5 Most Polarizing Quarterbacks in SEC History
Among the many hats I wear at 99.1 WDGM, is the role of producer of The Game (weeknights 6-8. See what I did there-nice little plug) in which I often ask a lot questions during the preshow meeting.
One of the more recent ones: has Johnny Manziel overtaken Tim Tebow as the most polorizing figure in Southeastern Conference history?
Right now, Manziel is getting plenty of attention and deservedly so. He won the Heisman Trophy as a freshman (albeit a redshirt freshman, but we'll save my feelings on that for another day) and elevated Texas A&M from a team I though would win 6 games in 2012 to one that won the Cotton Bowl.
His stat line is one of the most impressive in SEC history and his image is only amplified by his partying ways which he openly documents on his social media platforms. His resume is building.
However, let’s not forget about Tebowmania. Tebow also won the Heisman trophy around the same age as Manziel and was a key cog on the Gators national Championship teams in 2006 and 2008.
He too accumulated massive stats while playing under Urban Meyer which was only exceeded by the massive crowds he drew when out in public. Honestly, I think the only individual who has drawn that much attention is Nick Saban-both are rock stars with the room at their fingertips wherever they go.
Even as I type this, the debate rages on so why stop at debating the top 2? Why not list the 5 most polarizing quarterbacks in SEC History.
5. AJ McCarron, Alabama
AJ McCarron has quietly assembled an impressive career at the University of Alabama, but has been starting to gain a little more attention. He first gained plenty of attention off the field for his chest tattoo which made its rounds around the internet, but garnered even more attention for his success on the field (3 national titles, 2 as a starter). Mix in the fact that he is dating a model (who became famous during the 2013 BCS National Title) and McCarron has a lot of potential to move up this list.
4. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina
Garcia's production never matched the expectations put on him out of high school, but was a captivating figure for his off field antics. It seemed like the talented quarterback could never grow up from keying a professor’s car to causing a disturbance at a SEC mandated meeting focused on making good life choices. Even through all the turmoil he sits 24th all-time in SEC history for passing yards.
3. Cam Newton, Auburn/Florida
Cam Newton's story was on that nearly never happened. The quarterback started off his career in Gainesville, but eventually left the team after allegedly stealing a laptop and throwing it out the window. He then found a safe haven at Blinn Community College for a season, and then transferred to the Plains of Auburn where he captured everyone’s attention. Auburn fans loved him as he was the greatest player since Bo Jackson and opposing fans hated him for his ability to take over football games. The hatred only grew when his father admitted to shopping him to prospective schools, while Newton was allowed to play because he said he knew nothing of his father’s actions.
2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
Manziel has the potential to make a move up this list, but it will be very difficult for him to do so in my opinion. He's already established himself as the well-off, partying, Heisman winning quarterback from Texas, but now everyone has a year of tape on him and the bulls-eye will never be bigger. To move up this list Manziel would need to improve on his performance last season, win another Heisman trophy, and lead A&M to a national championship-which I don't think will happen. It would also surprise me if he came back after this season, which means like Newton he will be a flash in the pan, gone before we really got to know him.
1. Tim Tebow, Florida
For 4 seasons there was no figure in college football who drew more eyeballs than Tim Tebow. From 2006-2010, there was no figure that everyone had a passionate opinion about-you either loved or hated Tim Tebow. It was a perfect storm of an outspoken individual who spoke openly and often about his beliefs and the best player in college football.
Crowds chanted his name, while fans and media alike wondered if he was the greatest collegiate football player of all time. Tim Tebow was to college football what Justin Beiber is to teenage girls.
Tebow would pack out press rooms during media days and have to walk just inches at a time as to not to trample the reporters and cameramen that walked with his every move. Then, while he had everyone attention he backed it up: throwing for nearly 10,000 yards and rushing for 3,000 more during his tenure at Florida, accounting for 135 touchdowns.
I am not sure we'll see another player like that.
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