Where Did Aaron Rodgers First Play in College?
Aaron Rodgers has put together an impressive NFL career playing for the Green Bay Packers and, more recently, the New York Jets. When he retires, it won’t be long before he hears his name called for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
As a college football player, Rodgers had a unique journey. Before becoming a standout at the University of California, Berkeley, he spent a year playing at a community college.
Aaron Rodgers started his football career playing at a community college
Rodgers was not a top recruit out of Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California, possibly due to his slight stature (5-foot-10 and 165 pounds). However, as a junior, he set a single-season school record with 2,466 total yards. In 2002, Rodgers graduated high school with an A- average and a 1310 SAT score, according to The New York Times.
Rodgers only received one college football offer: a walk-on spot to receive a scholarship at Illinois. Instead, he chose to play at Butte Community College. He led the school to a 10-1 record, the NorCal Conference championship, and a No. 2 national ranking, according to Bleacher Report.
It didn’t take long for the University of California, Berkeley to notice Rodgers, and he only needed one year of junior college before transferring. From junior college player to Super Bowl champion, Rodgers has come a long way.
Aaron Rodgers was a standout at UC Berkeley
The Chico, California native had a lot of success in his two years with the Golden Bears. During the 2003 season, Rodgers was named the starting quarterback for the fifth game of the season, leading UC Berkeley to a 7-3 record. That season he tied the school record for 300-yard games with five and set a school record for the lowest percentage of intercepted passes at 1.43%.
The next season, Rodgers led Cal to a 10-1 record. The team finished with a No. 5 ranking at the end of the regular season. The Golden Bears’ only loss came from USC, 23-17. Rodgers finished the season throwing for 2,566 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. He played his last college game during the Holiday Bowl, losing to Texas Tech 45-31. After spending two years at Cal, Rodgers declared for the NFL draft, and the rest is history.
Rodgers has put together a Hall of Fame NFL career
Rodgers got his opportunity to shine for Green Bay in 2007. He served as the backup quarterback to Hall of Famer Brett Farve when he joined the Packers. Farve got injured during the 2007 season, and it was Rodgers’ turn to step up. During a regular-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, Rodgers replaced Farve and put together an impressive performance. He threw for 201 yards and also threw his first NFL touchdown.
The next season, Farve announced his retirement. Rodgers became the starting quarterback and never looked back. Rodgers was named the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Year in 2010 after throwing for 3,922 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Packers made it to the Super Bowl that season and took on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns during the game as Green Bay defeated the Steelers. Rodgers was named the Super Bowl MVP.
Rodgers has an impressive resume. He’s a two-time NFL MVP (2011 and 2014), a three-time All-Pro selection, and an eight-time Pro Bowl selection. When you think about the best quarterbacks in the last decade, Rodgers’ name is on that list. He has set numerous records throughout his career, and at 39, he’s still playing at a high level. Now, fans look forward to seeing what he can do with the New York Jets.
Stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference
