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So much of football is down to the quarterbacks. Elite teams that are competing for championships usually have an elite QB under center. The Longhorns have one of the best in Arch Manning. But the Southeastern Conference is loaded. Manning isn't the only elite signal caller in the league.
Now that most of the transfers are done and the recruiting classes are signed, it's a good chance to see where each team in the SEC stands at quarterback.
Here is our pre-spring SEC QB Rankings:
The freshman phenom comes in at 16 for me, simply because I haven’t seen him play college football yet. I do believe he is supremely talented and will end the season as one of the top SEC QBs heading into 2027. I’d just like to see a year play out before placing him higher.
This is a room with potential but still is a relative question mark heading into next season. KJ Jackson and AJ Hill, the Memphis transfer, will battle for the starting role. Both are very talented players but still young and I’ll need to see a season before I feel confident.
Now that we have a decision on Joey Aguilar, the starting job in Knoxville is a three-man race. George McIntyre, Colorado transfer Ryan Staub and true freshman Faizon Brandon will battle it out. McIntyre is the favorite in my mind but I could see any of the three starting in Week 1 for the Volunteers.
Taylor is one of the best athletes at QB in the conference. He brings elite rushing ability to the table and is finding his groove as a passer. The lack of experience is the reason he’s not higher on the list but I do believe Taylor could launch up this list in 2026.
The former Ole Miss starter has made his way to Columbia, Missouri and I believe his best football is in front of him. He struggled early in the season as a young QB and then suffered an injury, opening the door for the top QB in the SEC to take over. There are questions that he’ll need to answer in 2026 but I’m bullish on Simmons.
Minchey had one of the more high-profile transfer recruitments, committing to Nebraska before flipping to the Wildcats. Minchey spent 2025 as the backup to CJ Carr at Notre Dame but does bring dual threat ability to the table. I believe the marriage with Will Stein will do Minchey well and he could be a pleasant surprise in 2026.
Philo is a QB I’m very bullish on heading into 2026. He joins the Gators from Georgia Tech with his OC Buster Faulkner. Philo has been the backup to Haynes King for the last two seasons but has flashed in the time he’s gotten. Given the WR group John Sumrall and company have put together, I expect Philo to have a strong 2026 campaign.
This is my highest profile QB battle in the SEC. Keelon Russell, former 5-star QB, and Austin Mack, Washington transfer, enter their second years in Tuscaloosa. The two will battle for the starting spot in what I expect to be a lengthy competition. Mack was the listed backup in 2025 but I lean towards Russell taking the reins.
Mateer enters his second year at Oklahoma and third as Ben Arbuckle’s starter. The athleticism and ability to create off schedule is incredible but there are still areas of concerns. Given how far he’s into his career, I don’t expect his shortcomings to be fully fixed in 2026. That being said, his physical ability is enough to put him in the top half of the conference.
Reed is heading into his second year as the Aggies starting QB and there are steps that need to be taken. I believe he’s more than capable of finding his footing as a passer in 2026 and pairing it with his elite athleticism. He’s someone on this list that enters the season at 7th but could very well end inside the top 3.
Sellers continues to be one of the more polarizing players in the country. I lean towards he’s a remarkable talent that wasn’t getting enough help in 2025. South Carolina seems to have made upgrades around him and I expect a bounce-back season in 2026 if he can stay healthy.
Stockton is coming off an SEC title and CFP appearance in his first year starting for the Bulldogs. The biggest area of improvement is as a true pocket passer, something he struggled with at times in his first season. I expect him to improve as a passer in the offseason and continue building off a productive 2025 campaign.
The South Florida transfer comes in with Alex Golesh and I believe some SEC fans will be shocked by Brown in 2026. He brings elite experience and dual-threat ability to the table. He’s one of the QBs that will likely take over a game or two in 2026 and possibly lead the Tigers to some big-time upsets.
The new Tigers starter QB is one the Longhorns are very familiar with. Leavitt is a true playmaker at the QB position and I believe has found his perfect match in Lane Kiffin. Kiffin’s ability to harness playmaking ability and avoid mistakes is incredible and I expect him to do that with Leavitt. There are still improvements that have to be made which is why he fits in at 3rd but I expect a strong season in 2026.
The Longhorns starter comes in at No. 2 for me. Manning finished the season with a remarkable final month and heads into 2026 as the favorite to win the Heisman. There are obvious areas that need improving but the raw ability is as good as you’ll find the country. I expect a strong 2026 campaign from Manning and him to meet the lofty expectations on him.
This is the most known commodity at the position in the conference and the best playmaker as well. Chambliss plays with remarkable control in chaotic pockets and can make plays with his legs and arm. The change from Lane Kiffin to John David Baker is a question but I believe Chambliss enters the season as the clear QB1 in the SEC.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: SEC QB Rankings: Who is No. 1 quarterback Pre-Spring?
Continue reading...
Now that most of the transfers are done and the recruiting classes are signed, it's a good chance to see where each team in the SEC stands at quarterback.
Here is our pre-spring SEC QB Rankings:
The Unknowns
16. Jared Curtis - Vanderbilt
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The freshman phenom comes in at 16 for me, simply because I haven’t seen him play college football yet. I do believe he is supremely talented and will end the season as one of the top SEC QBs heading into 2027. I’d just like to see a year play out before placing him higher.
15. Arkansas QB
This is a room with potential but still is a relative question mark heading into next season. KJ Jackson and AJ Hill, the Memphis transfer, will battle for the starting role. Both are very talented players but still young and I’ll need to see a season before I feel confident.
14. Tennessee QB
Now that we have a decision on Joey Aguilar, the starting job in Knoxville is a three-man race. George McIntyre, Colorado transfer Ryan Staub and true freshman Faizon Brandon will battle it out. McIntyre is the favorite in my mind but I could see any of the three starting in Week 1 for the Volunteers.
The Potential-Filled Group
13. Kamario Taylor - Mississippi State
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Taylor is one of the best athletes at QB in the conference. He brings elite rushing ability to the table and is finding his groove as a passer. The lack of experience is the reason he’s not higher on the list but I do believe Taylor could launch up this list in 2026.
12. Austin Simmons - Missouri
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The former Ole Miss starter has made his way to Columbia, Missouri and I believe his best football is in front of him. He struggled early in the season as a young QB and then suffered an injury, opening the door for the top QB in the SEC to take over. There are questions that he’ll need to answer in 2026 but I’m bullish on Simmons.
11. Kenny Minchey - Kentucky
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Minchey had one of the more high-profile transfer recruitments, committing to Nebraska before flipping to the Wildcats. Minchey spent 2025 as the backup to CJ Carr at Notre Dame but does bring dual threat ability to the table. I believe the marriage with Will Stein will do Minchey well and he could be a pleasant surprise in 2026.
10. Aaron Philo - Florida
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Philo is a QB I’m very bullish on heading into 2026. He joins the Gators from Georgia Tech with his OC Buster Faulkner. Philo has been the backup to Haynes King for the last two seasons but has flashed in the time he’s gotten. Given the WR group John Sumrall and company have put together, I expect Philo to have a strong 2026 campaign.
9. Keelon Russell/Austin Mack - Alabama
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This is my highest profile QB battle in the SEC. Keelon Russell, former 5-star QB, and Austin Mack, Washington transfer, enter their second years in Tuscaloosa. The two will battle for the starting spot in what I expect to be a lengthy competition. Mack was the listed backup in 2025 but I lean towards Russell taking the reins.
The KnownCommodities
8. John Mateer - Oklahoma
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Mateer enters his second year at Oklahoma and third as Ben Arbuckle’s starter. The athleticism and ability to create off schedule is incredible but there are still areas of concerns. Given how far he’s into his career, I don’t expect his shortcomings to be fully fixed in 2026. That being said, his physical ability is enough to put him in the top half of the conference.
7. Marcel Reed - Texas A&M
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Reed is heading into his second year as the Aggies starting QB and there are steps that need to be taken. I believe he’s more than capable of finding his footing as a passer in 2026 and pairing it with his elite athleticism. He’s someone on this list that enters the season at 7th but could very well end inside the top 3.
6. LaNorris Sellers - South Carolina
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Sellers continues to be one of the more polarizing players in the country. I lean towards he’s a remarkable talent that wasn’t getting enough help in 2025. South Carolina seems to have made upgrades around him and I expect a bounce-back season in 2026 if he can stay healthy.
5. Gunner Stockton - Georgia
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Stockton is coming off an SEC title and CFP appearance in his first year starting for the Bulldogs. The biggest area of improvement is as a true pocket passer, something he struggled with at times in his first season. I expect him to improve as a passer in the offseason and continue building off a productive 2025 campaign.
4. Byrum Brown - Auburn
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The South Florida transfer comes in with Alex Golesh and I believe some SEC fans will be shocked by Brown in 2026. He brings elite experience and dual-threat ability to the table. He’s one of the QBs that will likely take over a game or two in 2026 and possibly lead the Tigers to some big-time upsets.
3. Sam Leavitt - LSU
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The new Tigers starter QB is one the Longhorns are very familiar with. Leavitt is a true playmaker at the QB position and I believe has found his perfect match in Lane Kiffin. Kiffin’s ability to harness playmaking ability and avoid mistakes is incredible and I expect him to do that with Leavitt. There are still improvements that have to be made which is why he fits in at 3rd but I expect a strong season in 2026.
2. Arch Manning - Texas
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The Longhorns starter comes in at No. 2 for me. Manning finished the season with a remarkable final month and heads into 2026 as the favorite to win the Heisman. There are obvious areas that need improving but the raw ability is as good as you’ll find the country. I expect a strong 2026 campaign from Manning and him to meet the lofty expectations on him.
The Leader
1. Trinidad Chambliss - Ole Miss
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This is the most known commodity at the position in the conference and the best playmaker as well. Chambliss plays with remarkable control in chaotic pockets and can make plays with his legs and arm. The change from Lane Kiffin to John David Baker is a question but I believe Chambliss enters the season as the clear QB1 in the SEC.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: SEC QB Rankings: Who is No. 1 quarterback Pre-Spring?
Continue reading...
