B. J. Symons

Brian James "B. J." Symons (born November 19, 1980) was an American football quarterback, last playing for the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted by the Houston Texans in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft (248th overall). He played college football for Texas Tech.

High school career
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Symons was a standout quarterback at Cypress Creek High School. Symons was offered scholarships by Texas Tech and University of Oklahoma. Symons chose Tech for its pass-happy spread attack.

College career
Symons started for one season as quarterback for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. During his only season as a starter (his senior year), Texas Tech finished the season 8-5, and Symons broke the NCAA record for single-season passing yards at 5,833 yards. Symons set the NCAA 12-Game Passing Record with 5,336 yards in 2003. He broke Ty Detmer’s record of 5,188, set in 1990 at BYU. Symons also established a new NCAA 12-Game Total Offense Record with 5,476 yards this season. At the time of his graduation Symons held the Big 12 and Tech record with 48 touchdown passes in one season. Symons broke Kliff Kingsbury’s school and Big 12 single-season record of 45 touchdown passes. During the season, B. J. Symons tore his ACL while celebrating a touchdown pass against Iowa State. Although his statistics suffered slightly, he was still able to complete the most prolific season of passing in NCAA history. After finishing his career by extending his single-season passing record to 5,833 yards, he told reporters he will undergo reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament. Symons ended his senior year with 52 TD passes, second only to the 54 thrown by Houston's David Klingler in 1994. His favorite target, Wes Welker, tied an NCAA record by catching a pass in his 47th consecutive game.

During the season he had a stretch where he threw for 4,036 yards in just 9 games including 586 yards against North Carolina State University, 661 yards against the University of Mississippi, and 505 yards against Texas A&M University.

2003 Houston Bowl
Tech was selected to play in the EV1.net Houston Bowl against Navy at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas, giving Symons the opportunity to play his collegiate game in his hometown. Symons threw touchdown passes to Nehimiah Glover, Jarrett Hicks, and 2 touchdown passes to Mickey Peters en route to a 38-14 win over Navy. Symons was selected as offensive MVP for the game, capping off his season with 5,833 passing yards and 52 touchdowns.

Accolades

 * Big 12 Coaches' Second Team
 * Dallas Morning News All-Big 12 Second Team
 * Sammy Baugh Trophy recipient (nation's top collegiate quarterback)
 * Associated Press All-Big 12 Second Team
 * Chevrolet National Offensive Player of the Year
 * Fort Worth Star-Telegram All-Big 12 Second Team
 * Big 12 Conference Academic Second Team
 * San Antonio Express-News All-Big 12 Second Team
 * CollegeFootballNews.com All-America Honorable Mention
 * NCAA record for single-season passing yards (5,833 yrds)

Professional career
In the NFL Combine, Symons weighed 211 pounds, was 6 feet 3 inches, and ran a 5.20-second 40 yard dash. He was selected in the seventh round of the 2004 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. After spending a season with the Texans and another with the Frankfurt Galaxy, he was cut by the Chicago Bears in 2006. He then played with the Berlin Thunder for the rest of the season, until the NFL Europe folded. In 2007, he signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League. He was released from his contract when the team went bankrupt in 2009.