MARLER: 2026 SEC quarterback picture is the cloudiest it’s ever been

By Chris Marler

If there’s one word that would best describe the off-field happenings of the 2025 college football season, it’s chaos. 

The wildest coaching carousel we’ve ever seen. Notre Dame getting left out of the College Football Playoff. And, whatever was/is going on at Michigan for the last two seasons. 

If there’s one word to describe the mood going into the offseason before 2026, it’s uncertaintyl. That’s especially the case when it comes to the quarterbacks in the SEC going into next year.

On Monday, I was asked on Mike Bratton’s “That SEC Podcast” who the top five quarterbacks would be for next year in the SEC. Then something that almost never happens, happened. I had nothing. The truth is, almost every team has at least one big question mark at the most important position heading into next season.

Here is a look at each SEC team’s situation after the 2025 season. 

• Alabama – Ty Simpson may go pro.
• Arkansas – Taylen Green is turning pro, and Arkansas has a new OC and head coach. 
• Auburn – May bring USF QB Byrum Brown; have lost two back ups in the portal, and will have a new head coach and OC. 
• Florida – DJ Lagway will enter the portal, and they have a new head coach and OC. 
• Georgia – Gunner Stockton returning at QB with the same head coach and OC. 
• Kentucky – Freshman Cutter Boley will most likely be the starting QB with a new head coach.
• LSU – Will most likely have 1-2 portal QBs with a new coach. 
• Mississippi State – Blake Shapen is out of eligibility, and Kamario Taylor will likely be the starter.
• Missouri – Beau Pribula is entering the portal, and they have a new OC. 
• Ole Miss – Trinidad Chambliss is potentially out of eligibility and may transfer. They will also have a new OC and head coach. 
• Oklahoma – John Mateer will return with the same head coach and OC. 
• South Carolina – LaNorris Sellers will return but with a new OC. 
• Tennessee – Joey Aguilar will apply for another year of eligibility, but is not certain to return.
• Texas – Arch Manning will return with the same head coach and OC. 
• Texas A&M – Marcel Reed will return, but will have a new OC. 
• Vanderbilt – Jared Curtis will most likely start as a true freshman. 

That means of the 16 teams in the SEC just three teams will have a returning starter at quarterback who will be playing under the same head coach and offensive coordinator, as of today. There are only six guaranteed quarterbacks set to return, as well, but half of the six will have a new offensive coordinator. Nine of the 16 teams in the conference will have a new offensive coordinator, and six will have a new head coach.

There is talent everywhere in this conference, and it may be the deepest it’s ever been in regards to team talent and head coaching talent. But, the most important position in all of sports? That is the biggest question mark we’ve seen in the SEC in well over a decade. 

That uncertainty could create stability or superstar seasons. It could also create what became all too familiar this season – chaos.