Greg McElroy recognized Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green’s potential and described him as “painfully underrated” after his standout 3,800-plus yard performance in 2024. What is Green’s proverbial ceiling in 2025 under head coach Sam Pittman?
McElroy Praises Taylen Green’s Breakout Season
Green joined Arkansas as a transfer from Boise State before last season and turned in one of the most impressive performances the Razorbacks have seen under center. His effort caught the attention of former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy.
McElroy named Green an honorable mention on his list of the top 10 college quarterbacks ahead of this season, alongside Texas’ Arch Manning, SMU’s Kevin Jennings, Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer, and UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava.
“I think Taylen Green is painfully underrated,” McElroy said Monday on his podcast, Always College Football. “When you think about some of the most naturally gifted players in the sport, not very many people are immediately jumping out and saying, ‘Taylen Green! Taylen Green! Taylen Green!’ He’s big, he’s physical, he’s smooth. A guy who can run, a guy who can throw, a guy who looks the part.”
Green passed for 3,154 yards and rushed for 602 more, accounting for 23 total touchdowns. He became one of just five Razorbacks signal-callers to throw for 3,000 yards, joining Ryan Mallett, Tyler Wilson, Brandon Allen, and Austin Allen.
“His performance last year — in Year 1 with Bobby Petrino as his offensive coordinator — was the second-best in the history of Arkansas football, behind Ryan Mallett in 2010,” McElroy said.
“Statistically, it was amazing.”
McElroy acknowledged occasional lapses that label Green as inconsistent. “There are moments where he flashes and you’re like, ‘Oh, my gosh!’ There are two guys in the country who can make that throw, three guys who can make that play. That’s Lamar Jackson reincarnated. How did he do that?”
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He added, “But the ceiling is outrageous, and I’m banking on a considerable jump in Year 2 with Bobby Petrino — a year of comfort, a year of being more familiar with the SEC and the speed required to play at a high level in this conference.”
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