Senior quarterback Josh Vogelbach has more than proven himself to be the most prolific quarterback in Guilford College history. During his impressive tenure, Vogelbach has set 17 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) records ranging from single-game and season records for attempts and touchdowns to career records for passing yards and total offense.
Vogelbach’s remarkable march through the record books is certainly a credit to his individual ability, but is also a tremendous tribute to the players around him.
“I was blessed,” said Vogelbach. “There has been a good team here all four years, and I was just fortunate to have an offensive line that gave me time to throw, and receivers that made plays. It feels good (to break those records), and it’s a privilege to hold those honors, but my team deserves that honor just as much as I do.”
“It’s great to see Vogelbach’s individual success, but they are just a few of the many offensive records we have set as a team,” said offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Mark Hargis.
After last week’s record-breaking performance during the homecoming loss to Catholic University, Vogelbach received a “Helmet Sticker” on ESPN’s College Football Final, a show dedicated to the accomplishments and highlights of college football around the country.
Helmet stickers are distributed weekly, honoring players who deliver stellar performances on Saturday.
College Football Final usually presents stickers to Division I standouts such as the University of Florida quarterback, and 2007’s Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, but bestowed the honors upon Vogelbach this week as a tribute to his career.
“Getting it done in Division III,” said Rece Davis of ESPN, as he awarded his helmet sticker to Vogelbach.
“I was pretty shocked to see Guilford College on television,” said sophomore kick-returner Jordan Nelson. “It is pretty amazing to see a Division III player get recognized on national television.”
Vogelbach received the weekly distinction alongside 2008 Heisman hopeful, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.
Vogelbach doesn’t have to brag about his ESPN debut; his stats speak for himself. He transferred to Guilford in 2005 after a brief stint at East Carolina and a four-year career at Bishop Verot High School, where he still owns every passing record.
The new quarterback’s impact was immediate at Guilford. In just his first year, the Florida native set NCAA freshman records for attempts, completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and total offensive yards. His outstanding first-year campaign earned him “Freshman of the Year” honors within the ODAC, making him the first Guilford player to ever garner the title.
In his final season, Vogelbach continued adding to his already impressive resume. His senior season saw most of his freshman records become career standards, and amassed over 3,000 yards passing for the fourth time in as many years.
Vogelbach completed 1,169 of his 1,982 passes for over 13, 591 yards, both NCAA records. He averages 30.5 completions, 50.9 attempts, 352 yards, and 3.5 touchdowns per game, and ranks seventh in career passing and ninth in total offense in all NCAA divisions.
“It’s an honor to be mentioned with guys of that caliber (Philip Rivers, Timmy Chang, Kevin Kolb) who have excelled in college as well as the NFL,” said Vogelbach. “It’s a privilege to be put in that statistical category.”
In May, Vogelbach graduates with a degree in exercise and sport sciences, and will leave his collegiate playing days behind him. Vogelbach exits Guilford as its greatest quarterback and perhaps even the best passer in NCAA Division III history.