Quarterbacks have been driving the conversation in the SEC through the opening stretch of the 2026 season, and Gene Chizik had to sort through a crowded field to land on his top five entering Week 3.
The SEC Network analyst, who won the 2010 BCS national championship, went with two quarterbacks from Mississippi and left both passers from Texas out of the mix. His rankings put Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss at No. 1, followed by Georgia’s Gunner Stockton, Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor, Missouri’s Austin Simmons and Florida’s Aaron Philo.
That order came after Chizik praised the overall level of play across the conference, which has dropped only two non-conference games so far, both on the road against ranked opponents in hostile environments.
Chizik had especially strong words for Philo, pointing to the Florida quarterback’s efficiency and steady rise.
“Aaron Philo… [has been] incredibly accurate throwing the ball… whether he’s in the pocket or on the move,” Chizik said. “He’s completing 76% of his balls. He’s got one turnover… he’s gaining confidence every week.”
He was just as complimentary when discussing Simmons, calling him the “surprise of the SEC.” Taylor drew a different kind of label from Chizik, who called him the “buzz of the SEC” and said he had “Cam Newton-ish” traits. Stockton also earned a nod for his toughness before Chizik turned to the player he put at the top of the list.
“How can you pick against the guy?” Chizik asked.
“I look at a guy that’s got incredible pocket presence… if he has to escape the pocket, he can do that as well… he protects the football. He understands the game.
He’s doing the same thing this year… he’s special throwing the football.”
Chizik also said he was “an Arch Manning fan,” but added that Manning has to “play better than one good quarter” to crack the list. Manning will have a chance to make his case in Week 3 when Texas faces UTSA on Saturday night at 8:00 p.m. E.T. on SEC Network+.
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