Experience, scheme fit and supporting cast are the foundation of becoming an elite SEC quarterback. Heading into 2026, the league returns proven stars and intriguing newcomers.
Here’s a tiered look at every SEC quarterback situation for 2026. Spring game dates are in parentheses.
Rebuild mode
Vanderbilt (March 21) | Jared Curtis: Vanderbilt turns to true freshman Curtis to replace the Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, and he must develop quickly to build off the program’s first 10-win season in school history.
Curtis can drive the ball into tight windows and manipulate his arm angle to attack different lanes. His off-platform ability gives him playmaking upside when things break down.
The Commodores return wideout Junior Sherill and running back Sedrick Alexander, but the biggest loss will be tight end Eli Stowers.
There’s real uncertainty about whether Vanderbilt is truly ready at quarterback in 2026, but Curtis looks like the long-term answer in Nashville.
Arkansas (April 25) | KJ Jackson: Jackson threw for 441 yards and three touchdowns in limited action for Arkansas in 2025 and now must master Tim Cramsey’s offense as Ryan Silverfield takes over.
Arkansas blends returning receivers with transfers, headlined by CJ Brown and Chris Marshall. Receivers’ coach Larry Smith expects their experience and mindset to set the tone for the room.
Jackson finished high school with 130 career touchdown passes and can also be a weapon with his legs, having rushed for 665 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. The dual-threat profile gives Arkansas a developmental but intriguing starter.
Florida (April 11) | Aaron Philo: Philo transferred from Georgia Tech after Buster Faulkner left to become Florida’s offensive coordinator, giving Philo a head start in the system.
Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson and Eric Singleton Jr. headline the Gators’ receivers and look to get in sync quickly with Philo.
As a high school senior, Philo led Prince Avenue Christian to a 14-0 record, throwing 54 touchdown passes. Florida hopes that production helps launch the Jon Sumrall era.
Tennessee (April 25) | George MacIntyre: Tennessee breaks in another new starter with George MacIntyre emerging as the frontrunner. The redshirt freshman has a year in Josh Heupel’s scheme and has made the most of his early reps.
The receiver’s success will track closely with MacIntyre’s development, but it’s a deep group led by Tristen Keys, the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2026 class.
Tennessee may take lumps early, yet MacIntyre’s arm strength and physical tools give him a chance to become the face of the program.
Mississippi State (April 18) | Kamario Taylor: Mississippi State got a glimpse of its future with Taylor’s 2025 cameo.
In five games, he threw for 629 yards and five touchdowns, flashing arm talent and off-script playmaking. He also ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the Egg Bowl.
The Bulldogs overhauled the offensive line, adding eight transfers. If that group stabilizes, Taylor has the talent to elevate the offense and push Mississippi State up a tier by the midseason.
Ceiling raisers
Kentucky (None) | Kenny Minchey: Will Stein and Kentucky turn to transfer Minchey to launch the post-Mark Stoops era.
The Wildcats’ receiving corps is young, led by Hardly Gilmore IV and DJ Miller. Experience is a concern, though Gilmore did record 28 receptions and one touchdown a season ago.
Minchey is an accurate passer who thrives on the mental side of the position. If he processes quickly and distributes efficiently, he can raise Kentucky’s ceiling in a hurry.
Alabama (April 18) | Keelon Russell: The most intriguing battle in Tuscaloosa is at quarterback. Russell enters his second year at Alabama and is growing increasingly comfortable in the system.
Unlike a one-and-done transfer, Russell already understands the culture and staff. Ryan Williams returns as the leader of the receiving core, and NC State transfer Noah Rogers adds explosiveness.
Russell is inexperienced, but his ability to adapt and elevate his play could define Alabama’s 2026 season.
South Carolina (April 11) | LaNorris Sellers:
South Carolina disappointed in 2025, but the arrival of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles provides hope that LaNorris Sellers can finally break through.
Nyck Harbor returns as a vertical threat, while Nitro Tuggle and Jayden Gibson are expected to be immediate impact portal additions.
Sellers has struggled putting it all together, but in an RPO-heavy attack that leverages his legs, he’s capable of being a true ceiling-raiser if he regains his confidence.
Auburn (April 18) | Byrum Brown: Brown transfers from South Florida, and head coach Alex Golesh, along with Auburn fans, is energized about his arrival. Brown threw for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns last season and now tests himself at the Power 4 level.
He’ll have built in chemistry with USF transfers Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Kroger and Chris Nimrod, who are expected to handle a large share of targets.
Brown is a physical runner and can fire into tight windows, giving Auburn a clear year-one ceiling bump under Golesh.
High upside
Missouri (None) | Austin Simmons: Missouri landed Austin Simmons in the 2026 portal cycle, hoping he takes a major step this fall.
At Ole Miss, he showed flashes of top-tier SEC ability, especially in the RPO game and half-field reads, but struggled to consistently diagnose coverages.
Donovan Olugbode and Cayden Lee will be his primary targets, offering a blend of size, speed and route-running to stress defenses.
If Simmons can clean up the turnovers, he has the talent to extend Missouri’s recent surge.
Oklahoma (April 18) | John Mateer: Mateer was one of the most electric quarterbacks before suffering a hand injury last season. Now fully healthy, he aims to build on Oklahoma’s playoff run.
Mateer benefits from a strong supporting cast. Isaiah Sategna led the 2025 team with 965 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, while Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson power a deeper rushing attack.
Ben Arbuckle enters year two as offensive coordinator, and the added familiarity with the scheme should help Mateer regain his rhythm. If he does, Oklahoma can challenge the SEC’s top tier.
LSU (April 18) | Sam Leavitt: LSU added the no 1 quarterback in the transfer portal in Leavitt, who arrives with a 16-5 record as a starter and championship expectations.
Jayce Brown, Destyn Hill, and Trey’Dez Green headline a deep skill group capable of supporting an elite offense.
Leavitt has battled health issues, including Lisfranc surgery, but if he’s healthy, he could be the next star in Lane Kiffin’s system.
Heisman contenders
Texas A&M (None) | Marcel Reed: Reed delivered a strong 2025 campaign before fading late, and now looks poised to take another step. The dual-threat quarterback accounted for 31 total touchdowns, but threw 12 interceptions.
Texas A&M returns Mario Craver, last season’s No. 2 receiver, and adds former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton as a perimeter big-play option.
With system familiarity and a reloaded supporting cast, Reed has the tools to enter the Heisman conversation. The key: cut down turnovers and use his legs to extend plays instead of forcing throws.
Georgia (April 11) | Gunner Stockton: Stockton passed for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025 and now returns for his second season as Georgia’s starter.
The Bulldogs must replace several receiving threats, but Landon Humphreys and Georgia Tech transfer Isiah Canion are expected to be the primary weapons.
Stockton is a clean fit in Mike Bobo’s offense. He gets the ball out efficiently in space and has enough mobility to change arm angle and threaten defenses on the move.
Ole Miss (April 11) | Trinidad Chambliss:
Chambliss returns after a breakout year that featured eight 300-yard passing games and a trip to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Ole Miss has a new offensive coordinator in John David Baker, but the scheme remains largely intact. Chambliss will throw to a revamped unit: Deuce Alexander is the only returning starter, joined by Syracuse transfers Johntay Cook and Darrel Gill, plus sophomore Caleb Cunningham.
Chambliss’s scrambling and off-script creativity separate him from most peers and could land him in New York for the Heisman ceremony this December.
Texas (None) | Arch Manning: Arch Manning surged late in 2025, fueling buzz in Austin entering 2026.
Ryan Wingo returns at wide out, and the additions of Cam Coleman (Auburn) and Emmett Mosely (Stanford) give Manning the depth and playmaking ability to lead one of the most explosive offenses in the SEC.
Manning and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood have been together long enough to master the system fully, and if Manning builds on the way he finished in 2025, he should live up to his 2026 Heisman hype.
