Josh Pate updates top 10 SEC quarterback rankings after Week 8 of college football

Josh Pate admitted that his preseason top 10 list for SEC quarterbacks has not lived up to expectations. In response, he’s updated his list following an exciting first half of the regular season and then some.

Notably, Pate’s preseason rankings were topped by DJ Lagway, Arch Manning and LaNorris Sellers. None of these quarterbacks made his post-Week 8 list.

With that in mind, Pate’s updated list is sure to stir some controversy with how the 2025 season has gone. You can view his updated SEC QB rankings below.

1. Ty Simpson, Alabama

Alabama has emerged as one of the teams to beat in the SEC amid its four-game win streak over ranked conference opponents. Ty Simpson has shined during that effort.

Through seven games, Simpson is completing passes at a 70.2% (153-218) clip, including 1,931 passing yards, 18 touchdowns — and one interception. To Pate, he’s the best quarterback in the SEC right now.

2. Taylen Green, Arkansas

Arkansas isn’t a College Football Playoff contender like some of the other teams at the top of this list, but their offense is perhaps the most high-powered in the conference. Their 3,596 yards are the most of any offense through seven games this season.

It’s been Taylen Green who has led the charge, throwing for 17 touchdowns compared to five interceptions across 1,910 yards. He’s also one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country with nearly 600 yards rushing and five additional touchdowns to his credit in 2025.

3. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

Diego Pavia is the heart and soul of Clark Lea’s Vanderbilt squad, and has been for the last two years. Now, they’re getting the respect they feel they’ve deserved with a top-10 AP poll ranking.

Pavia has 2,007 yards of total offense to his credit, as well as 19 touchdowns combined throwing and passing. His QBR (85.2) ranked seventh-best in all of college football.

4. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Gunner Stockton was thrown into a tough situation late last season following Carson Beck‘s injury, getting the first start of his career in a playoff game. However, he’s stepped into the role as the everyday starter for Georgia football seamlessly this season.

Stockton boasts the No. 2 QBR in the country with 91.0, and is completing over 70% of his passes for 1,553 yards, 10 touchdowns and an interception. He most recently went 26-31 for 289 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against a top-five Ole Miss team at home.

5. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

Tennessee boasts the highest-scoring offense in the SEC this season behind Joey Aguilar. Scoring 44.1 points per game, the Volunteers are tied for second in the country with Oregon for points per game on average.

Aguilar, who came to Knoxville in what was basically a QB trade after Nico Iamaleava jumped into the transfer portal and committed to UCLA. He was set to be the Bruins’ starter this season, but instead has taken the SEC by storm as one of Pate’s top five quarterbacks in the league.

6. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss

Austin Simmons was ranked sixth in Pate’s preseason rankings. Now, Simmons’ preseason backup — a Division II transfer — ranks sixth in Pate’s rankings after eight weeks, and for good reason.

Chambliss has started the last five games for Ole Miss and has compiled a 4-1 record during that stretch. So far, he has 1,549 passing yards, 323 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns during the season.

7. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M

Marcel Reed has led Texas A&M to its best start since the 1994 season. The lone undefeated team left in the SEC, it makes the Aggies the de facto team to beat in the SEC.

Reed has accounted for 19 total touchdowns this season and just over 2,000 yards of total offense. He surpassed over 4,000 passing yards in his career during Texas A&M’s 45-42 win over Arkansas last week.

8. John Mateer, Oklahoma

Before John Mateer needed to have surgery on his hand, there was arguably no quarterback playing better than him. He skyrocketed up Heisman Trophy rankings and had OU ranked No. 5 before his injury.

Mateer hasn’t been as explosive since his return, and has seven touchdowns compared to six interception on the season. Though, he’s aided by having five touchdowns on the ground as Oklahoma’s second-leading rusher.

9. Beau Pribula, Missouri

Missouri has surprised a lot of people this season, and are off to a 6-1 start with its lone loss coming to Alabama by a field goal. Beau Pribula has been front and center to that success as the Tigers make their push for the CFP.

Through seven games, he’s passed for 1,617 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, he’ll need to cut back on his interceptions during Missouri’s final stretch. He’s currently averaging one per game.

10. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Garrett Nussmeier is the only one of Pate’s original top four preseason SEC QB’s to make his post-Week 8 list. Nussmeier has played through injuries this season, but has still thrown for over 1,600 yards this season, throwing 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

However, the Tigers have lost two key matchups this season. Most recently, LSU lost on the road at Vanderbilt during Week 8, but will have another opportunity for redemption this weekend at home against Texas A&M.