Drew Brees in undoubtedly the best quarterback in Purdue history. Brees currently leads the Big Ten in career passing yards (11,792), touchdowns (90), and completions (12,693). He also owns the record for the longest completed pass in NCAA history, which came against Northwestern on September 25, 1999.

Brees was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist. He was awarded the Big Ten MVP in 2000, the Maxwell Award, and the Academic All-America Player of the Year. He led Purdue to their first Rose Bowl appearance in 32 years.

Brees was drafted in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft by San Diego. Brees' NFL accomplishments include 4 Pro-Bowl selections, the 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year, three NFC Offensive Player of the Year awards, the 2009 Bert Bell Award, and the Super Bowl XLIV MVP.