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USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
SEC analyst predicts OU QB John Mateer will score more TDs than Texas' Arch Manning
Texas quarterback Arch Manning will enter the 2025 season as one of the favorites, if not the favorite, for the Heisman Trophy. He may not even end up being the best quarterback in the SEC. Oklahoma's new signal-caller, John Mateer, is ranked as one of the top five quarterbacks in the country and the No. 1 transfer-portal recruit. His sophomore season in 2024 at Washington State, Mateer threw for 29 touchdowns and ran for 15 more, leading the nation in total scores. At least one SEC media personality thinks he'll top Manning in the former again, too. "My bold prediction," SEC Mike, otherwise known as Michael Bratton, said on his podcast. "John Mateer scores more touchdowns than Arch Manning. How about it? I mean, c'mon, is that even a bold prediction?" More: SEC quarterback rankings for the 2025 season It isn't that bold, frankly. Mateer has more weapons in Norman than he did in Pullman, Washington, with the Cougars last year. He's also getting to work another year with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who actually left the Paloose for OU first. Arbuckle was a big reason the Sooners ended up landing Mateer out of the transfer portal over the winter. Oklahoma also picked up former first-team All-Pac 12 running back Jadyn Ott to keep teams from selling out against Mateer's arm. Still, Mateer doesn't find himself on many preseason top 10 lists for Heisman favorites like Manning does. The Texas quarterback is the top choice in June, according to DraftKings' list. Manning played significantly in just three games for the Longhorns last year, serving mostly as a backup to Quinn Ewers. Oklahoma and Texas will meet in the annual Red River Rivalry in Dallas on October 11. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
18 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
SEC quarterback rankings: Arch Manning headlines loaded list
The SEC features the nation's best batch of college football quarterbacks, with Arch Manning, Garrett Nussmeier and DJ Lagway included in the top tier. How good is this crop of SEC quarterbacks? Consider, the quarterback ranked last on this list owns a victory as a starter against Nick Saban's Alabama. And the No. 1 quarterback on my list? Well, he requires no introduction. The SEC became the nation's best conference because of its superiority at the line of scrimmage, punishing running backs and speed on the perimeter. Somewhere along the way, though, this conference began attracting the best quarterback talent, too. That's especially reflected this season. Consider this list as a collection of tiers. The top five quarterbacks compromise the top tier, and each would rank highly on a national list of quarterbacks. The middle tier offers stability and parity, and the quarterbacks ranked Nos. 6 through 9 could be scrambled into a different order. Five projected starters transferred to their new schools this past offseason. Some schools, including Alabama, Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee, have not named a starter. The quarterbacks listed reflect our best estimation of the team's starter. Here's how I rank this impressive batch of SEC quarterbacks: 1. Arch Manning (Texas) Manning is far from the most proven quarterback on this list, even if he's got the most famous surname. This ranking is based on Manning's potential for a lofty ceiling after he looked the part of budding star in two spot starts and backup opportunities last season. He should be ready to break out in Year 3 playing for Steve Sarkisian, one of the nation's top quarterback developers. Manning's arm is sharp, and his mobility and size are an X-factor, although he must improve his internal clock of knowing when to scramble when under duress. 2. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) If you want to know what scouts mean when they say a quarterback has a 'live arm,' watch Nussmeier sling a pass toward the sideline. He's got zip. He needs to reduce his throws into impossible windows and stop telegraphing to the defense where he's going with the ball. His 12 interceptions tied for the most in the SEC, but his 29 touchdown passes ranked just two off the conference lead. He's an established veteran with a big arm, and he's the SEC's returning leader in passing yards. Plus, he's surrounded by a talented receivers. PLAYOFF TALKS: As Big Ten, SEC squabble, the College Football Playoff wins SO, THERE'S A CHANCE?: Five college football sleepers that could contend for national championship 3. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) Sellers steadily improved throughout his redshirt freshman season, to the point that he threw for 353 yards and five touchdowns in a November triumph over Missouri. He's an excellent runner, too. Ask Clemson about that. His quarterback efficiency rating in conference games leads all SEC returning quarterbacks. He's accurate, but he needs to improve his processing time. Ball security is his other area for improvement after he fumbled 11 times. If he speeds up his decision-making, he should see those fumble numbers reduce. 4. DJ Lagway (Florida) Lagway is a big play waiting to happen. He throws a good deep ball and averaged 10 yards per pass attempt as a true freshman. He should make more plays with his legs, too, after a hamstring injury slowed him last season. Injuries are a concern. A throwing shoulder injury limited his spring practice participation. By May, though, he was throwing three times per week. Along with his health, he needs to improve his midrange accuracy and reduce interceptions. He threw nine picks in 192 pass attempts last year, but he oozes upside. 5. John Mateer (Oklahoma) Mateer produced awesome stat lines last season at Washington State. He passed for more than 3,100 yards and rushed for more than 800. He's efficient, as well as tough, strong and incredibly athletic. He can throw on the move and from multiple arm angles. He's got plenty of tools in his belt. Why not rank him higher? He's unproven against SEC competition. Two of his worst passing performances last year came in his two games against Power Four competition. 6. Austin Simmons (Mississippi) Rebels coach Lane Kiffin describes Simmons as a 'really talented thrower' with 'a high ceiling." You'd likely hear no argument from Kirby Smart. Simmons looked the part in a relief appearance against Georgia that resulted in a touchdown drive. He threw just 32 passes as a backup last season but looked good doing so. He played college baseball before opting to focus exclusively on football. On the mound, he fired fastballs that topped 90 mph. Is he ready to be the guy in a system that asks a lot of the quarterback? That's the question he must answer. 7. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) Vanderbilt's Tasmanian Devil of a quarterback runs on moxie, and he's at his best when facing the state of Alabama. This cocksure sixth-year senior spurred Vanderbilt's upsets of Alabama and Auburn, and he previously beat the Tigers while quarterbacking New Mexico State. Pavia values possession, throwing only four interceptions last year. He's a good runner, but the hits he absorbed took a toll. Pavia passed for fewer than 190 yards in each of his final six games. He lacks top-end arm strength, but he has a nose for playmaking. 8. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) Would the real Reed please stand up? The Aggie ignited in September after giving the offensive keys to Reed but fizzled in November, as Reed threw six interceptions in his final five games. The quick-footed Reed showed an ability to extend plays and knife through defenses. He'll need to improve his consistency from the pocket and polish his deep ball. Texas A&M returned a lot of production. As Reed goes (or doesn't go), so will the Aggies. 9. Taylen Green (Arkansas) Green is a mobile, hard-nosed runner with a strong arm. He can challenge defenses with downfield strikes. He became more accurate as the season progressed and flourished in an October upset of Tennessee, despite the Vols boasting one of the SEC's top defenses. His next steps are to improve decision-making, navigating through his progressions and sharpening his midrange throws. 10. Gunner Stockton (Georgia) The Bulldogs rallied around Stockton after he took the reins midway through the SEC Championship. It's easy to picture him becoming Georgia's heartbeat. He doesn't match predecessor Carsen Beck's arm talent, but he's more mobile, and there's a certain "Je ne sais quoi" about him that appeals to his teammates. He flashed accuracy when his line protected him, and he's skilled in play-action. Whether he'll stretch defenses downfield remains a question. 11. Ty Simpson (Alabama) Simpson hasn't proven himself yet. A former five-star recruit, he's entering Year 4 at Alabama and he's thrown just 50 career passes, with a 58% completion clip. A natural pocket passer, he possesses some mobility, too, and improvisational skills. Coach Kalen DeBoer desires more consistency from Simpson, the quarterback who's first in line to replace predecessor Jalen Milroe. 12. Blake Shapen (Mississippi State) Shapen looked sharp as Mississippi State's quarterback for four games last September before a shoulder injury shelved him for the rest of the season. He's back for a sixth season, and the former Baylor quarterback grasps coach Jeff Lebby's offense. Shapen's return offers the Bulldogs reason for optimism, considering he completed 68.5% of his passes before the injury. 13. Jackson Arnold (Auburn) Arnold struggled as Oklahoma's starter, losing his job before regaining it and starting in the Sooners' upset of Alabama. That result must give Auburn hope that the junior shouldn't be written off after a rough season playing behind a porous Oklahoma offensive line. Arnold struggled to connect consistently on throws beyond about 10 yards. Arm strength and mobility are assets. Maybe, this former five-star recruit will regain his confidence at Auburn, where he'll have a better offensive line and receivers. 14. Beau Pribula (Missouri) In Pribula's most extensive playing time as a Penn State backup, he showed a steady hand in relief of injured Drew Allar in a win against Wisconsin. He's a quality pickup for Missouri, which needed to replace starter Brady Cook. Pribula hasn't been named for the job, but he seems like he'd be the front-runner in a competition with Sam Horn, Missouri's seldom-used backup. Pribula is an electrifying runner who pairs athleticism with toughness. His running ability provided Penn State with an effective wrinkle to its system. To become a starter, he must prove himself as a consistent pocket passer. 15. Joey Aguilar (Tennessee) Aguilar showed a fearless streak while starting at Appalachian State. A best-case scenario for Tennessee is that he develops into something like what Pavia became for Vanderbilt. Aguilar can extend plays outside the pocket. Fearless can't mean reckless, though. He led the nation in interceptions at App State. Aguilar previously transferred to UCLA, but he left for Tennessee on the backside of the Bruins plundering Nico Iamaleava from the Vols. Aguilar's preseason checklist must include improving pocket poise, ball security and learning a new offense at warp speed. 16. Zach Calzada (Kentucky) Calzada started in Texas A&M's upset of Alabama, way back in 2021, and he now prepares for his seventh season with his fourth program. Calzada never developed enough midrange accuracy at Texas A&M, but he threw a good deep ball, and he's coming off a monster season with Incarnate Word of the Championship Subdivision. He's more intriguing than plenty of past Kentucky quarterbacks. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas QB Arch Manning, LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier becoming good friends this offseason
In December, Texas quarterback Arch Manning and LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier could be sitting next to each other in New York City waiting to see which name will be called as the winner of the Heisman Trophy. Turns out, they'll already be good friends if that happens. The two Louisiana natives are both from football families. Manning's two uncles and grandfather all played in the NFL. Nussmeier is the son of a longtime college and NFL coach. While they might be rivals in the SEC and for national awards, they two were paired up as roommates at the Manning Passing Academy this year. According to Manning, the two have become close. They even did some marketing for Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers together. 'I love Garrett, he's the man,' Manning said of Nussmeier, per On3. 'He's a coach's kid, so he knows ball. We went to Walmart last night and got food. So he's the man. I'm glad — I'm gonna build a good relationship with him.' According to the LSU signal calling, the feeling is mutual. 'It means a lot to me,' Nussmeier said of Manning's comments, per On3. 'I love Arch. He's a really good player. Want nothing but the best for him. He may say that he looks up to me, but there are definitely parts of me that looks up to him, too. His ability, his swagger, his mindset. It's something that is really fun to watch. He's a really, really good player. … Definitely rooting for him, and I'm very appreciative of him.' Manning and Nussmeier currently hold the first and second best odds to win the Heisman this season and will get compared to each other all season. While they won't meet during the regular season, Texas and LSU could matchup in the SEC championship or College Football Playoff. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @LonghornsWire.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2 Colts' QBs make ranking of top 25 players in NFL history
Two former Colts quarterbacks would make a recent list that ranked the top 25 players in NFL history. Two former Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks would make a recent list that ranked the top 25 players in NFL history. Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports recently put these rankings together, and representing the Colts were quarterbacks Johnny Unitas and Peyton Manning. Unitas came in at No. 13 in DeArdo's rankings while Manning was at No. 6. "The NFL's best quarterback during the league's first 50 years," DeArdo wrote. "Johnny U" led the Colts to NFL titles in 1958 and '59 and a Super Bowl title in 1970. He was the winning quarterback in what many consider the greatest game in NFL history: the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Colts and Giants that was the first overtime contest in league history. "His record of 47 straight games with at least one touchdown pass stood from 1960 until Drew Brees passed him in 2012." Unitas played 18 seasons with the Baltimore Colts. Over his career, he was a 10-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, a three-time MVP, a three-time NFL Champion, and a one-time Super Bowl champion. Unitas would throw for 40,239 yards with 290 touchdowns, and he's a member of the Hall of Fame. Manning, meanwhile, played 13 seasons with the Colts, which included winning a Super Bowl, making 11 Pro Bowls, five first-team All-Pros, and being named the league MVP four times. Manning would throw for 54,828 yards while with the Colts, along with 399 touchdown passes. He is also in the NFL's Hall of Fame. "If Brady is Jack Nicklaus, Manning is Arnold Palmer in this epic QB rivalry," DeArdo wrote. "Brady has more titles, but Manning has his own unique legacy that includes a record five league MVPs as well as being the first starting quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different clubs. And like Palmer did with golf, Manning has served as a significant ambassador for the NFL, both during his playing days and in retirement."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arch Manning Says he Can Take Shots at the Bar if he Wants
Arch Manning Says he Can Take Shots at the Bar if he Wants originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Quarterback phenom Arch Manning is the total package. His talent and potential on the field is clearly evident, but Texas' new starting signal-caller also appears to have a kind demeanor off the field and is excellent with fans and media. The cherry on top is that he's quite the jokester. Advertisement When speaking to the media at the Manning Passing Academy on Friday, Arch discussed how he manages life in the spotlight. One reporter asked Manning how careful he is with going out to a bar for example, knowing he could potentially be videoed anywhere he goes. "I'm 21 so I can do shots at a bar," Manning joked back. He eventually expressed how he and other Texas football players are busy most of the time so they prefer to hang at the house. "All the other stuff is fun but it's not my ideal time," he said. Manning, who is entering his first season as the full-time starter at Texas, was the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 recruiting class but sat behind Quinn Ewers on the depth chart the last two years. Advertisement "I learned a lot, and really learned a lot about myself,' Manning said on sitting his first two collegiate seasons. 'Picked up a lot from Quinn's (Ewers) game, the way he handled everything. Whether it was on the football side, the mental side, and the media, I just picked up bits and pieces to add to my game and learned a lot over the last two years. Plus, I had that time to grow as a person and a player.' Texas will kick off the 2025 season in Columbus against Ohio State on Aug. 30. It should be a fun season on and off the field for Longhorns fans. Related: Steve Sarkisian Delivers Confident Message on Season Opener at Ohio State This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
