The SEC is always loaded with talent, but in looking ahead to the 2015 season there is one position where the SEC lacks star power: Quarterback.
Considering this is inarguably the most important position in football, that’s concerning for a conference hoping to reassert itself as the dominant force in college football. The biggest issue is a lack of experience; only five quarterbacks in the 14-team league have started for at least one full season, meaning there are more questions than answers at the position throughout the conference.
Here’s a rundown of this year’s 14 potential starters, broken down by level of experience:
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
These quarterbacks have started in the SEC for at least one full season
Dak Prescott, Mississippi State: Prescott was the first-team All-SEC quarterback last season, earning the honor from both the coaches and the media. He’s rushed for at least 800 yards in back to back seasons and last year threw for more than 3,000 yards. If he continues to develop this offseason the way he has the rest of his career, he could be a true Heisman contender in 2015.
Maty Mauk, Missouri: Mauk started a stretch of games as a freshman in 2013 and started every game in 2014, leading Mizzou to SEC East titles both years. He’s less dynamic than Prescott and his game seems panicked at times, but if his experience allows him to grow into a better pocket passer this offseason it could do wonders for a Mizzou passing game that just lost its top three wideouts from last season.
Brandon Allen, Arkansas: Allen is certainly not a playmaker, but he’s an above-average game manager who threw just five interceptions in 13 starts last season. With two 1,000-yard rushers returning as well as his top two wideouts and one of the SEC’s better tight ends, Allen should have all the tools to lead a productive offense without having to take on too much of a burden himself.
Patrick Towles, Kentucky: Towles possesses all the tools to lead Kentucky’s Air Raid offense: a big arm, an above-average football IQ and some escapability as well. However, he was overwhelmed in SEC play, throwing seven of his nine interceptions in conference games, and if he can’t better acclimate himself to the speed of SEC defenses this fall the Kentucky offense won’t have much room to improve.
Anthony Jennings, LSU: Jennings led the SEC’s worst passing offense in 2014, and a lack of accuracy was a big reason for that. He’ll be pushed once again by backup and former five-star signee Brandon Harris, and it seems unlikely Jennings leash will be as long as it was a year ago.
EXPERIENCE — SMALL SAMPLE
These quarterbacks have made at least one career start
Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee: Dobbs led Tennessee to a 4-1 record in five games as the starter to close the season, which has Vols fans salivating over what he can do in a full season as the starting quarterback. He can make most throws asked of him and can run better than any quarterback in the conference except perhaps Prescott, and if he gets up to speed on Mike DeBord’s new offense he could be as dangerous as any signal caller in the conference.
Jacob Coker, Alabama: Coker is still regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference despite being beat out for the starting job last season by a player who originally began his college career playing another position. The Florida State transfer has a strong arm and the makings of a quarterback fit to lead Lane Kiffin’s offense, but his grasp of the offense mentally must begin matching his physical abilities.
Jeremy Johnson, Auburn: Johnson seemed poised and prepared for his opportunity to face Arkansas last season while Nick Marshall served a half-game suspension, and although it’s a small sample size Auburn faithful should feel confident about Johnson’s abilities to make the most of the playmakers around him. He’s not nearly as mobile as Marshall, however, and it will be interesting to see how Gus Malzahn tweaks his offense to fit Johnson’s skill set.
Kyle Allen, Texas A&M: Allen was thrust into a starting job in the middle of his freshman season, and amid a series of ups and downs was able to complete 61 percent of his passes including 16 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. He’ll have plenty of opportunities to spread the ball around this fall and plenty of weapons on the outside to help him out, but he’ll need to begin stretching the field more and relying on safe, underneath throws less is A&M hopes to truly contend for an SEC West title.
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss: Kelly saw time in five games as a redshirt freshman at Clemson in 2013, completing 10 of his 17 pass attempts while rushing for more than 100 yards on 16 carries. He’s arguably more accomplished as a runner than as a passer, but he threw for nearly 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns as the top junior college quarterback last season, leading East Mississippi Community College to a national title. Kelly’s greatest issue is his maturity, and if he takes his new role at Ole Miss seriously he has the tools to transition into the SEC right away.
Brice Ramsey, Georgia: Most of Ramsey’s career experience came in mop-up duties behind former Georgia starter Hutson Mason, but he gained vital experience as an injury replacement in the Dawgs bowl victory over Louisville last season. He completed only 4 of 9 passes in that game including an interception, but in an offense returning most of its offensive line and stud tailback Nick Chubb he may not be asked to do much, meaning all he’ll really have to do is limit mistakes.
POSITION BATTLES
These three teams have yet to determine a starting quarterback
Treon Harris – Will Grier, Florida: Harris could be classified under the “Experienced — Small sample size” category on this list, starting Florida’s final six games and recording a 4-2 record. However, he completed fewer than 5o percent of his throws in five of those games and appeared to be more of a runner than a passer. Grier is a more traditional quarterback, but he’s never seen action as a Gator. The biggest issue is that neither player was recruited by new coach Jim McElwain and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, meaning there’s no guarantee either player is the right fit for the Gators new offense.
Connor Mitch – Michael Scarnecchia, South Carolina: Mitch completed 2 of 6 career passes for 19 yards in mop-up duties as a freshman last season while Scarnecchia redshirted. Neither has really any valuable experience, but unlike Florida both were recruited to play in Steve Spurrier’s offense, which is a plus. Gamecocks fans must hope that the competition for the starting job brings out the best in both players, and that stars like Brandon Wilds and Pharoh Cooper can help ease the starter into his new role this fall.
Johnny McCrary – Patton Robinette, Vanderbilt: Both of these players have made a handful of meaningful starts, and both have shown flashes of the kind of play Vanderbilt is seeking out of its starting quarterback. Robinette appears more ready right now, but he’s been plagued by injuries the last two years. McCrary is still a work in progress, but the rising sophomore has a strong arm and nice mobility, and could grow into a playmaker if given the opportunity to start for an entire season. New offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig can not afford to choose wrong when he makes the final call in this competition.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
