Ranking the SEC Quarterbacks on Mizzou’s schedule
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Now that fall has officially arrived and Mizzou can safely put to rest the non-conference schedule with an undefeated, if not completely error-free 3-0 record, the real season officially starts. When the Tigers travel to Starkville, Mississippi this weekend, not only does the overall level of competition increase dramatically, but so does the quarterback play.
To date, the Mizzou defense has benefited from inexperienced and/or less-talented quarterbacks making it a bit easier on their brand new secondary to cover receivers downfield. Now, that hasn’t meant the pass defense has been great, or even good for that matter, but it has allowed the defense to create and benefit from mistakes, particularly by new kansas starter Isaiah Marshall and Troy quarterback Goose Crowder as they threw two interceptions a piece in the Tigers’ last two games.
Those mistakes will be much fewer and farther between now that SEC play has started, as all nine quarterbacks remaining on Mizzou’s schedule are better than the scattershot play the Tigers have faced thus far. Let’s go ahead and rank out who Mizzou has left to play based on how they have performed so far in 2026.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss has gone from unknown D-II transfer to the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy in about 10 games spanning from last October to today. He has completed 77 of 110 passes for 924 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Lane Kiffin revenge game was yet another statement game as Chambliss carved up a good defense for 363 yards and two touchdowns.
This number one ranking is less about his raw statistics, however, than what Chambliss has done with them. He has already delivered against one of the SEC’s premier teams and looks comfortable operating the offense under new play caller John David Baker. His experience, mobility and ability to create outside structure make him particularly difficult to defend. By the time Mizzou visits Oxford, his national spotlight could be brighter than the sun.
2. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State
Kamario Taylor is putting up video-game numbers in Jeff Lebby’s offense early in his sophomore campaign. Through three games, he has completed 56 of 82 passes for 832 yards and a crazy 11 touchdowns and one interception. He is also a threat on his feet, rushing for 178 yards and another score. Mississippi State is 3-0, and Taylor has already shown the arm strength and explosiveness to stress every inch of a defense.
There is a legitimate argument that Taylor has been the SEC’s most productive quarterback through three weeks, even if Chambliss owns the bigger national storyline. Taylor’s combination of passing production and rushing ability makes Mississippi State’s offense difficult to defend. In a match up that most Mizzou fans chalked up as an easy win before the season started, Taylor will look to continue his hot streak.
3. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Gunner Stockton has been nearly flawless through three games. He is 38-for-45 for 583 yards, nine touchdowns and zero interceptions, adding 100 rushing yards. Yes, you read that right. Through three games, Stockton has more touchdown passes than incomplete passes, vaulting Stockton to the lead the nation in passing efficiency. The competition gets considerably tougher from here, but the opening month has been about as efficient as possible.
Stockton’s ranking comes with an important caveat: Georgia’s early schedule has not provided the same test as some of the other quarterbacks on the list. Still, nine touchdowns without an interception is difficult to dismiss. He also brings legitimate scrambling ability and toughness, two traits that showed up repeatedly during Georgia’s run last season. Mizzou will have to account for his legs as well as his arm.
4. Arch Manning, Texas
Arch Manning has not been quite as statistically dominant as the preseason hype suggested, but the talent remains obvious. He has completed 59 of 96 passes for 661 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions, with 83 rushing yards. Texas is 3-0, including the comeback against Ohio State, and Manning remains surrounded by an absurd amount of offensive talent which has helped to mitigate any inconsistency he has shown so far.
The numbers are somewhat modest for a quarterback who entered the season as perhaps the most heavily scrutinized player in college football, but context matters. Manning has already demonstrated the ability to make difficult throws and produce explosive plays when Texas needs them. With Texas’ collection of skill talent and an improving offense around him, there is still plenty of room for his production to climb.
5. Aaron Philo, Florida
Aaron Philo has quietly put together one of the SEC’s better statistical starts. He is 47-for-64 passing for 721 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions, good for a 73.4% completion rate and a 193 passer rating. Florida is 3-0 after surviving a road game at Auburn, and Philo has looked increasingly comfortable running the offense he brought over with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner from Georgia Tech.
Philo is a fascinating case because he has been productive without generating the national attention surrounding some of the names above him. Florida has won all three games, and Philo has shown good accuracy and efficiency while limiting mistakes. The remaining question is whether he can maintain that production as the Gators move deeper into SEC play and defenses become considerably more familiar with him.
6. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
This is the part of the list where some early season disappointment starts to creep in. Reed entered the season as a darkhorse Heisman candidate, but Texas A&M’s offense has been inconsistent and Reed has followed suit: 62-of-104 for 632 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, plus 117 rushing yards and a score. A&M is 2-1 after the Kentucky loss.
Reed is still too talented to write off, particularly because his ability as a runner gives the Aggies another dimension. But the preseason expectations were considerably higher than what has been delivered and it remains a big question as to whether or not he will (or even can) take the next step to help the Aggie offense be where they need it to be. Texas A&M’s offense has struggled to generate consistent rhythm, and Reed has not been able to overcome those issues. That makes this ranking as much about current form as preseason potential.
7. Kenny Minchey, Kentucky
Kenny Minchey has made a compelling case to move up this list after the upset at Texas A&M. Through three games, he has completed 50 of 76 passes for 699 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception, including a sensational 14-of-18, 252-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Aggies. Kentucky is 2-1.
The Texas A&M performance substantially changes the conversation around Minchey. He was efficient, protected the football and made enough plays to lead Kentucky to one of the SEC’s more notable early-season wins. The question now is whether that performance represents his new baseline or his high-water mark. Either way, Mizzou cannot approach Kentucky expecting a quarterback who will simply beat himself.
8. John Mateer, Oklahoma
John Mateer’s early-season numbers are not horrific, but Oklahoma’s offense as a whole has been. Mateer is 47-of-75 for 652 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions through three games, and the Sooners are 2-1 after barely escaping New Mexico 14-6. The running game remains a problem, and Mateer has not looked any better than he did after his injury last season.
That is the biggest concern for Oklahoma, which hasn’t fixed the running game problems that have plagued the offense, putting even more pressure on Mateer to manufacture yards through the air; something he has yet to show he can do in Norman. His pre-injury form from last season remains the tantalizing version of the quarterback Oklahoma hoped it was getting. Through three games, that version has not consistently reappeared.
9. KJ Jackson, Arkansas
KJ Jackson lands here more because of his situation than anything else. Arkansas is 1-2 after brutal losses to Utah and Georgia, and Jackson has completed 58 of 96 passes for 618 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions while rushing for 50 yards. He also got banged up early against Georgia, adding another concern to a struggling Razorbacks team.
Jackson entered the season with an opportunity to establish himself as Arkansas’ answer at quarterback, but the Razorbacks have struggled to generate much offensive momentum. The Georgia game was particularly problematic, with Jackson leaving after taking a hit in the first quarter. Until Arkansas can consistently move the football and Jackson can stay healthy, there is no reason not to stick him at the bottom of this list.
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