Brian Kelly Casts Doubt on Arch Manning with Bold Pick for All-SEC Honors

During an appearance on ESPN's College GameDay Podcast, Kelly told host Rece Davis that LSU's starting quarterback is pretty good, too -- and he boasts a year of starting experience that Manning does not have under his belt.

"Look, we hear it every day because (Manning is) from Louisiana. … And listen, there’s another guy that hears it all the time and that’s Garrett Nussmeier," Kelly said. "He’s committed, and more than anything else, he’s experienced. And in this league, you need to see the bullets flying."

Nussmeier in 2024 ranked second in the SEC in touchdown passes -- and though LSU faltered midseason on the way to a 9-4 finish, Kelly is convinced that the Tigers' swoon in November will make his team's quarterback that much stronger in 2025.

"All I’m saying is, Nussmeier has seen it. He knows what he’s going to get,” Kelly said. “There’s a confidence he’ll bring each and every game through experience, maybe even through some scar tissue, that’s going to allow him to be, I believe, the best quarterback.”

That's not to say Kelly thinks Manning is overrated. Kelly conceded that the New Orleans native is "extremely talented," capable of making winning plays with his arm as well as his legs. But in the SEC, with opponents like Florida, Georgia and Texas A&M on the schedule, Kelly needs to see Manning prove his mettle when the going gets tough.

"I can see the assessment of Manning, he’s an outstanding player," Kelly said. "But I’ll take the guy that’s been in the SEC and seen what it looks like.”