Once again, the SEC certainly has no shortage of talent at quarterback. So much so that On3’s Josh Pate has 3 SEC players in his top 4 at the position heading into the 2025 season.
Pate picked Florida‘s DJ Lagaway as the top quarterback he would want when picking a team from scratch, followed by Oklahoma’s John Mateer, Clemson‘s Cade Klubnik, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers.
Pate is extremely high on the potential of Lagaway. Lagaway threw for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions during his first season with the Gators.
“I think DJ Lagway at his best can be the best quarterback in the country. Now, I have, just like you, heard the injury concerns. I’ve seen the injury concerns,” Pate said. “But I think when you blend raw talent and explosiveness and deep ball accuracy, when he’s at his best he can be better than anyone in the country.”
Mateer arrives as a transfer at Oklahoma after playing 3 seasons at Washington State. Pate raves about the versatility Mateer provides under center.
“I’ve bought all the John Mateer stock. I’ve got a John Mateer Heisman Trophy ticket in my back pocket. I couldn’t be higher on him…. Watch him on the run. Watch him throw the ball on the run. Watch the accuracy. Mid-range, downfield, watch the accuracy.”
The dual-threat Klubnik is coming off a career-best season in which he amassed 43 total touchdowns (36 passing, 7 rushing). Pate believes Klubnik is the kind of veteran that will produce in important moments.
“He’s a weapon with his legs. But moreso than anything else, in an ocean of unproven [quarterbacks] this year, I get proven production if I go with Cade Klubnik,” Pate said. “Last year was incredible. If he just gave me his performance last year I’d be OK with that. I can win with that.”
Sellers, the SEC Freshman of the Year last season, looks primed to take another leap forward. Pate even sees shades of an NFL MVP in the South Carolina native.
“I’m saying if there’s a guy out there who’s capable of collectively raising the level of play around him up just by his presence, ala Cam Newton on Auburn 2010, it’s LaNorris Sellers at South Carolina this year,” Pate said. “You don’t know the names of his wide receivers, he can make you know the names of his wide receivers. He’s built like a linebacker. He’s incredibly astute.”
