As the SEC attempts to reclaim its spot at the top of college football, the journey back to the top is going to start at quarterback. After the conference signed three of the top-10 pro-style passers and four of the top-10 dual-threat quarterbacks in 2015, the SEC is right back at it for 2016.

Already, eight quarterbacks have committed to SEC schools. That includes Jacob Eason, a five-star quarterback from Washington state considered one of the five or ten best prospects in the country by recruiting services, as well as five-star Shea Patterson, who picked Ole Miss over LSU. The Tigers aren’t empty-handed, though, having scored a commitment from top dual-threat QB Feleipe Franks.

Commits

Player Team Rating Hometown
Cole Kelly Arkansas 3-star Lafayette, La.
Jacob Eason Georgia 5-star Lake Stevens, Wash.
Gunnar Hoak Kentucky 3-star Dublin, Ohio
Feleipe Franks LSU 4-star Crawfordville, Fla.
Shea Patterson Ole Miss 5-star Shreveport, La.
Brandon McIlwain South Carolina 4-star Council Rock, Pa.
Jarrett Guarantano Tennessee 4-star Oradell, N.J.
Deuce Wallace Vanderbilt 3-star Sevierville, Tenn.

There are a handful of top-level prospects out there that SEC schools are chasing. Per the 247sports composite rankings, six of the uncommitted four- and five-star quarterback prospects, both pro-style and dual-threat, are considering SEC schools. Auburn is pursuing three of them, while Alabama chases two.

Top targets

Player Interest Rating Hometown
Dwayne Haskins Alabama, LSU 5-star Potomac, Md.
Tylin Oden Kentucky, Tennessee 4-star Columbia, Tenn.
Jawon Pass Alabama, Auburn 4-star Columbus, Ga.
Ervin Barrett Auburn 4-star Orlando, Fla.
Jalen Hurts Mississippi State, Texas A&M 4-star Channelview, Texas
Xavier Gaines Auburn 4-star Lake Wales, Fla.