In Gainesville, Florida, the race for the Heisman Trophy among Southeastern Conference (SEC) quarterbacks has hit a rough patch, with many players struggling in recent games.
One notable exception appears to be Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, whose performance has garnered attention as a potential standout in the league.
The situation for quarterbacks like Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is less than ideal, as he currently has a higher number of interceptions than touchdown passes after four league games. Georgia’s Carson Beck has also seen his performance wane under SEC pressure, throwing eight interceptions in his last four games, including three each against Alabama and Texas.
Other quarterbacks, such as Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart, Texas’ Quinn Ewers, Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, have similarly lost momentum since the commencement of conference play.
On a more positive note, Missouri’s Brady Cook remains the only SEC starter without an interception in league matchups. However, heading into a significant matchup against No. 15 Alabama, his completion percentage has fallen nearly 20 points.
This decline in quarterback performance is perhaps unsurprising, given the SEC’s history of being recognized for its formidable defenses. Despite this, the conference has produced four of the last five Heisman winners, with LSU’s Jayden Daniels (2023), Alabama’s Bryce Young (2021), Alabama’s DeVonta Smith (2020), and LSU’s Joe Burrow (2019).
Currently, the prospects seem dim for any SEC player to secure an invitation to the prestigious Downtown Athletic Club next December. The last time an SEC player made the cut was back in 2017.
BetMGM Sportsbook has indicated that Beck, Ewers, and Milroe were favorites for the Heisman at the beginning of the season, but their turnover issues have pushed them out of the top five. They now trail rising stars, including Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Miami’s Cam Ward.
Coaches within the SEC have been vocal in their defense of their quarterbacks. Alabama’s coach Kalen DeBoer expressed that Milroe takes on a lot of responsibility, stating that there are additional ways the team can support him.
Georgia’s coach Kirby Smart took a strong stance in support of Beck, noting the impact of multiple dropped passes on a quarterback’s confidence. “He had probably eight or nine drops,” Smart mentioned, while also affirming Beck’s overall solid performance despite a tough outing.
In contrast, Oklahoma and Texas have seen changes in their quarterback situations. The Sooners moved from sophomore Jackson Arnold to freshman Michael Hawkins Jr., only to revert back to Arnold following disappointing offensive displays and the firing of their play-caller.
Texas briefly benched Ewers during a slow start in the game against Georgia, showcasing that the highly touted Arch Manning is waiting in the wings. Since returning from injury, Ewers has not performed at his peak level, though he believes he will regain his previous form.
As it stands, the majority of starting quarterbacks in the SEC are eager to reclaim their earlier performances in the second half of the season. Just weeks earlier, Milroe, Dart, Beck, Iamaleava, Ewers, and Nussmeier were considered among the leading Heisman candidates.
Pavia has yet to enter any Heisman conversation, but his pivotal role in Vanderbilt’s surprising victory over Alabama has placed the Commodores, now ranked No. 25, in a favorable position. If he can lead his team to victories against No. 5 Texas, No. 8 LSU, and No. 7 Tennessee, he might just become a contender for postseason accolades.
“Every time I step on the field, I feel like I’m the best player on the field — every single time,” Pavia declared, echoing the confidence once shared by his fellow quarterbacks before league play commenced.
