ESPN analyst Aaron Murray evaluates quarterbacks around the SEC

July is coming to an end, which means college football season is right around the corner. Former Georgia quarterback and current ESPN analyst Aaron Murray joined TexAgs Live on Friday to share his opinions on Marcel Reed, DJ Lagway and more signal-callers in the SEC.

Key notes from Aaron Murray interview

• I'm excited for Florida, in general. That was a team that finished really strong last year. I think right now, with a little cushion for Billy Napier. There's less talk of whether he's going to lose his position compared to last year. I think it'll be a good spot to have success this year, but it starts with the quarterback.
   
• I was able to cover Lagway’s first game, and he checked out all the boxes. He is very intelligent, hardworking, and has the ability to push the ball down the field and hit explosive plays. The turnovers are the issue, though.
   
• I'm fine with mistakes as a young kid. I want them to test the waters of what you can do and can't. Now, you go into the offseason and watch film on SEC ball and fast defenses, and go out and make the corrections for the following year. I like what Florida does with Napier. I do anticipate Lagway being one of the premier quarterbacks, not just in the SEC but all of college football.
   
• I think Marcel Reed’s right in the middle of the pack. I hope he gains some weight. It's going to be a different offense than Florida. You look at Florida and Lagway with him throwing and pushing the football down the field. You look at A&M and how they're built with the offensive line, two or three really good running backs and a quarterback that can run.
   
• Come November, December, January, I think statistically you'll see Lagway perform better throwing the ball, but that doesn't necessarily mean Reed isn't doing a great job with his offense and what he's asked to do.
   
• In my junior and senior years, as a competitor, you're looking at the stat sheets. You're looking at Johnny Manziel and Zach Mettenberger putting up crazy numbers… If I had a message for Reed, I’d say understand your offense with Collin Klein. You aren't going to be like Florida, not going to be like Tennessee, or LSU with Garrett Nussmeier and those receivers with how they want to push the ball down the field vertically.
   
• This will be and should be a football team where the strength is running it. Hopefully, the defense takes steps in the right direction and is more physical. I do anticipate Reed taking strides in the right direction this year. 
   
• I would say from years two to three, I saw the field the best. I think there is a massive jump from one to two. Understanding the speed of the game, understanding the offense, and maturing when it comes to leadership. It's hard as a redshirt freshman to be a leader. Once you get your feet wet and you know your checks, you know the defenses and speed. Now you can start to mature when it comes to leadership, such as building 7-on-7s.
   
• When it comes to being an absolute master on offense, for me, it was the communication with Mike Bobo from the second to the third season. I'd go, “Hey Bobo, this is what I like… on third down… in the redzone…” I think that mastery of the offense and control on the offensive line of scrimmage, to say, “This doesn't look good. Let me check out of this.”
   
• I think that communication has to be really strong with Reed and Klein this year, but hopefully, he continues to mature in year three and beyond.
   
• With Le’Veon Moss, Amari Daniels, the offensive line, and his legs too... I considered myself somewhat of a dual threat, but I'm not to the level of some of these guys like Reed when it comes to running.
   
• You're always working to be a better passer, being able to go from one to two to three to four. Having a running back to get to third and manageable, where I don't have to do a five-step drop, and also I'm a threat to run the football... I think that's a big thing too.
   
• When defenses say third and short, a lot of teams want to play man-to-man coverage. The problem is... Are you going to put a linebacker to spy on Reed? When you get to those third and manageables, they’ll have a tough decision on whether to play zone because of his ability to run the quarterback, or do we play man, and hopefully the line can contain him, because if the routes don’t show up, he can't take off and run with his legs. That running game staying ahead of the chains is going to be really dangerous for the Aggies this season.
   
• I agree with you on South Carolina’s defense. It was incredible and a strength of their team. I had them Week 1, and if it wasn't for a fumble on the last play inside their 10-yard line, they probably would've lost. I think LaNorris Sellers checks off a bunch of boxes. I think he’s a good thrower. The defense isn't as good as it was last year. That defense was stacked last year. When you lose that they'll take a step back.
   
• I think the weapons could be better. I know they got some guys from the portal, but I think Sellers is going to take a step forward as a passer. I think the weapons will be better, and they have to be. The defense won't be as strong. This team is going to have to rely more on the offense to be explosive.
   
• I like Gunner Stockton. I think he's a good leader. He's got a great arm, and I think he's athletic. Hopefully, Georgia doesn't drop five million balls this year to make his life easier. The weapons should be better. I'm ready to see what the offensive line looks like, but I think he's a good quarterback. I wouldn't say there are elite traits, but he can make all the passes and get out of trouble. I think there will be good weapons around him, so I anticipate Georgia's offense to be better this next year.