By Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - There has been a long line of great quarterbacks at Saint John's University since the program's inception at the start of the 20th century.

But Jackson Erdmann now stands alone atop that list.

The senior four-year starter threw for 458 yards and five touchdowns in last Saturday's 55-26 victory over Chapman (California) in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

That performance gave him a career total of 10,890 career passing yards, breaking the previous school and MIAC record of 10,737 set by Alex Kofoed '07 – the Johnnies' starter from 2004-07.

Erdmann had already surpassed Kofoed's school and conference record for career touchdown passes earlier this season. His total now stands at 133 heading into this Saturday's national quarterfinal matchup at Wheaton (Illinois).

Kickoff between the eighth-ranked Johnnies (11-1) and third-ranked Thunder (12-0) is scheduled for noon at McCully Stadium.

In all, Erdmann holds seven school passing records – including most career games of 300 yards or more (13, nine of which have come this season). And he is now just two wins shy of Kofoed's record for most wins as a starter (38).

"That doesn't happen without all the talented wide receivers, running backs and tight ends I've had around me since I've been here," Erdmann said. "Or without the offensive line giving me time, the coaching staff we have calling the right plays and our defense giving us the ball back. It's a total team effort. I'm in the position to make plays. But we're all executing as one."

But while Erdmann is quick to share the credit, his accomplishments have certainly earned the admiration of his predecessors at SJU.

"Jackson is a special person who happens to be the best quarterback to ever put on the red and white for Saint John's," said Tom Linnemann '00 (left, with Erdmann at CSB's Gorecki Center), the quarterback who led the Johnnies to a berth in the 2000 national title game and has gotten to know Erdmann well during the latter's time in Collegeville.

"What he's done on the field is unbelievable. He's passed for more yards, more touchdowns, more everything; they should probably rename the record book the Jackson Book. But the reason that I love him is due to how he leads. He's a positive force who gets the most out of his teammates and is someone who understands what it means to be a Johnnie."

Count the quarterback whose career touchdown and passing yardage records Erdmann has now broken as a big fan as well.

"He's explosive as a passer," Kofoed said. "He can throw the ball all over the place and he's so consistent.

"I think that's the thing that has been most impressive to me. He just doesn't make that many mistakes. He keeps the offense marching up and down the field game in and game out."

Indeed, in 44 career appearances since breaking into the starting lineup in 2016, the Rosemount High School graduate (who spent a redshirt season at Division I Penn State in 2015) has thrown just 26 interceptions.

"The first thing you notice about him is his arm, which is exceptional," said Jeff Norman '78, who led the Johnnies to the 1976 Division III national title under center.

"But the next thing you notice is that he makes a lot of good decisions with the football. I think he's the best passer we've had at Saint John's. I've been watching his games a long time. And I'd easily compare him to a Division I quarterback. He's so much fun to watch. He adds a whole new dimension to the game when he's out there."

Those sentiments were echoed by two other quarterbacks who led the Johnnies to national titles.

"The guy is just unbelievable," said Craig Muyres '64, the starter on the 1963 squad that won that season's NAIA national championship – the first of four national titles the program has won in all.

"Just look at the number of passes he's completed, his yards per game and his touchdowns. Saint John's has never had a quarterback like him before. He's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of talent. There's no hesitation on his part on the field. "And he looks like he always has a positive attitude. Those are the ingredients that make a great quarterback."

"He's taken Division III quarterbacking to a new level," added Ryan Keating '03, the starter on the 2003 Division III national title team – the school's last national championship.

"He has an awesome presence in the pocket. He has a super-strong arm. And he understands the game exceptionally well. But I think something that's probably underrated about him is that he seems like an incredible person. And I'm sure that's why guys probably trust him so much in the huddle. 

"They know he's a true leader."

Erdmann's accomplishments off the field truly are just as impressive as what he's achieved on it. 

He's been extraordinarily active in the fight against sex trafficking – including an 18-day service trip to Thailand as a sophomore.

He's also led a church youth group, taught an ESL class and volunteered with SJU's Kids Fighting Hunger meal-packing event the past four years.

Those efforts and others played as much a role as his playmaking in making him the fourth Johnnie to win the Gagliardi Trophy – handed out annually by Jostens and the SJU J-Club to the most outstanding Division III football player on and off the field.

Erdmann won the award as a junior a year ago, and is again a semifinalist this season.

"Jackson and I talk a lot," Linnemann said. We talk about football, but mostly about leadership. He cares about his teammates and sets such a high standard that others are compelled to match. Every time he FaceTimes me he talks about his offensive lineman. He is the consummate teammate who always puts his teammates first.

"Jackson is the GOAT. The greatest of all-time. He's my favorite football player to watch at any level. What he's done at Saint John's is the new gold standard for quarterbacks. He's inspiring the kids who emulate him after games in Collegeville - pretending that they're him as they throw a game-winning touchdown to their friends. The impact that he's had on the program will continue to grow in the years to come as those kids grow up and try to be the next Jackson Erdmann."

Of course, there is one goal Erdmann himself has yet to meet – winning a national title. He said that would be the ultimate way to cap off his already-legendary career in Collegeville.

"That's always been the goal," he said. "All the awards and records are nice. But the main goal is winning. And we know we have a tough test in front of this week.

"So that's where all of our focus is as a team."