KJ Jefferson or Jayden Daniels at No. 1?
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The previous 15 years grew to become a glory interval for SEC quarterbacks. From Tim Tebow to Cam Newton to Joe Burrow to Bryce Younger, what a run of expertise.
After the exit of stars like Younger, Stetson Bennett IV and Hendon Hooker, will the SEC’s quarterback prowess proceed in 2023? On paper, this season might mark a step again for SEC quarterbacks, however gamers like Georgia’s Carson Beck, Kentucky’s Devin Leary and Tennessee’s Joe Milton can change that. They’re potential breakouts.
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Right here’s how I rank the SEC’s quarterbacks. (Be aware: Solely projected starters are thought-about in these rankings. Proficient backups like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier are usually not included.)
1. KJ Jefferson (Arkansas)
Jefferson combines accuracy with a 6-foot-3, 247-pound body he makes use of to truck defenders. He throws an excellent deep ball. Jefferson flourished in Kendal Briles’ shotgun-based, up-tempo offense, compiling a 45-to-9 touchdown-to-interception ratio the previous two seasons whereas finishing 67.7% of his passes. Briles left to turn out to be TCU’s offensive coordinator, so Jefferson should modify to Dan Enos’ pro-style system. He’ll be requested to go beneath heart and polish his pre-snap selections.
2. Jayden Daniels (LSU)
In Daniels’ first recreation with LSU towards Florida State, he was wanting to tuck and run reasonably than keep within the pocket, learn the sector and beat defenses together with his arm. That modified all through his first season in Brian Kelly’s program. Few quarterbacks progressed greater than Daniels from Week 1 to the season finale. No SEC quarterback matches Daniels’ working potential, and he is developed into a real dual-threat.
3. Devin Leary (Kentucky)
Leary dazzled two years in the past at North Carolina State, and he garnered dark-horse odds final summer time to win the Heisman Trophy. However, his 2022 season fizzled and bought lower quick by a pectoral harm. Now, a quarterback who logged a 35-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio in ‘21 is wholesome and united with Liam Coen, a quarterback pleasant offensive coordinator. Leary lacks Will Levis’ NFL measurables, however he’s the higher faculty quarterback.
4. Joe Milton (Tennessee)
Milton’s arm is the strongest in faculty soccer. In final season’s Orange Bowl, he confirmed the mechanics he’d beforehand lacked. And he’s cellular sufficient to maintain defenses sincere. Accuracy woes beforehand price Milton beginning roles at Michigan, then Tennessee, however UT’s employees insists Milton is a unique quarterback than when he transferred in two years in the past. If anybody can flip Milton from uncooked expertise into polished passer, it’s Josh Heupel.
5. Carson Beck (Georgia)
Beck is a prototypical drop-back passer who’s comfy within the pocket. He proved correct as Georgia’s backup to Bennett. He dazzled in Georgia’s spring recreation, suggesting he’s prepared for a star flip. Being the starter places a quarterback in several conditions than mop-up obligation, and, as Kirby Smart told ESPN, Beck should show himself when defenses are “blitzing the hell out of” him. All indicators, although, level to Beck holding Georgia’s offense buzzing.
6. Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)
Rattler’s manufacturing wildly varies. On days when he’s at his finest, he may very well be No. 1 on this record. When he’s at his worst, he’d rank within the backside third. Few match his potential, although, and he dialed it up all through the ultimate three video games of final season, which included upsets of Tennessee and Clemson. Earlier than mid-November, although, Rattler had thrown extra interceptions than touchdowns. If Rattler unlocks consistency, he’s an all-conference expertise.
7. Will Rogers (Mississippi State)
Rogers threw for greater than 10,600 yards in Mike Leach’s air raid. His arm energy gained’t flip heads, and he didn’t stretch the sector usually, however he’s correct. MSU is changing systems. Rogers will get the prospect to include run-pass choice performs, extra downfield throws and use his legs extra. He welcomes the change, but it surely’s not but clear whether or not this turns into a case of messing with an excellent factor or elevates Rogers’ ceiling.
8. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
Like Rattler, the hole between Dart’s ground and his ceiling is larger than most. He’s a hard-nosed runner, an asset to Lane Kiffin’s fastbreak system. And he’s strong-armed. However, his decision-making failed him too usually in his first season as Ole Miss’ starter, and he faltered within the purple zone. Kiffin introduced in a number of switch quarterbacks. Dart retained the job. His offseason development should translate to fall Saturdays.
9. Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
You gained’t discover many quarterbacks extra athletic than Milroe, however he’s got work to do to secure Alabama’s starting job. Alabama wants extra ball management, poise and consistency from Milroe than what he offered as Bryce Younger’s backup or through the spring. Milroe’s uncooked potential might torment a protection, but it surely takes greater than that to be Nick Saban’s quarterback. Watch Milroe’s burst on a read-option, although, and his tantalizing potential is obvious.
10. Conner Weigman (Texas A&M)
Weigman’s final outing as a real freshman grew to become his finest, a steady-handed efficiency in a November upset of LSU. He’ll have a wealth of skill-position expertise round him. Working with new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino ought to assist his growth. As a five-star recruit, he grew to become extremely regarded for his athleticism. Can he torch a protection together with his arm? We haven’t seen that but.
11. Payton Thorne (Auburn)
Would the actual Thorne please get up? In 2021 at Michigan State, Thorne carried out as one of many Huge Ten’s finest quarterbacks. Final season, he tumbled down the charts after the expertise round him decreased. The largest knock on him: He throws too many interceptions, 21 previously two seasons. He’s hailed for his toughness and management, and he’s a ok passer to make Auburn extra dynamic.
12. Brady Prepare dinner (Missouri)
Prepare dinner is gritty, and he challenges opponents together with his legs, however he’s been restricted in his potential to take the highest off the protection. He did provide a powerful November, and he underwent offseason shoulder surgical procedure, which presents the chance that he’ll come again higher this season. Coach Eliah Drinkwitz describes Prepare dinner as relentless competitor, and he likes his expertise, toughness and velocity.
13. AJ Swann (Vanderbilt)
Swann grew determined this offseason to improve his mechanics after a freshman season that flashed promise, however he struggled mightily towards a number of the SEC’s higher defenses. Vanderbilt’s SEC victories towards Florida and Kentucky got here whereas Swann was sidelined with harm. Coach Clark Lea likes Swann’s big-play potential, however he needs extra consistency from the second-year starter.
14. Graham Mertz (Florida)
Mertz racked up 26 interceptions in three seasons beginning for Wisconsin, and he hasn’t accomplished greater than 60% of his passes since 2020. He endured a great deal of hassle towards Huge Ten opponents final yr. He averaged simply 11.3 accomplished passes in 4 November begins final season, and he struggled in Florida’s spring recreation. Coach Billy Napier talks up Mertz’s expertise and management, however he’ll must elevate his manufacturing.
Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Community’s SEC Columnist. E mail him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and comply with him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.
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