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Don McPherson
Quarterback • 1987
The Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1987, McPherson won the Maxwell (most outstanding player), Davey O’Brien (most outstanding quarterback) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm (most outstanding senior quarterback) awards. McPherson’s 164.3 passer rating that season led the NCAA and stands as an Orange record. He also set the school single-season records for most yards per pass attempt (10.2), most yards per completion (18.1) and threw a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive games. Upon graduating Syracuse, McPherson spent seven seasons in the NFL and CFL. After retiring from football in 1994, he joined the staff of Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, before becoming the first executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University. McPherson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and Syracuse retired his No. 9 jersey in 2013.
The Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1987, McPherson won the Maxwell (most outstanding player), Davey O’Brien (most outstanding quarterback) and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm (most outstanding senior quarterback) awards. McPherson’s 164.3 passer rating that season led the NCAA and stands as an Orange record. He also set the school single-season records for most yards per pass attempt (10.2), most yards per completion (18.1) and threw a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive games. Upon graduating Syracuse, McPherson spent seven seasons in the NFL and CFL. After retiring from football in 1994, he joined the staff of Northeastern University’s Center for the Study of Sport in Society, before becoming the first executive director of the Sports Leadership Institute at Adelphi University. McPherson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and Syracuse retired his No. 9 jersey in 2013.
