Making case for SEC quarterbacks in 2025 NFL Draft, Carson Beck to Jalen Milroe | Toppmeyer
Blake Toppmeyer- Georgia's Carson Beck is a projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Texas' Quinn Ewers will impress NFL scouts with his strong arm.
- Alabama's Jalen Milroe has a higher ceiling than he attained last season.
I see no Caleb Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Maybe, he just has yet to emerge.
This year’s draft became a banner year for quarterbacks. Six were selected within the first 12 picks of the first round. Interestingly, that included just one SEC quarterback. LSU’s Jayden Daniels went No. 2 overall to Washington.
Next year, SEC quarterbacks should have a bigger presence.
Here are a few that have my eye – and the eye of draft prognosticators:
Carson Beck, Georgia
Projected No. 1 overall pick by USA TODAY
My take: If factories made NFL quarterbacks, Beck would be the crown jewel of floor models. He checks all the boxes. Prototypical size. Pinpoint accuracy. Unflappable demeanor. I’m most impressed with his ability to zip completions into tight windows. He’ll face a tougher schedule this season. That’s both a proving ground and a risk for regression after his stellar debut as Georgia’s starter. Beck must show he’s the driving force for an offense that lost Brock Bowers. The Giants are expected to rank among the NFL’s worst teams next season, and draft experts eye New York as a possible destination for Beck.
Quinn Ewers, Texas
Projected No. 6 overall pick by USA TODAY.
My take: Ewers has some kind of zip on his fastball, and big-armed quarterbacks tantalize NFL scouts. He’d improve his draft stock if he develops more consistency. Also, he’ll face tougher defenses more frequently with Texas pivoting from the Big 12 to the SEC. How Ewers fares against the nation's toughest defenses will influence whether he’s a rising or falling NFL prospect.
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Jalen Milroe, Alabama
Projected No. 19 overall pick by Sporting News.
My take: Milroe oozes ability but lacks polish. What can a year in Kalen DeBoer’s offense do for him? I think it’ll help his draft stock. He improved tremendously throughout last season, but he hasn’t hit his ceiling. Milroe throws an excellent deep ball, and he’s got such speed you wonder if he could run track if Alabama didn't need him for spring football. Milroe’s next phase of development is to polish his coverage reading and ability to advance through progressions.
Wild card: Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
Nussmeier is a strong-armed gunslinger who will start putting more on film throughout his first full season as LSU’s starter, after spending the past couple of years as Daniels’ backup. I like Nussmeier's skillset, and I’m curious how he’ll develop. He’s got the option of returning to LSU in 2025.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's SEC Columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer. Also, check out his podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered and the SEC Unfiltered newsletter.