What anonymous coaches said about top 10 SEC QBs ahead of 2026 season

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What anonymous coaches said about top 10 SEC QBs ahead of 2026 season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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There are great quarterback classes every few years that dominate the discussion in college football. Most of the hype spills over into the Heisman Trophy race and produces generational talent in the NFL.

This is how the 2026 season is starting to take shape.

A few of the nation's top passers reside in the Southeastern Conference, with Texas' Arch Manning and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss as the top returners for their respective teams. Here's what anonymous coaches are telling ESPN about the top 10 SEC quarterbacks ahead of the upcoming season.

Texas' Arch Manning

Last year's preseason Heisman favorite could last into the final weeks of the season. The next generation of football's first QB family will try to lead the Longhorns back to a national championship for the first time in decades.

"He can absolutely rip it, like velocity, accuracy," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "He got a little bit out of whack and made some mistakes, and then people were really defending him. It's going to be really easy this year, because people are gonna have to double Cam Coleman. He's a real one, and so is [Ryan] Wingo, so it's like, you can't double both of them."

Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss

With Chambliss' biggest fight behind him, the former Division II Player of the Year can focus on football. The Rebels have championship dreams and have a path back to the College Football Playoff this season.

"You could see his ability, his arm strength and arm talent coming out of [Division II] Ferris State," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "And then watching the whole season, his ability to make plays with his feet when things break down was exceptional."

Georgia's Gunner Stockton

Stockton is considered a second-tier NFL option, but don't sleep on his talents. The Bulldogs' leader has proven himself after being thrown into the fire.

"He runs it better than you think, really smart, pretty accurate," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "I don't think he's got unbelievable arm talent, but pretty good."

One of his most underrated attributes is his ability to hurt you with his legs.

"He's a great college quarterback," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "He's tough, so he can get some bull yards and take some big hits and all that stuff. I really like him, he's a really good player. I don't know if he's an NFL specimen, but he's a great college player."

LSU's Sam Leavitt

After transferring from Arizona State and dealing with an injury, this is Leavitt's "Last Dance" before a run to the NFL. Will QB whisperer Lane Kiffin provide him with the best support during what's projected to be his final season?

"He played better the year before than he did last year," said a defensive coordinator set to face LSU. "He was really impressive during [Arizona State's] playoff run the year before. So, just sneaky athletic, really way more elusive than you would think, just one of those make-something-out-of-nothing kind of guys. He's a good, solid passer. He'll miss on some throws that you expect him to make it to be that high-level guy. But where he gets you is when he extends plays."

Leavitt is athletic, but not as elusive as Chambliss, who Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. had last year at Ole Miss.

"He's not the talent level that a normal LSU quarterback would be," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "If they [have success], it's going to be because they got him going in the system. He doesn't freak you out when you watch him, but he is dangerous at times. I would rather play him than Diego Pavia."

Texas A&M's Marcel Reed

The Aggies relied on Reed to be a playmaker last season. Mike Elko and his staff will set the same level of expectations in the 2026 season.

"The people that have been able to stop the run and play zone defense, he's had a hard time against," an SEC defensive coordinator said.

Another SEC defensive coordinator added: "He still thinks he's a true quarterback, and we want him to, like, keep thinking that way. He doesn't really want to run, but when he does, it's the scariest part."

Oklahoma's John Mateer

A freak injury kept Mateer below fully healthy last season. Yet, the Sooners still made a Playoff run and kept everything interesting towards the end of the season.

"His Washington State tape was way better than how he played last year," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "But he's a really good quarterback. You've got to do a good job [against him]."

"Mateer is a good player, he's athletic," said a defensive coordinator who will face Oklahoma this season. "There's some balls he throws very well, and others that I think he's just OK at. I don't know that he always reads it the best, but that offense is suited well for him and they get a lot out of him. There were some games he looked outstanding last year, and others where he looked just OK."

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South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers

Sellers was hyped up to start the 2025 season. However, that fizzled out quickly. Now he'll be looking to prove he belongs in the conversation as one of the best in the country.

"He really struggles to process in the middle of a game," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "When you move him around or you move things around on him, he just really struggles. But I think Kendal (Briles') system, if Kendal can be like, 'Hey, you do this or you do this or take off running,' if he can get him to do that, I think the kid could be scary. He's so hard to bring down."

If Sellers can adjust, the Gamecocks could be a dark horse in the SEC race.

"Kendal will make it a little bit more friendly," a different SEC defensive coordinator said. "He's not going to force him to be something he's not, which I felt like at times he was last year. They've got to try to win games. You're not a pocket passer. The best thing you do is take off and run, because no one can tackle you."

Auburn's Byrun Brown

The South Florida transfer will be set up for success at Auburn. Expect him to turn heads early and often. Some aren't sold on him being at a Power Four level, but he's talented.

"I'm not one of these Byrum Brown haters, but I'm also not one of these guys who thinks he's a first-round [NFL draft] pick, either," said a coach who faced Brown at USF. "He's all right. I'm not enamored with the guy."

Austin Simmons of Ole Miss Rebels 09102025.

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Missouri's Austin Simmons

The former Ole Miss backup got a crack at being a full-time starter in the SEC. The former blue-chip recruit has a lot of potential while making a lateral move.

"He'll just do OK," said a defensive coordinator set to face Simmons. "There's definitely talent in his body. I just don't feel like he likes to be hit. Obviously, Drink does a great job with those guys, but there's some transition there with the new OC, new QB, all that stuff."

Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor

Taylor enters his first season as a starter in Starkville. He has shown flashes of great play when inserted in games and will look to be consistent next season.

"I don't know if he's panned out or not yet as a true quarterback, but athletically, I think he's special," an SEC defensive coordinator said.

The Bulldogs are an under-the-radar team in the SEC who will surprise a few teams.

"He had a really good year for a young guy," another SEC defensive coordinator added. "He only started two games, but he really flashed."

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