The National Title in some shape or fashion will almost certainly go through the SEC, as it does every year. Alabama will be out for revenge after getting blown out in the Championship game against Clemson. And in the SEC, great quarterback play will go a long ways toward surviving the gauntlet of conference play. Here are ratings for the SEC quarterbacks.
1. Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
Tagovailoa threw for 3,966 yds and 43 TDs in 2018. He completed 69% of his passes and only threw 6 INTs. On the ground he added 190 yards and 5 TDs. He was hampered by lingering injuries last season, so expect a healthy Tua to rush for more yards in 2019 and for his production to increase with so many weapons at receiver. Tagovailoa will be drafted in the 1st round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
2. Jake Fromm – Georgia
Fromm was 207-307 (67.4%) for 2,761 yards & 30 Passing TDs in 2018. Ridley, Hardman, Holloman and Nauta are all gone. So can he take that next step? This season will be a true test in Fromm’s development. Expect Georgia to rely on an excellent rushing attack. However, Fromm will get them over the edge in close games when he needs to make a big play. He’s projected as a 1st rounder by many NFL scouts for the 2020 NFL Draft.
3. Kellen Mond – Texas A&M
Mond is one of the best young QBs in college football. By the end of 2019, he will be labeled in the elite category. He had a breakout season in 2018. He threw for 3,107 yards and 24 TDs, while adding 474 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. Mond is a threat on the ground & through the air. His completion % will improve and his passing TDs will increase in 2019.
4. Feleipe Franks – Florida
Franks made a huge improvement in 2018. He developed into a QB who Gator fans could trust. Head coach Dan Mullen is great with QBs. Franks threw for 2,457 yards & 24 TDs, while adding 7 rushing touchdowns. As he becomes more comfortable in Mullen’s system, Franks will continue developing and have an even bigger season in 2019.
5. Joe Burrow – LSU
Burrow won the starting job for the Tigers last season after transferring from Ohio State. He threw for 2,894 yards and 16 TDs while completing 57.8% of his passes. He also added 399 rushing yards and 7 TDs. If the Tigers are going to win the SEC in 2019, they’ll need Burrow to find a way to get them over the edge and past Alabama.
6. Kelly Bryant – Missouri
Bryant lost his starting job to freshman phenom Trevor Lawrence at Clemson last season. But he’s ready to start at QB for the Tigers again. The Missouri Tigers. With one of the best TEs and excellent WRs around him, expect a big season out of Bryant. The Tigers will need him to make big plays down the field, if they want to knock off teams like Georgia and Florida.
7. Jake Bentley – South Carolina
Bentley threw for 3,171 yards and 27 TDs last season. He also added 2 rushing TDs. Bentley has dealt with a great deal of criticism during his tenure at South Carolina. However, he did improve last season. 2019 is his time to prove the doubters wrong. The schedule for the Gamecocks in 2019 is brutal, but a senior QB like Bentley could help them get some big wins.
8. Jarrett Guarantano – Tennessee
Guarantano took a big step in his development in 2018. While his numbers weren’t breathtaking, he looked poised behind center. He completed 62.2% of his passes and had 12 passing TDs. Twenty+ TDs from him this season is reachable, as he’s proven he’s the QB1 and isn’t looking over his shoulder.
9. Ben Hicks – Arkansas
Hicks threw for 9,081 yards and 71 touchdowns at SMU before transferring. Arkansas ranked 118th in total offense last season. But with an experienced and proven passer in Hicks, the Razorbacks offense will vastly improve in 2019.
10. Terry Wilson – Kentucky
Wilson completed 67.2% of his passes in 2018, the third highest of returning SEC QBs. He threw for 1,889 yards 11 TDs and added 547 rushing yards and 4 TDs. With a playmaker like Lynn Bowden at WR, expect 18+ TD passes in 2019.
11. Keytaon Thompson / Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State
Mississippi State has a QB competition currently going on and there is no clear answer as to who starts the season as QB1. Let’s take a look at the candidates.
Keytaon Thompson – Thompson threw for 458 yards 6 touchdowns last season, but only completed 46.2% of his passes going 18-39. Thompson is a dual threat QB who also rushed for 226 yards 4 TDs.
Tommy Stevens – Stevens the Penn St graduate transfer was 8-11 for 110 yards and 1 TD last season. He also rushed for 118 yards and 2 TDs.
These two are very similar. If this were a college football video game, they’d both have the same rating. As for who wins the job, give an edge to Thompson.
12. Matt Corral – Ole Miss
Matt Corral is a QB that will have a breakout season in 2019. The former 4⭐ Recruit has good accuracy, awareness, and touch on his passes. Expect 20-24 TD Passes and 4-5 rushing TDs from Corral this season.
13. Bo Nix / Joey Gatewood – Auburn
Auburn has a QB competition going on. The candidates are both extremely talented freshman. Nix is a true freshman and Gatewood a redshirt freshman.
Gatewood is a physical specimen at 6’5″ 240 lbs. He’s a dual threat QB who has a big arm. He’s had a year in Malzahn’s system, which will help him in this QB competition.
Nix is a dual threat QB who’s elusive in open space. He’s also a good passer, who’s considered the future of the program.
14. Riley Neal – Vanderbilt
The Ball State transfer threw for 7,393 yards and completed 60% of his passes for the Cardinals. However, the SEC is a whole different animal. We’re looking forward to seeing how Neal adapts to tougher competition.
