The 2025 college football season started off with a bang in Week 1, and the SEC found itself right in the middle of the action. As per usual, the SEC was heavily involved in the most crucial results of the first full slate of games. And there was a shakeup in the SEC power rankings after the first full weekend of the college football season.
In a conference with plenty of intrigue at the quarterback position this year, we got our first dose of what each starter looks like, one week into the season. Whether it was returning starters, transfer portal additions, first-time starters, or players who won QB competitions, no quarterback situation in the SEC is exactly alike.
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Today, we’ll walk through how every SEC opening-day starting QB played in Week 1, as a new crop of signal-callers compete to lead their teams to the conference title game and the College Football Playoff.
Ty Simpson, Alabama
Ty Simpson of the Alabama Crimson Tide throws a pass during the first quarter of a football game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
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23/43 passing, 254 yards and 2 TDs, 9 rushes for 17 yards
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Loss at. Florida State, 31-17
Alabama’s Ty Simpson beat out Austin Mack and Keelon Russell to win the starting job for the Crimson Tide, but his team fell in one of the more shocking results of the weekend. Alabama didn’t look good against Florida State, but there’s still plenty of talent on that roster to make a run at the SEC title game. Simpson was solid, with zero turnovers, but unspectacular in his first start for the Tide.
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Taylen Green, Arkansas
Aug 30, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green (10) rushes out of the pocket as Alabama A&M Bulldogs defensive back Jeremiah Hudson-Davis (23) pursues during the third quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
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24/31 passing, 322 yards and 6 TDs, 9 rushes for 41 yards
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Win vs. Alabama A&M, 52-7
Taylen Green showed off impressive efficiency for Arkansas in the big win, as the dual-threat threw for six scores against Alabama A&M. Sure, it was against an FCS opponent, but Green displayed the kind of passing Razorbacks want to see from their second-year starter. If Green makes a leap this year, Arkansas will be a team no one wants to have to face.
Jackson Arnold, Auburn
Aug 29, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball as Baylor Bears safety Tyler Turner (17) defends during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images
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11/17 passing, 108 yards and 0 TDs, 16 rushes for 137 yards and 2 TDs
Auburn’s Jackson Arnold held off Deuce Knight and Ashton Daniels in the Tigers’ QB room this offseason, and he played turnover-free football in a win over Baylor. Arnold did the vast majority of his damage on the ground, as he had more rushing attempts than completions. As long as that works for Auburn, it’s fine, but if the Tigers want to win big in the SEC, Arnold will have to prove he can stand in the pocket and make good decisions throwing the ball.
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DJ Lagway, Florida
Aug 30, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) scrambles with the ball against the Long Island Sharks during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
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15/18 passing, 120 yards and 3 TDs, 3 rushes for 3 yards
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Win vs. Long Island, 55-0
DJ Lagway and the Gators made quick work of Long Island in Week 1, and the dynamic QB was efficient against an underwhelmed opponent. Lagway dealt with some inures this offseason, but he was cleared to go late in fall camp and looked the part against the Sharks. Florida needs him to stay healthy in 2025, and if he’s on the field, the Gators have a chance to beat most of the teams in the SEC.
Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Aug 30, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes the ball against the Marshall Thundering Herd during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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14/24 passing, 190 yards and 2 TDs, 10 rushes for 73 yards and 2 TDs
Gunner Stockton led Georgia in rushing in Week 1, as the Bulldogs got an easy win over Marshall in Athens. Stockton beat Ryan Puglisi in a QB derby this offseason, and he provides a rushing element that the Dawgs haven’t had for the last two seasons. Expectations between the hedges are always high, and Stockton takes the reins under center for a team that has lofty goals.
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Zach Calzada, Kentucky
Kentucky’s quarterback Zach Calzada (5) with a complete pass against Toledo Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. August 30, 2025
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10/23 passing, 85 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT, 10 rushes for 14 yards and 1 TD
Kentucky and Zach Calzada squeaked by Toldeo on Saturday, and it wasn’t the debut that the Wildcats wanted from their new starting QB. The veteran didn’t reach 100 total yards, and completed less than half of his passes at home. Kentucky is looking up at most of the rest of the conference in preseason predictions, and a one-score win over the Rockets didn’t raise expectations much.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier against the Clemson Tigers
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28/38 passing, 230 yards and 1 TD, 4 rushes for 2 yards
LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier had one of the country’s finest performances from a QB in Week 1, as the Tigers went on the road and defeated Clemson in one of the highlight games of the weekend. Nussmeier lived up to the offseason hype, and LSU looked like a team that will be a problem in the league this year. A slow start could have doomed the Tigers, but Nussmeier and a stout defense took care of business in the second half.
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Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) looks to pass against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles during the first quarter at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Aug. 30, 2025.
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26/34 passing, 270 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, 6 rushes for 5 yards
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Win at. Southern Mississippi, 34-17
Mississippi State’s Blake Shapen returns from injury to quarterback the Bulldogs again in 2025. He bested Luke Kromenhoek and KaMario Taylor to win the job this offseason, and he’s a veteran that’s seen a lot of football. MSU would’ve liked a more comfortable win on the road, but they’ll take a 1-0 start with an uphill climb coming this fall.
Beau Pribula, Missouri
Aug 28, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Central Arkansas Bears during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
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23/28 passing, 283 yards and 2 TDs, 10 rushes for 65 yards and 2 TDs
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Win vs. Central Arkansas, 61-6
Missouri might have one of the league’s most interesting QB situations. Beau Pribula won the starting job in the offseason over Sam Horn, but both were expected to play roles against Central Arkansas. Then, Horn got hurt on his first snap, leaving Pribula to take all of the snaps going forward and Matt Zollers, a true freshman, as his backup indefinitely. Pribula looked very good in his first career start in the blowout win in Week 1, but a much bigger test awaits in Week 2 against Kansas.
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John Mateer, Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s John Mateer (10) scrambles in the second half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners and the Illinois State Redbirds at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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30/37 passing, 392 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT, 7 rushes for 24 yards and 1 TD
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Win vs. Illinois State, 35-3
John Mateer and the Sooners would have loved to have beaten Illinois State by more, but Oklahoma still showed off much more offensive rhythm in their 2025 season opener. Mateer looked the part against the Redbirds, showing high-level ball placement as a passer and competitiveness as a runner. Sooner Nation hopes another big performance is coming next week against Michigan in college football’s game of the week for Week 2.
Austin Simmons, Ole Miss
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI – AUGUST 30: Austin Simmons #13 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during the first half against the Georgia State Panthers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
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20/31 passing, 341 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs, 7 rushes for 17 yards
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Win vs. Georgia State, 63-7
Austin Simmons takes the reins for the Rebels in 2025 and showed some good things in the season-opener. While Ole Miss doesn’t need the two interceptions, Simmons knows the offense well, spending two seasons in the system as a backup. A conference bout against Kentucky is looming, and the Rebs are looking to get revenge for an upset loss next year.
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LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
Aug 31, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) runs against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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12/19 passing, 209 yards and 1 TD, 13 rushes for 25 yards and 1 TD
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Win vs. Virginia Tech, 24-11
South Carolina’s offense was slowed for most of the day against Virginia Tech, but LaNorris Sellers still managed to show off why he’s one of the most electric players in college football. While he wasn’t at his best on Sunday, he still had a few jaw-dropping plays, helping the Gamecocks get a Power Four win. South Carolina has plenty of showcase games coming up in 2025, which means Sellers will have to play the role of Superman a few more times this year.
Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
Aug 30, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks for an open receiver against the Syracuse Orange in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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16/28 passing, 247 yards and 3 TDs, 6 rushes for 34 yards
Joey Aguilar became Tennessee’s new starting QB after beating out Jake Merklinger and George MacIntrye in a fall camp competition for the job. He was very impressive in the Volunteers’ Week 1 win over Syracuse, and looked very comfortable in the offense, despite only arriving on Rocky Top in the spring. If the Vols get consistent high-end quarterback play, they’ll be very tough to deal with for any SEC team. Aguilar is a veteran who has played a lot of college football, and he seemed unafraid of throwing it deep for the Vols.
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Arch Manning, Texas
Aug 30, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) drops back to pass against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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17/30 passing, 170 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT, 10 rushes for 38 yards
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Loss at. Ohio State, 14-7
Arch Manning’s highly-anticipated debut fell flat, as Texas mustered just seven points on the road. Manning never looked comfortable and the Longhorns couldn’t move the ball against the Ohio State defense. Arch has those magic Manning genes, so he’ll probably be just fine, as will the ‘Horns, but that’s probably also what folks said about Chris Simms back in 2001. Manning will need to improve his accuracy, but he has a month to do so before Texas’ next tough game, a trip to The Swamp to face Florida in early October.
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 30: Marcel Reed #10 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks to pass the ball against the UTSA Roadrunners during the first quarter at Kyle Field on August 30, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images)
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22/34 passing, 289 yards and 4 TDs, 8 rushes for 39 yards
Marcel Reed and the Aggies were locked in a tight battle with UTSA, but Texas A&M pulled away at home to win comfortably. Reed is an explosive athlete and always a threat when he runs the ball, but if he throws it the way he did against the Roadrunners on Saturday, Texas A&M could be a problem in this league. The Aggies have a road date with Notre Dame in Week 3, and all eyes will be on Reed, who was the backup when the Fighting Irish won that matchup at Kyle Field in Week 1 of 2024.
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Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) runs through the defense of Charleston Southern during their game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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20/25 passing, 275 yards and 3 TDs, 8 rushes for 44 yards
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Win vs. Charleston Southern, 45-3
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia was efficient in a Week 1 blowout win, and he’s a veteran QB who runs the Commodores’ offense extremely well. Pavia is a threat in the run game at all times, and when he’s in rhythm as a passer, Vandy can be a real pain to deal with. The Commodores hit the road to face Virginia Tech in Week 2, before another road trip to South Carolina in Week 3. We’ll learn a lot about Pavia and Vanderbilt in 2025 from those two matchups.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Each SEC Week 1 starting QB’s performance in their season-opener
