Top 5 playmaking duos in college football ft. Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase

There have been numerous dynamic playmaking duos throughout college football history, but few stand above the rest. These duos offer a one-two punch that tormented opposing teams and helped their respective units find great success.

The upcoming 2024–25 season is sure to offer even more playmaking duos that could land their names on the all-time list. As fans gear up for the rapidly approaching season, now is the perfect time to look at five of the most dangerous playmaking duos in college football history.

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Top 5 playmaking duos in college football

#5 Pat White, QB and Steve Slaton, RB (West Virginia)

West Virginia RB #10 Steve Slaton [Image: IMAGN]

Pat White and Steve Slaton spent three years together in the offensive backfield at West Virginia. The Mountaineers finished with a combined record of 33-5 during the three seasons with White and Slaton.

Slaton earned All-American honors in 2006 and finished fourth in Heisman voting after tallying 2,104 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns.

White was the Big East Offensive Player of the Year in both 2006 and 2007, while finishing sixth in Heisman voting in 2007. His best season alongside Slaton was in 2007, when he threw for 1,724 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 1,335 rushing yards.

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#4 Tim Tebow, QB and Percy Harvin, WR (Florida)

Florida QB #15 Tim Tebow [Image: IMAGN]

Tim Tebow was a member of two national championship teams at Florida and won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

His Heisman Trophy win was well earned after a season in which he finished with 3,286 yards passing and 32 touchdowns. He also added 295 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground.

Percy Harvin offered a versatile option for Tebow during their three seasons together, both on the ground and through the air.

Harvin showcased his dynamic playmaking ability during the 2007 season, with 764 yards rushing and 858 yards receiving with 10 total touchdowns. He finished his final season at Florida with 1,304 yards from scrimmage and a career-high 17 total touchdowns.

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#3 Joe Burrow, QB and Ja'Marr Chase, WR (LSU)

LSU QB Joe Burrow

LSU Tigers quarterback and wide receiver duo Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase dominated college football during their two seasons together, in 2018 and 2019.

Burrow's outstanding 2019 campaign saw him win SEC Offensive Player of the Year along with the Heisman Trophy, while leading the Tigers to a national title. He threw for a career-high 5,671 yards and 60 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

Ja'Marr Chase collected 84 receptions for a record-breaking 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns during his sophomore season in 2019. Chase earned All-American honors that season and paired with Burrow to lead LSU to a national championship victory.

This would be Chase's final season of college football before sitting out the 2020 season and subsequently entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

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#2 Barry Sanders, RB and Thurman Thomas, RB (Oklahoma State)

Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas led a one-two punch in the backfield for the Oklahoma State Cowboys for two seasons, in 1986 and 1987. Thomas had already established himself as a top back in college football, finishing with 1,553 yards and 15 touchdowns the season prior to Sanders' arrival.

Things would get even worse for opposing defenses when Sanders entered the program alongside Thomas in 1986. The two combined for 3,282 yards and 34 total touchdowns during their two seasons together.

Then, Sanders had his breakout season in 1988 as the lead back, with Thomas going to the 1988 NFL Draft.

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#1 Reggie Bush, RB and Matt Leinart, QB (USC)

USC RB #5 Reggie Bush [Image: IMAGN]

Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart won the Heisman in consecutive years during their three seasons together at USC. The two led USC to a combined 37-2 record, including back-to-back national titles, in 2003 and 2004.

Leinart took home the 2004 Heisman Trophy as the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year for the second season in a row. He completed 65.3% of his passes for 3,322 yards and 33 touchdowns with just six interceptions.

Bush was the winner of the Heisman Trophy in 2005 after posting 1,740 yards rushing and 478 yards receiving with 18 total touchdowns. He finished his three-year college football career as a two-time All-American and two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year.

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Which college football playmaking duo do you think was the most dangerous? Let us know in the comment section.

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