We are ranking the Top 10 All-Time Best NFL Offensive Players from Texas high school football.
This list is based solely on each player’s NFL career — MVPs, total stats, All-Pro teams, Super Bowl wins, and Pro Bowl selections.
Landing at #2 is Drew Brees, the pride of Austin Westlake, and one of the most consistent and prolific quarterbacks the NFL has ever seen.
There’s a strong argument that Brees could rank anywhere on this list. While he wasn’t as physically dominant in his prime as Eric Dickerson or Earl Campbell, Brees’s résumé — Super Bowl win, Super Bowl MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards, and ranking second all-time in passing yards and touchdowns — makes his greatness undeniable. His 15+ years as a top 5 quarterback showcase a level of excellence matched by very few players in NFL history.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Dallas, Texas, Drew Brees overcame early adversity, including a torn ACL in high school. After recovering, he led Austin Westlake High School to a 16–0 season and a Texas 5A State Championship in 1996. Despite his standout career, concerns about his size limited his college offers to just Purdue and Kentucky.
College Career at Purdue
Brees chose Purdue and shattered Big Ten records in completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns. He led Purdue to its first Rose Bowl appearance in over 30 years and finished his career as one of the most decorated quarterbacks in conference history. Despite this success, NFL scouts questioned his pro potential due to his 6-foot frame.
NFL Career and Achievements
Drafted 32nd overall by the San Diego Chargers in 2001, Brees initially struggled but blossomed in 2004, earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. After a major shoulder injury, he signed with the New Orleans Saints — a franchise that had won just one playoff game in nearly 40 years.
From 2006 to 2020, Brees changed both the Saints’ fortunes and the NFL record books:
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Super Bowl Champion (XLIV) and Super Bowl MVP
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2× NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011)
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13× Pro Bowl Selection
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First-Team All-Pro (2006)
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4× Second-Team All-Pro
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7× NFL Passing Yards Leader
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4× NFL Passing Touchdowns Leader
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6× NFL Completion Percentage Leader
He also holds records for:
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Most 5,000-yard passing seasons (5)
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Most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (54)
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Highest single-season completion percentage (74.4% in 2018)
Over 20 seasons, Brees posted:
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80,358 passing yards (2nd all-time)
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571 passing touchdowns (2nd all-time)
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67.7% career completion percentage
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98.7 career passer rating
Brees led the NFL in passing yards a record seven times, more than any other quarterback.
Legacy
Drew Brees built a legacy on precision, preparation, and leadership. He didn’t rely on overpowering physical traits but excelled through his mind, accuracy, and consistency. Brees turned the Saints into a perennial contender and redefined what it meant to be a high-volume, high-efficiency passer.
While players like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning often dominated headlines, Brees consistently stayed among the NFL’s elite for nearly two decades. His influence on modern passing attacks, emphasizing quick decisions and pinpoint accuracy, is seen across today’s game.
Brees might not have multiple MVP awards, but his Super Bowl victory, endless NFL records, and unmatched consistency solidify him as one of the greatest players the NFL has ever seen.
Key Highlights
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Super Bowl Champion and MVP (XLIV)
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Second all-time in passing yards and touchdowns
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Most 5,000-yard seasons in NFL history (5)
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Leader in passing yards seven times
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NFL’s highest completion percentage record (74.4% in 2018)
