Who are the projected starting quarterbacks in the SEC for 2026?

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Who are the projected starting quarterbacks in the SEC for 2026?

Being the starting quarterback at any major college football program is no easy gig, but being the starting QB for one of the 16 schools in the Southeastern Conference is sometimes an even harder job. With so much riding on each snap, throw, drive, or game, there's all kinds of pressure to get it right under center in the SEC.

With spring football in the air, and rosters mostly set after the player acquisition portion of the offseason has concluded, we'll be taking a look at who is in line to start at quarterback for each SEC team in 2026. There's been heavy change that has happened since the 2025 season ended at a number of schools, but there are also some schools who have decided to run it back this fall. Additionally, there are still a few quarterback battles for certain teams to sort out between now and September, when they'll have to have named a QB1.

Here is the projected starting quarterback in 2026 for each team in the SEC.

Alabama Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 15: Keelon Russell #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up before the first half of a football game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Bryant Denny Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)

  • Austin Mack or Keelon Russell

Alabama will be having a true quarterback competition this offseason between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, and head coach Kalen DeBoer will have a talented signal-caller under center either way he decides to go. Mack is the veteran, and he transferred over from Washington when DeBoer got the job at 'Bama. He knows the offense very well. Russell is the youngster, offering high upside and more mobility in and out of the pocket. Russell is currently the slight favorite to win the job, but the Crimson Tide will likely wait deep into the fall to name a starter.

Arkansas Razorbacks

Apr 2, 2026; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson (7) gets ready to throw a pass during spring practice at the Arkansas Razorbacks practice facilities. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

  • KJ Jackson or AJ Hill

Arkansas also has yet to settle on a starting QB for this season, with new head coach Ryan Silverfield facing a choice between KJ Jackson or AJ Hill for the Razorbacks. Jackson is currently the favorite to win the job, and he is the incumbent in Fayetteville, sticking around after the previous coaching staff was fired. Hill came to the Hogs from Memphis when Silverfield got the job, so he's gotten a head start in the system to this point. This is another battle that could last through the summer, especially if Jackson doesn't separate himself between now and then.

Auburn Tigers

AUBURN, AL - March 28, 2026 - Auburn Quarterback Byrum Brown (#17) during spring practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, AL.Photo by Austin Perryman

  • Byrum Brown

Auburn brings Byrum Brown over from USF to be the starter in 2026, as he followed new head coach Alex Golseh to The Plains, after the two were very successful together last year. Brown knows Golseh's system extremely well, and he should be able to help the new staff hit the ground running offensively in their first season. While a jump up to the SEC will be tough, Brown's experience and familiarity with the offense is a big plus for the Tigers this season.

Florida Gators

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) throws during spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

  • Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr.

Florida also has a new coaching staff, and new head coach Jon Sumrall has a couple of solid options when it comes to his first starting QB in Gainesville. Aaron Philo is the current favorite to win the job, as he transferred over from Georgia Tech, along with the rest of the offensive coaching staff. He knows the system and has some experience already, giving him a leg up. However, Tramell Jones Jr., a youngster with a lot of upside, is pushing hard to get a shot under center for the Gators, so Philo will have to separate in the competition and earn that starting gig.

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball during the Sugar Bowl and College Football Playoff quarterfinals at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Ole Miss defeated Georgia 39-34.

  • Gunner Stockton

Georgia returns Gunner Stockton to the fold, after the veteran was a first-year starter last season. Head coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have a lot of faith in Stockton, and he helped the team capture a second-straight SEC title last year. He'll look to take a step forward in 2026, and help the 'Dawgs try to avoid a third-straight one-and-done season in the CFP.

Kentucky Wildcats

Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey calls the snap during the second half of a NCAA football game against Navy at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in South Bend.

  • Kenny Minchey

Kentucky has a new coaching staff this season, and that staff convinced Kenny Minchey to join the Wildcats this offseason. New head coach Will Stein has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, and he's got a player who has been in college for a long time in the Notre Dame transfer. After initially pledging to Nebraska in the transfer portal, Minchey flipped to Kentucky to play for Stein. He'll finally get his chance to be a full-time starter in 2026.

LSU Tigers

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass against TCU during a game at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Sept. 26, 2025.

  • Sam Leavitt

LSU is another school with a new coaching staff, and the Tigers knew they needed to find a starting QB for 2026 in the portal. So, new head coach Lane Kiffin went and got one of the best available, in Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt, who helped the Sun Devils win the Big 12 and reach the CFP in 2024, before an injury-plagued down year in 2025. Leavitt will be surrounded with a wealth of talent in Baton Rouge, and he just needs to play within Kiffin's system, which has produced multiple star QBs, to lead LSU to offensive success in 2026.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 02: Kamario Taylor #1 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks to pass the ball during the first half of the 2026 Duke's Mayo Bowl against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Bank of America Stadium on January 02, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

  • Kamario Taylor

Mississippi State feels really good about their starting quarterback spot, as Kamario Taylor was impressive late in the season as a true freshman last year. Now, Taylor has the full reins of the offense for the Bulldogs, as the dual-threat signal-caller looks to build on his early success. Head coach Jeff Lebby has perhaps more control of his offense than any head coach in the conference, and he'll tailor his wide-open attack to suit Taylor's strengths. A potential star could be waiting to break out in Starkville.

Missouri Tigers

8Sep 13, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons (13) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorback at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

  • Austin Simmons

Missouri has already named its starting quarterback for 2026, as Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons has won the job over Matt Zollers in Columbia. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz and the Tigers believe they've made an upgrade at the QB position from last year, and Simmons won the starting job last season for Ole Miss, before getting injured and not getting his starting spot back. He's inexperienced, but he's also very talented, and has been given a second chance by Missouri this year.

Oklahoma Sooners

Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images

  • John Mateer

Oklahoma returns starting quarterback John Mateer in 2026, after he helped the Sooners make the playoff last year in his first season playing against SEC competition. However, the pressure is on Mateer to improve this season, after he was often inconsistent after hurting his thumb in 2025. Head coach Brent Venables has built a defense that can stand tall in the SEC, and he needs Mateer and the offense to take another step forward this fall.

Ole Miss Rebels

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 08: Trinidad Chambliss #6 of the Ole Miss Rebels reacts after a play against the Miami Hurricanes in the fourth quarter during the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 08, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

  • Trinidad Chambliss

Ole Miss gets a huge boost in 2026 with the return of starting QB Trinidad Chambliss, who was granted the right to play for the Rebels this year in court. New head coach Pete Golding gets to start his tenure in Oxford with a quarterback who helped get the Rebs to the brink of making the national title game in 2025, and comes back as one of the best dual-threat signal-callers in all of college football. The hype is warranted for Chambliss, who might be one of the country's best players this year.

South Carolina Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 18: Lanorris Sellers #16 of the South Carolina Gamecocks evades a tackle by Gracen Halton #56 of the Oklahoma Sooners during the first half of a football game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 18, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

  • LaNorris Sellers

South Carolina will also be bouyed by the return of their starting quarterback, as LaNorris Sellers bypassed the NFL draft for another year in Columbia. Sellers experienced a down year in 2025, after a breakout campaign in 2024. He's as talented as they come, and head coach Shane Beamer has worked to surround Sellers with a better support system this season. As the Gamecocks look for a bounce-back season, Sellers will be front and center, leading the charge with his remarkable skillset.

Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre (15) before a college football game between Tennessee and Arkansas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 11, 2025.

  • George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon, or Ryan Staub

Tennessee might have the most wide-open QB competition in the league, with head coach Josh Heupel looking at multiple options to lead his team into the 2026 season. George MacIntyre is the presumed favorite to win the job, as he's the player who has the most time spent in the system, and in Knoxville. However, true freshman Faizon Brandon is the future for the Volunteers, and he provides the most upside and has all of the traits you want in a starting QB. Colorado transfer Ryan Staub is also pushing hard to get a look, as he's the veteran presence in the competition, holding the only actual collegiate starting experience among the trio. This battle should rage through the summer, but Heupel will be able to make sure the Vols are in good hands at QB.

Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 01: Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on November 01, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)

  • Arch Manning

Texas returns their starter from a year ago, as Arch Manning looks to build on a very strong second half of last season. While his first few games were not pretty, Manning rounded into form over the final fews games, looking more like the player he was expected to be when he was given the starting job. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns need to get back to the CFP after missing out last season, and Manning will be under pressure to continue to improve and live up to the hype in Austin.

Texas A&M Aggies

Nov 15, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) walks on the field after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field

  • Marcel Reed

Texas A&M made the playoff last year, and the Aggies will return starting QB Marcel Reed to the fold in 2026. Reed took a huge step forward last year, and head coach Mike Elko would love to see that trend repeat itself this season. Reed is an electrifying dual-threat player who unlocks a whole new dimension to the Aggies' offense, and he'll be looking to take strides as a passer and a decision-maker this year. As Texas A&M looks to take the next step, they're fortunate to have Reed back to help them do so.

Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback Jared Curtis (2) throws in practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

  • Jared Curtis or Blaze Berlowitz

Vanderbilt will look to build on the success they've had the last two years, and head coach Clark Lea will turn to either Jared Curits or Blaze Berlowitz as the new starting QB for the Commodores. Curtis, a true freshman, is the strong favorite to win the starting gig, after Vandy flipped him from Georiga this winter. He was one of the top QBs in the 2026 class, and he is the future in Nashville. However, Berlowitz is the veteran, a senior who knows the offense very well, so he still has a chance to win the job if Curtis can't separate himself enough in the spring and summer and earn the starting role.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Who is each SEC team's projected starting QB for this season?

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