Jordan Rodgers ranks top five quarterbacks in the SEC.

Jordan Rodgers, former Vanderbilt quarterback and current SEC Network analyst, unveiled his rankings during SEC Media Days and on ESPN shows like Get Up and CFB Live. He emphasized both performance and situational context—who’s truly proven versus who’s riding hype. Here’s his top five:

1. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
   Rodgers named Nussmeier the SEC’s best quarterback—and even called him the best in college football. He praised Nussmeier’s “arm talent,” decision-making, and ability to perform under pressure (PFSN). Rodgers believes that if Nussmeier polishes his red‑zone decisions—where LSU was just 57 % in touchdown efficiency, 14th in the conference—he could be the nation’s top signal caller (PFSN). In 2024, Nussmeier posted 4,052 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, ranking among the SEC leaders (On3). With new weapons added to his offense—like receiver Nic Anderson—Rodgers expects a monster year (On3).
2. DJ Lagway, Florida
   A former five‑star recruit, Lagway has elite upside when healthy. Rodgers stressed Florida’s confidence in him as their unquestioned starter and highlighted his ceiling, tempered only by lingering injury concerns (On3).
3. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
   Sellers’s dual‑threat game and athleticism put him in the top three for Rodgers. He’s one of the most dynamic playmakers in the conference—deadly in and out of the pocket (On3).
4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
   Coming via the transfer portal from Washington State, Mateer impressed Rodgers enough to land at No. 4. Rodgers highlighted Mateer’s rapport with OC Ben Arbuckle and projected he could elevate Oklahoma’s offense (On3).
5. Arch Manning, Texas
   ESPN’s golden boy fell to No. 5 in Rodgers’s list. He warned that the hype may have outpaced what Manning has shown: most of his 2024 tape came against middling defenses (e.g., UTSA, Louisiana–Monroe). Rodgers said—even though Manning has a high floor, his arm talent and pocket presence aren’t clearly elite yet (PFSN). Rodgers clarified that while he thinks Manning will be “solid,” his ceiling—how far he can take Texas—is still up in the air (On3).

Rodgers’s assessment sparked reactions and contrasting viewpoints.

• Heather Dinich (ESPN) responded to Rodgers’s view on Manning, bumping him up to No. 4—just just above Rodgers but still below Nussmeier, Lagway, and Sellers (On3). She acknowledged Manning’s leadership and upside, while cautioning about Texas’s overhaul at OL and the loss of top pass-catchers.
• Greg McElroy (ESPN) offered his own SEC top-five during Media Days. His list starts with Mateer at No. 1, followed by Nussmeier at No. 2, Sellers at No. 3, Lagway at No. 4, and Manning at No. 5 (On3, On3). Notably, McElroy and Rodgers share identical rankings 2–5, suggesting alignment on quarterback potential beyond hype.

The consensus places Nussmeier, Lagway, Sellers, Mateer, and Manning as the conference’s top signal-callers—just in varying order.

Why Rodgers’s Rankings Matter

1. Credibility through Experience
   Rodgers starred at Vanderbilt (2010–12), becoming the first QB in program history to lead them to consecutive bowl games (On3, PFSN). As an SEC alum and current studio analyst, his opinions carry weight given his firsthand knowledge of the conference’s challenges and talent pool.
2. Hype vs. Proven Performance
   His view disciplines the conversation around Manning. Rodgers reminded viewers that playing well against Power Five defenses is different from dominating against Group of Five or FCS-level competition.
3. Contextual Evaluation
   Rodgers doesn’t evaluate quarterbacks in a vacuum—he factors in offensive line continuity, weapons, coaching stability, and schedules. His skepticism about Manning partly stems from Texas’s personnel turnover.

1. Garrett Nussmeier

Rodgers sees Nussmeier as elite, both arm- and decision-wise. With pressure to improve red-zone efficiency, he’s positioned for a breakout. His 4,000+ yard season establishes credibility; the question is whether he can sustain or top that in 2025 (On3, Facebook).

2. DJ Lagway

If healthy, he’s a high-ceiling QB. A former elite recruit, his potential is massive. Florida believes he can lead under OC Billy Napier—Rodgers acknowledges injuries as a factor but sees the talent clearly ().

3. LaNorris Sellers

Dual-threat ability in the SEC is rare and valuable. Sellers’s agility and escapability make him a major X-factor—Rodgers values that explosiveness (On3).

4. John Mateer

A transfer QB, Mateer impressed with his fit in Oklahoma’s system. Expect a strong year if chemistry holds. Rodgers acknowledges the risk with transfer quarterbacks but clearly trusts Mateer’s tools (On3).

5. Arch Manning

The debate around Manning centers on raw talent vs. demonstrated skill. Rodgers views his floor as high but questions if that translates to dominance, especially against top-tier opponents (). The Texas QB stepped behind experience and coaching horsepower, and Rodgers wants to see him flourish against major defenses before elevating him.

Comparison Table: Rodgers vs. McElroy vs. Dinich

• Agreement: Nussmeier, Lagway, Sellers, Mateer are the quartet ahead of Manning for all.
• Arch Manning’s placement varies: Rodgers (5th), Dinich (4th), McElroy (5th).
• Mateer’s placement shifts between 1st (McElroy) and 4th (Rodgers).
• Nussmeier is the early Heisman contender and SEC QB1 per Rodgers. LSU’s offense is built around him; expect high-volume passing and national attention.
• Lagway must stay healthy, but Florida banking on his talent could vault them into playoff conversations.
• Sellers is South Carolina’s spark plug—his dual-threat play could power them to the next level.
• Mateer brings a transfer boost to Oklahoma—if he gels, he may surprise as a sleeper top SEC QB.
• Manning carries immense expectations. Rodgers’s caution around him reframes him as a promising underdog rather than a foregone conference leader.

Final Take

Jordan Rodgers offers a refreshingly grounded take on the SEC QB landscape. His evaluation balances:

• Talent (arm strength, athleticism, football IQ)
• Context (supporting cast, competition level, injury history)
• Past performance (Nussmeier’s stats, Manning’s limited sample)

He anchors his ranking in hard evidence while still acknowledging ceiling potential. His thoughtful critique of Manning provides a counter-narrative to the hype, encouraging fans to watch performance, not pedigree.

• Top 5 SEC QBs per Rodgers: Nussmeier, Lagway, Sellers, Mateer, Manning.
• Nussmeier is his unanimous QB1, pegged as the best QB in college.
• Lagway, Sellers, and Mateer round out the elite tier.
• Manning, despite fame and pedigree, ranks 5th: high floor, unproven ceiling.
• Fellow analysts generally back Rodgers’s order, with minor placement variances.

Rodgers’s mix of experience, data, and cautious optimism makes his rankings a must-watch baseline for pundits and fans. As the 2025 season unfolds, the performances of these five will define whether his predictions hold up. This comprehensive overview captures Rodgers’s reasoning behind each ranking, highlights how his list compares to those of McElroy and Dinich, and spells out the stakes and context behind every SEC quarterback heading into 2025.