Ranking SEC Quarterback Situations Heading Into the 2026 Season

The SEC has some interesting quarterback situations leading into the 2026 season. Here is a ranking of those situations from best to potentially the worst.

1. Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss)

After receiving a second chance to play college football through the Mississippi court system, Chambliss returns as the most talented quarterback in the SEC. He was seconds away from leading his team to a national championship berth but fell short to Miami in the College Football Playoff semifinal. With a new offensive coordinator in Oxford, Chambliss looks to repeat his production in the 2026 season and lead Ole Miss back to the playoff.

2. Gunner Stockton (Georgia)

Stockton has a strong case to be number one on this list. He completed 69.7 percent of his passes, won the SEC championship, and improved as the season went on in 2025. With Mike Bobo returning as offensive coordinator, Stockton will look to lead Georgia back to the SEC title game and compete for a national championship.

3. Marcel Reed (Texas A and M)

Marcel Reed threw for over 3,000 yards and rushed for just under 500 yards in the 2025 season. He led an offense that was explosive and fast. Reed helped lead Texas A&M to the first round of the playoff, but a late interception in the end zone against Miami ended their season. With the addition of Isaiah Horton and Holmon Wiggins calling plays, Reed looks to build on last year and keep this offense rolling.

4. John Mateer (Oklahoma)

John Mateer had early Heisman chatter during the season. After breaking his thumb against Auburn, it took time for him to get back to form. He still led Oklahoma to big road wins against Tennessee and Alabama and helped get the Sooners into the playoff. Mateer finished the season completing 62 percent of his passes for just under 2,900 yards. Oklahoma had a two score lead against Alabama in the first round but could not hold on.

5. Byrum Brown (Auburn)

This may surprise some people! Byrum Brown is one of only twelve players in college football history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Now he follows his head coach Alex Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon to Auburn. With weapons like Chad Nimrod, KeShaun Singleton, and Jeremiah Koger, this offense should not take a step back. Auburn could have one of the most exciting quarterback situations in the SEC.

6. Arch Manning (Texas)

Arch Manning had an up and down season in 2025. He finished with 13 touchdowns and 7 interceptions while completing 66 percent of his passes. He also threw for just over 3,100 yards. Now with new weapons like Cam Coleman, Manning will look to take the next step and push Texas back into the playoff picture.

7. Sam Leavitt or Husan Longstreet (LSU)

Sam Leavitt led Arizona State to the playoff in 2024 and showed strong production that season. However, a foot injury kept him out for most of 2025, and there are still questions about his health. If he is not ready, former five star and USC transfer Husan Longstreet could take over. With Lane Kiffin now leading the program, history shows he can get strong play from his quarterbacks either way.

8. Austin Simmons (Missouri)

Austin Simmons began the 2025 season as the starting quarterback at Ole Miss. After an injury and the rise of Trinidad Chambliss, he lost the job and entered the transfer portal. Now at Missouri with Eli Drinkwitz and Kirby Moore, Simmons has a chance to prove himself again and show why he was trusted to start before.

Trinidad Chambliss scrambles for yards against Georgia in the quarterfinal of the College Football Playoff on Thursday, January 1, 2026

9. LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

Sellers had South Carolina in playoff talks during the 2024 season, but the team took a step back in 2025. He completed 60.8 percent of his passes for just over 2,400 yards with 13 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. His drop in rushing production hurt his overall impact. With Kendal Briles now calling plays, there is hope that this offense can become more explosive again.

10. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell (Alabama)

Alabama lost Ty Simpson, who was a key part of the offense in 2025. Now the focus turns to younger talent. Austin Mack knows the system under Kalen DeBoer, while Keelon Russell comes in as a highly rated recruit and Elite 11 winner. There is talent here, but not much experience. Whoever wins the job will face major pressure right away.

11. Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State)

Kamario Taylor, a former four star recruit, has the inside track to be the starter. He brings dual threat ability and fits what Jeff Lebby wants to do on offense. Taylor has a real chance to surprise people if he can put everything together this season.

12. Kenny Minchey (Kentucky)

Will Stein begins his time at Kentucky by bringing in a quarterback who fits his fast paced offense. Kenny Minchey, a transfer from Notre Dame, steps into that role. There is not much game production to go off of yet, but the former four star has the tools to help change the direction of the program.

13. Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr (Florida)

Aaron Philo transfers in to reunite with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner. Tramell Jones Jr is also in the mix for the starting job. With a strong running back like Jaden Baugh returning, the quarterback will not have to carry the full load. This competition will be one to watch.

14. KJ Jackson (Arkansas)

New head coach Ryan Silverfield has a big quarterback to work with in KJ Jackson. He appears to have the early lead for the starting job. However, transfer AJ Hill could still push him. This is a battle that will continue into the season.

15. George MacIntyre, Fazion Brandon or Ryan Staub (Tennessee)

Josh Heupel has a tough situation. Only one quarterback in this group has real college experience, and that is Ryan Staub. He completed 54.5 percent of his passes with 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions for 427 yards. MacIntyre and Brandon are highly rated recruits, but they have not played yet. This decision will have a major impact on Tennessee’s season.

16. Jared Curtis (Vanderbilt)

Jared Curtis was a five star recruit who flipped from Georgia to Vanderbilt. He has not played a college snap yet but is expected to compete for the starting job right away. This could be a risk, or it could turn into a huge win for Clark Lea and the program.