Purdue football great Drew Brees congratulates Indiana, laments college football landscape

Drew Brees doesn't like the direction college football has taken in recent years, but he begrudgingly congratulates Indiana football for making the most of it.

The All-American quarterback for Purdue a quarter century ago talked about his Old Oaken Bucket competitor on Saturday, June 20, as he served as grand marshal for the NASCAR O'Reilly Series race in San Diego.

"I've never met (IU coach) Curt Cignetti, but I watched a lot of (his games), and I couldn't be more impressed with what he built there, as far as the culture and setting the standard, and upholding everybody to that standard," Brees said. "You have to have a quarterback to go and have that level of success. They obviously found a great one."

Fernando Mendoza won the Heisman Trophy on the way to IU's undefeated season. Brees finished third in Heisman voting in 2000, behind Florida State's Chris Weinke and Oklahoma's Josh Heupel. Brees was fourth in 1999.

Brees made sure to bring up the Hoosiers' football history. He played in four Bucket games from 1997-2000, winning them all by a total score of 179-51.

"This is Indiana University, one of the losingest programs in the history of college football," he said. "In two short years, they became national champions. National champions.

"We're talking about Indiana … in football."

Drew Brees on NIL, transfer portal

Brees also discussed the system that allowed IU to go from doormat to champs in two years.

"It just goes to show where we are in college football right now with NIL in the transfer portal. It makes you feel that, with a good budget (adding a chuckle) and the right selection process, that any college football team can be a contender very quickly.

"The way (Cignetti) went out and got a bunch of veteran players that had something to prove, had a chip on their shoulder."

All of that can make fall Saturdays exciting, but the rest of the year worrisome, Brees said.

"It makes you think that every weekend, anything is possible in college football. I think the system is somewhat broken right now," he said. "I think it's put a lot of universities and alumni fanbases in tough positions to try to support the system. It makes for some pretty exciting Saturdays, that's for sure."

Drew Brees is here to give command for the OReilly race. I asked the former Purdue quarterback what he thought of Indiana winning the NCAA football championship (I didn't say I was an IU grad). He gave a thoughtful answer and analysis of college football. @NASCARONFOX@CFBONFOXpic.twitter.com/5zdgDSP7ze

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 20, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana football gets praise from Purdue great Drew Brees, who laments portal