Every SEC Team's QB Battle and Projected Starter, After Media Days 2026

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July 24, 2026
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SEC Media Days are in the books, which means fall practice for all 16 teams in the conference is the next milestone this offseason. Quarterbacks are always under the spotlight, but the SEC has some of the biggest open battles in the nation this fall, including Tennessee, Florida and Alabama. With Week 1 of the 2026 college football season just over a month away, it’s never too early to project which quarterbacks will start.

Jobs are also up for grabs at Vanderbilt and Arkansas. Diego Pavia leaves big shoes to fill in Nashville, but five-star freshman Jared Curtis has enormous upside. And in Fayetteville, KJ Jackson and AJ Hill give new coach Ryan Silverfield two capable options.

Which quarterbacks will win the competitions this fall? Athlon Sports projects the winners of those battles using intel from SEC Media Days, along with a look at the clear No. 1 starters from the other teams in the conference.

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The Contenders
Austin Mack and Keelon Russell

Update from SEC Media Days
“Both of them are more than capable,” said coach Kalen DeBoer. “I think they're high level elite quarterbacks. Fortunately we have them both in our program and it's going to be a competition that's going to lead to a tough decision, one we're fortunate to have.”

Projected Starter: Russell
This is a tough call. During DeBoer’s availability, he mentioned Mack’s edge in experience. Was that a small hint about where the battle stands going into fall practice?

Whether it’s Russell or Mack taking the first snap for the Crimson Tide, this offense is in good hands. Russell — a former five-star prospect — shined in the spring game and appears primed to be Alabama’s next star signal-caller. However, Mack has played well in limited snaps and could open ‘26 atop the depth chart thanks to his edge in experience. The guess here is that Russell will start the majority of games for Alabama this fall.

The Contenders
KJ Jackson and AJ Hill

Update from SEC Media Days
“I have great faith in the two guys that are competing for that starting job as it sits today,” said coach Ryan Silverfield. “KJ Jackson and AJ Hill, both are very, very intelligent. Both are very hardworking. Both have the skill set in order to lead us to a bunch of SEC wins and compete at the highest level.”

Projected Starter: Jackson
Jackson played well in limited snaps last year, completing 33 of 54 throws for 441 yards and three touchdowns while adding 52 rushing yards. Hill saw snaps in two games at Memphis in 2025 and followed coach Ryan Silverfield to Fayetteville this offseason. This battle might go deep into fall practice, but the guess here is that Jackson should have an edge.

The Contenders
Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr.

Update from SEC Media Days
“I don't have a timeline," new Florida coach Jon Sumrall said on Wednesday at SEC media days. "My timeline, it may be five minutes before anybody finds out.“

Projected Starter: Philo
Whether it’s Philo or Jones Jr. taking the bulk of snaps for the Gators in ‘26, this position should be in good hands. Philo played in eight games under new coordinator Buster Faulkner at Georgia Tech and that experience could be enough of an edge to open as the No. 1 quarterback. However, Jones Jr. shined in the spring and has another chance to close the gap in fall practice.

The Contenders
George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon

Update from SEC Media Days
“At the end of the day the guy that will be the guy is the guy that's going to have complete control of what we're doing and puts us in the best position to win football games and score points,” said coach Josh Heupel.

Projected Starter:Brandon
Over the last five years, the Volunteers have finished in the top five in the SEC in scoring offense four times. Coach Josh Heupel has adapted and molded the offense to its strength each season and managed to maintain that production with different quarterbacks. Considering that track record, Rocky Top should have a high trust factor in Heupel to lift this offense to another productive season — regardless of whether MacIntyre or Brandon starts.

MacIntyre played in two contests last season and completed seven of nine passes for 69 yards. Brandon — a five-star prospect in the ‘26 signing class — impressed in the spring and will benefit from the summer and fall workouts to grow even more comfortable in Heupel’s offense. Both quarterbacks could see time this year, but Brandon will emerge as No. 1 on the depth chart.

The Contenders
Jared Curtis and Blaze Berlowitz

Update from SEC Media Days
“Well, we won't replicate Diego,” coach Clark Lea said. “He's unique in so many ways.”

Outside of the main press conference, Lea indicated to the Knoxville News Sentinel, “Certainly, we’re excited about Jared. We believe he has the physical tools and mental tools to be a great player in the SEC. We wouldn’t have recruited him if we didn’t feel that way. We will make that evaluation through training camp and do what’s best for our team when we play Austin Peay.”

Projected Starter: Curtis
Starting as a true freshman quarterback in the SEC is never easy. However, Vanderbilt devoted significant NIL resources to land Curtis. The five-star prospect has all the tools to be a star in short order for the Commodores. Growing pains are expected. But it’s tough to envision Curtis starting the year as the No. 2 quarterback.

Barring injury this fall, these 11 quarterbacks are locked into the starting job for 2026.

Auburn: Byrum Brown
Georgia: Gunner Stockton
Kentucky: Kenny Minchey
LSU: Sam Leavitt
Mississippi State: Kamario Taylor
Missouri: Austin Simmons
Oklahoma: John Mateer
Ole Miss: Trinidad Chambliss
South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers
Texas: Arch Manning
Texas A&M: Marcel Reed

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Every SEC Team's QB Battle and Projected Starter, After Media Days 2026

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