We're counting down the top 5 SEC quarterbacks in history, starting with last week's pick, Joe Namath, coming in at #5. Here's our #4 pick:
#4 – Eli Manning, Ole Miss Rebels (2000-2003)
While Eli Manning may be known best for his refusal to play for the San Diego Chargers being the first overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, he also had a highly notable college football career during his time as a part of the University of Mississippi's team from 2000-2003. In fact, during that window at Ole Miss, Eli either set or tied a staggering 45 single-game, season, and career records. A few of his most impressive categories also happen to arguably the most closely followed by college football experts–Manning finished with a 10, 119 passing yards (5th in SEC history), 81 touchdown completions (3rd in SEC history), and with an average passer rating of 137.7 (T-6th in SEC history).
Related: Troy Polamalu's Advice to High School Football Players
Manning's list of individual awards and recognition is similarly outstanding; they include a Maxwell Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, an NFF College HOF Scholar-Athlete Award, the SEC's MVP Award, and very notably a top-three finish in Heisman Trophy voting in 2003. That same 2003 season had to be Eli's most successful with the Ole Miss Rebels, on the team level. Manning led the Rebels to a successful 10-3 overall record, capped off by a 31-28 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys in SBC Cotton Bowl. His natural talent, proven success in an extremely challenging SEC, and on-field intelligence (Eli graduated with just under a 3.5 cumulative GPA) made him a leading candidate for the top pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Manning's career in the NFL has lived up to expectations. As the superstar and starting quarterback of the New York Giants, Eli led them to two improbable Super Bowl victories, where he was named the official Super Bowl MVP in both (Unnamed 3Writer, Giants.com). In addition to those amazing achievements, Manning is a 4-time Pro Bowler, and holds the NFL record for most 4th quarter passing touchdowns in a single season, the NFL record for most game-winning drives in a single season (2011), and the NFL record for the most passing yards in a single postseason with 1,219 yards in 2011.
Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits
Given his laundry list of New York Giants' team franchise records, NFL all-time QB records, and multiple Super Bowl championship MVPs, Eli is widely considered to be an overwhelming favorite to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Concisely, Manning's distinguished collegiate and professional football career, combined with his positive name recognition from being the starting QB in a huge market NFL franchise, Eli Manning comes in at #4 on 2aDays's list of top SEC QBs.
Have an idea for a story or a question you need answered? Want to set up an interview with us? Email us at [email protected]
Image Credit: Mississippi Today
* Originally published on January 25, 2023, by 2aDays Staff
