Power ranking former SEC quarterbacks after Week 12

Sawasdee from the refuse pile known as the transfer portal, where players hope for better days after departing their original (or even second) home. In the SEC’s case, there are plenty of quarterbacks who didn’t make it happen at their first or second stops — only to be re-gifted just in time for the holidays.

You know the names. You might not know where they all are now. So we offer this as a public service …

Feast your eyes on the top 10 former SEC quarterbacks power rankings after Week 12!

10. Woody Barrett, Kent State (last week: 10)

Barrett, a former Auburn QB for a hot minute, didn’t play in Kent State’s 30-27 victory over Buffalo. Barrett’s season passing stats: 20-of-40 for 205 yards and 3 TDs.

9. Cole Kelley, Southeastern Louisiana (last week: 7)

The former Arkansas Razorback was the backup to Chason Virgil for the Lions against Abilene Christian and completed 11-of-17 passes for 76 yards in a 35-14 victory. Kelley added 11 carries for 35 yards.

8. Layne Hatcher, Arkansas State (last week: 9)

Hatcher, who transferred from Alabama, went 24-of-35 for 297 yards and 3 touchdowns against 2 interceptions against Coastal Carolina. Hatcher threw the game-winning, 21-yard TD pass to move the Red Wolves to 6-4 overall.

7. Quinten Dormady, Central Michigan (last week: 8)

The former Tennessee (and Houston) transfer went 27-of-38 for 356 yards and an interception in Central Michigan’s 45-44 victory over Ball State. The Chippewas scored all 6 of their touchdowns on the ground to improve to 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Mid-American Conference.

6. Ty Storey, Western Kentucky (last week: 6)

The former Arkansas Razorback is probably still glowing after he and the Hilltoppers beat the brakes off of Arkansas 2 weeks ago. Storey went 22-of-32 for 213 yards and a touchdown, and added 17 carries for 77 yards and 2 rushing scores. Western Kentucky (6-4) gets 7-3 Southern Miss this Saturday.

5. Justin McMillan, Tulane (last week: 4)

McMillan was largely ineffective in a 29-21 loss to Temple, as he went 11-of-27 for 103 yards and 1 interception. The former LSU helmsman added a team-high 64 rushing yards on 17 carries.

4. Shea Patterson, Michigan (last week: 5)

The former Ole Miss QB and his No. 15 Wolverines took no pity on little brother, whipping Michigan State. Patterson went 24-of-33 for 384 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 44-10 thumping that wasn’t even that close.The yardage total was Patterson’s highest total since he played for Ole Miss.

“This one is special,” Patterson said. “I’m proud of be part of this team and part of a dominating win like that.”

3. Jacob Eason, Washington (last week: 3)

Eason and Washington were off Saturday after downing Oregon State 2 weeks ago. The Huskies (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12) get 4-6 Colorado in Boulder this Saturday. The former Georgia QB’s passing stats this season: 202-of-317 for 2,472 yards and 20 touchdowns against 7 interceptions.

2. Justin Fields, Ohio State (last week: 2)

No. 2 Ohio State just keeps rolling along, and Fields just keeps piling up gaudy numbers with the Buckeyes.

Fields went 15-of-19 for a career-high 305 yards and tied a career high with 4 touchdown passes in a 56-21 pasting of Rutgers.

The win kept the Buckeyes on the path toward a possible national championship with major games coming in the final 2 weeks of the regular season against No. 9 Penn State (9-1) and No. 14 Michigan (8-2).

The Georgia transfer has thrown 31 touchdowns and 1 interception in his first season as the Buckeyes’ starter.

“Game, by game, whatever the stats are, that’s what it is,” he said. “I’m just glad we got the W.”

1. Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma (last week: 1)

Another week, another thrilling comeback for Hurts and Oklahoma.

Hurts went 30-of-42 for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns against 1 interception, and rushed 27 times for a game-high 114 yards as No. 10 Oklahoma rallied to hand No. 13 Baylor its first defeat 34-31.

All of Hurts’ TDs came after Baylor took a 28-3 lead early in the 2nd quarter. The quarterback lost 2 fumbles.

Oklahoma erased a 3-touchdown halftime deficit and tied the game at 31 on Hurts’ 2-yard TD pass to Brayden Willis with 5:25 remaining. Gabe Brkic kicked a 31-yard field goal with 1:45 left and the Sooners held on defensively for the road victory.

“It shows the character we have, it shows the perseverance we have,” Hurts said of leading Oklahoma’s largest comeback ever. “There’s always a way. … I know y’all didn’t think we were gonna come back.”

Hurts has thrown for 3,039 yards — 7th in the nation — and 28 TDs. He also has 15 touchdown runs in 2019 and is the nation’s 3rd-leading rusher among QBs with 983 yards.

The Sooners could still reach the Playoff by winning out and getting some help, starting with beating TCU at home this weekend. Still, Bedlam looms on Nov. 30 with No. 22 Oklahoma State.

Hurts for Heisman?