College football fans are passionate, loyal, and a little petty—especially when it comes to the opposing team’s star player. If you torch their defense or flex a little too hard after a touchdown, you’ve just earned yourself a lifetime supply of boos.
Over the years, a special group of players has managed to unite fan bases in mutual hatred. Whether it was because of cocky celebrations, controversial comments, or just winning way too much, these guys became villains in stadiums across the country.
25. Manti Te’o
His play was undeniable, but the fake girlfriend saga made him a punchline. Notre Dame fatigue didn’t help his case either.
24. Sam Bradford
He was too quiet, too efficient, and just kept beating people. Opposing fans disliked how unchallenged he was at Oklahoma.
23. Kenny Pickett
The fake slide play alone earned him boos for life. Add in the Pitt swagger, and you’ve got a villain.
22. Terrelle Pryor
The tattoos, the hype, the Ohio State attitude—it all rubbed people the wrong way. And when he was rolling, it was even worse.
21. Bo Nix
Every Auburn fan loved him until they didn’t. Everyone else? They were never on board, to begin with.
20. Graham Mertz
The hype train left the station fast and derailed even quicker. Fans didn’t appreciate the media’s love for mediocre results.
19. Mark Sanchez
Yes, he made it to the NFL and had that butt fumble, but his USC days were full of smug smiles and unnecessary confidence. The Trojans already had a target on their back, and Sanchez made it bigger.
18. Anthony Richardson
He was flashy, athletic, and polarizing at the University of Florida. People either saw a star or a wildly inconsistent QB, and that fueled the fire.
17. Trevor Lawrence
Too perfect, too pretty, and too dominant. Watching him carve up defenses with that hair flowing was maddening for rival fans.
16. Colt McCoy
He was annoyingly consistent at Texas. And when you play for the Longhorns, that’s all it takes for national hate.
15. Johnny Manziel
He was the king of college football chaos. If you weren’t an Aggie, you were rooting for him to get humbled.
14. Baker Mayfield
Planting flags, grabbing crotches, and nonstop trash talk made him Public Enemy No. 1. He loved being hated and leaned in.
13. Jalen Ramsey
He talked the talk and walked the walk at Florida State. Most fans wanted to mute him—too bad they couldn’t stop him either.
12. Quinn Ewers
The mullet, the NIL money, the Ohio State transfer drama—he had villain written all over him before he even started. And then he went to Texas, which sealed the deal.
11. AJ McCarron
Between the titles and the camera time for his girlfriend, fans had plenty of reasons to roll their eyes. Alabama’s fatigue made him an easy target.
10. Cam Newton
Auburn fans adored him, but the rest of the country was skeptical. The pay-for-play controversy and his unstoppable play made him a college football heel.
9. Jameis Winston
He racked up wins—and headlines—for all the wrong reasons. Even with a national title, he was always surrounded by drama.
8. Reggie Bush
He was too good and too Hollywood. The NCAA issues didn’t help his reputation with opposing fanbases either.
7. Christian McCaffrey
Stanford isn’t used to having a lightning rod, but McCaffrey’s quiet dominance irked a lot of fans. His Heisman snub only added to the divisive energy.
6. Vince Young
His national title heroics broke many hearts. USC fans especially would prefer to forget he ever existed.
5. Cardale Jones
He didn’t come to play school, and he made that clear to everyone. That tweet alone made him infamous beyond Ohio State.
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4. Tim Tebow
You either thought he was the ultimate competitor or a walking sermon. Either way, you probably had a strong opinion about him.
Read More: The 15 Most Hated Quarterbacks of All Time
3. Deshaun Watson
He was too clutch, too cool, and always spoiled someone’s championship dreams. Clemson’s rise with him under center made haters multiply.
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2. Joe Burrow
The swagger was off the charts, and he backed it up. LSU fans loved it, but everyone else couldn’t wait for him to lose.
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1. Caleb Williams
He paints his nails to taunt opponents and smiles while doing it. Add USC to the mix, and he became college football’s ultimate 21st-century villain.
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