A look at the quarterback landscape in the SEC
Steve Sarkisian calls quarterback the most important position in sports. With Texas’ 2024 SEC schedule revealed, it’s worth assessing the various quarterback rooms around the league. Inside Texas looks at the 2023 starters, the quarterbacks on the roster, and the 2024 commit for every SEC team.
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Texas
2023 starter: Quinn Ewers, R-So.
On roster:
- Charles Wright, R-So.
- Maalik Murphy, R-Fr.
- Arch Manning, Fr.
2024 commit: Trey Owens
It’s Ewers’ job in 2023 after Sarkisian named him the starter exiting spring. Murphy and Manning will both vie for the backup job in fall camp with Murphy currently holding a lead over the five-star freshman.
Oklahoma
2023 starter: Dillon Gabriel, R-Sr.
On roster:
- Davis Beville, R-Sr.
- General Booty, R-So.
- Jackson Arnold, Fr.
2024 commit: Michael Hawkins
Gabriel has one more year remaining before he likely hands the reins over to Arnold.
Texas A&M
2023 starter: Conner Weigman, So.
On roster:
- Max Johnson, Jr.
- Marcel Reed, Fr.
2024 commits: Anthony Maddox, Miles O’Neill
Weigman is immensely talented but has struggled with injury. The same goes for Johnson.
Alabama
On roster:
- Tyler Buchner, Jr.
- Jalen Milroe, R-So.
- Ty Simpson, R-Fr.
- Eli Holstein, Fr.
2024 commit: Julian Sayin
The most intriguing quarterback battle in the SEC West, Alabama added Buchner from Notre Dame in the spring.
Arkansas
2023 starter: KJ Jefferson
On roster:
- Cade Fortin, R-Sr.
- Jacolby Criswell, R-Jr.
- Malachi Singleton, Fr.
2024 commit: KJ Jackson
Jefferson will adapt to a new offense after the departure of Kendal Briles for TCU.
LSU
2023 starter: Jayden Daniels, Sr.
On roster:
- Garrett Nussmeier, R-So.
- Rickie Collins, Fr.
2024 commit: Colin Hurley
A talented room with a Heisman candidate at the top in Daniels.
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Missouri
On roster:
- Brady Cook, Jr.
- Jake Garcia, So.
- Sam Horn, R-Fr.
- Gabarri Johnson, Fr.
2024 commit: Aidan Glover
Garcia transferred in to compete with Cook, who saw plenty of playing time last year.
Ole Miss
On roster:
- Jackson Dart, Jr.
- Spencer Sanders, Sr.
- Walker Howard, Fr.
2024 commit: Demond Williams
The second-most intriguing battle in the SEC West features three transfers.
Mississippi State
2023 starter: Will Rogers, Sr.
On roster:
- Mike Wright, Sr.
- Asher Sutton, R-So.
- Chris Parson, Fr.
2024 commit: Josh Flowers
Rogers has standout stats but will be in a new offensive system after the tragic death of Mike Leach.
Auburn
On roster:
- Payton Thorne, Jr.
- Robby Ashford, So.
- Holden Geriner, R-Fr.
- Hank Brown, Fr.
2024 commit: Walker White
A room that had a lot of uncertainty until the arrival of Thorne.
Tennessee
2023 starter: Joe Milton, R-Sr.
On roster:
- Gaston Moore, R-Jr.
- Navy Shuler, R-Jr.
- Nico Iamaleava, Fr.
2024 commit: Jake Merklinger
Josh Heupel has a loaded group.
South Carolina
2023 starter: Spencer Rattler, R-Sr.
On roster:
- Luke Doty, R-Jr.
- Tanner Bailey, R-Fr.
- LaNorris Sellers, Fr.
2024 commit: Dante Reno
Rattler has one more season in Columbia before handing over the reins.
Kentucky
On roster:
- Devin Leary, Sr.
- Deuce Hogan, Jr.
- Kaiya Sheron, So.
- Shane Hamm, So.
- Destin Wade, R-Fr.
2024 commit: Cutter Boley
Leary will likely win the battle to work in Liam Coen’s offense.
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Georgia
On roster:
- Carson Beck, Jr.
- Brock Vandagriff, R-So.
- Gunner Stockton, R-Fr.
2024 commit: Dylan Raiola
Will the winner of a battle between Beck and Vandagriff have a one-year hold on the position until Raiola arrives?
Florida
On roster:
- Micah Leon, Gr.
- Graham Mertz, R-Jr.
- Jack Miller, R-So.
- Max Brown, R-Fr.
2024 commit: DJ Lagway
Will the winner of the battle in Gainesville similarly have a one-year hold on the position until Lagway arrives?
Vanderbilt
2023 starter: AJ Swann, So.
On roster:
- Ken Seals, Sr.
- Walter Taylor, So.
- Drew Dickey, So.
2024 commit: Jeremy St. Hilaire
Swann helped Vanderbilt to its first five-win season since 2018.
