With the conclusion of the 2019 football season, the Liberty football team saw the end of careers of some of the best players to ever wear the Liberty jersey.
That got us thinking, who are the best quarterbacks to ever play at Liberty? Here’s our ranking, be sure to let us know where we messed up and who we left off:
5. Brock Smith (2005-2008)
The former Liberty quarterback took the reigns of the Flames’ offense at the perfect time. The 2006 season was the first under Athletic Director Jeff Barber and head coach Danny Rocco, and the football program took off immediately. Smith started for all of his final 3 seasons on the Mountain and much of his true freshman campaign. He ranks in the top 5 of Liberty’s career record books for passing yards (No. 5, 7,036), touchdown passes (No. 4, 50), passing efficiency (No. 2, 148.1), total offense (No. 5, 7,189), total touchdowns (No. 5, 54), and completion percentage (No. 4, 60.0%).
4. Robby Justino (1989-1992)
In his first career start in 1989, Justino led Liberty to its first ever victory over an FBS opponent, helping the Flames defeat Eastern Michigan while throwing the game winning pass. He finished his career holding just about every passing record in school history. He still ranks 3rd in career passing yards with 9,548, 2nd in touchdown passes with 64, 3rd in completion percentage, 3rd in total offense, and 4th in total touchdowns.
3. Mike Brown (2008-2011)
If he would have spent his entire career at quarterback, Brown could be much higher on this list. He began his career at any position he could get his hands on the ball, primarily at wide receiver and also as a returner. Brown then transitioned to the starting quarterback for the remainder of his career. He has the most rushing touchdowns by a non-running back in school history with 29 and ranks 6th including running backs in the category. Brown holds school records in passing efficiency (150.4) and completion percentage (65.0%) while ranking in the top 5 in total touchdowns, scoring excluding kickers, and total offense. After signing as an undrafted free agent to the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2012, he spent almost 4 seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver.
2. Josh Woodrum (2012-2015)
Before Buckshot, there was Josh Woodrum. He seized control of the starting spot early in his redshirt-freshman campaign and never looked back. He’s 2nd in passing yards (10,266), total offense (10,690), total touchdowns (77), and completion percentage (63.9%) while ranking in the top 5 in touchdown passes (No. 3, 61) and passing efficiency (No. 3, 140.9). Also an undrafted free agent, Woodrum has spent the past 4 seasons bouncing around the NFL.
1. Buckshot Calvert (2016-2019)
Liberty has had an impressive string of quarterback play from 2005-2019, culminating with the GOAT. Buckshot Calvert entered the program amid much fan fare and he lived up to it. He holds career records in passing yards, touchdown passes, as well as single season records in the same categories. His stat-line of 44-of-60 passing for 447 yards and 3 touchdowns in Liberty’s win over Baylor helped put himself and the Flames on the map as the program ascended to the FBS ranks.
Can we remove Brock from this list. Good quarterback or not, the guy is a convicted pedophile and serving time for it.
Antwon Childs (sp?). He is at least #2 all time. Not sure what his stats say, but he certainly had the best arm, was accurate and everything you want in a drop back QB. I think he only played 2 years, because he transferred from Florida.I have seen all of your top 5 play and if I had to pick one to build a team around AC, would be right up at the top.