ESPN predicts 2026 starting QB for every SEC team

As the chapter closes on the 2025 college football season, teams within the SEC are looking ahead to 2026. It feels like forever since Georgia lifted the national title and brought the conference to the forefront of the sport, but that could all change next season.

That’s in part to the many talented signal callers the SEC will present. From Heisman Trophy contenders to underrated starters brimming with untapped potential, there’s a little bit of everything under center in the conference.

Ahead of all the craziness we’re to expect in 2026, ESPN is predicting each and every starting quarterback for the SEC. Check out their picks below, beginning with Alabama turning the page with a talented young starter at the helm.

Alabama Crimson Tide

2026 Starting Quarterback: Keelon Russell

Russell has been tabbed as the future at Alabama, and the future is now for Kalen DeBoer’s bunch. ESPN thinks he’ll get the starting gig over Austin Mack. Youth over experience. The Crimson Tide are hoping it pays off.

Arkansas Razorbacks 

2026 Starting Quarterback: KJ Jackson

Former Memphis leader Ryan Silverfield is leading the charge for Arkansas. Jackson predates him, but ESPN believes the freshly-minted SEC leader will roll with the hand he’s been dealt. On the other hand, AJ Hill followed his coach from the Tigers to Fayetteville. He could be up next in short order.

Auburn Tigers

2026 Starting Quarterback: Byrum Brown

The classic transfer following his head coach from his previous job to his new opportunity. Brown grew immensely under Alex Golesh at USF, and he’ll be looking to do the same now at Auburn. You might as well lock this one in now.

Florida Gators 

2026 Starting Quarterback: Aaron Philo

DJ Lagway is gone, but Jon Sumrall has come prepared for his first season with the Gators. Florida brought Philo in from Georgia Tech, where he was Haynes King’s backup. Tramell Jones Jr. has more experience with the team, but Philo is who ESPN is choosing at the moment.

Georgia Bulldogs

2026 Starting Quarterback: Gunner Stockton

This was an easy one. Stockton has proved himself and then some since becoming Georgia’s starting quarterback. He took a huge leap this past season, and he’ll be looking to further cement his status in 2026 in Athens.

Kentucky Wildcats 

2026 Starting Quarterback: Kenny Minchey

Nebraska won’t be happy about this one. Minchey is Will Stein’s choice for his first season of college football, after he spurned the Cornhuskers to join Kentucky. He watched and learned at Notre Dame, and now he’s ready to take the reins as a starter in the SEC.

LSU Tigers

2026 Starting Quarterback: Sam Leavitt

The big fish in the NCAA Transfer Portal was landed by Lane Kiffin. Leavitt isn’t coming to Baton Rouge for anything less than being the starting quarterback and competing for a national title. That’s exactly what the Tigers are expecting in 2026.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

2026 Starting Quarterback: Kamario Taylor

Taylor was brought to Starkville by Jeff Lebby to be their starting quarterback one day, and that’s what ESPN thinks will happen in 2026. Multiple time transfer and former highly-touted prospect AJ Swann is also an option, but Taylor wins out for now.

Missouri Tigers

2026 Starting Quarterback: Austin Simmons

Missouri started 2025 with a bang before the wheels fell off. Simmons played nice with Trinidad Chambliss after losing his starting gig at Ole Miss, but he’ll be hoping to remind the college football world of his potential next season with the Tigers.

Oklahoma Sooners

2026 Starting Quarterback: John Mateer

Mateer looking phenomenal to start the season, but sputtered a bit after a hand injury shook him up. His play-making abilities should be on full display once again, as long as he can stay healthy this coming season for the Sooners.

Ole Miss Rebels

2026 Starting Quarterback: Trinidad Chambliss

This should be a pretty obvious choice. Except the NCAA is making it a bit difficult. Chambliss’ first request at getting a sixth year of eligibility was denied. If he can get it approved, the Rebels are set. If not, Ole Miss will turn to either Deuce Knight or Walker Howard in 2026.

South Carolina Gamecocks

2026 Starting Quarterback: LaNorris Sellers

Sellers had immense hype heading into the 2025 season, but South Carolina went 4-8, disappointing pundits and fans alike. Coordinators have been changed and Shane Beamer has a new sense of direction for the Gamecocks. We’ll see if their quarterback can benefit.

Tennessee Volunteers

2026 Starting Quarterback: George MacIntyre

Similar to Chambliss, Joey Aguilar is also seeking another year of eligibility, but it’s not looking great. MacIntyre got fans excited with his potential after Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA. Perhaps he’ll be ready to takeover as soon as this coming season.

Texas A&M Aggies 

2026 Starting Quarterback: Marcel Reed

One of the easier choices in the SEC. Reed was phenomenal this past season, even if Texas A&M came up short in the end. He’ll need to improve in certain areas, but his athleticism and demeanor has Aggies fans more excited than ever.

Texas Longhorns

2026 Starting Quarterback: Arch Manning

Talk about hype. Manning entered with more than maybe anyone in the history of college football last season. By the end of the year, he started to make good on it. That experience will prove invaluable, as he enters 2026 as the clear-cut favorite to win the Heisman.

Vanderbilt Commodores

2026 Starting Quarterback: Jared Curtis

Diego Pavia transformed what a Vanderbilt quarterback could be this past season. Curtis is hoping to break that mold even more. His flip from Georgia as the top passer in the 2026 class was unprecedented. Now, he’ll hope to become a folk hero in Nashville as soon as Year 1.