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Five decorated seniors, a pair of steady juniors and two noteworthy sophomores.
Throw in then-freshman Maty Mauk for good measure.
The SEC’s collection of quarterbacks during the 2013 season was as impressive as they come when considering overall veteran leadership, statistical dominance and long-lasting impact on their respective programs.
Four teams led by successful quarterbacks finished in the Top 7 nationally — Auburn (2), South Carolina (4), Mizzou (5) and Alabama (7) — while two others — LSU and Texas A&M — landed inside the Top 20 in the final AP Poll.
The SEC’s notable QBs in 2013
- Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, Soph.: First freshman to win the Heisman (2012), ranks sixth on SEC’s all-time TD list despite playing only two seasons
- A.J. McCarron, Alabama, Sr.: Two-time national champion, Heisman finalist, Crimson Tide record holder in several statistical categories
- Aaron Murray, Georgia, Sr.: SEC’s all-time leading passer in yards and touchdowns
- Connor Shaw, South Carolina, Sr.: Gamecocks’ all-time winningest QB; 18-0 career at home; 25 TD, INT during his senior season and program’s third straight 11-2 + Top 10 finish
- Zach Mettenberger, LSU, Sr.: Was the only LSU quarterback to throw for 2,500 or more yards in back-to-back seasons and posted consecutive 10-win campaigns
- James Franklin, Mizzou, Sr.: Led the Tigers to their first Eastern Division crown in only their second season in the SEC
- Nick Marshall, Auburn, Jr.: Helped Auburn win the SEC and reach the BCS Championship Game as a junior
- Bo Wallace, Ole Miss, Jr.: Multi-year starter who helped turn around the program under Hugh Freeze
Need dual-threats? The SEC had them with Johnny Manziel, Connor Shaw, James Franklin and Nick Marshall.
Pocket passers too? Call on A.J. McCarron, Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger and each of those guys could hit a target at any level of the defense.
Manziel, the 2012 Heisman winner, was the headliner with an incredible 4,114 yards through the air after Texas A&M’s coaching staff wanted to see him operate from the pocket with greater consistency. His team stumbled in its bid to win the West, but Johnny Football’s collegiate finale against Duke was one of the most exciting games ever for a viewer after the slithery 6-footer helped erase a 38-17 halftime deficit.
From a titles standpoint, McCarron was the most decorated, winning two national championships as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. His senior season in 2013 didn’t match what he did in 2012 — 30 TD, 3 INT and a BCS Championship Game MVP honor — but it was enough to help him exit as Alabama’s all-time leading passer.
Murray, a four-year starter for Mark Richt in Athens, never won a championship, but came close against Alabama in 2012. That was the only knock for the SEC’s all-time record-holder in several categories.
Shaw held the title of college football’s most underrated during his tenure, helping the Gamecocks to countless wins over ranked teams and a sparkling school-record 18 consecutive home victories. He won three bowl games and went out on top with his best career game, accounting for five touchdowns against Wisconsin in Orlando, Fla.
No quarterback made a more substantial leap forward between his junior and senior seasons than Mettenberger, a player whose impressive skill set finally translated to sizable numbers in 2013. He made smart decision with the football and became LSU’s first 3,000-yard passer since JaMarcus Russell in 2006.
Franklin, Marshall and Wallace were all imperative to their teams’ fast-paced, tempo-driven offenses. Each provided a rhythm most teams covet within the structure of the offense. It was the Marshall — Gus Malzahn’s secret weapon transfer — who was perhaps the biggest surprise, helping the Tigers to their first conference title since 2010 during a memorable worst-to-first turnaround.
Not listed is Brandon Allen at Arkansas, an oft-criticized sophomore during the 2013 season, and the freshman Mauk, who is now considered one of the league’s top dual-threats. Allen would later develop into a reliable passer the following campaign (20 TD, 5 INT) and enters the fall as a rare three-year starter under center for Bret Bielema’s Hogs.
Mauk directed Mizzou to its second Eastern Division title last fall.
