Top 15 Quarterbacks To Beat Nick Saban
15. Jordan Jefferson, LSU (2010 & 2011)
Jefferson had a role in back-to-back wins over Alabama, sharing snaps with Jarrett Lee throughout much of his career. Jefferson was 24-8 as a starter in Baton Rouge, with his best year coming in 2010 as a sophomore. A four-star recruit, he never rose to an All-SEC level of play.
14. Bo Nix, Auburn (2019)
Nix, who is now transferring to Oregon, had a decent three-year stay at Auburn, but never got over the hump. He started as a true freshman in 2019, beating Alabama and earning SEC Freshman of the Year in his debut. However, the inconsistent Nix regressed as a sophomore and was injured late in his junior season. Now, he’ll look to ignite his career on a new campus.
13. Trevor Knight, Oklahoma (2013)
As a redshirt freshman, Knight threw for four scores and 348 yards to upset two-time reigning national champion Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Unfortunately, his career peaked that night in New Orleans. He struggled as a passer the next two seasons in Norman, gave way to Baker Mayfield and finished his career at Texas A&M.
12. Matt Flynn, LSU (2007)
Flynn was never the most talented QB in the room, but he always got the most out of his potential. He waited his turn in Baton Rouge before leading the Tigers to the 2007 BCS National Championship as a fifth-year senior. And then he parlayed brief success as a Green Bay backup into a three-year, $26 million deal with Seattle.
11. Jarrett Stidham, Auburn (2017)
After flashing potential as a true freshman in 2015, Stidham left Baylor in the wake of a scandal that eliminated the staff that recruited him. He landed at Auburn, where he had two solid seasons as Gus Malzahn’s quarterback. Stidham threw 18 TD passes in back-to-back years, earning All-SEC in 2017. But leaving school early has yet to work out, and now he’s buried behind former Bama star Mac Jones in New England.