Josh Pate Announces SEC’s No.1 Quarterback in 2026 Preseason Rankings

College football analyst Josh Pate released his preseason SEC quarterback rankings, and Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss landed at No. 1. Texas quarterback Arch Manning was placed second. As with anything said in the preseason of any sport, opinions should be taken with a grain of salt.

That sentiment was also conveyed when Pate titled the segment the "DJ Lagway Memorial Preseason QB Rankings," which is a shot at himself. A year ago, he had the former Florida QB first in his preseason SEC QB rankings, and we all know how that went. Good luck to Lagway, who is now at Baylor.

Trinidad Chambliss ranked No. 1 in Josh Pate's SEC quarterback rankings

Chambliss belongs at the top, and one line on his resume separates him from the other nine names. He has won a national championship. It came at Division II Ferris State in 2024, where he accounted for five touchdowns in a 49-14 title game win over Valdosta State.

Division II is not the SEC, but nobody else on this list has won anything close to that.

🚨PRESEASON SEC QB RANKINGS🚨 pic.twitter.com/R4G9ebQqwQ
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) August 12, 2026

The Grand Rapids, Michigan, native then took over at Ole Miss in Week 3 after an injury to Austin Simmons. He accounted for nearly 4,500 yards and 30 total touchdowns last year.

"He's the most dangerous player in college football," Pate said.

Where Stockton, Mateer belong in the SEC QB rankings

Pate has Oklahoma's John Mateer third and Georgia's Gunner Stockton fourth. I would flip them. Stockton threw for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns with five interceptions, and he ran for 462 yards and 10 scores. He finished seventh in the Heisman vote. The problem for Stockton is that I'm not sure who the other weapons are on the Bulldogs.

Mateer had hand surgery last September and never returned to his early form, finishing with 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The turnovers give me pause. His injury seemed to bring out a hero-ball style of play in which he tried to do too much, hence all those picks. But Mateer rebuilt his throwing motion this offseason, so we still have not seen his best in Norman.

LSU's Sam Leavitt sits fifth and has room to climb. He missed spring practice after foot surgery, though, and his last full healthy season came in 2024 at Arizona State. Few players ascend so rapidly as Leavitt did that year.

Pate slotted Alabama's pending starter sixth. "I am a believer that Keelon Russell will ultimately win this job," Pate said. I think Austin Mack wins it instead. Mack backed up Ty Simpson all season and led Alabama's only scoring drive in the Rose Bowl.

LaNorris Sellers, Byrum Brown and the rest of Pate's SEC top 10

South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers ranks seventh, and he carries the highest ceiling and the lowest floor of anyone on the list. He threw for 2,437 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. New offensive coordinator Kendal Briles should take some work off his plate.

Texas A&M's Marcel Reed is eighth and still does not get enough respect. Pate admitted the spot gave him trouble. "I had the hardest time with Marcel Reed," he said. The Nashville product threw for 3,169 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) talks with head coach Alex Golesh during the first day of football practice at the Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Auburn's Byrum Brown checks in ninth at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds. I think the guy projects as the first guy off the bus, a bit of recognition not often given to quarterbacks. He threw for 3,158 yards and ran for 1,008 more at South Florida last year, and coach Alex Golesh came with him to The Plains.

Missouri's Simmons closes the list. I would take Mississippi State sophomore Kamario Taylor in that spot instead. Taylor started the Egg Bowl and the Duke's Mayo Bowl as a freshman.

Add us as a preferred source on Google