Top 14 SEC Quarterbacks for 2012

The SEC looks to maybe have it's best Quarterback class from top to bottom in years. The SEC is not known as a strong QB conference, but this year could be the exception. A few weeks ago I ranked the top QBs in the nation: Top College Quarterbacks for 2012 today I turn my focus to the SEC QBs

TOP 14 SEC Quarterbacks

14. Max Smith / Morgan Newton, Kentucky: Last year Kentucky had horrible QB play from start to finish. It started with Morgan Newton who was %47.7 passing before getting injured. That gave Max Smith a chance to run the offence, Smith was slightly better at %54.9 but had 4 INT's to go along with his 4 TD's.

13. Jameill Showers, Texas A&M: Its a good thing Showers has a solid RB to hand the ball off to, because entering the SEC with no real experience can be a daunting task for anyone. The 3 star will try to fill the shoes of NFL first round pick Ryan Tannehill.

12. Clint Mosley / Kiehl Frazier, Auburn: Much luck Kentucky in 2011 Auburn never got good play from any of their quarterbacks. They enter 2012 with a QB battle between Mosley and Frazier, by the numbers Mosley is the more experienced passer 66 out of 108 that's %61.0 for 800 yards with 5 TD's and 3 INT's. Mosley can run the ball some, but Frazier is clearly the better runner rushing for 327 yards in 2011, but was only 5 of 12 passing for 34 yards.

11. Bo Wallace, Ole Miss: Ole Miss is trying to turn a new leaf with new HC Huge Freeze who brings the NJCAA player of the year with him to Ole Miss in Bo Wallace. The 6'5" junior college transfer has worked with Freeze in the past and will not have much of a learning curve. The issue for Wallace and Freeze is will there be enought talent around them to win some games their not supposed to? 

10. Jacoby Brissett / Jeff Driskel, Florida: Both Brissett and Driskel where thrown in to action unexpectedly in 2011 and there numbers showed that. Both players where big time blue chippers out of high school, and with the whole off season to really learn the offence will show in 2012 for who ever wins the job. I look for Florida to make major improvements on offence this year. 

9. Zack Mettenberger, LSU: Les Miles and all the offencive coaches at LSU seem to be all grins when Mettenberger name comes up. There has been a lot of buzz coming out of swamps saying this is the year that LSU really opens up it's passing attack. Mettenberger looked good in the spring game, but he still hasn't faced a full slate of SEC defenses and until he does his skill set will be an unknown. 

8. Jordan Rodgers, Vanderbilt: The Rodgers family has the gene poll for making good QBs as little brother Jordan Rodgers tires to get out of big brother Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers shadow. Jordan seems to have all the physical skills to be a big time QB, but he threw 10 INT's last year and only 9 TD's a stat he needs to flip flop. 

7. Tyler Russell, Mississippi State: Now as the full time QB in Dan Mullan system should improve Russells numbers in 2012. Last year Russell started the last half of the season going 69 of 129 %53.5 for 1034 yards. The one thing he will be missing is the mobility usually needed for Mullans offence. 

6. Tyler Bray, Tennessee: At 6'6" Bray stands tall in the pocket and is a pure passer. Last season before missing four games with injury was 147 of 247 %59.5 for 1983 yards. If he doesn't go down with injury then he could have easily been a 3000 yard QB which is where I project him in 2012.

5. Conner Shaw, South Carolina: The under rated duel threat QB really took to the ole ball coaches offence as he came in mid season for struggling Gracia. Shaw threw for 1448 yards hitting %65.4 of his passes and also added 525 yards with his legs. In 2012 Shaw will have an entire season to work with, and could very easily become one of the top QB's in the SEC. 

4. James Franklin, Missouri: Clearly the best duel threat QB in the SEC throwing for 2865 yards and rushing for 981 in 2011 and accounting for 36 TD's, but that was facing Big 12 defense. In the SEC thing won't come as easy for Franklin, and I would be shocked if he reached the same numbers he set in 2012. 

3. AJ McCarron, Alabama:  The Junior is fresh off a National Championship and in that Title game AJ was solid hitting 24 of 34 passes %67.6 for 234 yrds and had six games where his accuracy was over %70. In 2011 McCarron 219 of 328 %66.8 for 2634 yards with 16 TD's and only 5 picks. In 2012 I look for McCarron to be able to open it up a little more, and get very close to the 3000 yard mark.

2. Aaron Murry, Georgia: The junior two year starter from Georgia is looking to take his team back to another SEC Championship game. Now with out RB Isaiah Crowell gone I look for Murray to take this team on his back, and put up huge numbers. In 2011 as a sophomore Murray was 238 of 403 %59.1 for 3149 yards with 35 TD's and 14 INT's.

1. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas: If Wilson was in any other conference besides the SEC then he would have thrown for over 4000 yards in 2011, but he will have to settle for 277 of 438 %63.2 for 3638 yards with 24 TD's and 6 INT's. The tricky part of 2012 will be figuring out how much all the coaching change over will affect them. With Paul Petrino now calling the plays I think Wilson will be just fine and get very close to the 4000 yard mark. 

-Patrick Pierce

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