(WBIR) Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf? That was the question many pro football experts were split on in 1998 regarding who should go first in the NFL draft. It seems comical in hindsight with Manning rewriting the record books and Leaf now considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history.
In 1994, University of Tennessee supporters faced a similarly odd question in hindsight. Yet, a now long-forgotten quarterback controversy truly divided the fan base of the Volunteers. The question: Peyton Manning or Branndon Stewart?
In hindsight, the glare of Manning's magnificent career makes it easy to forget there was once another freshman stud quarterback in 1994 who many UT fans wanted to play instead of Peyton Manning. The fight came down to #16 Peyton Manning and #6 Branndon Stewart from Texas.
Manning and Stewart went into the 1994 season in a battle for the third-string position. Torn knee ligaments ended Senior starting quarterback Jerry Colquitt's season as soon as it started. Then a knee injury sidelined backup Todd Helton, a two-sport star who went on to fame as an all-star Major League Baseball player.
Suddenly, two freshmen Vols vied for the starting spot. Manning was tall, skinny, and the top quarterback recruit in the country. Branndon Stewart arrived in Knoxville from Texas as a high school All-American with athleticism comparable to UT's previous star quarterback Heath Shuler.
A 1994 report on WBIR noted the quarterback controversy was born of necessity by stating, "It was hoped Manning and Stewart would be gently eased into their roles on the team as quarterbacks of future champions."
But Tennessee threw both freshmen into the fire. Stewart and Manning took turns alternating a few series each half. A lot of Vol fans thought the more mobile and athletic Stewart should get the nod over Manning. The boo birds even came out in Neyland Stadium when Peyton struggled.
"I remember one game against Memphis State, I didn't play a very good game and thought I heard a few boos," said Manning in a spring 1995 interview with WBIR. "Being Archie Manning's son playing with the Saints, I was used to boos. But that's pro football. Pro football, you're allowed to boo. I hadn't really heard of boos in college football before. So I didn't appreciate that much."
By the end of the 1994 season, Stewart may have been the fan favorite, but the coaches clearly started leaning towards Peyton Manning. In the Gator Bowl win over Virginia Tech, Manning played most of the game. Stewart quarterbacked three drives, two at the end of the first half and a third drive at the end of the game with the victory already in-hand.
A couple of weeks later in January 1995, Stewart transferred back to his home state to play for Texas A&M. WBIR interviewed many fans for reaction to Stewart's decision to transfer. While the quarterback controversy was now over by default, some UT fans were unhappy to only be left with Peyton Manning.
"I think Tennessee should get out and recruit another quarterback. They need one now," said one Tennessee fan in January 1995.
WEB EXTRA VIDEO: Watch Jan. 1995 WBIR story on Branndon Stewart transfer
Before the spring game in 1995 ahead of his sophomore season, WBIR did an extensive interview with Peyton Manning. The young quarterback reflected on the boos, the late-season success, and his future at Tennessee. WBIR asked Manning if he was confident he could win over UT fans, considering a lot of supporters favored Stewart.
"Well, I hope so," said Manning in April 1995. "I'm hoping this season, everybody will be behind the people that are here and be excited about the team. Hopefully, we'll have good support all year long."
Of course, Peyton managed to win over Tennessee fans that season and for eternity. Manning won 32 games and only lost 5 in his remaining three seasons at Tennessee. UT has retired his number 16, renamed a street on campus Peyton Manning Pass, named a locker room for Manning, and plastered a giant photograph of Manning on the side of Neyland Stadium.
Branndon Stewart went on to have a good college career at Texas A&M. Although he had some ups and downs with injuries, Stewart won a Big 12 conference championship and led the Aggies to the Sugar Bowl.
Now 20 years later, Stewart is still last quarterback to play ahead of a healthy Peyton Manning. Stewart never played in the NFL, but has found professional success in the business world as the founder and CEO of a software company called OutboundEngine based in Austin, Texas.
Hindsight shows Stewart's transfer was a good decision. He captained a team of his own to great success with some historic Aggie victories rather than fight for playing time against a Tennessee teammate who arguably became the greatest quarterback in football history.
