2026 SEC football QB power rankings following spring
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Spring ball is over, and it gave College Football fans a glimpse of what to expect in the Fall when the season kicks off. Schools throughout the SEC dropped footage of their QBs making plays during practices and Spring Games. Some schools exit spring ball still having a tight QB competition, while others have their established starters returning for another season before they pursue the NFL in what will be a loaded 2027 draft class.
Now that spring has concluded, here are the SEC QB power rankings heading into the Summer.
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16. KJ Jackson, Arkansas
Apr 25, 2026; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson (7) throws the ball on the sidelines during the spring game at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images KJ Jackson was the backup QB in 2025, sitting behind the now-Cleveland Browns QB Taylen Green. Jackson didn’t see too many snaps last year, but had Razorbacks fans buzzing when he filled in for Taylen Green to finish the game against Texas, where he threw 16-29, for 209 yards, a rushing touchdown, and a passing touchdown.
Jackson has competition in the Razorbacks QB room; Memphis transfer AJ Hill is another former four-star prospect who will certainly make the QB competition interesting, but for now, it feels like Jackson will start, as the more tenured Razorback. Both Jackson and Hill took QB1 snaps in the Arkansas spring game, so it still feels wide open.
15. Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Curtis is a 5-star true freshman who was flipped from Georgia to his hometown Vanderbilt Commodores. The Nashville native brings a much different look to this Commodores QB room, potentially replacing Diego Pavia. Curtis brings much more size than they’ve had the last two years, standing 6’3 and weighing roughly 230 pounds. As a talent, Curtis can certainly rise in this list late into the College Football season, but a true freshman always has some learning curves and growing pains to go through, and that won’t change for Curtis.
14. Aaron Philo, Florida
Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) passes during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Another QB room with two real competitors for the starting job: Aaron Philo transferred to Florida this offseason after two years as Haynes King’s backup at Georgia Tech. Philo, along with Tramell Jones Jr., is competing for the starting role with the Gators, and even after the spring game, it feels dead even. Aaron Philo is the older, more experienced QB, now entering his third year of College Football. As far as just SEC experience goes, Tramell Jones Jr did take snaps in 2025, posting 191 passing yards and two touchdowns on the year. Jones’s snaps were in garbage time, when the games were already decided, but he still played a whole half against an SEC defense in Kentucky.
Both QBs will have a real shot at starting, and potentially could both see starts this season, depending on how the early stretch of the year goes. The biggest advantage Philo has is that he knows the offense better. Buster Faulkner is the new offensive coordinator for the Gators, who came from Georgia Tech just as Aaron Philo did.
13. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State
Jan 2, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) runs for yardage against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images Kamario Taylor is right at the top of the SEC when it comes to pure athleticism as a QB. His two best traits are his speed and his arm strength. Taylor made only two starts last year but appeared in 11 games. Taylor’s shining moment of last season was the Egg Bowl, where he started against Ole Miss and showed how lethal a dual threat he can be, throwing for 178 yards and rushing for 173 yards, almost leading the Bulldogs to an upset over the Rebels.
There are certainly injury concerns with a QB who is as willing to use his legs and take hits as Taylor does, but if he stays healthy and the rest of the Bulldogs offense is in good shape, then Taylor will be dangerous every Saturday.
12. George Maclntyre, Tennessee
Tennessee quarterback George MacIntrye (15) warms up before the Orange & White spring game, Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Of all the QB competitions still ongoing in the SEC, Tennessee’s is the most unique, as three QBs are competing for the job. Redshirt freshman George Maclntyre, true freshman and 5-star Faizon Brandon, and redshirt junior Ryan Staub. Maclntyre doesn’t have the starting job locked up, but hasn’t lost any QB1 reps in spring practice or the spring game, and is the only QB of the three that has experience in Josh Huepel’s system.
George Maclntyre has a great physical frame for a QB, stands 6’6, roughly 200 pounds, while he doesn’t possess the athleticism of Faizon Brandon, Maclntyre’s decision making and pure passing ability very well can win him the starting role
11. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons (13) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Simmons has had an up-and-down collegiate career so far, but now enters a new phase, transferring from Ole Miss to Missouri, where he’s the confirmed starter out of Spring practice. Simmons has SEC experience, while he’s been simply mediocre in that experience, maybe Kenny Dillingham can unlock his potential.
Simmons also has to stay healthy; he lost the Ole Miss starting job in 2025 because of a left ankle injury, and because their backup happened to be Trinidad Chambliss, who’s electric.
10. Kenny Minchey, Kentucky
Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey (8) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend. Kenny Minchey was bound to find a starting role in a power conference after he narrowly lost the starting job at Notre Dame to the current starting QB, and a top two Heisman favorite, CJ Carr.
Minchey is a 6’2 dual-threat who has excellent mobility and a gunslinger mentality that makes him exceptional at pushing the ball downfield. Minchey also has great pocket presence, his overall skill set makes him a great fit in new head coach Will Stein’s system.
It’s important to note that Minchey doesn’t have many real game snaps, but he should make Kentucky’s offense much more exciting than in years past.
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9. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) passes against the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images LaNorris Sellers being ranked ninth isn’t a LaNorris Sellers problem; it’s a South Carolina problem. Sellers at his best is the best dual-threat QB in the SEC, and maybe in the country. The problem in 2025 was that Sellers found himself running for his life and taking unnecessary sacks due to poor protection.
Sellers has a lot riding on this season; he can raise his draft stock exponentially by putting together a complete season and delivering game-breaking performances in which his rushing and passing shine. If not, then Sellers may regret coming back to South Carolina, and head coach Shane Beamer might be looking for a new job.
8. Keelon Russell, Alabama
Apr 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) looks for a receiver during the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
While unproven as a starting QB, Keelon Russell is in an offensive system that’s set up for him to succeed, that is, if he wins the starting job over the other QB competing in that room, redshirt junior Austin Mack. When it comes to pure ability and who has the highest ceiling, it’s Russell, a redshirt freshman who has great arm talent and mobility as well.
Both Russell and Mack are familiar with Kalen DeBoer’s system, but Mack holds a slight edge since he played under DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb back at Washington. The competition is still close, but the system and surrounding talent around the starting QB give either option as much or more potential than the QBs ranked below them.
7. Byrum Brown, Auburn
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) runs the ball during Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, April 18, 2026. One of the best QBs in the country in 2025, Byrum Brown, follows his University of South Florida head coach, Alex Golish, to Auburn, where they will both face a significant rise in competition. Byrum Brown has all the traits to be elite, though dangerous with his legs, great accuracy, but Brown’s best trait is his decision-making. Brown had an amazing touchdown-interception ratio, throwing 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
If Brown doesn’t miss a beat in the transition to the SEC, then Auburn will be extremely dangerous every Saturday.
6. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to throw the ball during the game between the Aggies and the Hurricanes at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
When Marcel Reed is at his best, he can play as well as any QB in the conference. This was especially evident when he performed at the highest level on the road against Notre Dame, essentially burying their chances of making the CFP.
Reed has shown he can perform in high-leverage moments, especially in the second half of the South Carolina game in 2025, when he led a 27-point comeback, throwing for a career-high 329 yards and three touchdowns.
What holds Marcel Reed back at times is his consistency and turnover issues, which really plagued Reed against Miami in the Aggies’ 10-3 CFP loss.
5. Sam Leavitt, LSU
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of the jersey of Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) against the Houston Cougars at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sam Leavitt is simply a playmaker, has great scramble ability, and he isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. Now Leavitt brings those skills to Baton Rouge, where he joins the incredible offensive staff of head coach Lane Kiffin and offensive playcaller Charlie Weis Jr.
Leavitt does have injury concerns, though: he missed most of 2025 with a Lisfranc foot injury and wasn’t able to participate in Spring practice; his health can make or break LSU’s season.
Sam Leavitt was the top QB in the transfer portal this year, and now should be a great fit in Kiffin’s offense, despite this being a jump in competition compared to what Leavitt saw against the Big 12.
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4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) celebrates scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family OK Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images There’s an argument to be made that John Mateer has the highest ceiling in the SEC. Mateer is a gunslinger who can create big plays out of nothing and has unique skills as a ball carrier, being able to shake off defenders with his elusiveness and ability to make guys miss.
The issue with Mateer is that he has one of the lower floors, whether it be turning the ball over with careless throws or taking unnecessary sacks, Mateer’s reckless abandon playstyle has had its faults.
John Mateer was the Heisman favorite for the first month of the season, before he broke his thumb on his throwing hand against Auburn. His level of play fell off a cliff after that, but if he’s healthy and puts all his skills together, he may be the most entertaining player to watch in the country.
3. Arch Manning, Texas
Dec 31, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) rushes with the ball for a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the second half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images The 2026 Heisman favorite and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, Arch Manning, enters this season with the highest national expectations. This isn’t new territory for Manning; the start of 2025 was the exact same, but a slow start and two early losses cooled all of that down quickly.
Arch Manning ended the year on a high note, putting together back-to-back impressive performances against Texas A&M to close the regular season and then against Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.
If anything, the expectations have only grown on Arch, with the reloaded offensive talent around him, especially his new WR1, Cam Coleman.
2. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Apr 18, 2026; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Georgia Spring football game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Is he going to be picked over a lot of these other QBs in the NFL Draft? No, but Gunner Stockton as a college QB has been solid all the way through. Stockton thrives in high-leverage moments and has had games where he keeps up with or outperforms some of the nation’s best.
Stockton has the highest floor, he doesn’t make silly mistakes, and he has a competitive spirit that makes him as dangerous as any QB in the SEC. Shown time and time again, whether it’d be in a primetime game against Texas, where Georgia ran the Longhorns out of the building. Another example is the SEC Championship, where he outdueled the 13th pick in this year’s NFL Draft, Ty Simpson, and led Georgia to their second straight SEC title.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) throws a pass against the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Coming off of some of the best performances in CFP history, it’s only right that Trinidad Chambliss is ranked No. 1 in the SEC. At his best, Chambliss looked like 2018 Kyler Murray on the field. Making absurd plays out of nothing, scrambling into first downs, or showing perfect ball placement even on the move, and creating explosives downfield.
The only concern with Chambliss is that Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. aren’t at Ole Miss anymore, so the most intriguing part of his season will be if he can keep up the elite level of play in a new system.
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