There’s only one game left in the College Football season, as Ohio State will take on Notre Dame for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday. Here’s the projected starter for every SEC team ahead of the 2025 season.
The SEC has dominated college football for the better part of 20 years now. But, 2024 was a down year for the league, especially at the quarterback position. Things should be a bit better in 2025, though.
These are the sixteen quarterbacks we project to be opening day starters in the conference next year.
Alabama: Ty Simpson
For better or worse, Jalen Milroe has moved on to the NFL after an up-and-down two years as the starting quarterback in Tuscaloosa. While freshman five-star Keelon Russell will have something to say about it, former blue-chipper Ty Simpson has the inside track to the starting job.
Arkansas: Taylen Green
The Boise State transfer had a solid first year as a starter, with 3,756 total yards and 23 touchdowns. If he takes another step forward, he could be a breakout star in 2025.
Auburn: Jackson Arnold
Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze enters the season firmly on the hot seat. He’s bet his job on Jackson Arnold, the former National Gatorade Player of the Year and Oklahoma transfer. Things did not work out for Arnold at Oklahoma after the team more-or-less forced out Dillon Gabriel to make room for him to start. But, Auburn is betting big on his talent.
Florida: DJ Lagway
The strong play by the true freshman down the stretch probably saved head coach Billy Napier’s job. Lagway is going to be a superstar, and right now, has the inside track to being the first pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. He’s the complete package.
Georgia: Gunner Stockton
Carson Beck has moved on to Miami, opening up the starting job for Gunner Stockton. Stockton was thrust into action for Beck after Beck tore his UCL in the SEC Championship Game, and the dual-threat quarterback played well. Now, they will have an entire offseason to build an offense to his skillset.
Kentucky: Cutter Boley
Kentucky did bring in former Texas A&M and Incarnate Word quarterback Zach Calzada out of the transfer portal. But, we’re predicting that Boley beats him out. Boley flashed in his limited playing time as a true freshman, and the prototypical pocket passer has plenty of talent.
LSU: Garrett Nussmeier
Nussmeier will enter the 2025 season as one of the nation’s top quarterbacks and a top NFL Draft prospect after throwing for just over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. But, he’s been turnover-prone so far in his career, and needs to clean that up.
Mississippi State: Luke Kromenhoek
Kromenhoek was one of the highest-regarded quarterbacks in the Class of 2024. But, Florida State’s 2024 season was a disaster, and he was thrust into action behind a bad offensive line and before he was probably ready. Blake Shapen will return for the Bulldogs, but head coach Jeff Lebby would be smart to bet on Kromenhoek’s talent.
Missouri: Beau Pribula
Brady Cook is out of eligibility, and the Tigers dipped into the transfer portal to find their starting quarterback for 2025. Enter former Penn State Nittany Lion Beau Pribula. Pribula is a true dual-threat quarterback that excels in the designed quarterback run game. And, he flashed at times as a passer, too. Former Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne will compete from the job, as will another Pennsylvania native in talented freshman Matt Zollers.
Oklahoma: John Mateer
It’s probably a make-or-break year for Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables after his first three years in charge have been disappointing. Gone is former five-star recruit Jackson Arnold. Instead, Oklahoma went out and got one of the most highly-sought after quarterbacks in the portal in Washington State’s John Mateer. Mateer was fantastic in Pullman, throwing for over 3,100 yards and 29 touchdowns against 7 interceptions while adding 826 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. OU brought in his offensive coordinator from Washington State, John Arbuckle, too.
Ole Miss: Austin Simmons
Gone is Jaxson Dart, who was outstanding in Oxford. Lane Kiffin must love who he has in Austin Simmons, a dual-threat, dual-sport quarterback from the Class of 2023. Practice reports have been glowing, and he’s got huge upside. Lane Kiffin is the kind of coach to get the most out of him.
South Carolina: LaNorris Sellers
Few quarterbacks impressed in their first year starting nationally as much as LaNorris Sellers did last year. Sellers had over 3100 total yards and 25 touchdowns and is receiving considerable Heisman buzz in the offseason.
Tennessee: Nico Iamaleava
Nico Iamaleava will return as the starter in Knoxville as the most talented quarterback to suit up for the Vols since Peyton Manning. But, that talent wasn’t always on display in 2024. Still, he had a solid season, and he has every tool you’d look for in a quarterback that can make a giant leap.
Texas: Arch Manning
This quarterback needs no introduction. Arch Manning will be the most-hyped and watch storyline in college football. His two uncles, Peyton and Eli, were first-overall picks in the NFL Draft, and while rumor is that Arch wants to start for two full seasons in college, a great season will have him as the first pick off the board, too.
Texas A&M: Marcel Reed
While he slumped down the stretch, Reed was a welcome surprise for the Aggies after Connor Weigman struggled. He had over 2,300 total yards and 22 touchdowns for A&M in 2024. They’re hoping he makes considerable progress as a passer this offseason.
Vanderbilt: Diego Pavia
Pavia jumped into the national conversation when he orchestrated an upset of Alabama back in October. He won an appeal for more eligibility, and will have the Commodores competitive in the SEC once again in 2025. Pavia had 3,093 total yards and 28 touchdowns for Vandy in 2024.