Over half of the SEC's quarterback positions will shift in 2025, with some transitions accompanied by continued leadership.
College Football's Wild Ride: Quarterback Shuffle in the SEC
A wild craze grips the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as the 2022 football season approaches, with over half the teams set to welcome new quarterbacks into the fold. From expected transitions to shocking departures, it's a flurry of changes that'll have fans on the edge of their seats before August.
Some shifts were predictable – like Alabama's Jalen Milroe or Texas' Quinn Ewers heading to the NFL. But others, such as Georgia's Carson Beck jetting off to Miami, Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava ditching a $2.4 million NIL deal for UCLA, and Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold finding a new home at Auburn, have shaken up the conference.
Former Florida backup quarterback Harrison Bailey, who's had his fair share of campus-hopping, sums it up best: "A new day and age in football. I'm glad I'm getting out of it."
The transfer portal, offering lucrative deals and alluring opportunities, continues to wreak havoc in college football, leaving no program untouched. Even theSEC, with every head coach returning since 2019 for the first time since 2005, can't escape its reach.
But amidst the chaos, ten SEC schools are hoping for some semblance of stability at the all-important QB position.
Steady Hands
Arkansas' Taylen Green, Florida's DJ Lagway, LSU's Garrett Nussmeier, Mississippi State's Blake Shapen, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, Texas A&M's Marcel Reed, and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia all boast experience in their current systems. While Sellers sports a new offensive coordinator, former Alabama coach Mike Shula, the others have held down the fort and eagerly await their sophomore seasons.
Green, Lagway, and Sellers, with their athleticism and robust throwing arms, look poised to lead improving teams toward College Football Playoff glory. Nussmeier, in his third year under coach Brian Kelly, could shine in LSU's system. Shapen, a sixth-year senior, has recovered from injury. Reed, a freshman phenom last season, seeks redemption after dropping four of his final starts. And Pavia was a beacon of hope for underdog Vanderbilt, racking up 20 touchdown passes and four interceptions.
Fresh Faces
Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Ole Miss' Austin Simmons, and Texas' Arch Manning show promise for their respective teams, having honed their skills as backups last season. Bulldogs' Stockton stood tall in the 2021 SEC championship game versus Texas, and Manning, eagerly awaited by Longhorns fans since 2020, is finally set to take the reins.
"I hope he's got a really hard decision to make around January 21," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian shared with the Houston Touchdown Club. "That means we played a long time. That means he played a really good season. And that means he's trying to figure out do I want one more year in the burnt orange or is it time to go to the NFL?"
Uncharted Territory
The remaining six schools – Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee – face varying degrees of uncertainty regarding their QB situations. Alabama is turning to Ty Simpson, Auburn is banking on transfer Jackson Arnold, Kentucky is taking a risk with Zach Calzada, Missouri appears content with Beau Pribula, and Oklahoma believes John Mateer and Ben Arbuckle's arrival from Washington State will pay immediate dividends.
Tennessee might have the most puzzle pieces to put together. The Volunteers went with UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar in a sort of trade. However, Aguilar still faces stiff competition from Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the starting spot.
"I'm looking forward to being a part of the traditions, the fans, and the legacy of winning at Tennessee," Aguilar shared on social media. "I'm ready to get to work, compete at the highest level and building something special with my teammates and coaches. I can't wait to get to Rocky Top!"
Keep a close eye on the SEC's quarterback landscape as the season unfolds, as teams across the conference navigate this wild ride of roster mixing and seizing opportunities. And while the transfers bring uncertainty, one thing is clear: it's going to be a thrilling showdown as these new faces take center stage.
The media buzz surrounding the SEC's college football season heightens as the sports world eagerly anticipates the impact of new quarterbacks on every team. Even with some seasoned players returning, such as Arkansas' Taylen Green, Florida's DJ Lagway, and Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, the influx of fresh faces like Georgia's Gunner Stockton and Texas' Arch Manning promises a tumultuous yet exciting journey ahead.
