SEC QB Rankings: ESPN ranks SEC signal callers first to last after Week 2

The college football season is just two weeks old and, already, it seems like it’s been largely turned on its head. Within the SEC, it’s no surprise that much of the success teams have found or struggled to find stems from the quarterback position.

Given how big of a storyline quarterbacks within the SEC have been this season, ESPN took some time to rank those signal callers from first to last after Week 2. In particular, ESPN’s Bill Connelly looked to answer the question, “If you had to win a vital game this coming Saturday, which SEC quarterback would you choose to do it?” The answer ended up being a little bit surprising.

This, notably, is not about what quarterback is going to be the best at the end of the season or the highest draft pick. It’s about what quarterback is the best through two weeks in 2025. With that in mind, here’s how ESPN ranked the SEC quarterbacks.

1. Beau Pribula, Missouri

Beau Pribula caught headlines at the end of last season when he left Penn State ahead of the College Football Playoff to enter the Transfer Portal. He’d eventually land at Missouri, where he would not win the quarterback battle coming out of camp. Instead, he and Sam Horn were set to split reps in the opener, but Horn quickly went down with an injury, making it Pribula’s job.

In the first two weeks, Pribula has thrived at Missouri, both against FCS Central Arkansas and rival Kansas. He is completing 79.1 percent of his passes for 617 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 71 yards and two touchdowns in that brief time.

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma

It was a rough transition to the SEC for Oklahoma in 2024. Trying to respond to that, head coach Brent Venables rebuilt the offense. That included adding quarterback John Mateer in the Transfer Portal. So far, it’s been a very good move.

To this point, Oklahoma has played games against Illinois State and Michigan. That Wolverines defense, in particular, proved to be a major challenge. In that time, he’s completing 71.8 percent of his passes for 662 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns.

3. Taylen Green, Arkansas

ESPN has Taylen Green as the third-ranked SEC quarterback through Week 2. Often overlooked in national discussions, Green has had a phenomenal season to this point. Combined with his massive amounts of experience in college, it’s no surprise that he’s thought so highly of at this point.

Arkansas has yet to see a Power Four opponent this season, instead taking on Alabama A&M and Arkansas State. In that time, Green has completed 71.9 percent of his passes for 561 yards, 10 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 192 yards and a touchdown.

4. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

In 2024, Diego Pavia was a revelation for Vanderbilt, getting them back to a bowl game. Then, he managed to return for the 2025 season and came in with tons of confidence. Now, he is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.

Vanderbilt has opened the season 2-0, with wins over Charleston Southern and Virginia Tech. Diego Pavia continues to be a standout performer. He has completed 74.4 percent of his passes for 468 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception. He’s also rushed for 105 yards.

5. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

This offseason, Tennessee had an awkward situation at quarterback with Nico Iamaleava leaving and Joey Aguilar coming in to replace him. With limited time to learn the offense, he was able to win the starting job and has played well to this point. With that, Tennessee fans are happy to have Aguilar.

In just two games at Tennessee, Aguilar has helped the Volunteers beat Syracuse and East Tennessee State. He’s looked good running the offense too, completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 535 yards and five touchdowns. Aguilar has also added 34 yards rushing.

6. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU

Coming into the season, Garrett Nussmeier was looked at as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. It’s hard to say that’s changed. He has the Tigers sitting in a good position to compete for the SEC and even the College Football Playoff.

In games against Clemson and Louisiana Tech, Nussmeier has flashed why he’s considered a potential first round pick. Nussmeier is completing 68.4 percent of his passes for 469 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Sacks have hurt his rushing totals, though, where he’s only gone for -25 yards on the ground.

7. Arch Manning, Texas

No quarterback in the country, let alone the SEC, was talked about more in the offseason than Arch Manning. Not much has changed now that the season got started. He’s still one of the most hotly debated quarterbacks in the country.

Manning has had one game where he played poorly, against Ohio State, and one where he played well, against San Jose State. That amounts to Manning completing 60 percent of his passes for 465 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 61 yards and another touchdown.

8. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

Gunner Stockton took over at Georgia in relief of Carson Beck last season. Now that Carson Beck has transferred out, the job is his, and to this point, the results have been relatively good. Of course, that’s come against teams Georgia is expected to beat and before SEC play has gotten underway.

Stockton has yet to see a Power Four team this season, though that will change next week against Tennessee. In the two games he has played, Stockton is completing 69 percent of his passes for 417 yards and two touchdowns. He also has 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Remaining SEC quarterbacks ranked by ESPN after Week 2

9. Ty Simpson, Alabama
10. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M
11. Austin Simmons, Ole Miss
12. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina
13. Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
14. Jackson Arnold, Auburn
15. DJ Lagway, Florida
16. Zach Calzada, Kentucky