Week 1 is in the books. Last Saturday provided our first real look at SEC rosters, including the quarterback position. It’s time for an SEC quarterback power ranking.
Several SEC quarterbacks were making their first starts with their new teams. Some made their first collegiate starts.
In Alabama, five-star Keelon Russell got his first chance to run the show. Russell and the Tide scored 48 points with the QB doing damage through the air and on the ground.
In Baton Rouge, Sam Leavitt exceeded the already high expectations, totaling over 300 yards and scoring three touchdowns. Leavitt put to rest any lingering concerns about a foot injury that ended his 2025 season.
And of course, in Austin, Arch Manning kicked off his 2026 season. Texas State’s defense
didn’t provide much of a challenge, but Ohio State is coming down the track in Week 2.
It can be easy to overreact after Week 1. I’ll try to avoid that here. Anyways, let’s jump right in with our SEC quarterback power rankings.
16. Blaze Berlowitz, Vanderbilt
Blaze Berlowitz was named Vanderbilt’s starting QB in Week 1, but the competition still doesn’t seem completely settled. I read that as a bad sign. As the saying goes, if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks.
Berlowitz wasn’t thrilling in the opener. He threw for 149 yards without a touchdown, posting a 57.1 PFF passing grade. True freshman Jared Curtis saw time, too.
15. KJ Jackson, Arkansas
Jackson was fine in Week 1. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 267 yards and three scores vs North Alabama. Jackson carried the ball eight times for 40 yards. It was a decent Week 1 outing for a QB learning a new system in a transfer-heavy offense. However, Jackson will be tested as the quality of competition increases.
14. Kenny Minchey, Kentucky
Minchey did just what a decent quarterback should do vs. an inferior team. He threw for 298 yards, three touchdowns, and didn’t throw a pick. Kentucky likes what they have in the Notre Dame transfer, and Minchey could finish the year higher on this list. But for now, given the inexperience and unknowns, I’ll keep him at No. 14.
13. Faizon Brandon, Tennessee
Tennessee didn’t ask Faizon Brandon to do much in his debut. That’s typical for the Josh Heupel offense with any QB, but especially with a true freshman. Still, I liked what I saw from the five-star talent. The throwing motion is clean, and the arm is real. Tennessee also got Brandon involved in the run game.
12. Austin Simmons, Missouri
Austin Simmons' Week 1 performance was elite. He completed 17 of 19 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns without throwing a pick. It’s worth noting the competition was Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Missouri wide receivers faced no challenge in getting open. We’ll want to see Simmons face stiffer competition before evaluating what Missouri has in the Ole Miss transfer.
11. Keelon Russell, Alabama
Keelon Russell was electric in Alabama’s Week 1 win. The redshirt freshman ran it 13 times for 91 yards and a score while adding 256 yards through the air. The passing yards total would be higher if not for a couple of big drops from Alabama wideouts. The Crimson Tide saw what they wanted to see from Russell in Week 1.
10. Byrum Brown, Auburn
Auburn got the win in Week 1, but the offense didn’t look good and neither did quarterback Byrum Brown. Per PFF, Brown ranks dead last among SEC QBs in EPA/play after Week 1. Again, I don’t want to overreact after the first week, but Brown’s performance only confirmed some preseason concerns.
Despite the lackluster Week 1 outing, Brown still earns a top 10 ranking. He put up good numbers at USF in 2025 and he's in the same scheme now at Auburn. Plus, Brown's legs are a difference maker.
9. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
I’m sure Texas A&M fans will take issue with this placement, but I’ve never been high on Reed. He operates the A&M offense, and he’s good at it, but if you’re starting a team from scratch, there are a handful of SEC QBs who would come before the A&M signal caller.
8. Aaron Philo, Florida
When Buster Faulkner took the OC job in Gainesville, he brought quarterback Aaron Philo along from Georgia Tech. Philo impressed in his limited chances at Tech and looked good in Florida’s Week 1 win vs FAU. Philo completed over 76% of his passes and tossed three touchdowns. With the Gators’ loaded wide receiver corps, Philo may put up big numbers in 2026.
7. John Mateer, Oklahoma
Mateer looked good in the first half of 2025, but then a hand injury cost the Oklahoma quarterback a few weeks and he looked rusty upon returning. Mateer averaged 13.2 yards per pass in the Sooners’ Week 1 win over Utah, but didn’t do much on the ground. Don’t be surprised to see Mateer get more involved in the run game this week as Oklahoma takes on Michigan.
6. Kamario Taylor, Mississippi State
Taylor’s raw talent is off the charts. Every time he takes the field, a few highlight-reel plays are a given. The arm strength is ridiculous, and Taylor has the speed to take off and run, too. Mississippi State’s season is on Taylor’s shoulders – this team will go as he goes. Taylor and the Bulldogs have a test this weekend as they travel to face Minnesota.
Taylor totaled 5 touchdowns and threw for over 300 yards in Week 1.
5. Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Gunner Stockton won’t wow NFL scouts, but he was one of the SEC’s most productive and efficient quarterbacks in 2025. Stockton handled business in Week 1 and there’s no reason to think he won’t be a little better in 2026.
4. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Sellers threw for 270 yards and three scores in South Carolina’s Week 1 win vs Kent State. I’ve been critical of Sellers at points throughout his South Carolina career, but the raw talent is there, and he’s a good college quarterback. For now, he’s worthy of a top five spot in these power rankings, but if he struggles, he’ll be quick to fall.
3. Sam Leavitt, LSU
Leavitt wowed in his LSU debut. Any concerns about the 2025 foot injury were put to rest as Leavitt ran for over 100 yards in LSU’s 51-10 win over Clemson. Leavitt was slippery, and Clemson defenders struggled to get hands on him. Through the air, Leavitt threw for 230 yards and a touchdown. Leavitt was the top-ranked transfer portal quarterback for a reason, and right now, he looks like a top-three QB in the SEC.
2. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
The top two spots on this list are easy. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is a Heisman Trophy contender after emerging as a star in 2025. Chambliss showed up big in Ole Miss’s thrilling Week 1 win over Louisville, throwing for 337 yards and three touchdowns.
1. Arch Manning, Texas
Arch Manning took his fair share of criticism throughout 2025, but if the SEC were to hold a draft, Manning would be the first player off the board. Manning’s physical tools are elite and he only got better as 2025 went on. Manning is among the Heisman favorites for a reason and should excel with upgraded surrounding talent. Texas’s Week 2 game vs Ohio State will be a test.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: SEC quarterback rankings 2026: All 16 starters ranked after Week 1
