This year's crop of quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference is impressive for its top-end talent and its depth. Michael Bonner of USA TODAY Sports gives you his top five signal callers in the league.
1. AJ McCarron, Alabama, senior. If the rankings depended on individual numbers alone, he may be third, as in how he finished in the All-America voting a season ago. But in two years as the Crimson Tide starter, McCarron has as many national championships as he has losses — two. He improved his touchdown-to-interception ratio to 30-3 last season and led the nation in pass efficiency at 175.28. He is the only quarterback in the BCS era to win back-to-back titles and can lead his team to the only three-peat in FBS history.
2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, sophomore. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner boasts some of the best numbers in the country. He finished with 5,116 total yards of offense last season and rushed for 21 touchdowns while passing for another 26. He completed 24 of 31 passes against Alabama to deliver the Crimson Tide its only loss of the season. The only thing separating him from the top is schedule of play. Manziel went 3-2 against ranked teams.
3. Aaron Murray, Georgia, senior. In most every other league, Murray would sit atop this list. Without having played a game this season, he already stands as Georgia's all-time leader in touchdown passes. He also holds the program's single-season passing yards, total yards and touchdown pass records. He led the SEC in touchdown passes and passing yards last year.
4. Connor Shaw, South Carolina, senior. Shaw headlines the top of the second tier of QBs in the league. His numbers from a year ago, 1,956 passing yards with 17 touchdowns, don't scream star, but he's a gamer. Shaw is 17-3 as a starter at South Carolina.
5. Bo Wallace, Ole Miss, junior. In his first year with the Rebels, Wallace posted numbers that ranked among the SEC's top six in almost every category. But the only category he led in was interceptions with 17. Yet he found ways to lead Ole Miss to victories. He closed the season with wins in the Egg Bowl and BBVA Compass Bowl. He finished top five in the conference in completions, completions percentage and passing yards.
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