Projecting Every SEC Team's Starting QB in 2023: How Will Devin Leary Stack Up for Kentucky?
Two former Kentucky Wildcats became Super Bowl Champions on Sunday night, as offensive lineman Darian Kinnard and defensive tackle Phil Hoskins...wore Kansas City Chiefs uniforms on the sideline, as they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.
With the NFL season in the books, and things not going particularly well over at Rupp Arena this year, much of the Big Blue Nation now turns their attention to spring football, which is just around the corner.
Kentucky yet again won't have a Spring Game to quench the thirst of BBN, but there will be open practices to check out the Wildcats at a time yet to be announced. Despite a disappointing 7-6 season in 2022, the excitement level for the start of Mark Stoops' second decade as head coach is as high as ever in Lexington.
After averaging 20.4 points-per-game last season, the issues on offense were quickly addressed. Rich Scangarello was fired after one season as offensive coordinator, with Stoops swinging the return of Liam Coen shortly after.
Star quarterback Will Levis has moved on to the NFL draft after two valuable years in the Bluegrass. He left massive shoes to fill, but Kentucky proceeded to hit the jackpot in the transfer portal, landing veteran signal-caller Devin Leary from NC State.
Leary was viewed as the top QB in the portal in the eyes of many. He's bringing a boat-load of experience that should fit nicely with Coen's pro-style playbook. In five seasons for the Wolfpack, he threw for 6,807 yards, 62 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions.
He's returning from the second season-ending injury of his career, as he tore the pectoral muscle in his throwing side on Oct. 8. He previously suffered a broken fibula in 2020.
While Leary's health will be perhaps the biggest question mark of his lone season at UK, he labeled both injuries "freak accidents" and told reporters in January that he's currently on a "positive incline" to getting back to full strength, though it's unclear how healthy he'll be once spring ball rolls around.
Stoops called hauling Leary in from the portal "a home run," while Coen added that he believes the Sicklerville, N.J. native can "throw the football as good as anyone in the country."
Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.
Safe to say that expectations will be through the roof. Leary did well for himself in the ACC, but how will he compare to the other QBs in the SEC?
Here's a look at who else will likely be under center around the Southeastern Conference in 2023:
Note: These are just my projections, as a couple QB battles won't be decided until the lead-up to the first week of the regular season. I considered making this a ranking of the QBs, but i'd be lying to you if I said I watched all of these players enough last season to concoct a thorough enough list that didn't rely on solely stats and highlights. The clicks would be great, but I refuse to B.S. something like that. Anyways...
Alabama: Jalen Milroe
The Crimson Tide were far from their normal selves in 2022, despite finishing with an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl victory. That was no fault of Bryce Young, who's now competing with Levis and Ohio State's CJ Stroud to be the first QB off the board in the upcoming NFL draft this April.
For the first time since the Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa conundrum, the QB1 spot in Tuscaloosa will truly be up for grabs between a pair of unproven youngsters.
Jalen Milroe will be pegged as the favorite, as the 6-foot-2, 212-pounder entered in relief for Young last season, as the Heisman winner battled injury. He made one start as a freshman, throwing for 111 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 81 yards as the Tide squeaked by Texas A&M 24-20.
Behind Milroe was freshman Ty Simpson — the No. 3 QB in the 2022 class. He acquired some garbage-time action across three games last year, completing four passes for 35 yards. Neither player currently stands miles ahead of the other.
Simpson may seem like the shinier option, and could without question win the starting gig. I tend to lean Milroe, though. We've seen far worse suit up under center for the Tide, either way, so it should be one of the more interesting jobs to keep an eye on over the next half-year.
Arkansas: KJ Jefferson
No shock here.
Injuries took a toll on Jefferson in 2022, but his ceiling as a college football QB is perhaps the highest of anyone in the conference. His two seasons as the Razorbacks' starter have seen a combined 45 passing touchdowns, 14 rushing scores and just nine picks.
The mixture of thunderous running, accuracy and overall ability to break off a big play in multiple ways in invaluable.
Competing in the SEC West is seemingly impossible, so keeping Jefferson healthy is a must for Sam Pittman and the Hogs.
Auburn: Robby Ashford
The Bryan Harsin era is mercifully over on the Plains. In steps Hugh Freeze to turn the ship around...what a sentence that is.
It felt like priority No. 1 for Freeze — besides re-tooling the coaching staff — would've been go and grab a QB from the portal. Auburn was linked with Leary, Graham Mertz, Grayson McCall and a couple of others, but nothing ever materialized.
As a result, all signs point to another year for Robby Ashford. He threw for 1,613 yards, seven touchdowns and seven interceptions, but ran for another 710 yards and seven scores. He rotated in and out with T.J. Finley at times, but showed promising dual-threat flashes, similar to former AU QBs Nick Marshall and Malik Willis.
It doesn't appear likely that Finley would stick around to play backup for another season, so an exit after the spring could be in the cards for the former LSU Tiger. Under Freeze, Ashford has a chance to succeed in a big way.
This is Auburn we're speaking about, however, so something strange will probably happen at some point.
Florida: Graham Mertz
For a while, it seemed as though Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz was going to end up in Lexington. He visited UK the same week as Leary, but Stoops and Co. opted for the latter.
Some time later, Mertz found a home in Gainesville. He brings a much, much different style to the table, compared to last year's starter, Anthony Richardson. Mertz won't be spinning off defenders and making jump passes to the end zone, or snapping off 50-yard runs.
He does bring experience, leadership and a pocket presence to Billy Napier's Gators, however. He started at Wisconsin for three seasons, totaling 5,332 yards and 28 touchdowns, but threw 26 interceptions. In 2022, he had his best statistical season, throwing for 2,136 yards, 19 TDs and 10 picks.
The Badgers have floundered over the past few years, so a fresh start feels like it could rejuvenate Mertz and unlock a new level in his game. It's not going to be pretty or particularly fun to watch, but he's capable of winning games.
Big second season coming up for Napier at Florida.
Georgia: Carson Beck
The 2023 season will be Carson Beck's fourth at Georgia. That may sound surprising to some who haven't consistently kept up with the Bulldogs.
Beck — a 4-star prospect in the 2020 class — bided his time on the bench in Athens. Stetson Bennett has finally departed, leaving the keys for the 6-foot-4 Jacksonville, Fla. native.
Due to the number of beatdowns that Kirby Smart's team has put on others over the past two seasons, Beck has thrown six touchdowns in a UGA uniform already. Garbage time, yes, but reps are reps. He even got to play in the National Championship drubbing of TCU in January.
Beck will have competition, as fellow blue-chippers Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton are also waiting in the wings. Given Beck's patience and spot as the No. 2 last season, it only feels right that he leads the charge for a three-peat. come September.
LSU: Jayden Daniels
Jayden Daniels slung for 2,774 yards and ran for 818 more in his first season with LSU, exceeding expectations.
Year one of the Brian Kelly project appeared as though it was going to be an ugly disaster to start, but it ended with a win over Alabama, trip to the SEC Championship and victory in the Citrus Bowl.
Daniels had some magical performances along the way, proving his worth as the starter for the Tigers in 2023. It's tough to beat a dual-threat QB when they really get going. Daniels has upside and LSU will always have the talent necessary to surround him and set him up for success.
Missouri: Sam Horn
Calling my shot here, I think redshirt freshman Sam Horn will win the starting gig in Columbia for 2023.
It's no real knock on Brady Cook, as he had a serviceable 2022 for the Tigers, throwing for 2,739 yards, 14 touchdowns and only seven picks. There's just no wow factor with him under center, and Horn has the chance to bring that to the table.
Rated as the No. 8 QB in the 2022 class, Horn stands 6-foot-4, 190 pounds and can play the role of gunslinger. He'll also have a much easier path to making a solid impression, as Cook underwent surgery for a torn labrum in December and isn't expected to be ready for the spring.
Mizzou has a new OC in Kirby Moore, but this is an important fourth year at the helm for coach Eli Drinkwitz, who's yet to end a season with a winning record.
Horn's ceiling may not be reached in 2023, but giving him a chance to make a splash could be key for the future of Missouri football.
Mississippi State: Will Rogers
Yes, Will Rogers is still in Starkville.
Year four for the elder-statesman of SEC QBs will obviously be different due to the passing of coach Mike Leach. The Air Raid is gone, but there's no reason to think that Rogers won't be able to adjust with new OC Kevin Barbay.
10,689 passing yards and 82 touchdowns speaks for itself.
Ole Miss: Spencer Sanders
What an interesting QB room Lane Kiffin has for 2023.
Jaxson Dart was more than serviceable in 2022. Nearly 3,000 passing yards, 21 scores and 11 interceptions came with its good and bad, as the Rebels opened the season 7-0 before losing five of its last six.
Picking up a QB out of the portal wasn't a given, but Kiffin brought in a pair of transfers. Headlining is Oklahoma State staple Spencer Sanders.
He threw for over 2,000 yards all four seasons in Stillwater, throwing for 14 or more touchdowns every year as well. His tenure as a Cowboy was highlighted by an appearance in the Big 12 Championship and win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl in 2021.
Sanders was the last major portal-domino to fall, settling for a crowded signal-caller situation in Oxford. Like Mertz with Florida, a change of scenery could serve the veteran well.
LSU transfer and former 5-star Walker Howard is an intriguing option for the future, but the job is Sanders' to lose.
South Carolina: Spencer Rattler
Laughing at South Carolina, Shane Beamer and Spencer Rattler was something that many in the college football world enjoyed doing as the Gamecocks started the 2022 season 1-2.
It wasn't flashy, but SC's regular season concluded by ending the College Football Playoff dreams of both Tennessee and Clemson. Rattler didn't wow anybody on the field (3,026 yards, 18 TDs, 12 INTs) but he got the job done.
Figuring out how to build off of such a strong finish is the key in Columbia. If traversed correctly, South Carolina can take that next step and try to contend in the SEC East. That's a major if, but Rattler proved he was more than capable of heading a viable offense.
Tennessee: Joe Milton
What a wildcard Joe Milton is for Josh Heupel and Tennessee.
He opened the 2021 season as the starter for the Volunteers, but things quickly swayed in favor of Hendon Hooker. That decision worked out, but the glimpse that fans got from Milton showed signs of a solid starter, if the kinks were ironed out.
I mean, holy moly the guy can absolutely launch a football. He may not know where it's going all the time, but it's fun to watch.
Milton got a shot at the end of 2022 as Hooker suffered a torn ACL in the loss to South Carolina. In his two starts to close the wildly successful season in Knoxville, he led a 56-0 smushing of Vanderbilt and threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns in an Orange Bowl win over Clemson.
Under Heupel's high-motor offense, the ceiling is through the roof. The floor is still viewed as relatively low, though. Things are shaping up to be fun for Milton under center on Rocky Top.
Texas A&M: Conner Weigman
I for one, am curious to know how anyone will sanely operate as a quarterback under both Jimbo Fisher and Bobby Petrino.
Last season was as bad as you could've imagined in College Station — and then some. Things eventually turned to freshman Conner Weigman down the stretch, and he proved serviceable.
In five games, he hurled for 896 yards, eight touchdowns and didn't throw an interception. That's certainly something to build on. Max Johnson is still an option for the Aggies, but Weigman didn't nothing to suggest that he shouldn't get the shot to begin 2023 as the starter. He was the No. 2 QB in the 2022 class, after all.
The world should be Weigman's oyster. Should. Though I can't say anything wouldn't surprise me at TAMU this season.
Vanderbilt: AJ Swann
Mike Wright is off to Mississippi State, so it's all eyes on AJ Swann in Nashville in 2023.
As most wearing black and gold in the SEC do, Swann went through some growing pains in his freshman season, throwing for 1,274 yards, 10 touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.
Those numbers came in just nine games, as he missed a stint due to injury while Wright provided a different flavor with the dual-threat game. Looking at you, Kentucky.
Coach Clark Lea has made it clear that Swann is the guy for the Commodores, however. He has the tools to become a solid starter, but achieving any major goals while playing for the worst team in the conference comes with its fair share of struggles.
College football, we patiently await your arrival.
Kentucky landed a 4-star defensive lineman on National Signing Day. More HERE.
WATCH: Kentucky football's transfer portal signees speak to the media
Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.
Kentucky's transfer portal tracker can be found HERE.
Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.
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