No SEC quarterback threw for 3,500 yards last season, marking the first time that threshold hadn’t been crossed since 2008, when Matthew Stafford led the conference with 3,459 yards.

In 2016, Arkansas quarterback Austin Allen paced the SEC with 3,430 yards, and Missouri’s Drew Lock was the only other player to throw for more than 3,000 yards.

The era of run-dominated offenses is in the past, but elite quarterback play has been something that’s eluded most SEC teams.

Still, with a plethora of talented young passers now in the SEC, there are a few good candidates to break the 3,500-yard threshold in 2017.

Austin Allen – 2016 stats: 245-401, 3,430 yards, 25 TDs, 15 INTs

Starting with the man who led the SEC in passing, Allen has the ability to top the 3,500-yard mark next season. The only problem with him achieving that goal is a new receiving corps. Arkansas is losing four of its top five receivers.

Drew Lock – 2016 stats: 237-434, 3,399 yards, 23 TDs, 10 INTs

In Josh Heupel’s first season as Missouri’s offensive coordinator, the Tigers developed a potent passing attack. Lock was held under 200 yards just twice, the same number of games in which he threw for more than 400 yards. With another year in the system and some good receivers coming back, Lock has a realistic chance at 3,500 yards.

Shea Patterson – 2016 stats: 72-132, 880 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs

Patterson only played three games as a true freshman, but he looks poised to have a big season in 2017. He average 293.3 passing yards per game last year, which projects to 3,520 yards over a 12-game season. The Rebels have a vertical offense and good receivers, Patterson will have a good chance at this mark.

Jacob Eason – 2016 stats: 204-370, 2,430 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs

If Eason gets better play out of his line and receivers and improves his accuracy, he has a shot at topping 3,500 yards because of his lively arm. With Nick Chubb and Sony Michel back in the fold, he might not have enough chances to throw the ball, but this is still an attainable mark for him.

Those four appear to have the best chance at crossing the 3,500-yard threshold, but a few others might have an outside shot.

Jalen Hurts should continue to improve in his second season, but Alabama’s run-heavy philosophy will always limit its quarterback’s chances of putting up big numbers. A lot will depend on who the Tide’s offensive coordinator is, but Nick Saban has never had a quarterback reach 3,500 yards at Alabama.

South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley is a sneaky dark horse. The Gamecocks have some explosive players on the perimeter, and he should take another step forward in 2017 after throwing for 1,420 yards in what should have been his senior year in high school.

If it’s possible for a true freshman to get close to that number, Kellen Mond could be a good bet if he wins the starting job at Texas A&M. The Aggies play fast, throw more than just about everybody in the SEC and still have dangerous weapons on the outside.

After a slight down period for quarterback play in the SEC, this young group seems ready to bust that slump.

Not since 2012 have three SEC quarterback thrown for at least 3,500 yards, but that streak could end this fall.

SEC QBs who have thrown for 3,500 yards or more in the past decade

Season 3,500-yard QBs
2016 0
2015 2
2014 1
2013 1
2012 3
2011 1
2010 1
2009 1
2008 0
2007 2