The Texas Longhorns are in good hands at the quarterback position for the upcoming season and the foreseeable future. Quinn Ewers returns for another season which means the world will have to wait to see Arch Manning lead the program.
The growing consensus has the Longhorns unit coached by AJ Milwee is one of the top three in the country. College football analyst Phil Steele recently released his 2024 preview magazine and the Longhorns group is right there among the best once again.
Checking in on the SEC and their quarterback groups, three schools didn’t make the top 68 listed from Steele. The Auburn Tigers, Kentucky Wildcats, and Mississippi State Bulldogs will all have the chance to prove Steele wrong with his rankings but it is hard to argue with him at this point.
With that being said, we check in with the rest of the SEC and where they rank ahead of the 2024 college football season.
13
Arkansas Razorbacks
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Projected Starter: Taylen Green
Steele’s Ranking: No. 68
Arkansas barely made the cut at No. 68 and is expected to roll with former Boise State duel-threat Taylen Green. He replaces four-year starter KJ Jefferson who is now at Central Florida. The QB room in Fayetteville includes Malachi Singleton and KJ Jackson.
Check out Razorbacks Wire for more on Arkansas
12
South Carolina Gameco*cks
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Projected Starter: LaNorris Sellers
Steele’s Ranking: No. 57
South Carolina will look to LaNorris Sellers as the starting quarterback in 2024. Spencer Rattler moved on from Columbia after two seasons as the man under center. The unit also includes Auburn transfer Robby Ashford and Oklahoma grad transfer Davis Beville.
11
Vanderbilt Commodores
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Projected Starter: Diego Pavia
Steele’s Ranking: No. 50
Seeing Vanderbilt rank in the top 50 of any non-academics list might catch you off guard. The Commodores are ranked here above Auburn, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and South Carolina due to their transfers. Diego Pavia is the top guy from New Mexico State. He is joined by former Utah QB Nate Johnson, and his teammate with the Aggies, Blaze Berlowitz. Drew Dickey is the only passer on the depth chart who was on the roster with Vanderbilt in 2023.
10
Oklahoma Sooners
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Projected Starter: Jackson Arnold
Steele’s Ranking: No. 43
The Sooners are rolling with Jackson Arnold as their quarterback in 2024. He gave us a preview of the future for Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. The quarterback group in Norman includes freshmen Michael Hawkins Jr. and Brendan Zurbrugg. Casey Thompson transferred in to play where his father once suited up after stops with Texas, Nebraska, and Florida Atlantic.
Check out Sooners Wire for more on Oklahoma
9
LSU Tigers
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Projected Starter: Garrett Nussmeier
Steele’s Ranking: No. 41
After waiting his turn for the last several years, Garrett Nussmeier finally gets his chance as the starting quarterback with the Tigers. He leads a quarterback group that includes former Vanderbilt QB AJ Swann, Rickie Collins, and Colin Hurley. Next year the team will likely add the No. 1 quarterback in the country, Bryce Underwood.
Check out LSU Wire for more on the Tigers
8
Tennessee Vols
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Projected Starter: Nico Iamaleava
Steele’s Ranking: No. 39
For the first time since Josh Heupel’s arrival in 2021, the Vols will turn to a non-transfer at quarterback. After Hendon Hooker and Joe Milton, Tennessee will roll with former five-star signee Nico Iamaleava. He has minimal experience but the talent level is through the roof. He is joined by Gaston Moore and incoming freshman Jake Merklinger.
Check out Vols Wire for more on Tennessee
7
Florida Gators
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Projected Starter: Graham Mertz
Steele’s Ranking: No. 28
We have cracked the top 30 quarterback units with Florida next on the list. Graham Mertz quietly had one of the better seasons for quarterbacks in 2023. However, it seems all eyes have been on five-star signee DJ Lagway. Mertz gives them the best chance this year but Lagway is the future for Billy Napier and the staff. The QB room also includes Colorado State transfer, Clay Millen.
Check out Gators Wire for more on Florida
6
Texas A&M Aggies
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Projected Starter: Conner Weigman
Steele’s Ranking: No. 26
Once again Texas A&M is banking on the talent level of Conner Weigman. When he is on the field, Weigman has proven to be one of the more consistent quarterbacks. He will guide the offense into the end zone and doesn’t turn the ball over much. Weigman’s problem is staying healthy after back-to-back seasons ended by injury. The Aggies QB room under first-year head coach Mike Elko includes Jaylen Henderson and Marcel Reed.
Check out Aggies Wire for more on Texas A&M
5
Missouri Tigers
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Projected Starter: Brady Cook
Steele’s Ranking: No. 23
Missouri was a bit of a surprise team in 2023, thanks in large part to the play of Brady Cook and the offense that includes top wideout Luther Burden III. Cook’s return has the Tigers dreaming big in 2024. Cook is joined by Sam Horn, Drew Pyne, Aidan Glover, and Harold Blood Jr.
4
Ole Miss Rebels
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Projected Starter: Jaxson Dart
Steele’s Ranking: No. 5
The quarterback room for Lane Kiffin looks very similar to last year with one difference. Jaxson Dart, Walker Howard, and Austin Simmons are all back with the Rebels. Incoming freshman AJ Maddox takes the spot vacated by outgoing senior Spencer Sanders. Dart hopes to lead Ole Miss into the CFP for the first time. Based on the expanded field and how this team performed in 2024, it seems more likely than not.
3
Alabama Crimson Tide
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Projected Starter: Jalen Milroe
Steele’s Ranking: No. 4
Even with Kalen DeBoer taking over for the legendary Nick Saban, the Alabama quarterback room is relatively unchanged. They did add former Washington QB Austin Mack to the roster. Jalen Milroe returns as the starter along with Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan. Eli Holstein and Tyler Buchner transferred out after the season.
Check out Roll Tide Wire for more on Alabama
2
Georgia Bulldogs
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Carson Beck
Steele’s Ranking: No. 2
Carson Beck is largely viewed as the top quarterback for the 2025 NFL draft. He leads a QB room loaded with talent despite Brock Vandagriff leaving for Kentucky. Joining Beck, UGA has Gunner Stockton, Ryan Puglisi, and transfer Jaden Rashada. Georgia is in good hands with this room but still fell short of the No. 1 ranking.
Check out UGA Wire for more on the Dawgs
1
Texas Longhorns
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Projected Starter: Quinn Ewers
Steele’s Ranking: No. 1
The Longhorns have the No. 1 spot thanks to a pair of former five-star signees leading the way. Quinn Ewers returns as the starter after some thought he might go to the NFL. Arch Manning is the future and all some seem to discuss. They are joined in the QB room by the freshman, Trey Owens.
