Trolls still bashing Taylen Green post-Manning camp invite, but stats don't lie

On Monday, the University of Arkansas' football social media account on X (formerly Twitter) announced that Taylen Green was invited to be a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy. He joins six former Arkansas quarterbacks to receive the honor: Ryan Mallet, Tyler Wilson, Brandon Allen, Austin Allen, Cole Kelley, and the latest, KJ Jefferson.

Founded by Archie Manning in 1996, the annual camp is a four-day event for high school offensive skill players like quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends. Over the past 28 years, the Mannings have invited some of the best collegiate QBs to help with the camp, including Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Trevor Lawrence, to name a few in the NFL. Last season, stars like Carson Beck, Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik, and Dillon Gabriel were some of the collegiate QBs to counsel the next generation.

His inclusion in the Manning Passing Academy is an obvious nod to Green's talent. However, there's still a small yet vocal minority of critics who consistently badger him on social media. Even in the comments of the invitation post, fans question why he's even being considered.

"He sucks," says the conveniently anonymous account, but let's put Green up against past Manning Passing Academy attendees from Arkansas to see just how much he 'sucks.'

Taylen Green compared to former Razorback Manning camp attendees

Firstly, Cole Kelly will be excluded from the conversation. His time as a Razorback was marred by the inexcusable decision-making and QB management of the Chad Morris coaching staff. Comparing his production at Arkansas isn't fair to him, but for what it's worth, he did throw for 5,124 yards and 44 touchdowns in his final season at Southeast Louisiana.

Secondly, when comparing Green's first season with the Razorbacks to every starting season (13 in total) of the five remaining QBs, Green is only in the bottom three in two category, albeit an important ones: passing touchdowns and turnovers.

What he lacked in passing touchdowns, he made up for in rushing touchdowns with eight, the second most of all 13 seasons. As far as rushing yards, he's only behind KJ Jefferson's three years as the play-caller (not counting Matt Jones). Only Brandon Allen comes close with 107 yards in 2015.

Just because Green fell short in passing touchdowns doesn't mean he can't throw. There are only seven times in school history that a QB threw for more than 3,000 yards, and Green in 2024 is one of them. Of course, Green's 3,154 yards is No. 7 on the list, but it's not like any other season is even close. The eighth-best passing season was Jefferson's 2,676 yards in 2021.

However, the most important stat is the single-season total offensive yards, where Green ranks second all-time, 39 yards behind Ryan Mallett's 3,795 yards in 2010.

Green ranks among the top seven in each of the categories mentioned above, but we still need to address his turnovers, particularly fumbles. Granted, he had a problem in 2024; in 13 games, Green threw nine interceptions and lost five fumbles, resulting in a total of 14 turnovers. When considering all turnovers, he is behind Austin Allen, who had 19 in 2016 and is tied for second with Wilson, who had the same number in 2012. Close behind him is Mallett, who had an impressive season in 2010 but still had 13 turnovers.

Everywhere you look on the stat sheet, Green in 2024 falls well within what some would call the best QB seasons in Arkansas history. But still, there's a drive to discredit the former Boise State transfer. Why?

Poisonous fruit

Well, Green is the fruit of the poisonous tree, to start. In law, it's a doctrine that describes evidence obtained through illegal searches. But for Arkansas football, it has to do with the coaching staff, namely Sam Pittman.

The vibes around football this offseason has been bleak—almost zero excitement among the fans. That's partly because of the University bringing back Pittman for another season. Much of the same small group of loud fans that hate Taylen Green are also vehemently against Pittman. One such example is the known beacon of negativity, the Wu-Pig Podcast.

The disgruntled fans-turned-podcast hosts have pedaled one negative storyline or rumor after another about both Pittman and Green, but it's become clear that Pittman is the source of the angst.

In their latest episode, the prattling rants of the hour and 26-minute-long video drifted from one topic to another. But anytime the group discussed Taylen Green, the conversation always ended with Pittman. For example, around the 40-minute mark, the conversation switched to the Oklahoma State game.

One person attempted to blame Green for the loss, while another suggested that Petrino should have taken Green out and played Malachi Singleton instead. By the end of the discussion, at least one host pointed fingers at Sam Pittman, claiming he lacked control over the situation.

For some reason, in their minds, anything the sixth-year head coach touches is the worst thing in college football, like a reverse Midas Touch. It doesn't matter who Pittman recruits, whether they're from high school or the transfer portal—most will never be good enough.

The Wu-Pig Podcast even expressed a desire for a bad season so that Pittman would be fired.

Hypercriticism of Taylen Green

Another reason is a well-intentioned but misinterpreted video series by D.J. Williams and the 4th and 5 Podcast. Starting with the same Oklahoma St. loss that fueled the Wu-Pig Podcast, Williams goes in on Green pretty hard, and justifiably so. He made many mistakes in his second game as a Razorback. However, Williams says himself that he's entering the realm of 'being nitpicky.' He's watching the film as a player/coach and looking for perfection from Green.

"As I've said before, we can sit here and praise Taylen Green all day... It's these little things that I'm about to point out that separate you from making it to overtime or winning the football game," said Williams.

"I know it's so small a detail, but I'm telling you, if you want to get to the next level, these details matter, and you have to hit them."

Although the episode is titled, "Razorbacks blow lead in the 2nd half... here's why!" he's not claiming that Green is the sole reason they lost. Williams is only pointing out the way Green can get better. And while that's great for the film room, over-focusing on Green can make it look like he's the biggest problem. Specifically against the Cowboys, it was, without question, the defense and special team mistakes that cursed the Hogs that day.

Williams—one of the best tight ends to wear the Razorback—knows football; does anyone really think he's suggesting that a player who accounted for 466 yards of offense and a touchdown lost the game for Arkansas? Yet, people ran with it as he did.

Green may not be a perfect QB, but the numbers don't lie. Statistically, his one season at Arkansas is one of the best in Razorback history. Yes, he makes mistakes, but so did Ryan Mallett and Tyler Wilson. And so what if Green was brought in under Sam Pittman? So were Landon Jackson, Andrew Armstrong, and Drew Sanders—although before Pittman's 4-8 season 'downfall'—and fans gave them a chance.

However, none of them had the type of season Green just had, so why not give Green a chance, too? After all, it is his second season under Bobby Petrino, the season where most of the magic happens.