Ranking the top 10 SEC quarterbacks who dominated the 21st century

USA Today

2 days ago

The Southeastern Conference has produced legendary quarterbacks who have created long-lasting, historic moments on the gridiron.
As simple as the statement is, it can't be emphasized enough. The league's quarterback play has been consistently incredible since the conference was established in 1932. While signal-callers such as Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Archie Manning, Steve Spurrier and Pat Sullivan set the foundation, stars like Peyton Manning, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Couch carried that legacy into a new horizon.
Of the top 16 gunslingers in career passing yards in SEC history, 13 played their entire careers in the 21st century. That is a testament to the constant development of the game, combined with excellent coaches like Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Dan Mullen, Spurrier and many more. The league's developers passed their knowledge down to the new generation of head coaches like Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin and Josh Heupel, all of whom have sent multiple quarterbacks to the NFL.
Every great SEC signal-caller has poured blood, sweat and tears to lead their teams to the next level in college football. In the 21st century, there is no argument that the country's best quarterbacks are in a particular league. The league's generals have produced highlights that will last forever, historic marks that have yet to be broken and raised more trophies than most programs will ever obtain.
Just like any discussion regarding the most talented players to ever play the game, there is always one that stands above the rest. With that being said, let's rank the top 10 SEC quarterbacks based on their performances, historic marks and award-winning seasons from the 21st century.
1. Tim Tebow - Florida
Career statistics: 9,285 PASS YDS, 88 PASS TD, 16 INT, 2,947 RUSH YDS, 57 RUSH TD
The argument can be made that Tim Tebow is the greatest college quarterback ever. His grit and determination to lay everything on the line for the Gators earned him two national championships and a Heisman Trophy through four years in Gainesville, Florida. In 2007 and 2008, Tebow won the Maxwell Award, which is given to the best player in college football every year. Do not get it twisted, he transcended the quarterback position in the SEC. Upcoming talent wanted to follow in his footsteps, but it is hard to replicate what can never be replicated.
2. Johnny Manziel - Texas A&M
Career statistics: 7,820 PASS YDS, 63 PASS TD, 22 INT, 2,169 RUSH YDS, 30 RUSH TD
When Johnny Manziel was playing, every college football fan was glued to their television screens, and for good reason. Manziel's dual-threat ability made him one of the most dangerous athletes in the country and led to him becoming the first freshman to ever win the Heisman. Coaches feared him, players hated trying to stop him and fans from every team across the country wished they could have him. "Johnny Football" was not just a cool nickname; it was a lifestyle. Regardless of his antics off the field, he is one of the greatest to ever play the sport.
3. Cam Newton - Auburn
Career statistics: 2,908 PASS YDS, 30 PASS TD, 7 INT, 1,586 RUSH YDS, 24 RUSH TD
His towering build, breakaway speed and swagger brought Auburn into the national spotlight for the first time in 53 years. Achieving a perfect 14-0 overall record with the Tigers in 2010, Newton struck fear into defenses in the toughest league in the country. He secured the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and Davey O'Brien Award in just one season on the Plains. While becoming the first player in SEC history to pass for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in a single season, he also set single-season program records in passing and rushing.
4. Joe Burrow - LSU
Career statistics: 8,852 PASS YDS, 60 PASS TD, 11 INT, 820 RUSH YDS, 13 RUSH TD
LSU's 2019 squad will go down in history as one of the most talented rosters in college football history. One of those stars etched his name into the record books as one of the best all-time quarterbacks. Joe Burrow led the program in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, back to the promised land just six years ago. Collecting the Heisman Trophy was one of seven awards he earned, naming him the best quarterback and overall player in the sport. Securing LSU's first national championship since 2007 to cap off that season was icing on the cake.
5. Bryce Young - Alabama
Career statistics: 8,356 PASS YDS, 80 PASS TD, 12 INT, 162 RUSH YDS, 7 RUSH TD
To be a quarterback at Alabama, it takes a massive amount of poise, confidence and determination to bring continued success to the Crimson Tide fan base. Bryce Young surpassed historic marks made by former legends who made their mark for one of the most storied programs in the country. He showcased his innate throwing ability and consistency, which led to Young shattering single-season records for passing yards (4,872) and touchdowns (47) during his Heisman campaign and national championship season in 2020.
6. Eli Manning - Ole Miss
Career statistics: 10,119 PASS YDS, 81 PASS TD, 35 INT, -135 RUSH YDS, 5 RUSH TD
While it may be easy for some to narrow down the top five 21st-century quarterbacks, it is difficult not to make a case for someone who has a designated speed limit created because of their contributions in their jersey. Following in his father's footsteps, Eli Manning quickly eliminated the shadows and naysayers by leading the Rebels to historic marks. Ranked No. 11 in passing yards in the league all-time, Manning is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the program. Although he never won the Heisman Trophy, his impact at Ole Miss was still memorable.
7. Dak Prescott - Mississippi State
Career statistics: 9,376 PASS YDS, 70 PASS TD, 23 INT, 2,521 RUSH YDS, 41 RUSH TD
Since Dak Prescott arrived on campus at Mississippi State University, the Bulldogs' football program underwent historic change into one of the grittiest teams in the league. His ability to make spectacular throws and tenacity to run through defenders made him beloved by the Maroon and White faithful. During college football's transition into the playoff format in 2014, Prescott led the Bulldogs to a 9-0 start and the program's first No. 1 ranking. He transcended football in Starkville, Mississippi, to a different level, and for that, he is ranked at No. 7 on this list.
8. AJ McCarron - Alabama
Career statistics: 9,019 PASS YDS, 77 PASS TD, 15 INT, -50 RUSH YDS, 3 RUSH TD
The stereotypical comments about AJ McCarron being just a "game manager" are completely false. His back-to-back national championships speak for his incredible performances as Nick Saban's quarterback from 2010-2013. He holds the Crimson Tide career passing yard record and helped lead the program to three SEC Championships. Without a great signal-caller at the helm, it is extremely difficult to have the kind of success Alabama had. McCarron will go down as one of the most consistently great quarterbacks in SEC history.
9. Stetson Bennett - Georgia
Career statistics: 8,429 PASS YDS, 66 PASS TD, 21 INT, 530 RUSH YDS, 14 TD
Like or hate him, Stetson Bennett etched his name into the league's record books as one of the most successful quarterbacks to ever play in the SEC. Over four seasons in Athens, Georgia, Bennett won two national championships in 2021 and 2022, marking the program's first back-to-back title reign. For someone who began his career as a walk-on, Bennett proved that he could perform against the best college football teams in the country. He currently holds Georgia's single-season passing yards record (4,128) and career yards per attempt (9.1).
10. Aaron Murray - Georgia
Career statistics: 13,166 PASS YDS, 121 PASS TD, 41 INT, 396 RUSH YDS, 16 RUSH TD
How can there be a top 10 list of 21st-century quarterbacks without including the all-time passing yards leader? The second Georgia gunslinger to make it on this list was the first player at the position in SEC history to pass for 3,000 yards or more in four consecutive seasons. Aaron Murray's contributions in Athens brought significant success to the program and pointed the spotlight back in Georgia's direction. Murray's immediate impact as a freshman and his continuous loyalty to the Bulldogs created highlights and moments in Sanford Stadium that will be remembered forever.
Honorable mention: Vince Young - Texas
Career statistics: 6,040 PASS YDS, 44 PASS TD, 28 INT, 3,127 RUSH YDS, 37 RUSH TD
While compiling this list, it is unfair not to place Texas and Oklahoma quarterbacks somewhere in these rankings. That is why I have placed two additional quarterbacks into an honorable mention section on the same level, since neither athlete played in the SEC. Vince Young helped lead the Longhorns to the program's first national championship in 35 years, while also holding a 30-2 overall record as a starter. He also holds the school record for most rushing yards by a quarterback and most total offense in a game (506 yards).
Honorable mention: Baker Mayfield - Oklahoma
Career statistics: 14,607 PASS YDS, 131 PASS TD, 30 INT, 1,083 RUSH YDS, 21 RUSH TD
If Baker Mayfield had played in the conference with the Oklahoma Sooners, he could have been an even bigger megastar. Nevertheless, Mayfield was incredible during his collegiate career. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2017 and holds the Big 12 Conference record for career passing yards per attempt, consecutive games with at least one touchdown and scores responsible for. Mayfield also helped lead the Sooners to the first playoff appearance in school history in 2017, while also setting records for completion percentage and passing efficiency rating.
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