The Early Signing Period begins Wednesday — and all 3 5-star quarterbacks in the 2024 class are in the mix to sign with SEC programs.

No surprise there.

Every year, it seems, the SEC signs more blue-chip QB recruits than every other conference.

Here is each SEC program’s best quarterback recruit from 2002-23.

Alabama: Bryce Young

Nick Saban collects 5-stars like antique cars, but only recently has he added high-end QBs to his line.

Young’s .9994 recruiting score is the 6th-highest among QBs, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.

Young obviously didn’t disappoint. He won a national title as Mac Jones’ backup in 2020, then became the first QB in program history to win a Heisman Trophy in 2021.

Arkansas: Malik Hornsby

Hornsby, a 4-star, was the No. 99 player overall and No. 5 dual-threat in the 2020 class.

He was seen as a key piece in Sam Pittman’s first recruiting class, but he was never able to make a dent in a crowded QB room.

Feleipe Franks transferred to Arkansas that same cycle and was the 2020 starter. KJ Jefferson, signed by Chad Morris, stayed ahead of Hornsby on the depth chart and followed Franks as the starter.

Hornsby transferred to Texas State for the 2023 season — and backed up former Auburn and LSU starter TJ Finley.

Auburn: Bo Nix

The prodigal son, Nix was more than just an Auburn legacy. He was a 4-star standout, the No. 62 player overall and No. 2 dual-threat QB in the 2019 recruiting class. (The only dual-threat ahead of Nix? Jayden Daniels, who just edged Nix to win the Heisman Trophy.)

Nix certainly had his moments at Auburn, beginning with a game-winning TD pass against Oregon in the 2019 season-opener. But the noise and naysayers outweighed the positives, and Nix transferred to Oregon, where he led the Ducks to consecutive 10-win seasons.

Florida: Tim Tebow

Tebow, a 5-star and No. 1-ranked dual-threat in the 2006 class, eventually picked Florida over Alabama.

We know what the decision meant to the Gators. Tebow helped Florida win the 2006 national championship. He then won the Heisman as a sophomore, and led the Gators to another national championship in 2008.

Had he picked Alabama? Chances are, the Tide finish better than 6-7 and don’t fire Mike Shula … and then 38 days later, hire Nick Saban.

Georgia: Justin Fields

Kirby Smart collects 5-star QBs — and still hopes to add another this cycle in Dylan Raiola — but Fields had the highest overall recruiting score, according to 247Sports’ composite.

Fields graded out at .9998 — the 3rd-highest score among QBs in the recruiting era.

Less-heralded QBs, most notably former walk-on Stetson Bennett, fueled Georgia’s recent rise, but recruits like Jacob Eason and Fields fueled the narrative that Georgia was on its way.

Fields, of course, transferred to Ohio State and led the Buckeyes to consecutive Playoff berths in his only 2 years there.

Kentucky: Drew Barker

Tim Couch and Andre Woodson arrived before recruiting rankings were little more than football fans swapping tales at a backyard barbecue.

Barker arrived fully decorated in 2014, a coveted, homegrown 4-star prospect ranked the No. 9 pro-style passer in the country. (You’ll never guess who the No. 29-ranked pro-style passer in this class was …. I’ll save you the hassle: It was Patrick Mahomes, a 3-star overachiever who turned out OK. Aren’t recruiting rankings the best?)

Back to Barker: He had a few moments, but injuries marred his career and prevented him from justifying his recruiting profile.

LSU: Ryan Perrilloux

Perrilloux was the No. 1-ranked dual-threat QB and No. 6 player overall in the 2005 class.

He was billed as the next JaMarcus Russell, and in some ways, he was exactly that. Maybe the pressure of being an in-state savior fueled his repeated issues that eventually led to his dismissal, but he did help the Tigers win the SEC and national championship in 2007.

Mississippi State: Keytaon Thompson

Dak Prescott is the greatest QB in program history — and while he can’t quite match Mahomes’ rise, he too was a 3-star recruit. For that matter, so were Will Rogers and Nick Fitzgerald.

The highest-rated QB recruit in program history is the same guy who finished his career at another school, playing another position.

Thompson was a 4-star recruit and No. 3 dual-threat in the 2017. Coming out of New Orleans, he was highly coveted.

He backed up Fitzgerald but had some moments, most notably when he ran for 147 yards and 3 scores to upstage Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson in the 2017 TaxSlayer Bowl.

Thompson later transferred to Virginia, where he spent the past 3 seasons rotating between quarterback and wide receiver. In 2021, he nearly had a 1,000-yard receiving season, finishing with 990 on 78 catches.

Missouri: Blaine Gabbert

Gabbert looked the part from the jump. He was the No. 2-rated pro-style passer in the 2008 class — 1 spot ahead of Andrew Luck, and 48 above Kirk Cousins. Rated the No. 35 player overall, Gabbert just missed becoming Mizzou’s first 5-star QB recruit.

Gabbert sat behind Chase Daniel as a freshman, then had back-to-back 3,000-yard seasons with 40 combined TD passes in his next 2 years before leaving for the NFL.

Oklahoma: Caleb Williams

Two years after bringing in 5-star Spencer Rattler, Lincoln Riley signed Williams, an even higher-rated 5-star.

Williams eventually took Rattler’s job. Both eventually transferred. Rattler to South Carolina and Williams to USC, where he won the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

Ole Miss: Shea Patterson

Patterson was the No. 1 QB and No. 3 player overall in the 2016 class — 1 spot ahead of Georgia signee Jacob Eason in both lists.

The Shea Show was can’t-miss, appointment viewing — not always for the results, but for the flair that he brought to the process.

Injuries played a big part in his decision to transfer to Michigan, where he started the final 2 seasons, topping 20 TDs each time.

South Carolina: Stephen Garcia

Garcia was a coveted 4-star recruit and No. 5-ranked pro-style passer in the 2007 class. Under different circumstances, the Tampa product could have picked Florida.

But he chose Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks, and while the marriage was rocky, Garcia played a pivotal role in the Gamecocks’ rise.

He’ll always be remembered for throwing 3 TDs and beating Alabama in the 2010 season.

Tennessee: Nico Iamaleava

Iamaleava received a perfect 100 recruiting score and was the No. 2 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. After waiting behind veteran Joe Milton III this past season, Iamaleava will get the keys to Josh Heupel’s offense in 2024.

Texas: Vince Young

It must be nice to have 3 5-star QBs with perfect recruiting scores.

Young was the first and still remains the highest-regarded recruit in the era. Suffice it to say, in leading Texas to a national championship and nearly winning the Heisman, the No. 1 player in the 2002 class fulfilled the hype.

Texas A&M: Kyle Allen

Allen, a no-doubt 5-star, was the No. 5 player overall and No. 1 QB recruit in the 2014 class. You know, Mahomes’ class. Everybody would probably like a do-over of these rankings.

The pressure Allen faced in following Johnny Manziel was enough of a burden. But Allen never could win the full-time starting gig and shared snaps with Kenny Hill and Kyler Murray before deciding to transfer to Houston. It didn’t work out there, either.

Vanderbilt: Kyle Shurmur

Shurmur was a 4-star, Top-100 recruit and No. 13 pro-style passer in the loaded 2013 QB class that included Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.

More than anything, Shurmur was a recruiting steal for Vandy — and went on to become a 3-year starter and record-breaker.