Five SEC Teams Settle Their Quarterback Battles Ahead of 2026 Season

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With the 2026 college football season quickly approaching, several programs have finally made one of the most important decisions of the offseason: who will be their starting quarterback?

Five SEC teams have announced their starters this week, giving fans a much clearer picture of what their offenses will look like when the season begins.

Alabama Names Keelon Russell

Five Star Sophomore Takes Over Crimson Tide Offense

Alabama ended its quarterback competition by selecting sophomore Keelon Russell. The former five star recruit will take over as the Crimson Tide’s starter as Alabama prepares for its season opener.

Russell enters the season with enormous expectations. His combination of arm talent and athletic ability gives head coach Kalen DeBoer a young quarterback with significant upside.

Tennessee Turns to Faizon Brandon

Five Star Freshman Wins Vols QB Battle

Tennessee made one of the biggest quarterback announcements of the week by naming true freshman Faizon Brandon its starter.

Brandon will become one of the youngest quarterbacks to lead the Volunteers and will have the opportunity to immediately prove himself in the SEC. The former five-star prospect has generated significant excitement around the program.

Florida Names Aaron Philo Starter

Georgia Tech Transfer Gets the Nod for Gators

Florida settled its quarterback competition by naming Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo the starter. Philo transferred to Gainesville during the offseason and beat out Tramell Jones for the job.

The decision gives first-year head coach Jon Sumrall a transfer quarterback to build his offense around as the Gators enter a new era.

Vanderbilt Names Blaze Berlowitz

Veteran Quarterback Beats Out Five Star Freshman

Vanderbilt made one of the more surprising decisions of the week by naming senior Blaze Berlowitz its starting quarterback over highly touted freshman Jared Curtis.

Curtis was one of the nation’s top recruits coming into Vanderbilt, but head coach Clark Lea decided to begin the season with the more experienced Berlowitz. Curtis is still expected to see playing time, meaning the quarterback situation could remain one to watch throughout the season.

Arkansas Names KJ Jackson

Razorbacks Turn to Redshirt Sophomore

Arkansas has also settled its quarterback battle, naming redshirt sophomore KJ Jackson the starter for the 2026 season. Jackson had been considered the favorite for much of the offseason before the Razorbacks officially made the decision.

The decision gives first year Arkansas head coach Ryan Silverfield his quarterback heading into the season. Jackson will now have the opportunity to lead the Razorbacks and establish himself as the centerpiece of the offense.

With Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Vanderbilt and Arkansas all making their decisions, some of the biggest quarterback questions in the SEC have finally been answered. Now the pressure shifts to the players as they prepare to take the field and prove their coaches made the right choices.

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