| 2018 | Jim Plunkett | Stanford | College Football Hall of Fame (1990) |
| 2017 | Ron Jaworski | Youngstown State | Bert Bell Award (1980) |
| 2016 | Jim McMahon | BYU | College Football Hall of Fame (1999) |
| 2015 | Craig Morton | California | College Football Hall of Fame (1992) |
| 2014 | Warren Moon | Washington | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006) |
| 2013 | Doug Williams | Grambling | College Football Hall of Fame (2001) |
| 2012 | Eddie LeBaron | Pacific | College Football Hall of Fame (1980) |
| 2011 | Jim Kelly | Miami | Pro Football Hall of Fame (2002) |
| 2010 | Bob Griese | Purdue | College Football Hall of Fame (1984);Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990) |
| 2009 | Dan Fouts | Oregon | Pro Football Hall of Fame (1993) |
| 2008 | Joe Theismann | Notre Dame | College Football Hall of Fame (2003) |
| 2007 | Steve Spurrier | Florida | College Football Hall of Fame (1986) |
| 2006 | Paul Hornung | Notre Dame | College Football Hall of Fame (1985);Pro Football Hall of Fame (1986) |
| 2005 | Len Dawson | Purdue | Pro Football Hall of Fame (1987) |
| 2004 | Archie Manning | Ole Miss | College Football Hall of Fame (1989) |
| 2003 | Terry Bradshaw | Louisiana Tech | College Football Hall of Fame (1996);Pro Football Hall of Fame (1989) |
| 2002 | Bart Starr | Alabama | Pro Football Hall of Fame (1977) |
| 2001 | Roger Staubach | Navy | College Football Hall of Fame (1981);Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985) |
