O'Gara: Ranking the SEC's 16 quarterback situations coming out of spring
Everyone would like to think that their quarterback situation is settled and elite exiting spring camp.
Spoiler alert: Few are both.
That’s especially true in the SEC. There are some elite quarterbacks, but questions behind them. The goal today is not to just simply rank SEC quarterbacks. That’s boring. Sure, QB1 is more important than QB3, but ranking quarterback situations could be more important because there’s a decent chance that your team will have to turn to a backup to start a game at some point in 2024. That’s weighed in this.
It’s not necessarily the place where we’re weighing things like strength of schedule or other external factors. This is about the quarterbacks being put in a spot to succeed.
This is how I’d rank the SEC quarterback situations coming out of spring.
16. Vanderbilt
New Mexico State transfer/Auburn kryptonite Diego Pavia and Utah transfer Nate Johnson are battling it out after Vandy once again flipped over its quarterback room. Clark Lea’s inability to find his multi-year starter continues to be a hindrance, though it’s not crazy to think that Pavia could be the best option so far.
15. Mississippi State
Baylor transfer Blake Shapen looked the part in the spring game, and Mike Wright has had moments of promise against SEC competition under the previous regime at Mississippi State and at aforementioned Vanderbilt. It’s hard to project Shapen in Jeff Lebby’s offense because the Bulldogs are loaded with new faces on offense, but one can do worse than a multi-year Power 5 starter with over 5,000 career passing yards.
14. South Carolina
Shane Beamer put a ton of faith in LaNorris Sellers, which looked validated based on his spring game performance. The rec specs-rocking quarterback figures to be the guy as a promising redshirt freshman, though the Gamecocks were fortunate to add Robby Ashford from Auburn as his backup. Ashford’s mobility can win an SEC game in a pinch. While the passing hasn’t quite come along yet, an insurance policy with his skill set could come in handy if Sellers struggles as a first-time starter.
13. Auburn
I’m not a Payton Thorne guy, nor do I think many Auburn fans are. But coming back with another year in Hugh Freeze’s offense should give Auburn a higher offensive floor than last year. At least I think it will. If not, bowl game hero of sorts Hank Brown could be the guy. If Auburn didn’t have an offensive mind like Freeze at the controls — he’s taking over play-calling duties again — you could argue that Auburn would be even lower on this list.
12. Arkansas
Taylen Green had a banner spring establishing himself as QB1 in Fayetteville. The Boise State transfer impressed the coaching staff on and off the field, which was why he was named the starter and Jacolby Criswell hit the portal. It also helps that true freshman KJ Jackson earned some rave reviews in spring. But putting the Hogs any higher on this list will be dependent on Green limiting his mistakes and looking like a playmaking dual-threat in Bobby Petrino’s offense come fall.
11. Kentucky
After 3 years backing up Stetson Bennett IV and/or Carson Beck, Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff has the keys to Bush Hamdan’s offense. There’s optimism that Vandagriff’s floor will be higher than Devin Leary, who struggled with accuracy in his adjustment to Lexington. Vandagriff’s mobility will be an asset. The quiet return of former prized local recruit Beau Allen, who started at Tarleton State in 2022, could give UK a better backup situation than it had at any point in recent memory. But there’s a knock for a group without anybody who has started a game at the FBS level.
10. Oklahoma
I’m tempted to have Oklahoma higher on this list because I don’t think the turnovers told the full story of Jackson Arnold’s bowl game performance, and I’ve never sold my Casey Thompson stock during his various stops in his never-ending college career. But I’d rather have Nico Iamaleava over Arnold for 2024, so I weighed that a bit more than the fact that Tennessee wishes it could have an experienced backup like Thompson. I fully expect the Sooners to rise on this list with Arnold running the show.
9. Tennessee
I need Tennessee fans to hear this — I’m all in on Nico Iamaleava. If this were a ranking of just SEC quarterbacks entering 2024, he’s probably at 6 or 7, which is saying something in a league that returns 5 quarterbacks who started in New Year’s 6 bowls. But it’s not. Instead, it’s a ranking of QB situations, and Tennessee’s QB situation leaves something to be desired. Gaston Moore looked great in the spring game, and I get that he’s entering Year 5 in the Josh Heupel offense (1 at UCF, 4 at Tennessee). He’s also a former walk-on with 4 career pass attempts vs. Power 5 competition. Impressive spring game showings don’t necessarily erase that.
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8. Florida
I was wrong about Graham Mertz last year. I thought Billy Napier’s faith that he was the best quarterback in the portal was wild, and while I don’t think Mertz has All-SEC upside, his accuracy and understanding of the offense gave Florida a higher floor than it would’ve had with many other options. Now you add DJ Lagway into the mix as the Gatorade National Player of the Year and you’re cooking with gas. I’d feel a bit better about this QB situation if I knew that Napier had deviated as the team’s primary play-caller, but perhaps I’ll be wrong on that, too.
7. Mizzou
Mizzou fans, don’t take this as a slight to Brady Cook. He shut me up, as well as plenty of others (maybe even you). He’s one of the 10 best returning quarterbacks in the sport. That’s not the issue. The issue is what’s behind him. Sam Horn’s Tommy John surgery was a brutal blow, and former Miami transfer Jake Garcia left for East Carolina. Eli Drinkwitz made the necessary move to add former Notre Dame/Arizona State quarterback Drew Pyne, but that’s someone at his third school in as many seasons. Take that for what it is. Mizzou needs Cook to stay healthy if it wants to reach the Playoff in 2024, whereas the schools higher on this list might not.
6. LSU
How can you not be intrigued by LSU’s quarterback room? Nussmeier could be this year’s version of Carson Beck. That is, the guy who stuck it out behind a legend who pops with the starting opportunity in Year 4 at a program. His performance in the bowl game and his dominance in LSU’s spring game only added to that notion. What’s underrated about LSU’s situation is that the Tigers added AJ Swann. He had a full season’s worth of starts in SEC play, and at Vanderbilt, he didn’t have anywhere close to the offensive line/play-calling that he’ll have at LSU. In any other year, the Tigers are a lock to be a top-5 team in terms of SEC quarterback situations.
5. Texas A&M
I’m a Conner Weigman believer, which might be an unpopular opinion outside of College Station, but those who actually watched his 8 starts know where I’m coming from. Even if you aren’t a Weigman believer, look at what Jaylen Henderson did last year. He went toe-to-toe with Jayden Daniels in Death Valley. The southpaw might’ve been a third-string guy, but he looked plenty capable of running an SEC offense, as did Marcel Reed when Henderson got hurt immediately in the bowl game. For a program that’s had multiple guys start multiple games in each of the past 3 seasons, A&M’s quarterback depth is a major asset in Year 1 for Mike Elko.
4. Ole Miss
I’ve come around on Jaxson Dart. I used to be frustrated with some of his decisions, and even though I’m not crazy about how reckless he can be as a runner at times, I applaud his toughness. Dart just led Ole Miss to its first 11-win season in program history, and he’s backed up by former decorated LSU transfer Walker Howard and Austin Simmons, both of whom had true redshirt seasons in the system last year. There will inevitably be some hold-your-breath moments with Dart and the hits he takes. But if Lane Kiffin has a healthy Howard to turn to, all is not lost for Ole Miss in its push to reach the first 12-team Playoff.
3. Georgia
For my money, Carson Beck is the top returning quarterback in America. Period. I’d take him over anybody at the position, which is a big reason UGA will enter 2024 as the national championship favorites. The reason the Dawgs aren’t even higher on this list is the uncertainty behind him. As of this writing, that doesn’t include Jaden Rashada just yet, though the former Florida commit/Arizona State freshman starter could be on his way to Athens. It speaks to the unknown that is Gunner Stockton. Yes, he looked solid in the spring game, and one would think a redshirt sophomore-to-be has had some elite development, but his only pass attempts vs. Power 5 competition came against Florida State, which was far from a Power 5 team in that bowl game. Hence, why the Dawgs are No. 3.
2. Alabama
Much was made about Alabama losing prized recruit Julian Sayin, but if you look at what Kalen DeBoer retained upon his arrival, it’s hard not to be impressed. No returning player finished higher in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting than Jalen Milroe. How he gels with the new offense remains to be seen, but there’s no denying that he’s in a much better place then he was at this time last year. The same could be said for backup Ty Simpson, who looked like the best version of himself in the spring. His decision to stay was huge for DeBoer’s QB room, which also features Washington transfer Austin Mack and Dylan Lonergan. There are a ton of questions about Alabama in a post-Nick Saban world, but for now, the quarterback room isn’t one of them.
1. Texas
Let’s start with the obvious here. Quinn Ewers is 1 of the 5 best returning quarterbacks in America. If you’re anti-Ewers, you’re probably dismissing the fact that he just led Texas to its best season in 14 years, and he did so with plenty of big-game showings, most notably at Alabama. But it’s not just Ewers. It’s the fact that Arch Manning has had a tremendous spring and now looks ready to be the ultimate insurance policy. Remember, Maalik Murphy transferred to Duke after he was successful as Ewers’ understudy. Injuries forced Ewers to miss multiple starts in each of his first 2 seasons, so we’ve had reason to look beyond QB1 in Austin. Manning’s blistering spring game performance showed why there might not be a better quarterback situation in America than the one in Austin.
QB might be the only position that UGA cannot afford a major injury. Pretty major drop-off after Beck.
Any reliable go-to WRs for UGA outside of Lovett or Delp at TE?
It’s a loaded room for a change..Dillon Bell will be a difference maker. And the kid from Miami, Colbie Young is going to be the next Pickens highlight reel. If Arian Smith can avoid the perplexing drops, that kid cannot be covered man on man…breakout star may be a kid named Anthony Evans. He’ll definitely be a special teams threat…
Just like y’all, I am hoping and believing that LSU has a few dependable options. Lacy will undoubtedly be our WR1 and Hilton WR2, but after that it is up for grabs. Daniels comes in from Liberty, Thomas comes over from Miss State, and then there is Aaron Anderson, Shelton Sampson, and Kyle Parker. The pieces are there, and hopefully someone takes the football and runs with it.
Mason Taylor should have a big year this season. Could be his last if he does. I am anxious to see what TEs Kamorreon Pimpton and true freshman TreyDez Green look like on the field together.
That being said, good luck to your Dawgs. I’d love for another LSU-UGA SEC CG matchup, but it may be Texas instead of us this year.
As would I my friend, another meet n greet with dem wild n crazy Cajun fans in ATL in December would be awesome…
Concerning the Gators Quarterbacks. Mertz played well in 2023 in fact much better than anyone anticipated. Hopefully Napier will utilize him to mentor Lagway, but Mertz still gets the bulk of the snaps. To put Lagway in for too many plays per game will result in more losses & Billy an ill-afford more losses. Go Gators !
WR/TE position is a major strength.
Not sure how major the drop- off is, Gunn’s biggest asset is his ability and willingness to scramble and run, something you won’t see in a spring game.
Oh yeah, he is dangerous when the play breaks down. But, there is a big drop-off between Beck and Gunner.
Agreed. Don’t think it’s as big a drop-off as the year 1 and 2 SB4-CB differential but that being said, sure hope Beck stays healthy…his height and arm strength matters with that massive Oline in front of him…
With the 12 team playoff, depth is going to become a really, really big deal.
Teams are going to have to be willing to give front line players time off. Resting Beck as much as possible is going to be critical along the way. Gunner, or somebody, is going to have to be able to spell him. And not just in runaway games.
Going into the 2024 season as the #2 QB Stockton will a ton more reps running the offense than he has the last 2 seasons, Stockton should take it a notch or two this season.
My biggest concern if Beck goes down is Bobo. Historically Bobo nuts up when he has to deal with starting line-up changes.
As the roster stands now – if Beck and Stockton went down we would be hosed at QB.
LOL. Mike Wright was the 4th string QB for Mississippi State and then hit the portal. It’s pretty obvious you didn’t watch the Spring game, if you don’t even know who the 2nd and 3rd string QBs are.
I think you could switch A&M and LSU and still be correct.
I don’t put much stock in Henderson’s performance against the 2023 LSU defense. Who wouldn’t succeed against that??
I do think Nuss and Weigman are two of the best SEC QBs behind Ewers, Beck, Milroe, and Dart.
I think LSU is in a better position with Swann and Collins though than A&M is with Henderson or Reed.
We really don’t even know what Walker Howard would be like in a tough game situation behind Dart.
So, really, 4-6 could be interchangeable and be correct.
Very true, we made a lot of opposing QBs look like Heisman candidates last year. That Henderson kid has a good bit of upside but he’s playing behind an oline that’s been leaky at best. A&M has had horrible injury issues with their QBs for quite a few seasons now, Elko needs to fix that.
In other news, congratulations to the LSU Gymnastics team for winning their first ever national title after coming close a few times over the last few years.
I would put LSU first since they have the most proven backup in swann, IMO. The way the writer has them listed is pretty much based on highest rated, inexperienced backup… You could make arguments galore over a lower rated backup who has been in the system for years or a starter somewhere like tarleton or notre dame vs a higher rated backup in his first year and be right in a number of scenarios. The bottom line I see is, for most of the contenders, if your starter goes down you dont really know what you got other than potential. Spring games and high school aint the same as 90,000 at an opposing stadium with the lights on and a game on the line…
The plus side of Swann having a good deal of experience is, is that he has played in multiple sold out deafening stadiums. In a system like the LSU offense, he could flourish behind a really good OL and dependable WRs.
I am a little intrigued by the guys behind Nico. Not much fanfare there, but there wasn’t for Henderson or Reed at A&M either. They could be better than anticipated.
behind Nico is gaston Moore. A 12th year triple redshirt, with 5 extra years from the chinese virus and Frosh Jake merklinger. seriously though, Gaston followed heup from UCF and knows the system and the playbook inside and out. I believe he is the backup right now and he actually looked pretty good when he got in a game but hes still got very little actual game experience. Merk looked great in the spring game but its a spring game. We need to build depth but these days getting and holding on to more than one high caliber QB is nearly impossible. We will have another 5* in George McIntyre next season so if we can keep jake in the fold it will be a pretty good QB room. georgia did it for a few years but even they have a hard time with that now.
nice take fuzzy. i’d agree with you that lsu currently has the best situation going into the season, while i’d put a&m right behind them.
Thanks P. its pretty subjective on the backups. Stockton has all the ratings and certainly has potential but little game experience. Dont disagree at all on ATM but think ga is right there too.
If Lagway had committed to Auburn rather than Florida, he’d be starting for Hugh Freeze. Now, he may have to wait his turn, especially if Mertz has another good season. Then again, if he stubs his toe and Lagway comes in, that’s all she wrote for the Mertzinator.
Sellers at 14 is going to look ignorant af at the end of the season.
I am going to trust your familiarity with that look.
at this time, and considering sellers has a grand total of 4 passing attempts at the collegiate level, it’s hard to take your comment seriously. that and the fact that the sc qb room is a who’s who of uncoveted qbs
Bama at #2 is mind boggling, on a good day that’s an ok QB room.
Concerning the Alabama QB room…If Jalen Milroe masters the new playbook and progresses in his shortmid-range passes he’ll be fine, but if his passing does not improve I can see Simpson as the starter by mid-season or the transfer from Washingtion. Roll Tide !.
I wasn’t picking on Bama and Milroe I just don’t see Milroe as good as being advertised. IMO at this juncture in Milroe’s career he’s another Milton or AR105, great on paper and potential but over-hyped based on results. Yes, if Milroe improves his passing then he will be a stellar QB.
For a starting QB I’d take Beck, Cook, Dart, Ewers and Nussmeier over Milroe. Then, we’ve got Vandagriff and Iamaleava taking over the reins of their respective programs.
Wasn’t Simpson one of the QB’s that was given a shot at starting for Bama at the beginning of the 2023 season? Only to have Saban come back to Milroe.
“I was wrong about Graham Mertz last year.”
And so far you’re wrong this year too. Graham is easily a top 5 SEC starting QB and having Lagway is the best backup situation you could hope for. I’ll give you that Texas and Georgia an edge over UF, but the Gators at #8 is absurd.
“I was wrong about Graham Mertz last year… Now you add DJ Lagway into the mix as the Gatorade National Player of the Year and you’re cooking with gas.“
I was about to ask, who are you and what have you done with O’Gara? Then, he took his obligatory shot at CBN’s play calling and I realized it’s the same old Connor.
Aside from an occasional, unnecessary gimmick play, there’s not much wrong with CBN’s play calling. The problem with any HC calling plays today is that it keeps him from focusing on other areas of the team that need more of his attention right now, like D and STs.
CBN better make it all work this season, because there will be no next season for him to fix more boneheaded D and ST plays this season. Nobody will care how difficult the schedule was.
yeah, but those occasional, unnecessary gimmick plays can be momentum killers. and a couple of them were last year…if i’m not mistaken. a good OC has an inherent feel for the pace and direction of the game.
Not arguing that CBN is a great OC. Only making the point that the Gators didn’t lose any close games LY on account of his poor play calling, as O’Gara just intimated. The D and STs were responsible for ALL those losses.
To me, that means CBN should’ve unloaded play calling duties in order to free more of his time to oversee the D and STs. He won’t be able to excuse poor play on the part of those two units TY on account of being tied up with the O play calling.
i know you’re not saying that he’s a great oc. my point was more directed to the fact that i don’t believe he’s really meant to be an oc, especially when he’s also the hc.
i agree with you that he would have been best to have abandoned his oc duties and given more attn to the team as a whole….as there were/are greater issues with the team.
I certainly like what LSU has in the QB room. Lots of other fans can say that about their teams also. A few are just hoping that things come together. It’s going to be a very interesting season.
Nussmeier was very impressive in the 2022 SECCG when he can in for Daniels. He displayed a lot of arm talent, pocket presence and gray matter. The UGA defense had to “wake up”, get back into the game and adapt to Nussmeier.
All of these QBs are riding a surfboard with an O line supporting it every inch of the way. The order of best stats will probably be a direct reflection of the O lines” ability to deflect the defense of the week! I personally am WAY MORE impressed with Missouri’s O line than 7th place in the SEC. Give us the stats on O line graduation 2024?
Also going hand-hand with O-line is offensive playmakers. Hard pressed to find a better receiving group than Burden, Wease, Cooper, Norfleet et al.
Cook knows our offense and has lots of experience playing with our playmakers. His running threat is also underrated.
Couldn’t have said it better.
Also, One of the jobs an OC has is being 100% ready with the playbook. In order for the number 2 quarterback to fail, his playbook has to be unready. If you are a QB better than Missouri’s #2, on paper, why wouldn’t you go start somewhere….. In fact this current Missouri #2 sure has past roster rank to support where he’s standing now! AND probably starting elsewhere
Almost every single one of these QB rooms is one torn ACL away from a potentially disastrous season.
I had completely forgotten about Walker Howard. He was in line to be LSU’s starting QB next season. Not sure what his future holds now.
He’ll have a chance to start after Dart leaves this season. He would have had the chance to start for LSU after Nuss leaves this season..barring a bad season from Nuss.
So, I am not sure what his thought process was behind transferring to Ole Miss. Just didn’t make any sense to do so.
“Hence, why…” Ugh.
Brady Cook at 7 is laughable.
Also, no article on Mizzou’s AD hire or stadium expansion renderings.
Hmm???