The SEC became the nation’s best conference because of its strength at the line of scrimmage, punishing running backs and perimeter speed. Somewhere along the way, though, this conference began attracting the best quarterback talent, too.

That’s especially reflected this season. The SEC's crop of quarterbacks includes a crowded top tier, resulting in a heated debate about who's the No. 1 man.

On today's episode, host Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the Gainesville Sun's Kevin Brockwaydebate Toppmeyer's SEC quarterback rankings.

Toppmeyer pegged Arch Manning as the SEC's top quarterback, banking on the upside of a player who's poised to break out in his third season at Texas. Brockway, though, picks a different quarterback as his No. 1.

Later in the episode, Brockway updates the injury status of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, and he takes the temperature of Billy Napier's hot seat. Finally, he projects Florida's record.

The SEC became the nation&rsquo;s best conference because of its strength at the line of scrimmage, punishing running backs and perimeter speed. Somewhere along the way, though, this conference began attracting the best quarterback talent, too.
That&rsquo;s especially reflected this season. The SEC's crop of quarterbacks includes a crowded top tier, resulting in a heated debate about who's the No. 1 man.
On today's episode, host <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> of the USA TODAY Network and the Gainesville Sun's <a href="https://www.gainesville.com/staff/10165520002/kevin-brockway/" aria-label="Link Kevin Brockway">Kevin Brockway</a>debate <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/06/30/sec-quarterback-rankings-arch-manning/84242628007/" aria-label="Link Toppmeyer's SEC quarterback rankings">Toppmeyer's SEC quarterback rankings</a>.
Toppmeyer pegged Arch Manning as the SEC's top quarterback, banking on the upside of a player who's poised to break out in his third season at Texas. Brockway, though, picks a different quarterback as his No. 1.
Later in the episode, Brockway updates the <a href="https://www.gainesville.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/06/24/florida-football-qb-dj-lagway-throwing-in-offseason-otas/84273369007/" aria-label="Link injury status of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway">injury status of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway</a>, and he takes the temperature of Billy Napier's hot seat. Finally, he projects Florida's record.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

How good is Arch Manning? In SEC quarterback rankings, we debate the No. 1 spot