010) – 4 seasons
- Career Stats: 38 games (13-22) win percentage of 37.14%
- 7251 yards, 45 Touchdowns / 28 Interceptions
Ben Chappell is what you want in a college quarterback. Someone who gets better and better every year. A two-year starter for the Hoosiers, he consistently improved his stats going from 2,941 passing yards to 3,295.
His touchdowns numbers went from 17 to 24 in his two years starting. Chappell saved his best for last, as he lit up Purdue for 330 yards and three TDs in his last game. Chappell’s constant improvement landed him on an NFL roster signing with the Redskins . He would finish his career second in passing yards and 1st in completion percentage and completions.
3. Peyton Ramsey (2017-2020) – 3 seasons
- Career Stats: 31 games (15-16) win percentage of 48.39%
- 6,581 yards, 42 Touchdowns, 23 Interceptions.
If you were looking for someone that was the opposite of Richard Lagow you would be looking for Peyton Ramsey. He’s the most accurate passer in Big Ten history with a completion percentage of 66.5%. He doesn’t force throws and turns the ball over, unlike Lagow who was trigger happy. Ramsey seemed like the perfect QB and was on pace to break every record at IU.
The list of what makes Ramsey great can go on forever. His grit and determination, he always plays tough and battles every game even through injuries.
His choice to not transfer after losing the starting job to Micheal Penix in his junior year proved to be a decisive one, as Penix went down with an injury.
Ramsey came in and didn’t skip a beat carrying the Hoosiers to eight wins. Coming off the bench he still threw for 2,454 yards and 13 TDs to five interceptions. But there’s still a reason Ramsey decided to transfer. For how great he is he’s wildly limited.
Ramsey had his critics as well, me for one who hated him at times. As accurate as he was, it seemed he was afraid to let it rip downfield or lacked arm strength. I think it was the arm strength as every time Ramsey let it launch for 20+ yards it looked like he blew out his arm.
Ramsey was a sniper 20 yards and in, but he could never extend the field with his arm and if the defense doesn’t respect the long ball the offense will struggle. This led to the decision to start rocket arm, Micheal Penix, over Ramsey and for him to transfer and suit up for Northwestern.
If Penix never wins the Indiana starting job Ramsey would have easily broken all major school records at IU.