The 2026 college football season is just days away from kicking off, but the beginning of the SEC season will have to wait until Labor Day Weekend. However, all 16 programs will be in action during the first full weekend of the season, with each looking for a clean 1-0 start.
With less than two weeks remaining until SEC football begins, each school in the league has officially landed on a starting quarterback for their season-opener. While a number of teams have had their starter under center locked in for months, some schools have just recently made the distinction of QB1.
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So, without further ado, here is every SEC team’s starting quarterback to begin the season.
Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) makes a run against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Keelon Russell takes the reins at Alabama after he beat out Austin Mack for the starting gig. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is on his third straight new starting QB since becoming the head coach of the Crimson Tide, and Russell’s upside is sky-high. He’s a young player who could be the program’s starter for multiple years if he plays well.
Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback KJ Jackson (7) warms up prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
K.J. Jackson is the new starter at Arkansas, having beat out A.J. Hill in the quarterback competition. New head coach Ryan Silverfield went with the more experienced option, but Jackson was typically seen as the leader in the clubhouse to become the next starting QB for the Razorbacks, and he’s got high potential.
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Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up before Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Byrum Brown transferred to Auburn, became the school’s starter, and is a veteran with extensive starting experience. New head coach Alex Golesh brought Brown with him when he became the head coach of the Tigers, and that relationship should be a big help on offense. Brown knows the system inside and out, which is a huge plus.
![Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) passes during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/a6d58b9de48b2bb6a62626c9884e3dda8a4162f6b6c60075d79f4127945923bd/lightyear_networkapi/resizefill_w960%3Bquality_80%3Bformat_webp/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fsooners_wire_usa_today_articles_466%2F218a2f75aa40300ee8520541f441f4cc.jpg)
Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) passes during the second half of the Orange and Blue game at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, April 11, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
Aaron Philo is the next starting quarterback at Florida, after beating out Tramell Jones Jr. for the job. New head coach Jon Sumrall brought Philo in from the portal, and he was the favorite to become the starter for the Gators. Philo has a good grasp of the offense, but this will be his first stint as a full-time starter.
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Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) passes against the Charlotte 49ers during the first half at Sanford Stadium.
Gunner Stockton returns as Georgia’s starting quarterback, and he’ll look to help head coach Kirby Smart make it three SEC titles in three seasons. However, the Bulldogs have gone one-and-done in the College Football Playoff in each of the last two years. Stockton fits the offensive scheme really well, and he should improve this year.
Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3)prepares to throw the ball during the Kentucky Football spring game on April 18, 2026; Lexington, KY, USA; at Kroger Field.
Kenny Minchey transferred to Kentucky to be a starter for the first time in his career. New head coach Will Stein landed his guy out of the portal when he became the new head coach of the Wildcats, and Minchey should be a very good fit in the offensive system, which is built around making things easy for the QB.
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Quarterback Sam Leavitt 10 during LSU Football practice. August 18, 2026.
Sam Leavitt was one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal, and he now steps into the starting role at LSU. New head coach Lane Kiffin pursued Leavitt heavily in the portal when he became the new head coach of the Tigers. Leavitt could be set up for a big season in the offensive system, but he has to prove he can stay healthy.
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor (1) passes the ball during a college football game between Mississippi State and Ole Miss at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. The Egg Bowl game marks the 122nd meeting between the two teams.
Kamario Taylor is now the full-time starter at Mississippi State, after an impressive close to the season a year ago. Head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs are counting on Taylor, who is one of the best dual-threat QBs in the entire conference. His potential is incredibly high, but he’s still a very young player who will have to avoid mistakes.
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8Sep 13, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Austin Simmons (13) passes the ball during warm ups prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorback at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Austin Simmons transferred to Missouri this offseason and quickly won the starting quarterback job over Matt Zollers and Nick Evers. Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz clearly liked what he saw from Simmons, who will now get a second chance as an SEC starter with the Tigers. He’s still unproven, but he has high upside.
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) warms up before a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family à Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
John Mateer returns as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback, and he’ll look to help head coach Brent Venables make it back to the CFP. Mateer’s experience in the offensive system is a huge plus for the Sooners, and the expectation is that he’ll be taking a big step forward this year. Mateer has great playmaking ability, and he is a very strong leader.
Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) signals a first down after his run against the Miami Hurricanes during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Jan. 8, 2026.
Trinidad Chambliss was a breakout star for Ole Miss last year, taking over as the starter midseason and never giving the job back. Now, he returns to try and help head coach Pete Golding and the Rebels make it back to the playoff. Chambliss is an exciting dual-threat player and is as good a playmaker as there is in the SEC at the QB position.
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Nov 29, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Lanorris Sellers (16) passes against the Clemson Tigers in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
LaNorris Sellers returns for another run as South Carolina’s starting quarterback, and he’ll look to help head coach Shane Beamer improve upon a rocky season last year. Sellers is capable of changing games for the Gamecocks, and he’s a dangerous player in and out of the pocket. When’s he’s firing on all cylinders, he’s a scary sight for defenses.
Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) throws a pass during the Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, April 11, 2026.
Faizon Brandon beat out backup George MacIntyre and third-stringer Ryan Staub to become Tennessee’s next starting quarterback. Head coach Josh Heupel clearly likes what he sees from the true freshman, and the big-time prospect now takes the reins for the Volunteers. Brandon will look to capitalize on his potential in his first year.
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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
Arch Manning returns as Texas’ starting quarterback, as he looks to help head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns make the CFP. Manning started slow last year, but he was better in the second half of the season, leading to high expectations again this season. He’ll try to capitalize on that strong finish early this year.
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field.
Marcel Reed returns as the starting quarterback at Texas A&M, and he’ll be trying to help head coach Mike Elko and the Aggies make a return trip to the playoff. Reed is an exciting dual-threat player, and he was electric for most of last season. However, he struggled in his last two games of the year, so he’ll look to redeem himself this season.
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Vanderbilt: Blaze Berlowitz
Vanderbilt quarterback Blaze Berlowitz (1) throws during practice at Vanderbilt University’s McGugin Center practice fields Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026.
Blaze Berlowitz beat out Jared Curtis to win the Vanderbilt starting quarterback job, but it sounds like Curtis will also play in the season opener. Head coach Clark Lea is going with the more experienced option, as Berlowitz was the backup for the Commodores last year. He knows the offensive scheme well and is a good fit for the system.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Who is each SEC team’s starting quarterback to open the 2026 season?
