SEC Quarterback Rankings for 2026: Arch Manning and Trinidad Chambliss Lead the Pack

The quarterback picture in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) looks unusually uncertain heading into the 2026 college football season. Only six teams return the same starting quarterback from last year, leaving several programs searching for answers during spring practices and fall camp.

While a few teams have established leaders ready to guide their offenses, many others are relying on transfers, young prospects, or heated quarterback competitions to determine their starters. These battles could significantly shape the conference storyline before Week 1 even arrives.

With experience playing a major role in early projections, the upper tier of SEC quarterbacks features proven starters who have already delivered on big stages. Meanwhile, the bottom half of the rankings includes high-upside players still trying to prove themselves at the college level. As always in college football, these projections could look completely different by the time the season ends.

Arch Manning Stands Out Among the SEC’s Top Quarterbacks

At the top of the preseason rankings is Arch Manning, who enters the 2026 season with growing confidence after finishing the previous year in impressive form. Over the final six games of the regular season, Manning produced 16 total touchdowns while committing only two turnovers, one of the best stretches among Power Four quarterbacks.

Texas has also strengthened its receiving corps with the addition of Cam Coleman, giving Manning a deeper group of targets. Although he carries the weight of a famous football family, his mobility and physical tools make him one of the most naturally gifted quarterbacks in the conference.

Right behind him is Trinidad Chambliss, whose remarkable rise continues to capture attention across college football. Just two years ago, Chambliss was playing at Division II Ferris State Bulldogs. Since then, he has become a key figure for Ole Miss Rebels, producing highlight-reel plays that nearly pushed the program into the national championship game during its College Football Playoff run.

Now, with offensive mastermind Lane Kiffin no longer calling the plays in Oxford, the next challenge will be seeing whether Chambliss can maintain that explosive level of play.

Proven Veterans Bring Stability

Experience separates the next group of quarterbacks in the rankings. Gunner Stockton leads this category after guiding Georgia Bulldogs to an SEC championship appearance. His deep-ball accuracy stood out last season, completing nearly 70 percent of passes thrown at least 15 yards downfield. However, Georgia’s offense will look different in 2026 after losing most of its top pass catchers, forcing Stockton to build chemistry with a largely new receiving group.

Another experienced name climbing the rankings is Sam Leavitt, a transfer who arrives with a proven résumé. Before an injury shortened his 2025 season, Leavitt had already led Arizona State Sun Devils to a Big 12 Conference championship in 2024. His competitive edge and leadership style made him one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in the transfer portal.

Meanwhile, Byrum Brown offers Auburn Tigers something the program has lacked in recent years—consistency. Brown previously thrived in the system of head coach Alex Golesh at South Florida Bulls, which should make his transition smoother. His dual-threat production is already historic, as he is one of only a handful of players in FBS history to record 3,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Rising Stars Looking for Breakout Seasons

Several quarterbacks ranked in the middle of the list possess impressive talent but still need to prove they can deliver consistently against elite competition.

LaNorris Sellers remains one of the most intriguing athletes in the conference. Despite flashes of brilliance, instability within South Carolina Gamecocks coaching staff has slowed his development. With Kendal Briles now overseeing the offense, the expectation is that Sellers’ dual-threat ability could once again become a central feature.

Similarly, Marcel Reed showed two very different versions of himself during his first full season as the starter for the Texas A&M Aggies. Reed excelled against weaker opponents but struggled when facing stronger teams with winning records. With a tougher schedule approaching in 2026, consistency will be the key factor in determining whether he can become a true SEC star.

Another player aiming for improvement is John Mateer, who returns for another season with the Oklahoma Sooners. A thumb injury last season disrupted his momentum, and the offense never fully regained its early-season rhythm. Now fully healthy and familiar with the offensive system, Mateer has a chance to show significant growth.

New Transfers and Rising Young Quarterbacks Bring Uncertainty

Lower in the rankings are quarterbacks who could either rise dramatically or struggle as they adjust to larger roles.

Kenny Minchey is an intriguing addition for the Kentucky Wildcats. New head coach Will Stein brought him in from Nebraska Cornhuskers, believing his skill set fits perfectly within the offense. While Minchey has very limited playing experience, his efficiency in brief appearances suggests he could develop quickly.

At Alabama Crimson Tide, one of the biggest quarterback battles in the country is unfolding between veteran Austin Mack and highly touted prospect Keelon Russell. Russell, a former five-star recruit, dominated in high school with more than 10,000 passing yards and 127 touchdowns. However, stepping into the SEC spotlight brings a completely different level of pressure.

Elsewhere, young players such as Kamario Taylor, Aaron Philo, and George MacIntyre are trying to establish themselves as reliable starters. Each possesses strong physical tools but lacks the extensive game experience needed to feel fully comfortable at the position.

Freshmen and New Starters Could Shake Up the Rankings

The bottom portion of the preseason rankings largely consists of quarterbacks stepping into brand-new roles. Austin Simmons gets a fresh start with the Missouri Tigers after losing the starting job earlier in his career due to injury.

At Arkansas Razorbacks, KJ Jackson is expected to compete with transfer AJ Hill for the starting role under new head coach Ryan Silverfield.

Finally, one of the most intriguing newcomers is Jared Curtis, a five-star recruit who chose to stay in his hometown and play for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Although freshman quarterbacks often face growing pains in the SEC, Curtis has the talent to climb these rankings quickly if he adapts to the college game faster than expected.

The SEC quarterback hierarchy entering the 2026 season reflects both proven leadership and considerable uncertainty. Veterans like Arch Manning, Trinidad Chambliss, and Gunner Stockton have already demonstrated the ability to perform at a high level, but the conference is filled with young players and transfers eager to make their mark.

With several quarterback battles still unresolved and many players entering new systems, the current rankings are more of a snapshot than a prediction. By the time the postseason arrives, the SEC quarterback landscape could look completely different — and that unpredictability is part of what makes the conference so compelling each year.

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