SEC Football: The best quarterback in each program’s history
2000-03. Eli Manning. 841. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. 10. player
Eli starred at a different SEC football program than his older brother
No quarterback in Ole Miss history has a career-high quite like Eli Manning. He spent four seasons in Oxford, where he broke the school’s all-time passing record (10,119) and passing touchdown record (84).
Manning led the Rebels to a pair of bowl victories, including a 27-23 Independence Bowl win over Nebraska in 2002 and a 31-28 Cotton Bowl victory over Oklahoma State in 2003.
He led the 2003 Rebels to a 10-3 season in which they won a share of the SEC West. Manning took home several honors for his incredible season, including the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year awards and second-team All-American honors along with first-team All-SEC honors.
In a 58-56 overtime loss to Arkansas as a sophomore, Manning threw for a program-record six touchdowns. During that season, he broke the program’s all-time single-season touchdown record with 31.
He was drafted with the first overall pick of the 2004 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers but was soon traded to the New York Giants. Manning went onto guide the Giants to two super bowl championships and was named a pro bowler four times.