Heather Dinich ranks Top 4 SEC quarterbacks in response to Jordan Rodgers' Arch Manning take

SEC Network’s Jordan Rodgers caused a stir when speaking on Arch Manning on Monday. He claimed the Texas quarterback was the fifth-best signal-caller in the conference heading into the 2025 season.

“Y’all have been drinking Paul Finebaum’s Kool-Aid for way too long,” Rodgers said on Get Up. “I have him as the fifth-best quarterback in the SEC. The hype train is out of control.”

Rodgers explained his biggest concerns with Manning, mainly who the Texas quarterback faced in 2024, which started the “hype train.” He also questioned the arm talent, Manning’s pocket awareness, and the changing of the arm angle in order to make plays. Rodgers even ranked Oklahoma’s John Mateer one spot ahead of the Longhorns star.

In response, Heather Dinich fired back with her own SEC quarterback rankings on Tuesday. She didn’t have Arch much higher than Rodgers though, as the Texas thrower came in at No. 4 for the ESPN analyst.

“I think he’s probably the fourth best, if you’re asking me to rank them right this minute,” Dinich stated, via Get Up. “I would put [Garrett] Nussmeier No. 1. Nobody’s talking about DJ Lagway enough from Florida. I put him at No. 2. Then, LaNorris Sellers at South Carolina, and then I have Arch Manning.

“We keep talking about Arch and not enough about the people around him. They have to be good around him. Four new starters on the offensive line. They lost their top three pass catchers from a year ago. Manning is a natural leader. The players gravitate towards him. They like him for who he is, not the name on the back of his jersey.

“He’s absolutely needs time to grow and learn. The real answer is, we have no idea where he ranks right now among SEC quarterbacks. But if I had to do it, I’d say he’s probably better than fifth.”

At least Dinich delivered a little more respect on Manning’s name than Rodgers did. Still, it’s tough to rank him above certain SEC quarterbacks, as the sample size is small for the star prospect. That could change in quick fashion though.

If Arch Manning starts winning games and playing well right out of the gate, he’ll prove Jordan Rodgers and any other detractors wrong in short order. It’s up to the Texas star to get the job done. We’ll see if he’s able to do it, beginning with a massive showdown against Ohio State in Week 1.