As many as 12 of the SEC’s 14 teams could have new starting quarterbacks in 2015, an obvious position of need across college football in every recruiting cycle, but notably in the nation’s strongest league.

Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs and Mizzou’s Maty Mauk are the only quarterbacks we project as assured starters next season with the influx of talent and potential stars already on roster at several programs. Intriguing spring and fall practice battles will take place at Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Vanderbilt, Texas A&M and Florida despite returning incumbents under center.

Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott impending NFL decision (he’s going to leave) adds another potential opening to the mix.

Using 247Sports’ individual player rankings as a guide, here are the nation’s top incoming freshman quarterbacks for the 2015 class. We’ve included their star grade, intended school and measurables. SEC commits — or uncommitted targets — are in bold.

PRO-STYLE

  1. Josh Rosen, 6-4, 205, Bellflower, Ca. (Five-star, UCLA)
  2. Ricky Town, 6-2, 205, Ventura, Ca. (Four-star, Southern Cal)
  3. Brady White, 6-2, 190, Newhall, Ca. (Four-star, Arizona State)
  4. Deondre Francois, 6-1, 195, Bradenton, Fla. (Four-star, Florida State)
  5. Drew Lock, 6-5, 195, Lees Summit, Mo. (Four-star, Mizzou)
  6. Jake Browing, 6-2, 185, Folsom, Ca. (Four-star, Washington)
  7. Zach Gentry, 6-7, 230, Albuquerque, NM (Four-star, Texas)
  8. Ty Storey, 6-3, 215, Charleston, Ark. (Four-star, Arkansas)
  9. Brett Rypien, 6-2, 185, Spokane, Wash. (Four-star, Boise State)
  10. Dwayne Lawson, 6-5, 210, Tampa, Fla. (Four-star, interested in Florida, Virginia Tech, Miami)

DUAL THREAT

  1. Blake Barnett, 6-5, 200, Corona, Ca. (Five-star, Alabama)
  2. Kyler Murray, 5-10, 180, Allen, Texas (Five-star, Texas A&M)
  3. Jarrett Stidham, 6-3, 190, Stephenville, Texas (Five-star, Baylor)
  4. Brandon Wimbush, 6-2, 205, Jersey City, N.J. (Four-star, Notre Dame)
  5. Travis Waller, 6-3, 190, Anaheim, Ca. (Four-star, Oregon)
  6. Sam Darnold, 6-4, 210, San Clemente, Ca. (Four-star, Southern Cal)
  7. Jauan Jennings, 6-4, 190, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (Four-star, Tennessee)
  8. Sheriron Jones, 6-2, 190, Moreno Valley, Ca. (Four-star, interested in Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss)
  9. Lorenzo Nunez, 6-2, 190, Kennesaw, Ga. (Four-star, South Carolina)
  10. John Kolar, 6-3, 195, Norman, Okla. (Four-star, Oklahoma State)

Takeaways: With a rocket arm and wicked release, Drew Lock is Mizzou’s crown jewel of its 2015 class, traditional drop-back passer with tremendous ability. This in-state gunslinger should eventually succeed Mauk as the Tigers’ starting quarterback … Texas A&M commit Kyler Murray has been labeled Manziel-lite thanks to his size and play-making ability. He has decided to enroll in the fall vs. spring due to baseball … Four-star dual threat Lorenzo Nunez said this week he’s intending to compete as a true freshman for South Carolina’s starting quarterback job, open after the departure of senior Dylan Thompson. Nunez says his current offense isn’t much different than the Gamecocks’ zone-read scheme.