It's amazing the amount of disrespect Taylen Green receives. No, it's not the national media, but smaller online outlets and even Razorbacks' fans who doubt him despite having one of the best statistical seasons in Arkansas history. However, there's one podcast outside the legacy media's grasp that is incredibly high on Green.
"That SEC Podcast," starring Michael Bratton and his co-host, who goes by the moniker Cousin Shane, put out their preseason SEC QB rankings. Surprisingly, Green is the fourth-best QB in the conference in their eyes.
Taylen Green ranked No. 4 quarterback by That SEC Podcast
"I think this guy's criminally underrated," said Bratton. "I think he's not getting talked about nationally enough. I think he's one of the best potential QBs in the country this season."
With more QBs like Arch Manning, DJ Lagway, LaNorris Sellers, and Garrett Nussmeier, it's hard to be in the spotlight. However, Green has the opportunity to improve on his outstanding first season under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Arguably the best QB to ever play for the Razorbacks, Ryan Mallett, famously had a year-two glow-up with Petrino. Mallett only completed 55.8 percent of his passes in year one, but improved to 64.7 in 2010, where he broke the single-season passing yards record for Arkansas.
On the other hand, Green threw for "only" 3,154 yards at a 60.4 percent clip in 2024, but he made up for it with his legs, rushing for 602 yards and eight touchdowns. Altogether, Green had 129 more total yards and 10 fewer touchdowns in his first year compared to Mallett's.
Bratton is also excited to see Green in year two under Petrino. "I wish he was a little more consistent, and I think we'll see that in year two... with Bobby Petrino."
2025 SEC QB Rankings pic.twitter.com/Mj56NrFM6v
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) July 6, 2025
Echoing the sentiment, Cousin Shane chimed in about Taylen Green. "I've been high on this kid for a while now just because I've seen the ceiling first-hand," he said. "They were in a lot of football games... I feel like they wouldn't have been in that situation if it weren't for him."
"If Ohio State had this kid right now in the locker room, he'd not only be starting, but we'd also be talking about them making a back-to-back run in the national championship."
Can the rest of the team show up for Taylen Green?
The only thing holding Arkansas back in Bratton's mind is the unproven wide receivers the Hogs pulled out of the Transfer Portal this spring. "I'm quite nervous about his receivers," Bratton said. "But I'd rather have an elite QB than elite receivers than vice versa."
Still, the team's success hinges on a massive elephant in the room. The defense is completely rebuilt, having to make up for lost production on the defensive line and secondary. There's also the offensive line that, while it can't get much worse from last season, is also unproven.
"This doesn't mean Ark is going to finish top three in the conference," Bratton continued. "But I think Taylen is going to carry them to a win or two that... we don't predict, we don't see coming, because he has such a great performance."
Heisman candidate on the Hill?
Bratton and Cousin Shane take the Green hype further than most in the media are willing to do. Pro Football Focus may think Green's a first-round draft pick, but the cousins believe he's a "sneaky sleeper" for the coveted Heisman Trophy. Of course, the rest of Arkansas' team will have to help him out.
In their podcast previewing the Razorbacks' 2025-26 season, they brought up this same topic. Both acknowledged that Arkansas has to reach a win threshold to give Green a shot, but when Bratton asked Cousin Shane, the amount may be shocking.
"What if I were to guarantee you, Shane, that Taylen Green is a Heisman Trophy finalist, what would the record be?" asked Bratton. And without as much as a breath, Cousin Shane responded, "9-3."
They believe that Green could have a Jayden Daniels-type of season. LSU had a 9-3 record during the year he won, and to be fair, Arkansas faces a much bigger challenge than the 2023 Bayou Bengals with respect to their schedules. And according to Kelley Ford, with Arkansas' schedule, all it needs is eight wins to be in the College Football Playoff discussion for an at-large bid, so nine wins make a lot of sense.