Arkansas Football: Why Tyler Wilson Is SEC's Best QB

Tyler Wilson is one hell of a quarterback and after leading his Razorbacks to one of the best comebacks in recent memory, Arkansas is back in the Top 10.

Is this gunslinger a legit quarterback or is he just a product of the system? I evaluate the quarterback with his play thus far in the season and determine why he is indeed the best signal-caller in the best conference in America.

Stats

Productivity is huge in sports, especially with the fantasy sports type of world we live. Passing the eyeball test is often won over by going bonkers every Saturday.

Wilson's 1,517 yards and 10 TDs with only three INTs this season has elevated his play. He is only behind Tennessee's Tyler Bray for total offensive yards per game (319 vs. 305). After trailing the Aggies by 18 at halftime most "experts" were laughing at the overrated Razorbacks, but Arkansas put on a clinic in the second half in their come-from-behind victory. 

The Greenwood product has all the makings of becoming a First Team All-SEC performer and he will get chance to shine once again this weekend against No. 15 Auburn at home.

Toughness

Tyler Wilson is one of the mentally and physically toughest players I have seen this season. It is one thing to be a beast and be able to give out punishment instead of taking it. As a quarterback, unless you are Cam Newton, more times than not you will get lit up on occasion.

This Razorback has been hit more times (10 sacks) than any other player, or so it seems, the past few weeks and yet he continues to torch the opposition. Most guys get happy feet back in the pocket when pressure comes with exotic blitz packages and yet Wilson has stayed in there and delivered strikes to his receivers.

Smarts

To play the quarterback position you need to know where every player will be at all times to succeed. The SEC only makes matters worse going up against the top teams in the nation such as Alabama and LSU. 

Wilson delivers the ball at the perfect time to his targets and he rarely makes a bad decision (save Alabama pick-six). Pulling the come-from-behind victory over the Aggies should not be celebrated as if the team won a New Year's Day bowl, but this victory could go a long way with their schedule opening up down the road.

All of a sudden, their home game against South Carolina looks a bit easier with the Gamecocks struggling to score points and the way Arkansas has consistently moved the ball down the field makes you believe this Razorbacks team can run the table going into their season finale against LSU.

The Arm

Not sure what it is about fans that always ask me to compare a former quarterback to the new starting quarterback that moved on to the NFL. Is Tyler Wilson better than Ryan Mallett? Does he have a better arm?

Wilson has an absolute hose, but I am not sure it is quite up to par with what Mallett once had in Fayetteville.

However, Wilson does avoid a lot more turnovers and does not force too many passes into tight windows. He has confidence in his arm and feels that he can make great decisions despite being under pressure.

Pulling a miraculous come-from-behind victory over A&M just goes to show how much heart he has on top of his golden arm.

The "It" Factor

To become a successful quarterback in the SEC, let alone college football, you need to have great tools around you. Wilson has arguably the best receivers in the country including Jarius Wright, whose 281 receiving yards set a program record. 

Wilson had a record of his own, throwing for a school-record 510 yards in their 42-38 shootout victory. The arm strength and the rest of the tools he possesses are tremendous to have but his feel for the game is so much better than the majority of the quarterbacks in the country. He showed he was a winner as a backup last season and he is proving that he is worth all the hype and more this season as a starter.

Georgia's Aaron Murray is right up there as being the best in the SEC in time since he is just a sophomore, but he is going to have wait a few more years because Tyler Wilson has more yards, touchdowns, fewer interceptions and most importantly, his team is ranked in the Top 10!