We continue our best returning players’ series with a look at the SEC’s Best Returning Quarterbacks. For a conference that hasn’t won a national championship since 2023, a strong cast of quarterbacks at the top of the SEC could help reverse that trend and reestablish the league as college football’s dominant conference.
Outside of a clear-cut top three, the rest of the returning quarterbacks are difficult to separate. Marcel Reed is one of just eight returning FBS quarterbacks to amass 5,000-plus career passing yards and 1,000-plus rushing yards, but he threw 12 interceptions last season including, eight in Texas A&M’s final six games.
LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina) will generate 2027 NFL Draft buzz because of his frame (6’-3’’, 238) and electric playstyle, though eliminating sack-prone tendencies is critical this fall. Oklahoma’s John Mateer is back after throwing 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and dealing with a thumb injury in his right hand.
If Reed, Sellers, and Mateer become more consistent while cleaning up their biggest weaknesses, then the gap could close between them and the top three quarterbacks in the SEC.
The SEC’s Best Returning Quarterbacks in 2026
(3) Gunner Stockton, Georgia
Gunner Stockton returns as one of college football’s best game managers, often drawing comparisons to a point guard. Last season, 38.6% of Stockton’s passes were thrown at or behind the line of scrimmage, highlighting his decisiveness and trust in the playmakers surrounding him.
The fifth-year quarterback finished seventh in Heisman voting, passing for 2,894 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He also proved to be an effective runner, totaling 462 yards and ten scores on the ground. To improve his NFL draft stock, upgrading his intermediate passing game is crucial.
In 2025, only 13.7% of his passes came 20 or more yards downfield, suggesting he was less comfortable throwing between the hashes. If he can excel at passing over the middle of the field while continuing to limit turnovers, Georgia will be a serious national contender in 2026.
(2) Arch Manning, Texas
Arch Manning enters 2026 with high expectations, earning preseason First-Team All-SEC accolades (Athlon) and being named a preseason Second-Team All-America selection (Phil Steele). Despite a sluggish start last season, he turned it on late, throwing 14 touchdown passes to just two interceptions in his final six games.
On the year, Manning went 248-of-404 (61.4%) for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while also rushing for 399 yards and ten scores. One of Manning’s biggest offseason priorities has been improving his short passing game.
Last fall, Manning completed 56.3% of his passes on throws between zero and ten yards down the field, which ranked 66th out of 67 FBS quarterbacks. With an NFL frame (6’-4’’, 222), he should have a lot of confidence heading into his second season as Texas’ starter.
(1) Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
After making the jump from the Division II level to one of the premier conferences in college football, Trinidad Chambliss proved to be a difference-maker for Ole Miss. The Rebels will be breaking in a new offensive coordinator, but John David Baker brings familiarity with the scheme already in place, which should help Chambliss maximize a high ceiling.
In 2025, Chambliss completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns, and three interceptions. He also rushed for 527 yards and eight scores. Chambliss said he wants to become more accurate on deep throws and believes that could give him an even greater advantage in 2026. If he can put together another standout season, Ole Miss could make another postseason run while Chambliss strengthens his case as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Main Photo: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
