It’s the quietest time of the year for College Football, which means rankings and preseason projections are being released left and right.
The most prominent SEC quarterbacks in the country have hit the news cycle lately, as the Manning Passing Academy took place earlier this summer. The 30th annual QB camp took place from June 25th to the 28th, and some of the conference’s best showed out.
QBs such as Arch Manning (Texas), John Mateer (Oklahoma), Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), Marcel Reed (Texas A&M), Gunnar Stockton (Georgia), and more attended.
With the SEC’s biggest stars shining alongside all-time QBs like Peyton and Eli Manning, there’s no better time to make a preseason top-10 list of QBs in the conference.
10. Keelon Russell, Alabama
Apr 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) runs the ball Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
The raw talent of Keelon Russell suggests he should be ranked higher than 10. There’s only one reason he’s the first name on the rankings: he’s in an active QB competition against former Washington QB Austin Mack.
As far as the more intriguing physical traits, it’s Russell. The five-star freshman has excellent arm talent and can scramble to make plays with his legs if needed.
Russell offers a broader skill set and a higher ceiling, and he knows how to win, as he did in back-to-back state championships in Texas. In his senior year of high school, Russell threw for 4,177 yards, 55 touchdowns, and just 4 interceptions.
9. Kenny Minchey, Kentucky
Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey (8) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.
A forgotten storyline of last season was that Kenny Minchey almost beat out CJ Carr for the Notre Dame starting job. Carr is now a preseason favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
Minchey is a dual-threat QB who has a rocket of an arm and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield. The only thing Minchey lacks right now is real game reps and stats, and now he’ll be thrown into the fire with an SEC schedule.
If Kentucky’s offense clicks this season, they could be a spoiler for teams who are supposed to contend in the conference.
8. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Nov 22, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) passes against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
If South Carolina didn’t have so many question marks around the offensive line and overall talent, then LaNorris Sellers would be higher on this list. Sellers was found running for his life at times because of the lack of protection he had.
Sellers in 2025 were sacked 42 times, 11 more than in 2024. Sellers also threw five fewer touchdowns in 2025, posting just 13.
7. Byrum Brown, Auburn
Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) runs the ball during Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
One of the best QB’s in the country in 2025. Byrum Brown was a breakout star for South Florida. Brown follows his USF head coach Alex Golish to Auburn and looks to continue the success he had last year.
The most impressive aspect of Brown’s 2025 season was his football IQ, which was evident in his 28-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Transitioning to the SEC won’t be easy, but if Brown does so smoothly, then Auburn will be much more dangerous than projected.
6. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
Dec 20, 2025; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to throw the ball. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
With 3,169 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, Marcel Reed was the catalyst for Texas A&M’s surprise success in the SEC in 2025. Even so, it felt like, towards the end of the year, Reed left more on the table with some lackluster performances.
The College Football Playoff loss to Miami left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth, with Reed throwing two interceptions and the Aggies only scoring three points.
5. Sam Leavitt, LSU
Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Sam Leavitt excelled in the Big 12 while at Arizona State, but his 2025 campaign started rough and ended even worse, with a season-ending Lisfranc injury. Leavitt threw for 10 touchdowns and three interceptions before his season ended.
Now entering the SEC, Leavitt will see a huge jump in the level of competition. Coming off a foot injury that hes just now cleared from, slotting him at No. 5 is out of caution.
4. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s John Mateer (10) greets following the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooner and the University of Michigan Wolverines. Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
14 passing touchdowns and 11 interceptions aren’t stats that scream “top five QB in the SEC”. There’s context behind those stats. After Week 4 of the season, and a win over Auburn, John Mateer was the Heisman Trophy frontrunner.
That changed quickly, though, as Mateer broke his throwing thumb in that Auburn win. Once that happened, the production and velocity on his throws fell off a cliff. When fully healthy, though, Mateer has the highest ceiling in the conference.
3. Arch Manning, Texas
Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggie. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
After a slow first month of the season, Arch Manning started to look like the future first-round pick that everyone projects him to be. Manning totaled 3,163 passing yards and an excellent 26-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
The two final performances against Texas A&M and Michigan give Arch momentum heading into 2026.
2. Gunner Stockton
Jan 1, 2026; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball against the Mississippi Rebels. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
If this list were based on which QB would be drafted highest, Gunner Stockton would be at the bottom. That’s not what this is, though; Gunner Stockton just wins in the SEC.
2894 passing yards isn’t absurd, but a 24-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio shows that Stockton has a high football IQ. Stockton also outperformed more talented QBs in head-to-head matchups, such as Arch Manning and now Los Angeles Ram Ty Simpson.
1. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) signals a first down after his run against the Miami Hurricanes Jan. 8, 2026.
Coming off an outstanding College Football Playoff run, Trinidad Chambliss has to be the No. 1 QB in the SEC. The special performances didn’t rise out of nowhere, though; he was excellent all season.
Chambliss posted 3937 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. There were times last season when he looked like a prime Oklahoma Kyler Murray, creating dazzling plays off of scrambles.
This season will be more challenging than ever, as Chambliss lost both his head coach and offensive coordinator. Even without Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr, the talent alone should keep Chambliss playing at a high level.
