It's been a long time since the Southeastern Conference has been this stacked at quarterback, but this year's list of gunslingers is shaping up to be one of the deepest, statistically imposing, and talented groups in recent memory.
That includes junior quarterback Marcel Reed, who is the only returning quarterback in the SEC to finish top three in passing yards, rushing Yards, total Yards, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and quarterback rating. The league boasts six returning starters and a plethora of talented transfers looking to make their respective impacts.
Texas quarterback Arch Manning and Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss lead the way in odds to win the Heisman Trophy, but any of the gunslingers on this list could be hoisting the most prestigious award in college football come December.
Here are the top-10 SEC quarterbacks entering the 2026 season:
1. Trinidad Chambliss - Ole MissHeisman odds: +1500 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: From Ferris State to leading Ole Miss to the CFP semifinals, Chambliss became a star in his first season in Oxford, Mississippi. After starting the season behind Austin Simmons on the depth chart, Chambliss wasted no time making an impact when Lane Kiffin called his name. The SEC Newcomer of the Year threw for 3,973 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also rushing for 527 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. It will be intriguing to see how Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense operate under new offensive coordinator John David Baker. Still, his arm talent, athleticism and poise should help the Rebels transition to the new system smoothly.
2. Gunner Stockton - GeorgiaHeisman odds: +2200 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: Despite ranking 10th in the conference in total passing yards last season, Stockton is arguably one of the more consistent and accurate passers in college football. The Georgia native ranked 16th in FBS with just five interceptions and No. 6 with an 84.9 quarterback rating for the Bulldogs in 2025, while throwing for 2,894 yards and 24 touchdowns. He might not be as athletic as Chambliss or others in the SEC, but Stockton has the arm talent, patience, intelligence, and desire to win games that make him one of the league's top gunslingers this year.
3. Arch Manning - TexasHeisman odds: +850 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: Manning was placed in a tough position when he first decided to step on the gridiron. The weight of the legacy left behind by Peyton, Eli and Archie rested on Arch's shoulders when he arrived in Austin. While the first few games of his first season as the Longhorns' starter didn't jump off the chart, Manning looked like a premier playmaker by the end of the campaign. The hype is at its highest for the Texas quarterback in 2026, boasting the second-best odds to win the Heisman, but he must take another jump to get his team over the hump and into the playoff.
4. John Mateer - OklahomaHeisman odds: +2500 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: Entering his second campaign in Norman, Oklahoma, Mateer looks like he is in the best shape of his college career. He showed true grit for the Sooners in 2025 after breaking a bone in his hand that required surgery, before returning just in time to play in the Red River Rivalry against Texas. Despite some inconsistent outings post-surgery, Mateer showcased his arm talent and determination to win games. He's a legitimate dual-threat with a physical frame unlike many quarterbacks in the nation. If he can stay at 100% in the nine-game SEC schedule and improve his accuracy, Mateer could have his best season yet.
5. Marcel Reed - Texas A&MHeisman odds: +3000 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: While most people are touting Reed as an inconsistent quarterback from a couple of down performances in 2025, fall camp rumblings are pointing toward a much-improved Aggie gunslinger. The junior from Nashville, Tennessee, is the only returning quarterback in the SEC to finish top three in passing yards, rushing Yards, total Yards, passing touchdowns, total touchdowns and QBR. With a plethora of electric targets to throw to in 2026, Reed could be in the conversation for being among the top-three quarterbacks in the league before the end of the year.
6. Kamario Taylor - Mississippi StateHeisman odds: +12500 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: In his first start for Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss, Taylor put up 351 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, including a highlight-reel juke on a defender that made all of college football take notice. Entering his sophomore season in Starkville, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound dual-threat gunslinger has made massive waves with his arm strength, physical frame and athleticism. Taylor is the kind of player that could make Mississippi State football fun to watch again.
7. LaNorris Sellers - South CarolinaHeisman odds: +4000 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: If South Carolina's offensive line was just a smidge better last year, we could be having completely different discussions about this team's potential with Sellers at the helm in 2026. He was sacked 42 times in his sophomore season, making him the second-most sacked quarterback in college football. The Gamecocks have more experience and talent up front this season, however, which should give Sellers more time to survey the field and create electric plays with his feet, like we all know he is capable of.
8. Byrum Brown - AuburnHeisman odds: +6500 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: After leading all of FBS in total offense and touchdowns last season, Brown is on the Plains and looking to make Auburn a competitive threat. He followed Alex Golesh from USF, where he threw for 7,690 yards and 61 touchdowns, while also rushing for 2,265 yards and 31 touchdowns over four seasons with the Bulls. Brown could be the most electric dual-threat quarterback in the conference this year, but the Tigers face a daunting schedule in his first season facing SEC competition.
9. Sam Leavitt - LSUHeisman odds: +2500
Tale of the tape: The Arizona State transfer is looking to rebound from an ankle injury that sidelined him for much of 2025. Leavitt flashed throughout his time with the Sun Devils and head coach Kenny Dillingham, but he could be primed for a massive leap under an offensive mastermind like Lane Kiffin. While off-the-field distractions could be obstacles for the Tigers, the former Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year has the experience and talent to operate this Kiffin-Charlie Weis Jr. offense at a high level.
10. Faizon Brandon - TennesseeHeisman odds: +7000 (FanDuel)
Tale of the tape: The five-star true freshman earned the program's starting job in Knoxville over sophomore George MacIntyre and will be looking to flash his arm talent in Josh Heupel's high-flying offense this season. Brandon was ranked as ESPN's No. 14 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, after throwing for 6,956 yards and 82 touchdowns in three years as a starter at Grimsley High School. The 6-foot-4 pocket passer is surrounded by eight returning starters on offense, which should provide him with plenty of targets and a solid offensive line. His athleticism in Heupel's system will be dangerous and electric as he progresses and improves in his freshman campaign.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: SEC football: Ranking the top 10 quarterbacks for 2026
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