Bain: Top 10 SEC Quarterbacks
Football in the Southeastern Conference has been competitive for decades, and plenty of outstanding quarterbacks have gone on to have outstanding careers.
The SEC does not have a definite superstar at quarterback heading into the season, so nobody on this list of the top 10 quarterbacks seems to separate from the rest.
1. Jayden Daniels, LSU
After winning the SEC West last year and having nearly 3,800 total yards, Daniels is an easy pick as the best quarterback in the conference. He returns his leading receiver, Malik Nabers, as well. Daniels, a former Arizona State transfer, adjusted well to the SEC in his first year and is set up for a big 2023.
2. Will Rogers, Mississippi State
For the past three years, Rogers has thrived in Mike Leach's Air Raid. However, the tragic passing of Leach means the quarterback will have a new challenge this fall. Offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay runs more of a spread offense and likes to run the ball. Rogers will have fewer pass attempts, but he will take more deep shots. There will undoubtedly be a transition, but with his accuracy and touch -- along with three years of starting experience -- the transition should be smooth.
3. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas
Jefferson is a veteran SEC quarterback entering his third year as the starter. However, the Razorback signal-caller will be with a new offensive coordinator for the first time, since Kendal Briles is now at TCU. Jefferson's physical style of play means that injuries are always a worry, especially after missing two games last season. However, he has Rocket Sanders back, who rushed for 1443 yards last year. This is his draft year, and he will be adjusting to a new play caller, but the veteran should be just fine.
4. Joe Milton, Tennessee
The Tennessee quarterback is the most athletically talented quarterback in the SEC. Milton initially transferred from Michigan to be the starter on Rocky Top. However, inconsistent play led him to be benched and replaced by future Heisman candidate Hendon Hooker. When Hooker went down to injury, Tennessee did not miss a beat. Milton was 2-0 as a starter, beating Vanderbilt 56-0 and Clemson in the Orange Bowl by a score of 31-14.
5. Carson Beck, Georgia
While the battle for starting quarterback is ongoing, all indications for Georgia are that Carson Beck will take the first snap this fall. He was a four-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class and will have all the recipes for success. He will have an elite defense and a talented receiving core with a couple of transfer portal additions in RaRa Thomas and Dominic Lovett. Finally, he will have one of the best players in college football in tight end Brock Bowers.
6. Alabama Quarterback
This quarterback battle is still ongoing, and there is no clear favorite. It is a three-man race between Ty Simpson, a former five-star recruit, Tyler Buchner, a Notre Dame transfer, and Jalen Milroe, who played sparingly this past season. Milroe has the most experience of this group as he played in Bryce Young's place against Arkansas and Texas A&M. It was a small sample size, but he was not impressive, throwing for 297 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Tommy Rees, the new offensive coordinator, will provide fresh air for the Tide. Regardless of their starter, there will be too much talent around him to fail.
7. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
Dart had a lot of hype going into last year. The USC transfer was a consensus four-star transfer portal target. At times he lived up to the hype, and at times he struggled. However, Dart is young and has perhaps the SEC's best running back in Quinshon Judkins. Lane Kiffin added two quarterbacks from the portal, Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard, but Dart is still expected to start and improve from last year.
8. Devin Leary, Kentucky
Kentucky signed the best transfer quarterback of anyone in the SEC this offseason. After losing Will Levis to the NFL draft, the Wildcats improved at the position with the signing of Leary. Leary led NC State to a 9-3 record in 2021 and quickly established himself as one of the best signal callers in the ACC. He had the Wolfpack at 5-1 last year before suffering a torn pectoral muscle against Florida State. Under head coach Mark Stoops, Kentucky has been a mark of consistency, and this might be the best quarterback that Stoops has had.
9. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
Rattler has probably had the biggest fall from grace of anyone in college football. He was a serious preseason Heisman candidate at Oklahoma before being replaced by this past year's winner Caleb Williams. The talent has never been denied, but Rattler's inconsistent play has been the issue. He may never reach his full potential, but he will lead the Gamecocks to a successful year.
10. Payton Thorne, Auburn
Thorne was not the first option for new Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze when he was looking for a portal quarterback. However, when Grayson McCall elected to return to Coastal Carolina, the Tigers had to regroup. Thorne helped lead Michigan State to an 11-2 record in 2021 alongside Kenneth Walker. After a tough 2022, he decided to enter the portal. He will have Jarquez Hunter beside him, and Hugh Freeze has been successful with quarterbacks such as Chad Kelly, Bo Wallace and Malik Willis. Thorne will be no different.
