2026 SEC QB tiers: Every team’s starting QB situation from rebuild to Heisman contenders

Expertise, scheme match and supporting solid are the inspiration of turning into an elite SEC quarterback. Heading into 2026, the league returns confirmed stars and intriguing newcomers.

This is a tiered take a look at each SEC quarterback scenario for 2026. Spring recreation dates are in parentheses.

Rebuild mode

Vanderbilt (March 21) | Jared Curtis: Vanderbilt turns to true freshman Curtis to switch the Heisman runner-up Diego Pavia, and he should develop shortly to construct off this system’s first 10-win season in class historical past. 

Curtis can drive the ball into tight home windows and manipulate his arm angle to assault totally different lanes. His off-platform skill offers him playmaking upside when issues break down. 

The Commodores return wideout Junior Sherill and working again Sedrick Alexander, however the largest loss will likely be tight finish Eli Stowers. 

There’s actual uncertainty about whether or not Vanderbilt is really prepared at quarterback in 2026, however Curtis seems to be just like the long-term reply in Nashville. 

Arkansas (April 25) | KJ Jackson: Jackson threw for 441 yards and three touchdowns in restricted motion for Arkansas in 2025 and now should grasp 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 expertise and mindset to set the tone for the room.

Jackson completed highschool with 130 profession landing passes and will also be a weapon along with his legs, having rushed for 665 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. The twin-threat profile offers Arkansas a developmental however intriguing starter.

Florida (April 11) | Aaron Philo: Philo transferred from Georgia Tech after Buster Faulkner left to turn out to be Florida’s offensive coordinator, giving Philo a head begin within the system. 

Vernell Brown III, Dallas Wilson and Eric Singleton Jr. headline the Gators’ receivers and look to get in sync shortly with Philo. 

As a highschool senior, Philo led Prince Avenue Christian to a 14-0 report, throwing 54 landing passes. Florida hopes that manufacturing helps launch the Jon Sumrall period. 

Tennessee (April 25) | George MacIntyre: Tennessee breaks in one other new starter with George MacIntyre rising because the frontrunner. The redshirt freshman has a 12 months in Josh Heupel’s scheme and has made essentially the most of his early reps. 

The receiver’s success will observe carefully with MacIntyre’s improvement, nevertheless it’s a deep group led by Tristen Keys, the No. 1 extensive receiver within the 2026 class. 

Tennessee could take lumps early, but MacIntyre’s arm power and bodily instruments give him an opportunity to turn out to be the face of this system. 

Mississippi State (April 18) | Kamario Taylor:  Mississippi State obtained a glimpse of its future with Taylor’s 2025 cameo. 

In 5 video games, he threw for 629 yards and 5 touchdowns, flashing arm expertise and off-script playmaking. He additionally ran for 173 yards and two touchdowns within the Egg Bowl. 

The Bulldogs overhauled the offensive line, including eight transfers. If that group stabilizes, Taylor has the expertise to raise the offense and push Mississippi State up a tier by the midseason.

Ceiling raisers 

Kentucky (None) | Kenny Minchey: Will Stein and Kentucky flip to switch Minchey to launch the post-Mark Stoops period.

The Wildcats’ receiving corps is younger, led by Hardly Gilmore IV and DJ Miller. Expertise is a priority, although Gilmore did report 28 receptions and one landing a season in the past. 

Minchey is an correct passer who thrives on the psychological facet of the place. If he processes shortly and distributes effectively, he can elevate Kentucky’s ceiling in a rush.  

Alabama (April 18) | Keelon Russell: Essentially the most intriguing battle in Tuscaloosa is at quarterback. Russell enters his second 12 months at Alabama and is rising more and more comfy within the system. 

In contrast to a one-and-done switch, Russell already understands the tradition and workers. Ryan Williams returns because the chief of the receiving core, and NC State switch Noah Rogers provides explosiveness. 

Russell is inexperienced, however his skill to adapt and elevate his play may outline Alabama’s 2026 season. 

South Carolina (April 11) | LaNorris Sellers:
South Carolina disenchanted in 2025, however the arrival of offensive coordinator Kendal Briles supplies hope that LaNorris Sellers can lastly break via. 

Nyck Harbor returns as a vertical menace, whereas Nitro Tuggle and Jayden Gibson are anticipated to be instant impression portal additions. 

Sellers has struggled placing all of it collectively, however in an RPO-heavy assault that leverages his legs, he is able to being a real ceiling-raiser if he regains his confidence. 

Auburn (April 18) | Byrum Brown: Brown transfers from South Florida, and head coach Alex Golesh, together with Auburn followers, is energized about his arrival. Brown threw for 3,158 yards and 28 touchdowns final season and now checks himself on the Energy 4 degree. 

He’ll have in-built chemistry with USF transfers Keshaun Singleton, Jeremiah Kroger and Chris Nimrod, who’re anticipated to deal with a big share of targets. 

Brown is a bodily runner and may hearth into tight home windows, giving Auburn a transparent year-one ceiling bump underneath Golesh. 

Excessive upside 

Missouri (None) | Austin Simmons: Missouri landed Austin Simmons within the 2026 portal cycle, hoping he takes a serious step this fall. 

At Ole Miss, he confirmed flashes of top-tier SEC skill, particularly within the RPO recreation and half-field reads, however struggled to persistently diagnose coverages.  

Donovan Olugbode and Cayden Lee will likely be his main targets, providing a mix of dimension, pace and route-running to emphasize defenses. 

If Simmons can clear up the turnovers, he has the expertise to increase Missouri’s latest surge.

Oklahoma (April 18) | John Mateer: Mateer was probably the most electrical quarterbacks earlier than struggling a hand damage final season. Now absolutely wholesome, he goals to construct on Oklahoma’s playoff run. 

Mateer advantages from a robust supporting solid. Isaiah Sategna led the 2025 staff with 965 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, whereas Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson energy a deeper dashing assault. 

Ben Arbuckle enters 12 months two as offensive coordinator, and the added familiarity with the scheme ought to assist Mateer regain his rhythm. If he does, Oklahoma can problem the SEC’s high tier.

LSU (April 18) | Sam Leavitt: LSU added the no 1 quarterback within the switch portal in Leavitt, who arrives with a 16-5 report as a starter and championship expectations.

Jayce Brown, Destyn Hill, and Trey’Dez Inexperienced headline a deep talent group able to supporting an elite offense. 

Leavitt has battled well being points, together with Lisfranc surgical procedure, but when he is wholesome, he could possibly be the following star in Lane Kiffin’s system. 

Heisman contenders 

Texas A&M (None) | Marcel Reed: Reed delivered a robust 2025 marketing campaign earlier than fading late, and now seems to be poised to take one other step. The twin-threat quarterback accounted for 31 whole touchdowns, however threw 12 interceptions. 

Texas A&M returns Mario Craver, final season’s No. 2 receiver, and provides former Alabama wideout Isaiah Horton as a fringe big-play possibility. 

With system familiarity and a reloaded supporting solid, Reed has the instruments to enter the Heisman dialog. The important thing: minimize down turnovers and use his legs to increase performs as a substitute of forcing throws.

Georgia (April 11) | Gunner Stockton: Stockton handed for two,894 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025 and now returns for his second season as Georgia’s starter.

The Bulldogs should change a number of receiving threats, however Landon Humphreys and Georgia Tech switch Isiah Canion are anticipated to be the first weapons. 

Stockton is a clear slot in Mike Bobo’s offense. He will get the ball out effectively in area and has sufficient mobility to vary arm angle and threaten defenses on the transfer. 

Ole Miss (April 11) | Trinidad Chambliss:
 Chambliss returns after a breakout 12 months that featured eight 300-yard passing video games and a visit to the Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinals. 

Ole Miss has a brand new offensive coordinator in John David Baker, however the scheme stays largely intact. Chambliss will throw to a revamped unit: Deuce Alexander is the one returning starter, joined by Syracuse transfers Johntay Prepare dinner and Darrel Gill, plus sophomore Caleb Cunningham. 

Chambliss’s scrambling and off-script creativity separate him from most friends and will 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 coming into 2026. 

Ryan Wingo returns at extensive out, and the additions of Cam Coleman  (Auburn) and Emmett Mosely (Stanford) give Manning the depth and playmaking skill to steer probably the most explosive offenses within the SEC.

Manning and offensive coordinator Kyle Flood have been collectively lengthy sufficient to grasp the system absolutely, and if Manning builds on the best way he completed in 2025, he ought to reside as much as his 2026 Heisman hype.