Ranking the projected starting quarterbacks in the SEC for 2023

10. Spencer Sanders, Ole Miss

The Rebels starting quarterback situation is a bit confusing. Jaxson Dart seemed to make strides during his sophomore season with Ole Miss, but the team opted to bring in competition through the transfer portal in the form of Spencer Sanders.

Sanders has the most college football experience of any quarterback in the SEC. He played a total of 43 games over four seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring.

While Big 12 experience doesn’t count for everything, it’s hard to believe Sanders wouldn’t transfer to Ole Miss as a senior without some indication he would get a long look for the starting job. However, his play at Big 12 didn’t convince anyone any success he’d had will translate well to a conference where he will face much more sound defenses week in and week out. Moreover, Sanders is coming off his worst season at Oklahoma State; I don’t think the move to Oxford will improve his outcomes.

9. Payton Thorne, Auburn

It does not seem like first-year Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was thrilled with his choices at quarterback, prompting the team to bring in Thorne through the transfer portal this offseason. SEC coaches sought out experienced quarterbacks from outside the SEC this year in the transfer portal, and Auburn’s addition of Thorne favors that trend.

The former Michigan State quarterback has two years of significant playing experience under his belt. After a strong 2021 campaign, Thorne’s play regressed in 2022; he posted fewer yards, fewer touchdowns, a lower passer rating, and more interceptions than in the previous year.

While Thorne ultimately found a level of success in the Big 10, he struggled against the Big 10 elite — Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. In six games against those teams through the last two years, Thorne completed only 53.6% of his passes. In the SEC, he will face defenses like those nearly every week. It is unclear how he will handle the competition.

8. Brady Cook, Missouri

There is a three-man battle at quarterback in Missouri and Brady Cook is at a distinct disadvantage heading into the summer. While Missouri got a look at both Sam Horn and Jake Garcia during spring football, Cook has been sidelined as he recovers from labrum surgery.

However, I simply think Cook is the best of the group and will reclaim his starting job upon his return to the field. Cook is underrated, and played solid football his sophomore year, throwing for 2,739 yards on 64.8% passing. He also showed significant talent rushing the football; he rushed for over 100 yards last year in conference games against both Tennessee and Arkansas.

Ultimately, Cook’s talent may be greater than where he’s ranked, but there’s plenty of uncertainty that comes with his profile in terms of his role with the team, his recovery from injury, and the general uncertainty that comes with Missouri’s struggles throughout their tenure in the SEC since they departed from the Big 12 in 2012.

7. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

Gamecocks fans sang the praise of a purported savior when Spencer Rattler transferred to Columbia from Oklahoma before last season. A savior he was not, though he did lead South Carolina to an 8-5 season.

Rattler is a one of South Carolina’s most talented quarterbacks in recent memory, but his play is somewhat volatile. At his peak, Rattler’s brilliant, but he also has lows that force one to question his game.

Rattler is an above-average SEC quarterback whose track record benefitted from the high-octane system he previously played in under Lincoln Riley. In his second year in the SEC, we will likely see continued signs of modest success, which is the most reasonable outcome for the South Carolina football team, as a whole, as well.

6. Carson Beck, Georgia

We have seen very little from the Junior quarterback so far, as he spent his first few seasons backing up Stetson Bennett. Bennett was drafted to the NFL this year after a successful tenure with the Bulldogs which prominently featured back-to-back national championships.

In some ways, the pressure on Beck’s shoulders, as he is set to lead Georgia into this season, is substantial given the “threepeat or bust” mindset Georgia is likely to approach this season with. However, the Bulldogs proved time and again throughout Stetson Bennett’s tenure that they know how to take the pressure out of the quarterback’s hands by establishing a strong running game and playing elite defense.

Beck is expected to slot in nicely as Bennett’s replacement and succeed in the role he will be asked to play at the helm of the hottest program in college football.