LSU Football: Jordan Jefferson and the Top 5 SEC Quarterbacks

Jordan Jefferson started this year's college football season without a spot on the Tigers roster after being suspended for his involvement in an offseason bar fight.

Now, 12 games into the season, Jefferson has not only taken over the starting quarterback role for LSU, but also he is playing the best football of his collegiate career.

Unlike past years, the quarterbacks in the SEC are not the best in the nation. Therefore, despite not playing every game this season, Jefferson is already among the best in the conference. But who are the other top QBs in the SEC?

Let's break it down right here, right now.

5. Connor Shaw, South Carolina

Connor Shaw had an interesting ride to the top of South Carolina's quarterback depth chart, somewhat similar to Jordan Jefferson. Shaw started the year as the starter, then lost it after his poor showing early on in the season.

But after an ongoing problem led to the dismissal of former SC quarterback Stephen Garcia, Shaw took over the starting QB gig and has been solid ever since.

Since taking over as the full-time starter back on Oct. 8, Shaw has completed 66 percent of his passes, which is phenomenal considering most games have come against powerful SEC foes.

Shaw has passed for 1,218 yards and 12 touchdown compared to six interceptions. He had a near flawless game last weekend against Clemson, throwing for 210 yards and three touchdowns.

He isn't an elite quarterback by any means, but he is on his way to getting there.

4. AJ McCarron, Alabama

AJ McCarron was a very high recruit out of high school, but many people were unsure what to expect of him when he took over Alabama's starting quarterback job this fall.

While he hasn't been eye-popping good, he has certainly handled the job pretty well.

McCarron is completing 67 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,400 yards and 16 touchdowns in an offense that is more known for its running ability than passing.

Keep in mind that McCarron doesn't have Julio Jones to throw the ball to anymore, so that makes his numbers that much more impressive this year. And the fact that he has Alabama likely headed to the BCS National Championship Game!

3. Tyler Wilson

This is where it gets tough because I contemplated putting Tyler Wilson up at No. 2 before looking at his numbers and thinking back to how he played this week against LSU.

Granted, LSU does have the best secondary in the nation, but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and Tyler Wilson and the Razorbacks weren't even close to doing to in this game.

Numbers wise, it's tough to beat Wilson. He leads the SEC in passing yards with 3,422 and is second with 22 touchdowns. 

But also keep in mind that Wilson has hands-down the best receiving corps to throw to in the SEC. He is good, but he plays in an offense that gives him the opportunity to put up those type of gaudy passing numbers this season. 

Look for Wilson to rise up this list next year.

2. Jordan Jefferson

Jordan Jefferson has been nothing short of fantastic since taking over the starting quarterback gig. But what makes Jefferson so good and so unique is his ability to get is done with both his arm and his legs.

On the season, Jefferson is completing 64 percent of his passes. He has already passed for 654 yards in his limited time as a starter, but he has also ran for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Keep in mind that this came while only attempting 10 total passes in his first eight games.

He is multidimensional, and most importantly, he is a winner. He has led the best team in the nation to an undefeated record and the No. 1 ranking in the country.

Enough said.

1. Aaron Murray

Not only is Aaron Murray putting up the best passing numbers in the SEC, but he is doing so while leading the Georgia Bulldogs back to national relevance. 

Murray has completed 61 percent of his passes this season for 2,698 yards and an SEC-best 32 touchdowns. His 32 TD passes are the seventh-most in all of college football this season.

Murray's 155.4 QB rating is also tops in the SEC and ranks No. 14 in all of college football.

But most importantly, Murray has led his Georgia team to a 10-2 record and a spot in the SEC title game. He has not lost a game at quarterback since back on Sept. 10 to South Carolina in the second game of the season.

It's hard to argue with that.