With the NFL Combine and Draft closing in faster than ever, it seems there is a little competition going on. ESPN’s Paul Finebaum took to Twitter to ask his followers who they think is the best collegiate QB ever. One particular follower and his choice have seemingly stood out among the rest. None other than current University of Central Florida head coach, Gus Malzahn, and his choice, Cam Newton.
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The choice seems an obvious one for Malzahn. Back in 2010, when he was the offensive coordinator for the Auburn University Tigers, he worked closely with Newton in what was probably the best season ever for any collegiate quarterback. That year, Newton led the Tigers to an SEC Championship, which helped him in his NFL Draft spot in 2011.
The Carolina Panthers selected Newton first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, and he went on to lead the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2015. He also won the regular season MVP award that year, but that would prove to be the highest point in his career. Struggling with injuries, his next few years were just a shadow of his previous years, and he eventually parted ways with the league in 2022.
Also Read: NFL Combine Bench Press Record: Who Has Benched the Most in NFL Combine’s History?
Football Fans are not happy about Gus Malzahn picking Cam Newton as best QB
Naturally, one cannot expect everyone to agree with Malzahn’s choice. However, this time it seems there is quite a lot of opposition. In the massive pool of collegiate quarterbacks who have made a name for themselves, it looks like Cam Newton is still not a favored choice. One look at his comments section, and the idea becomes crystal clear.
One of the biggest reasons for fans to possibly dislike Newton is his off-field problems. before Auburn, he used to play for the Florida Gators, and he did not make a good impression during his time there. Although he was a good QB, he had multiple run-ins with the institution and was even charged with burglary for stealing a fellow student’s laptop.
Later, while at Auburn, the NCAA received a tip that Newton’s father, Cecil Newton, apparently attempted to engage in a pay-to-play scheme with the University of Mississippi. Cam Newton was immediately cleared of any wrongdoing, and a year later, the investigation into his father was closed due to a lack of evidence. Certainly not highlight-worthy moments in his career.
Malzahn, on the other hand, is handling things very well at UCF. Going 9-4 in his first season, he also managed to beat rivals Florida Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn’s “Hurry up, No huddle” offensive philosophy is a widely popular one, even making a few appearances in the NFL. Unfortunately, Malzahn himself appearing in the NFL seems like a long shot.
