There isn’t any doubt that quarterback is an important place on the sector. Only a yr in the past, the 2 groups enjoying for a nationwide championship each despatched their beginning quarterbacks to the NFL.
Loads of SEC groups anticipate to be competing for a nationwide championship this yr. To do this, they will want some wonderful quarterback play. In fact, that should not be an issue to seek out in such a proficient league general.
With that in thoughts, here is a breakdown of the quarterback tiers throughout the SEC. Every tier had 4 out of the sixteen SEC groups assigned to it, beginning with these on the prime.
The Prime-Tier Groups
Texas Longhorns, LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, Texas A&M Aggies
On the prime of the SEC for quarterback play are the Texas Longhorns. That is for good cause, as Arch Manning stays the highest particular person quarterback within the convention and a favourite to be the long run first general draft choose.
Behind Texas on the top-tier of groups listed below are the LSU Tigers, Ole Miss Rebels, and Texas A&M Aggies. All of them have one factor in widespread, an skilled quarterback who took their group to the School Soccer Playoff. In LSU’s case, Sam Leavitt did that whereas he was at Arizona State. Trinidad Chambliss and Marcel Reed, in the meantime, did it simply final yr at Ole Miss and Texas A&M, respectively.
The Higher Center-Tier Groups
Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, South Carolina Gamecocks, Auburn Tigers
The Alabama Crimson Tide are going into the 2026 season with some questions at quarterback. Particularly, a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, which most anticipate Russell to win. Regardless, there’s wonderful upside within the QB room at Alabama.
Georgia, like three of these top-tier groups, has a beginning quarterback in Gunner Stockton who took them to the CFP earlier than. Now, he simply must take the following step. As for South Carolina and Auburn, they’re each very excessive upside conditions, although questions stay. LaNorris Sellers must be an NFL expertise for South Carolina, however he did not play prefer it a season in the past. For Auburn, Byrum Brown is making the bounce to the SEC as a switch (South Florida), however already is aware of head coach Alex Golesh’s offense.
The Decrease Center-Tier Groups
Oklahoma Sooners, Missouri Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Volunteers
A season in the past, John Mateer flashed his expertise however suffered an damage, and likewise flashed how a lot he can battle at occasions. Nonetheless, there’s so much to love with Mateer, and he did take the Oklahoma Sooners to the CFP. It is simply onerous to disregard the 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions he posted in 2025 after tossing 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions at Washington State in 2024.
As for Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, they’re going to all have new beginning quarterbacks in 2026. Missouri has switch Austin Simmons (Ole Miss), whereas Kentucky has switch Kenny Minchey (Notre Dame). Each are high-upside guys, however each additionally did not win quarterback battles at their previous faculties. In the meantime, Tennessee is selecting between high-upside kids with little to no expertise, Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre. Upside is nice, however there’s little or no proof of idea.
The Decrease-Tier Groups
Vanderbilt Commodores, Florida Gators, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Arkansas Razorbacks
A season in the past, Vanderbilt had its greatest quarterback in program historical past below heart in Diego Pavia. Now, it is into the unknown. Fortunately, that unknown consists of top-QB prospect Jared Curtis. He is younger, and you may anticipate rising pains, however the expertise is definitely there. It is in all probability only a yr or so early.
Florida and Kentucky each have new teaching staffs. With them come new quarterbacks. There are going to be quarterback battles there, definitely, nevertheless it’s clear there are extra questions than solutions. Florida is deciding between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. In the meantime, Arkansas is deciding between KJ Jackson and AJ Hill. Mississippi State is prone to go along with Kamario Taylor. He has some restricted expertise from final season (43-of-77 for 629 yards, 5 touchdowns and one interception), however might want to take a significant step ahead.
