Ranking the projected starting quarterbacks in the SEC for 2023

SEC football has sat perched atop college football for the last decade. Over this period, most successful SEC teams were led by elite quarterbacks, many of whom now find themselves among the best quarterbacks the National Football League has to offer.

The transfer portal has changed college football; this season, it has certainly had a dramatic impact on quarterback situations in the SEC. Across the conference, multiple quarterback battles are likely to rage on through the spring and may not be settled until after the 2023 college football season begins.

SEC teams have won 13 of the last 20 national championships, including each of the last four. Quarterback play continues to be among the most important factors determining which teams will remain competitive.

SEC Football: Ranking every projected starting QB for 2023 season

14. AJ Swann, Vanderbilt

Swann is set to continue in his role as Vanderbilt’s starting quarterback for his sophomore season. Swann replaced quarterback Mike Wright last year and Wright’s departure in the offseason helped to solidify Swann’s starting role. However, while he’s likely to retain the starting job, he struggled mightily in 2022 and failed to crack 150 passing yards in many conference matchups. Swann gets a bit of a pass for being a true freshman, and he has the disadvantage of playing for a program that has failed to meaningfully prove itself to be anything better than an SEC bottom-feeder beyond the last two decades. Swann is going to have to make strides with his play before earning a higher spot among quarterbacks in the best conference in college football.

13. Tyler Buchner, Alabama

Every good dynasty comes to an end. Maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but it certainly feels like Alabama’s reign squarely at the top of college football has begun to crumble. That is not to suggest they will fade into obscurity, it is just likely fans should temper their expectations of the team from the days when they were a near-lock to be in the national title picture year after year.

After the departure of Bryce Young for the NFL Draft, not much confidence has been inspired by the Alabama quarterback unit set to replace him. The quarterback play of Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson inspired the team to add former Notre Dame starting quarterback Tyler Buchner through the transfer portal.

While there is no assurance it’s Buchner’s job, he should be considered the favorite heading into the summer. Alabama’s new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees coached Buchner in his previous role as the offensive play caller at Notre Dame. However, based on what we’ve seen of Buchner so far, the hype around his abilities is rather muted.

12. Graham Mertz, Florida

The slow slide from a quarterback room with Tim Tebow and Cam Newton to one with Graham Mertz and Jack Miller is one Gators fans have struggled through for a decade. After Anthony Richardson left for the NFL draft, the Gators were left with a weak quarterback situation.

Graham Mertz transferred to Florida this offseason from Wisconsin and while currently locked in a battle with Jack Miller, Mertz is expected to start the season as the Gators’ starting quarterback.

At Wisconsin, Mertz played in a run-heavy offense that required little from him. And little did he show.

While it isn’t improbable that Mertz has a successful Gators career, particularly if Billy Napier finds ways to couch him in an offensive system that doesn’t expose his flaws. However, there’s little from his tenure with Wisconsin that inspires hope he will provide the spark plug Florida has been looking for on offense for years.

11. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

If you ask a Texas A&M fan, they’ve once again found their quarterback of the future. Others around the country are not yet convinced. During Conner Weigman’s freshman campaign, he looked excellent in a close loss against Ole Miss and solid in a win over LSU. However, he still has a lot to prove in terms of his ability to lead Texas A&M to success in the SEC West. Luckily for him, he should be locked firmly enough into the starting role to get that opportunity.

Weigman will get two tune-up games over A&M’s first three weeks, as they are set to play New Mexico and UL Monroe in the first quarter of the season. These games should provide Weigman meaningful opportunities to get additional reps in the offense before A&M faces a gauntlet of SEC opponents.