Where Did Brock Purdy Go To College? Iowa State Career, Records & NFL Journey

Brock Purdy’s High School Career: Perry High School

Before becoming a collegiate record-breaker and NFL starter, Brock Purdy developed his quarterback skills at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Growing up in the nearby suburb of Queen Creek, Purdy emerged as one of Arizona’s top high school football players during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

At Perry, Purdy demonstrated the same pocket poise, accuracy, and competitive intensity that would later define his professional career. He led the Pumas to deep playoff runs in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) 6A Conference and earned All-State recognition for his performances. His high school stat lines featured impressive passing yardage, a high completion rate, and the kind of game management skills that NFL scouts would later identify as pro-ready.

Despite his strong high school resume, Purdy was not heavily recruited by traditional powerhouse programs. He was rated as a three-star prospect by the major recruiting services — a ranking that would later become a major part of his underdog narrative. The relatively modest recruiting profile made his decision to commit to Iowa State University both logical and pivotal for his career trajectory.

Why Brock Purdy Chose Iowa State University

Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa, is a public research university founded in 1858 with a student enrollment of approximately 30,000. Its football program competes in the Big 12 Conference of the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Cyclones play home games at Jack Trice Stadium, which seats approximately 61,500 fans and is named after Jack Trice, the first African American athlete at Iowa State who tragically died from injuries sustained during a 1923 game.

Purdy committed to Iowa State largely because of head coach Matt Campbell, who had been building the Cyclones program into a competitive Big 12 force since taking over in 2016. Campbell offered Purdy something the larger programs did not — an early opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job and a specific offensive scheme that aligned with Purdy’s strengths: quick decision-making, accuracy in the short-to-intermediate passing game, and the ability to extend plays with mobility.

The decision proved transformative for both Purdy and the Iowa State program. Within his first season, Purdy won the starting quarterback position and immediately elevated the Cyclones’ competitiveness in one of college football’s most challenging conferences.

Iowa State Cyclones: Complete College Career Breakdown

Purdy’s four seasons at Iowa State (2019–2022) represent one of the most productive quarterback tenures in Big 12 Conference history. He earned the starting role as a true freshman — an uncommon achievement at the FBS level — and never relinquished it.

The 2020 season was arguably the most remarkable for both Purdy and the Iowa State program. Under he and Coach Matt Campbell’s leadership, the Cyclones reached the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in program history, ultimately falling to Oklahoma. That season also saw Iowa State earn a berth in the Fiesta Bowl (part of the New Year’s Six bowl lineup), where they defeated Oregon 34–17 — one of the biggest bowl victories in Cyclones history.

Iowa State Record Breaker: All-Time Stats

By the time Purdy declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, he had established himself as the most accomplished quarterback in Iowa State Cyclones football history. His statistical dominance across four seasons rewrote virtually every meaningful passing record in the program’s record book.

Beyond raw statistics, Purdy elevated the Iowa State program’s national profile. Under his leadership, the Cyclones earned rankings in both the AP Top 25 and College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings — a rare achievement for a program historically considered a mid-tier Big 12 team. He became the first quarterback to lead Iowa State to four consecutive bowl game appearances, including the prestigious Fiesta Bowl (a New Year’s Six game) following the 2020 season.

First-Team All-Big 12 Honors

Purdy’s consistent excellence was formally recognized with First-Team All-Big 12 selection twice:

• 2020: First-Team All-Big 12 (Coaches’ Poll) — the season Iowa State reached the Big 12 Championship Game and won the Fiesta Bowl
• 2021: First-Team All-Big 12 (Associated Press) — his junior campaign where he threw for over 3,100 yards and 19 touchdowns

Earning All-Conference honors in the Big 12 is particularly meaningful because the conference has historically produced some of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history, including Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Kyler Murray (Oklahoma), and Robert Griffin III (Baylor). Purdy’s ability to earn First-Team recognition in this talent-rich landscape validated his skills against elite competition.

Family of Athletes

Athletic talent runs deep in the Purdy family. Brock is not the only member of his household to compete at a high level in professional or collegiate sports:

Brock’s father Shawn Purdy played baseball at the University of Miami — one of the NCAA’s top baseball programs — and competed professionally in the minor leagues from 1991 to 1998. Growing up in a household where professional-level athletic discipline was the norm gave Brock an early advantage in understanding the work ethic, routine, and mental preparation required to compete at elite levels.

From Mr. Irrelevant to NFL Starter

Despite his record-breaking Iowa State career, Purdy was not highly projected by NFL Draft analysts. On April 30, 2022, the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft — making him the official “Mr. Irrelevant”, a tongue-in-cheek title given to the last player selected in each year’s draft.

The “Mr. Irrelevant” label typically signals a player unlikely to make an NFL roster, let alone start. Since the tradition began in 1976, very few final picks have gone on to meaningful NFL careers. Purdy shattered that narrative entirely — becoming arguably the most successful Mr. Irrelevant in NFL history.

His path to the starting role was accelerated by injuries to quarterbacks Trey Lance (season-ending ankle fracture in Week 2) and Jimmy Garoppolo (broken foot in Week 13). When Purdy entered the lineup in December 2022, he performed at a level no one — except perhaps head coach Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers scouting staff — anticipated.

NFL Career with the San Francisco 49ers

Since taking over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback, Purdy has established himself as one of the NFL’s most efficient and productive passers. His NFL career milestones include:

• 2022 Rookie Season: Went 5-0 as a starter in the regular season; finished 3rd in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting; named 2023 team captain
• 2022 NFC Wild Card: Became the first rookie in NFL history to throw four touchdown passes in a postseason game, defeating the Seattle Seahawks 41-23
• 2022 NFC Championship: Led the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles, though suffered an UCL elbow injury in the first half
• 2023 Season: Returned from elbow surgery to lead the 49ers to a 12-5 regular season record; led the NFL in passer rating and threw for over 4,200 yards with 31 touchdowns
• Super Bowl LVIII (February 2024): Led the 49ers to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, facing the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs won 25-22 in overtime

Super Bowl LVIII and Playoff History

Super Bowl LVIII, played on February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, represented a culmination of Purdy’s remarkable journey from Iowa State walk-on hopeful to Mr. Irrelevant to Super Bowl starting quarterback. The game pitted Purdy’s San Francisco 49ers against Patrick Mahomes and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The 49ers held a lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Chiefs mounted a comeback in the final minutes, eventually winning 25-22 in overtime. Despite the loss, Purdy’s performance — composed under pressure, accurate in critical moments, and decisive in a game watched by over 123 million viewers (the most-watched television broadcast in American history at the time) — demonstrated that he belongs among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

Purdy’s postseason history through his first three NFL seasons is remarkably impressive for any quarterback, let alone a former final draft pick. His playoff experience includes:

Off the Field: Personal Life & Interests

Away from football, Purdy is known for his grounded, low-key personality. He married his longtime girlfriend Jenna Brandt, and the couple shares a life that prioritizes family, faith, and outdoor recreation.

Purdy has openly shared that his favorite activities outside of football include:

• Camping and outdoor recreation: His favorite off-season activity
• Largemouth bass fishing: A long-time passion he regularly pursues
• Spending time with his golden retriever: His beloved pet and trail companion

His personality — humble, team-first, and refreshingly normal for a professional athlete earning a starting quarterback salary — reflects the values instilled by his family upbringing in Arizona and further refined during four years in the hardworking, community-centered environment of Ames, Iowa.

Frequently Asked Questions