Air Seminoles: Florida State’s Greatest Single-Season Touchdown Passers

The Florida State Seminoles football team has been around since 1902, and built quite a rich history. They have an all-time record of 583-291-17, have won 19 conference titles, and three national titles, and plenty of that success has been on the strength of high-powered passing games.

They have also had three Heisman winners come through their program -- all quarterbacks. FSU has been part of the ACC since 1992 and holds a 29-18-3 record in bowl games. They are known for both explosive offense and dominant defenses.

Historically, the Seminoles have had several elite quarterbacks, Heisman or not. Let's take a closer look at the single-season passing touchdown leaders.

Winston had an incredible two-year run at FSU. In 2013, as a redshirt freshman, Winston led the Seminoles to an undefeated season and a BCS National Championship. He won the Heisman Trophy, becoming only the second freshman to win the award and the youngest at the time. In his two seasons at Florida State, Winston posted a 26-1 record and 7,964 passing yards.

Known for his fun personality and positive energy, Winston was selected first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, the only Seminole ever in that spot.

In 1999, Weinke led FSU to an undefeated season and a national championship in the Sugar Bowl. In 2000, Weinke became the oldest player to win the Heisman at 28 years old. At Florida State, he holds school records for career passing yards and most yards in a season. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Weinke spent seven years in and out of the league, with stints on the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers over five collective seasons.

Kanell played for FSU from 1992-95. Kanell posted a 20-3-1 record, won two ACC titles, and earned multiple bowl victories. He holds Florida State records for single-game pass attempts and completions. Kanell was named ACC Player of the Year in 1995 and was a two-time First-Team All-ACC selection. After college, he was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants in 1996, and later played for the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos.

Ward was a dual-sport athlete at FSU. Ward led the Seminoles to their first-ever national championship in 1993, and also won the Heisman Trophy that year. During his Heisman season, he completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,032 yards, and threw an ACC-best 27 touchdown passes. Ward was also a point guard for the basketball team and went on to have a 12-year NBA career, primarily with the New York Knicks. But in college, he left a significant mark for the Seminoles on the gridiron.

Cappleman played for Florida State from 1967-69, and for a time held career records for passing yards (4,904) and touchdowns (39). In 1969, he recorded 508 passing yards in a single game, which still ranks as the third-most in program history. In 1968, Cappleman led the Seminoles to an 8-2 record (8-3 overall) and an appearance in the Peach Bowl, where they lost 31-27 to LSU. He earned honorable mention All-American honors in both 1968 and 1969.

Huff was a legendary figure for the Seminoles, playing from 1970-72. He set school records for passing yards, total offense, and touchdowns by the end of his career at FSU. Huff was a First-Team All-American in 1972 and finished 10th in Heisman Trophy voting that same year. He had a historic performance in the 1971 Fiesta Bowl, helping three receivers surpass 100 receiving yards. After college, Huff played six seasons in the NFL and was part of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first franchise win, after they'd infamously gone winless in their inaugural season.

Busby was the quarterback for Florida State in the mid-1990s. Busby's career record as the starter was 21-2, and he guided FSU to consecutive 11-1 seasons and No. 3 rankings in the Associated Press polls. In 1997, he was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-ACC honors. Busby finished his Florida State career with 5,916 passing yards, which at the time was third in school history, plus 46 touchdowns. After college, he went undrafted in 1998 and never played an NFL game, but spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns.

The Seminoles football program is known for its rich traditions, the famous war chant, and a history of sustained success. The battle chant, which is now a tradition at the stadium, started in the 1980s. Florida State fans are proud of the tomahawk chop.

FSU has always had good teams, with many seasons of 10 wins or more. The school is also known for having a great athletics program, with 17 national titles in all sports. The Unconquered Statue, which is lit up before big athletic events, is one of its most famous icons. It stands for the strength and determination of the Seminole people, and few athletes at the school embody that more than their long list of great quarterbacks.