| Year | Player | Yds | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Rakeem Cato | 4232 | Marshall |
| 2011 | Case Keenum* | 5666 | Houston |
| 2010 | G.J. Kinne* | 4211 | Tulsa |
| 2009 | Case Keenum* | 5829 | Houston |
| 2008 | Case Keenum* | 5241 | Houston |
| 2007 | Paul Smith* | 5184 | Tulsa |
| 2006 | Kevin Kolb* | 3963 | Houston |
| 2005 | Kevin Kolb* | 3458 | Houston |
| 2004 | Darrell Hackney* | 3026 | Alabama-Birmingham |
| 2003 | Stefan Lefors* | 3550 | Louisville |
| 2002 | Gino Guidugli* | 3570 | Cincinnati |
| 2001 | Dave Ragone | 3122 | Louisville |
| 2000 | Patrick Ramsey | 2886 | Tulane |
| 1999 | Chris Redman | 3537 | Louisville |
| 1998 | Shaun King* | 4149 | Tulane |
| 1997 | Shaun King | 3078 | Tulane |
| 1996 | Chuck Clements | 2334 | Houston |