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Kentucky football: Tim Couch should be in College Football Hall of Fame

By Mat Mlodzinski

Sep 26,1998; Gainesville, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Tim Couch (2) in action rushing the ball against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26,1998; Gainesville, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Tim Couch (2) in action rushing the ball against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Kentucky football quarterback Tim Couch is on the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Quite frankly, he should be voted in with ease.

We’ve all heard the jokes. Tim Couch might be one of, if not the biggest bust in NFL history. The former 1st overall pick only made it five seasons in the NFL, throwing 67 interceptions to 64 touchdowns. The Kentucky football QB didn’t live up to the lofty expectations placed on him.

It’s unfortunate that Couch’s struggles in the NFL clouded his dominance in college football. You really can’t tell the story of college football, especially in the 1990s, without writing at least one chapter on the Kentucky football legend.

Couch played three seasons with the Wildcats, but his sophomore and junior years were extraordinary. In 22 games, Couch passed for over 8,000 yards, threw for 73 touchdowns, and completed nearly 70% of his attempts. A pocket passer, Couch commanded the field and led the Wildcats to the Outback Bowl in 1998.

College football took notice. Couch finished 9th in Heisman Trophy voting in 1997, and 4th in 1998. He was selected first overall in the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.

Couch’s college stats are more impressive than any other QB on the ballot

When comparing college football careers, Tim Couch surpasses all of the other quarterbacks on this year’s ballot.

Of the 78 players on the ballot, 10 played QB. Couch’s passing stats are arguably the most impressive of the bunch.

Career passing yards:

  1. Graham Harrell: 15,793 (4 seasons)
  2. Kellen Moore: 14,667 (4 seasons)
  3. Ken Dorsey: 9,565 (4 seasons)
  4. Tim Couch: 8,435 (3 seasons)
  5. Antwaan Randle El: 7,469 (4 seasons)
  6. Ryan Leaf: 7,433 (3 seasons)
  7. Josh Heupel: 7,066 (2 seasons)
  8. Alex Smith: 5,203 (3 seasons)
  9. Matt Cavanaugh: 3,378 (3 seasons)
  10. Michael Vick: 3,299 (2 seasons)

Career passing touchdowns:

  1. Kellen Moore: 142
  2. Graham Harrell: 134
  3. Ken Dorsey: 86
  4. Tim Couch: 74
  5. Ryan Leaf: 59
  6. Josh Heupel: 50
  7. Alex Smith: 47
  8. Antwaan Randle El: 42
  9. Matt Cavanaugh: 31
  10. Michael Vick: 21

Career pass completion %:

  1. Graham Harrell: 69.8%
  2. Kellen Moore: 69.8%
  3. Tim Couch: 67.1%
  4. Alex Smith: 66.3%
  5. Josh Heupel: 63.3%
  6. Ken Dorsey: 57.9%
  7. Matt Cavanaugh: 56.6%
  8. Michael Vick: 56.0%
  9. Ryan Leaf: 53.8%
  10. Antwaan Randle El: 49.8%

In the three major passing categories, Couch sits in the top 4 among the QBs on the ballot. Even more, the three QBs above Couch in passing yards and touchdowns, all started at least one more season. In Moore’s case, Boise State also played lesser competition.

It’s easy to tell that in his era and against SEC teams, Couch’s resume can go up against most quarterbacks. It would be a shame for a legendary quarterback like Couch to not be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, based on what would seem like a bias about his NFL career. Of course, that shouldn’t matter, as the CFB HOF is strictly about the college game.

Voting for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ends on June 30. The class will be announced in January 2024.

Kentucky football currently has five former players in the College Football Hall of Fame. Tim Couch is looking to join OT Robert Gain (1980), QB Vito Parilli (1982), OT Louis Andrew Michaels (1992), DE Stephen Frank Meilinger (2013), and DE Arthur Barry Still (2015).

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