Week 3 SEC QB1 Rankings: Arch Manning Doesn’t Get the No. 1 Spot?

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Similar to the NFL, a skilled quarterback can turn a college football program into a playoff contender. The 2026 crop of college quarterbacks is filled with players who will hear their names called early in the 2027 NFL Draft. And interestingly enough, quite a few of them will be leading offenses in the SEC this year.

But which signal callers stand above the rest as the best of the best in, arguably, the top conference in college football? We look to answer that question with our all-new rankings of the top 10 QB1s in the SEC heading into Week 3 of the season.

10. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M

sec — Sep 5, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Missouri State Bears at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

In his first full season as a starter at Texas A&M last year, Marcel Reed put up good numbers. Throwing for 3,169 yards, ran for 493 more, and posted 31 total TDs to 12 INTs. While he hasn’t been spectacular in his first two starts in 2026, Reed has done a rock-solid job. Tallying 396 passing yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT in a pair of victories.

9. Faizon Brandon, Tennessee

sec — Sep 12, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) celebrates after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

It is never easy being a freshman starter in a top conference like the SEC. Tennessee’s Faizon Brandon has that challenge in front of him in 2026, and so far the five-star recruit has been fine.

In the Volunteers’ two wins, Brandon has 374 passing yards and is tied for fourth in the conference with 5 TDs. He has also added 90 yards and 2 more TDs on the ground. While he needs work on his accuracy, the freshman has not been a detriment to his team.

8. Kenny Minchey, Kentucky

NCAA Football: Alabama at Kentucky — Sep 12, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

After being unable to win the starting QB job at Notre Dame last year, Kenny Minchey chose to leave and join Kentucky in the transfer portal in the spring.

Although he struggled this past week against Alabama, posting only 146 passing yards in a loss, he still tallied 301 yards and 4 TDs in a victory over Youngstown State to begin the year. Minchey can be an impact QB in the SEC this year.

7. John Mateer, Oklahoma

NCAA Football: Oklahoma at Michigan — Sep 12, 2026; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) passes the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the second quarter at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

After transferring from Washington State following a breakout season in 2024, there were very high hopes for what John Mateer could do at Oklahoma last year. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken hand in September. And although he eventually returned to the field, he wasn’t fully healthy all year.

Mateer is 100% in 2026 and has been solid over his first two starts. While the Sooners suffered a frustrating loss this past weekend, the QB still has 414 passing yards, 4 TDs, and 1 INT heading into Week 3. We have not seen the best of the Oklahoma QB yet.

6. Aaron Philo, Florida

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) warms up before the first half of an NCAA football game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, September 12, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

After two seasons at Georgia Tech, Aaron Philo made the move to Florida this year for more opportunity and a bigger spotlight. After two starts for the Gators, Philo is showing the program landed a hidden gem in the junior.

Philo has thrown for 517 (fifth most in the SEC) yards, 5 TDs, and just 1 INT, with a 214.0 passer rating as he hit on 32 of his 42 passes. However, he has some big tests coming up in the weeks ahead against Ole Miss and Missouri.

5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

NCAA Football: Charlotte at Mississippi — Sep 12, 2026; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) drops back to pass during the fourth quarter against the Charlotte 49ers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Trinidad Chambliss was one of the best stories in college football last year. The junior college star lost the QB1 battle in camp to Austin Simmons. However, Simmons suffered a serious injury in Ole Miss’ Week 2 game against Kentucky. Thrusting Chambliss into the starting role for a significant amount of time. Well, he never gave Simmons a chance to get the job back and remains the QB1 in 2026.

While Chambliss was far from perfect in Week 1, he played a huge role in Ole Miss avoiding an upset loss to Louisville. He was far better on Saturday as he hit on 23 of 26 for 225 yards and 2 TDs, with a 186.5 passer rating in a blowout win over Charlotte.

4. Austin Simmons, Missouri

Missouri Tigers quarterback Austin Simmons (13) celebrates their win over Kansas Jayhawks during the game inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Sept. 11, 2026.

After losing his starting job to Trinidad Chambliss last year, former Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons took his talents to Missouri in 2026. After two starts for the Tigers, he is showing why he originally beat Chambliss out for the QB1 job last summer.

Simmons is fourth in the SEC with 544 passing yards and second in touchdowns with 7 (0 INTs). He has also hit on 75.0% of his 48 passes and has a 218.0 passer rating heading into a Week 3 clash against Troy.

3. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State

NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Minnesota — Sep 12, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) breaks the tackle attempt of Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back John Nestor (17) during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images

After getting a taste as a starting QB during his freshman season at Mississippi State, Karmario Taylor is off to a very good sophomore season in Starkville.

The prospect has a 196.5 passer rating after two starts, with 581 passing yards (which is No. 1 in the SEC) and 7 TDs to 0 INTs. He has also added 145 yards and another TD on the ground. The competition gets stiffer in the weeks ahead, but Taylor is emerging as a breakout star in the SEC this season.

2. Arch Manning, Texas

Fans celebrate with Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) after the team's defeat of Ohio State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial — Fans celebrate with Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) after the team’s defeat of Ohio State at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

There are few players more hyped than Texas star Arch Manning. It’s what comes with being the most recruited high school player of the decade, and the nephew of NFL greats Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. While he showed flaws during his debut season, Manning also offered a taste of his immense potential as a dual-threat QB.

Although the Longhorns QB has a couple of interceptions over his first two games this season, he has still put up big numbers. In Week 1, he posted 305 yards and 4 TDs. However, he had a career-defining moment last weekend when he led a wild come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter against No. 1 Ohio State.

1. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

NCAA Football: Western Kentucky at Georgia — Sep 12, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) rolls out and runs against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Gunner Stockton had big shoes to fill in 2025 as Georgia’s replacement for Carson Beck. While the Bulldogs weren’t in title contention, Stockton gave reason to believe the program had a strong option at QB heading into this year.

Over his first two starts in 2026, Stockton has been highly efficient. Connecting on 28 of his 32 passes for 436 passing yards, 8 TDs to 0 INTs, and an outstanding 284.2 passer rating. Stockton is overseeing a scary good Georgia offense this season.

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