SEC Football: The Top 15 Quarterbacks in SEC History

The Southeastern Conference, widely regarded as the premier football conference in the country, has a great history, producing some of the finest football talents to ever play the game.

This is especially true at quarterback.  Several of the top gunslingers to ever play college football have done so in the SEC.

Unlike other conferences, the top quarterbacks of the SEC don’t all come from the same two or three schools, nor are they from the same time period.

Covering seven teams and spanning more than 50 years, here are the 15 greatest quarterbacks in SEC history.

15. Kenny Stabler, Alabama

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SONOMA, CA - JUNE 21: Ken Stabler, National Football League Legendary quarterback for the Oakland Raiders, is introduced as the Grand Marshal during pre race activities prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at the Infineo

Stabler’s time in Tuscaloosa was shaky to say the least.

Coach Bear Bryant had him kicked off the team midway through his senior year, only to be reinstated shortly thereafter.

On the field, Stabler was exceptional, posing a threat to defenses on the ground and through the air.

He finished with a career record of 28-3-2 and is best remembered for his play against Auburn his senior year, when he scored the winning touchdown on the ground, which is known as the “Run in the Mud” to Bama fans.

14. Fran Tarkenton, Georgia

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: UGA VIII, mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs, against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Growing up in Athens, Ga., it was a no-brainer for Tarkenton to attend UGA.

The local product turned out to become one of the greatest Bulldogs ever, leading the 1959 Dawgs to an SEC championship.

His wizardry at quarterback has been matched by very few at UGA since his departure.

13. Tim Couch, Kentucky

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21 Nov 1998: Tim Couch #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats steps back to throw during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Kentucky 59-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Quite possibly the greatest quarterback in Kentucky history, as well as one of its best recruits ever, Couch put Kentucky on the college football map during his three years in Lexington.

In his senior season, he led the Wildcats to a seven-win season and a New Year’s Day bowl game.

Couch set several NCAA records, including most completions in a season, though many have since been broken.

12. Shane Matthews, Florida

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29 Sep 1990: Quarterback Shane Matthews of the Florida Gators calls the cadence during a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida. Florida won the game 34-21. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Matthews’ illustrious career in Gainesville is highlighted by the Gators’ first official SEC championship in 1991.

In each of his three years as starting quarterback, Matthews was first team All-SEC.  He also was named the SEC MVP in 1990 and 1991.

11. Joe Namath, Alabama

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 14: Former NFL quarterback Joe Namath arrives at the 2010 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images for ESPY)

Coach Bear Bryant called Namath “the greatest athlete I ever coached.”

This came after his playing days in Tuscaloosa, as Namath’s relationship with Bryant was rocky.

Despite butting heads with his coach, Namath finished his career with a 29-4 record and led Alabama during its 1964 national championship season.

10. Heath Shuler, Tennessee

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18 Sep 1993: Quarterback Heath Shuler of the Tennessee Volunteers in action during a game against the Florida Gators. The Florida Gators won the game 41-34. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport

Shuler was regarded as one of the SEC’s best while playing in Knoxville, and it’s hard to think otherwise.

His best season came in 1993, when he threw for 25 touchdowns while winning the SEC MVP award and finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

9. Pat Sullivan, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Aubie, the Auburn Tigers mascot performs at their game against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian

The 1971 Heisman Trophy winner was a standout for the Tigers in the early 1970s.

Sullivan led Auburn to a 26-7 record while starting at quarterback, and at the time set several NCAA records, including most total touchdowns with 71.

8. Eli Manning

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DALLAS - JANUARY 2: Quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the Mississippi Rebels looks for the open receiver during the SBC Cotton Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on January 2, 2004 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. 'Ole Miss defeated Oklahoma State

The former Mississippi quarterback set 45 passing records during his stay in Oxford.

Manning also is fifth on the SEC’s passing yards list and third on SEC touchdown passes list.

His senior season culminated with winning the SEC MVP and finishing third in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

7. Cam Newton, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers scrambles against the Oregon Ducks during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Peters

Though he only started one full season in the SEC, Cam Newton left a mark on the conference and its record book.

Newton broke the SEC record for most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback, and also became the first SEC quarterback to throw for 2,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.

His successful 2010 campaign helped land him the Heisman Trophy and a BCS National Championship.

6. Steve Spurrier, Florida

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1 Sep 2001: Steve Spurrier head coach of the Florida Gators looks on during warm up before the game against the Marshall Herd at Florida Field in Gainesville, Florida. Florida won 49-14. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/Allsport

Before becoming one of the best coaches in the game, Spurrier was one of the all-time greats in Florida Gator history.

The two-time All-American led the Gators to an Orange Bowl victory over Georgia Tech in 1966, as well as claiming the Heisman Trophy for himself that same season.

5. David Greene, Georgia

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Georgia quarterback David Greene warms up at the 2005 Outback Bowl January 1, 2005 at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida. Georgia defeated Wisconsin 24 - 21. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

Greene was a four-year at Georgia and helped bring the Dawgs back to the ranks of the nation’s elite.

He led the Dawgs to the SEC title in 2002 while being named first team All-SEC.

Greene is the SEC’s career leader in yards passing and ranks second all time in wins by a quarterback in NCAA history.

4. Peyton Manning, Tennessee

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23 Nov 1997: Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Tennessee Volunteers stands on the field during a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Tennessee won the game 59-31. Mandatory Credit: Rick Stewart /Allsport

There is very little Manning didn’t do while at Tennessee.

In four years as a starter, Manning broke the SEC career passing yards mark and the NCAA record for most wins as a quarterback, both of which were subsequently broken by David Greene.

In his sophomore season, he led the Vols to a No. 3 ranking to finish the year, and in his senior season, he led Tennessee to an SEC championship.

Manning won the Maxwell and the O’Brien awards his season year and finished second in the Heisman.

3. Danny Wuerffel, Florida

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2 Jan 1997: Quarterback Danny Wuerffel of the Floirda Gators moves the ball during the Nokia Sugar Bowl against the Florida State Seminoles at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Florida won the game, 52-20.

The two-time All-American had an extraordinary career at Florida.

He was an SEC champion all four years in Gainesville and was named the game’s MVP in 1995 and 1996.

Wuerffel capped off his senior season with a Heisman Trophy and Florida’s first-ever national championship.

2. Tim Tebow, Florida

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NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 01: Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators reacts after a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty

One of the most decorated players to ever play, Tim Tebow was the face of the sport while playing at Florida.

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner was the first underclassman to ever win the award.

Tebow also won national championships in 2006 and 2008.

He finished his career with 88 passing touchdowns and an SEC-record 57 rushing touchdowns.

1. Archie Manning, Ole Miss

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FT. LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 03: New Orleans Saints legend Archie Manning answers questions during the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award Press Conference on February 3, 2010 at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Manning

Archie Manning is the top quarterback to ever play in the SEC.

He was a three-year starter at Ole Miss, where he carried the team almost single-handedly.  Though at first it appears only slightly above average, Manning’s 15-7 career record is quite an accomplishment considering the lack of talent surrounding him at Mississippi.

His career highlights include two top-four finishes in the Heisman balloting and an NCAA record 540-yard performance against Alabama in the first-ever prime time broadcast of a college football game in 1969.

Manning’s legacy not only at Ole Miss, but in the SEC, is unmatched.