The SEC is heading toward the 2026 season with more than a few unsettled quarterback rooms, and several of them sit at the center of teams that expect to matter right away. With less than a month left before kickoff, a handful of schools still do not know who will take the first snap.
At Alabama, Kalen DeBoer is back in familiar territory with another quarterback decision on his hands. Last year, the job ultimately went to Ty Simpson, an eventual first-round pick.
This time, the choice is down to fourth-year quarterback Austin Mack and second-year quarterback Keelon Russell. Mack has history on his side, having followed DeBoer from Washington, and he completed 228 passing yards with 2 touchdowns across four games last season.
Russell brings a different kind of appeal: he was a five-star recruit and the No. 2 prospect in the Class of 2025, per 247 Sports. That gives Alabama a classic clash between familiarity and ceiling.
Arkansas is dealing with a fresh start of its own under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. The Razorbacks’ quarterback race is centered on KJ Jackson and AJ Hill.
Jackson is entering his third season at Arkansas and started the Missouri game in 2025, which gives him a clear edge in experience with the program. Hill arrives in his second college season after transferring from Memphis, following Silverfield.
Most around the program expect Jackson to come out on top, but the job is still open.
Florida’s situation has been turned over almost completely. Billy Napier and DJ Lagway are both gone, and Jon Sumrall now leads the Gators into a quarterback competition of his own.
The main battle is between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. Philo comes in as a transfer and spent two seasons at Georgia Tech working under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner as the backup to Haynes King.
Jones is a second-year player who arrived at Florida as a three-star recruit in 2025, per 247 Sports. Coaches are calling it a close race and say there is no timeline for a decision.
Tennessee is also searching again after last season’s transfer solution with Joey Aguilar. Aguilar pursued an extra year of eligibility through the courts this offseason, but lost, leaving Josh Heupel to sort out the next answer under center.
The battle there is between Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre. Brandon was a five-star recruit in the Class of 2026, but he has yet to play a college game.
MacIntyre came in as a four-star in 2025 and has logged two college appearances, giving him at least a little game experience. Ryan Staub is also on campus, though he does not appear to be in the thick of the competition.
In Other News...
Arkansas QB Battle May Already Be Tilting One Way
Arkansas went into fall camp with a quarterback competition that was supposed to be wide open, but the early snap distribution has already given the first clues about where things stand. KJ Jackson opened with the first-team offense and has looked comfortable enough to build some quick chemistry with the receivers, which matters in a battle where timing and command can separate the two contenders fast.
AJ Hill is still in the mix, and the staff has kept saying the race remains open, but the first stretch of camp has not been equally kind to both passers. Hill has dealt with an interception and some off-target throws while working behind Jackson, leaving the Razorbacks with a decision that may be less about who is getting reps right now and more about whether the gap can be closed before the depth chart starts to harden. [Read more 🡒]
Arkansas Camp Is Already Exposing One Early Battle Fans Should Watch
Arkansas is only at the start of fall camp, but the first few practices are already giving coaches a clearer picture of where the competition sits. New coordinators are installing their systems, and there are signs of progress on both sides of the ball. Defensive coordinator Roberts has been encouraged by the defenses communication and tempo early on, while the offense has moved through Cramseys plan with enough sharpness to suggest the group is getting a head start on the learning curve.
The most interesting position battle may be developing in the backfield, where the Razorbacks are still sorting out how the carries will be divided between Sutton Smith and Braylen Russell. The receivers are also continuing to build chemistry with quarterback KJ Jackson, and the offensive line brings its own layer of intrigue with several new faces in the mix. With camp still young, Arkansas has time to settle things, but the early rotation is already hinting at a few jobs that may not be decided quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Rhett Lashlee Just Reopened An Arkansas Debate Fans Know Too Well
Rhett Lashlee has a long Arkansas backstory, and it still makes him a natural voice in the conversation any time the Razorbacks come up. The SMU head coach and former Arkansas walk-on recently weighed in on the debate around the Hogs strength of schedule, pushing back on the idea that anyone can crown Arkansas with the nations toughest slate before the season even starts. It is the sort of comment that lands a little harder because Lashlee knows the program from the inside, having been both a walk-on and a graduate assistant before moving on.
His remarks also reintroduced a familiar subplot for Arkansas fans, who have spent plenty of time wondering whether Lashlee might one day circle back in a coaching role. He has already been clear in the past that those rumors do not match where his career is headed, and his rise at SMU has only reinforced that path. For now, his latest take is less about a homecoming and more about a former Razorback reminding everyone that schedule debates tend to get settled on the field, not in August. [Read more 🡒]