Quarterback play in the SEC is going to be fun to watch in 2022
In the SEC there are some talented quarterbacks that are going to be taking the field this fall. The reigning national champion, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and a ton of experience returns at the position. With around 115-120 days until SEC football returns, let’s rank each teams starter or potential starter.
Start with the bottom of the SEC: Vanderbilt.
14. Mike Wright (Vanderbilt)
The last three seasons has seen Vanderbilt at the bottom of the SEC but returns experience at the quarterback. Mike Wright and Ken Seals split time at the position last season. Wright led the Commodores with 8 scores through the air. He was also Vanderbilt’s second leading rusher. Vanderbilt’s offense wasn’t stellar but he was their most productive player.
One Quarterback that will rise through the 2022 season
13. Brady Cook (Missouri)
The only knock on Brady Cook is that he is the most inexperienced quarterback on the list. This doesn’t indicate that he will be a bad quarterback for Ol’Mizzou. Cook stepped in for Connor Bazelak against Army and performed well. He brings mobility and showed it with a 30-yard touchdown run against the Black Knights. With freshman Luther Burden and experience offensive weapons returning, and already two year learning Eli Drinkwitz offense Cook will more than like rise in these rankings.
Picking Quarterback Battles
12. T.J Finley (Auburn)
After transferring from LSU, T.J Finley stepped in for Bo Nix plenty of times in 2021. In week 4, Finley came off the bench against Georgia State and saved Auburn’s season with a clutch 4th down touchdown pass with under a minute to play. Finley started the last 3 games for the Tigers and finished the year with 6 touchdowns and a pick. The quarterback battle for the Tigers is still alive as Finley will have to beat out Zach Calzada for the starting spot.
11. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)
Jaxson Dart made a good impression in his first appearance at USC. Replacing an injured Kedon Slovis against Washington State, Dart tossed for 391 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dart appeared in the final 5 games for the Trojans finishing with 1,353 yards, 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. After the arrival of Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams, Dart transferred to Ole Miss where he’ll get to show off his arm talent replacing Matt Corral in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
10. Myles Brennan (LSU)
Myles Brennan decided to remain in Baton Rouge after Brian Kelly made move from Notre Dame. Injuries haven’t been so kind to Brennan as he missed a majority of the 2020 season and the entire 2021 season. After taking over for Joe Burrow, Brennan got off to a statistical hot start passing for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns through the first three weeks of the 2020 season. The No. 1 position isn’t set yet, Brennan will still have to beat out Jayden Daniels and Garrett Nussmeier.
9. Max Johnson (Texas A&M)
We don’t know who Jimbo Fisher will be starting between Max Johnson, Haynes King and Connor Weigman. What we do know is that Johnson is the most experienced quarterback on the Aggies roster after transferring from LSU. The 6’5 southpaw quarterback tossed for 27 touchdowns in 2021 and the year prior appeared in 6 games passing for 8 more to just 1 interception. Also, In November, Johnson led LSU to an upset victory over Jimbo Fishers squad with 306 yards through the air and 3 touchdowns.
The top 8
8. Will Rogers (Mississippi State)
From a statistical standpoint, Will Rogers became one of the most accomplished passers in the FBS under Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. In 2021, Rogers led the NCAA in completions, completion percentage, ranked 3rd in yards and 7th in touchdowns. He was impressive in wins over NC State, Texas A&M and Auburn and with a lot of returning production the Bulldogs will definitely improve on their 7-6 record. In addition, Rogers took care of the ball as out of 683 attempts only 9 were intercepted.
SEC Quarterbacks with the lowest rate of turnover worthy plays last season
🎯 Matt Corral: 1.8%
🎯 Will Rogers: 1.8%
🎯 Bryce Young: 2.0% pic.twitter.com/e07HfxDCBK— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 24, 2022
7. Will Levis (Kentucky)
Will Levis spent two years behind Sean Clifford at Penn State but then transferred to the Blue Grass State and gave Kentucky’s passing game life for the first time in over a decade. Levis’s 24 touchdowns through the air were the most by a Wildcat since Andre Woodson in 2007. On the ground, Levis rushed for the second most yards and touchdowns on the team. He is a bit reckless with the football (13 Int’s in 2021) but Levis has given Mark Stoops squad the spark they need at the position.
6. Spencer Rattler (South Carolina)
Everyone knows 2021 was rough for Spencer Rattler. After struggling in the Red River Rivalry, Caleb Williams took over the Sooners offense the rest of the way. But, lets not forget that Rattler was a projected top 10 pick in the NFL draft prior to that point. After leaving a “toxic environment” in Norman, Rattler will have a chance to redeem himself in 2022.
Ready or not, here comes Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks. pic.twitter.com/NdXdPcPWor
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) April 18, 2022
5. Stetson Bennett (Georgia)
Stetson Bennett finally got the full keys to Bulldogs offense in 2021. He played within a talented offense with a great running game which was aided by an outstanding defense but he still played efficient enough on a national championship squad. He played well in the College Football Playoff tossing for 537 yards, 5 touchdowns while having a 66 completion percentage. Additionally, Bennett led the SEC with 10.0 yards per attempt to go along with 29 touchdown passes.
4. Anthony Richardson (Florida)
If there is one quarterback to keep an eye out for a breakout season its Anthony Richardson. When give the opportunity Richardson showed what type of a playmaker he is. Richardson is an extremely fast dual threat quarterback that will give defenses fits. In 2021, Richardson rushed for a combined 275 yards against FAU and USF while combining for 204 total yards off the bench against LSU. With Emory Jones gone, its going to be fun to see what Richardson does as QB1 in the Gators offense.
3. K.J. Jefferson (Arkansas)
The step forward that K.J. Jefferson took in 2021, if what you want to see Anthony Richardson take in 2022. In his first season as full-time starter, Jefferson was one of the more efficient passers in the SEC (4th with 164.7). He showed off his arm talent while throwing for 21 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions.
At 6’3, 204+ pounds, Jefferson is a tank and tough to bring down as a runner. He rushed for 600+ yards while carrying the ball 10+ times in 7 games. When it is all said and done Jefferson could potentially be the best quarterback in the SEC.
2. Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
There is plenty to like about what Josh Huepel’s offense accomplished last season, especially at the quarterback position. Hendon Hooker could very well be a Heisman finalist this as well as a 2023 first round pick.
After three seasons at Virginia Tech, Hooker transferred to Knoxville and the results was his best collegiate season. Hooker tossed for 31 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions with a 68% completion percentage. Also, Hooker was the most efficient passer in the SEC. Like the previous two quarterbacks mentioned, Hooker makes plays with his feet gaining 1,649 yards and 20 touchdowns the previous four years.
1. Bryce Young (Alabama)
Over the past decade Alabama has become QBU. The torch was passed from Mac Jones to Bryce Young who carried the that tradition last season which was good enough for Heisman honors.
Young possesses the the skillset that will translate to the next level when his time is done in Tuscaloosa. He has a tremendous arm that allows him to make throws at any level. While his rushing numbers don’t show it, Young can pick up yardage when he needs too while also moving well in the pocket. His 47 touchdowns and 4,872 passing yards led the SEC which was also second in the nation.
Above all, expectations as always are high in Tuscaloosa and Young can solidify himself to be the first or second quarterback taken in the 2023 NFL draft. Unless another quarterback out performs him, Young is the best quarterback in the SEC.
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