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Ranking Top SEC QB Below Arch Manning Slammed as ‘Malpractice’

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 5:00 PM ET

This year's crop of college football quarterbacks is full of a lot of talent, especially in the SEC. Between the returning talent and the potential of new starters, forming a cohesive rankings list from the available signal-callers in the SEC is no small feat.

During the "Crain & Company" podcast, the hosts of the show argued their rankings on where and why certain SEC quarterbacks appeared on their respective lists.

Jake Crain came out swinging when he reacted to Blain Crain's decision to slot the Texas Longhorns' Arch Manning over the Florida Gators' DJ Lagway in his SEC QB rankings list.

"I just think putting Arch above DJ Lagway is malpractice," said Jake Crain.

Blain reasserted his belief that Manning could project as a top-five SEC quarterback and that he would be willing to put money on it. That comment seemed to spur Jake further.

"But we've seen DJ ball. ... You may be right. I just feel like I want to go off things that I know."

Co-host David Cone interjected and asked if Manning would "go into Columbus and win in Week 1," to which Blain answered in the affirmative.

Texas is on the road to start the season at the Ohio State Buckeyes on Aug. 30 at noon ET.

The exercise of this podcast episode was that they were participating in draft where each host took turns selecting the top 10 SEC quarterbacks.

'Crain & Company' Top 10 SEC Quarterbacks

LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
John Mateer, Oklahoma
Arch Manning, Texas
DJ Lagway, Florida
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Austin Simmons, Ole Miss

Manning is taking over the Longhorns' offense after earning limited playing time in 2024 during stretches where last year's starter, Quinn Ewers, was injured. With Ewers now in the NFL and a member of the Miami Dolphins after being a seventh-round pick, the opportunity to start has opened up for Manning, along with all the hype that comes with his legendary surname.

In 10 games played with two starts last season, Manning passed for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 108 yards and four scores.

Florida's Lagway had his moments last year, too. As a true freshman, he entered the year as the Gators' backup but was the starter in Week 2 when Graham Mertz was placed in concussion protocol. Lagway would go on to pass for 1,915 yards, 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Lagway was On3's No. 3 player in the country and the top quarterback in its 2024 recruiting rankings. Manning was the top player in On3's 2023 recruit rankings.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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