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| Keelon Russell, Alabama |
Alabama Crimson Tide
Competitors: Austin Mack (RJr.), Keelon Russell (RFr.)
For the second straight year, Kalen DeBoer has a quarterback competition on his hands in Tuscaloosa. With Ty Simpson off to the NFL, DeBoer will be forced to choose between redshirt junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. Both represent their own pros and cons - Mack followed DeBoer from Washington and has a clear understanding of the system. He finally got his first taste of live game action last fall, appearing in four games and throwing the ball 32 times. At 6'6" with mobility, he looks the part, but his downfield throwing ability is a question mark. Meanwhile, Russell was the highly touted newcomer in the QB room last season but took a redshirt year after appearing in two games. Folks who have followed Russell's career have raved about his athletic traits, but he's seen action in FBS ball against just ULM and Eastern Illinois. The spring game this past weekend may have given us an interesting glimpse to how this competition is shaping up. Russell ended up seeing most of the snaps of the end of the scrimmage, and most felt he outplayed Mack. Now, how much stock can you really put in a spring game? Russell also saw most of the action at the end of the scrimmage when Alabama was primarily practicing red zone situations. However, it will make an impact, and should set up a very interesting fall camp. Mack is probably the "safe" option for DeBoer and this staff, but could we see them swing for the fences with a guy like Russell? While DeBoer is not on a hot seat necessarily, there is real job pressure heading into 2026 and it would not shock me if he guys with the true boom-or-bust option in the redshirt frosh.
Favorite: Russell
Arkansas Razorbacks
Competitors: K.J. Jackson (RSo.), A.J. Hill (RFr.), Braeden Fuller (RSr.)
It's a new day in Fayetteville as former Memphis head man Ryan Silverfield takes charge. And with it, will come a new quarterback, with Taylen Green moving on. It feels like a classic three-man race here, with the competitors becoming a common scenario in modern college football. There's the holdover from the old staff who has waited his turn (K.J. Jackson), the high-profile newcomer who followed the new staff from their previous spot (A.J. Hill) and the veteran from the lower level trying to prove his stuff (Braeden Fuller). Jackson has spent a pair of seasons on the roster already, playing in five games in 2025 and making the start in the season finale. He's had flashes but didn't light the world on fire against Missouri a season ago. Hill lacks experience, but was one of the highest-rated recruits in Memphis history when Silverfield brought him on. He played quite well in the two games he saw him in last season, albeit in small sample sizes. Fuller is a bit of a wild card after coming in from Angelo State, but everyone is looking for the next Trinidad Chambliss, and he's played in 28 games across his college career. I'd venture Hill has to be the favorite at this point in the process, although Jackson should be firmly in the mix. Silverfield and OC Tim Cramsey spent big to bring Hill on at Memphis and likely spent a pretty penny this past offseason to convince him to follow them to the SEC. Clearly they believe they can win with him under center, and he certainly has the upside to be a real difference-maker at the position.
Favorite: Hill
Clemson Tigers
Competitors: Christopher Vizzina (Jr.), Tait Reynolds (Fr.)
There is significant pressure on Clemson as they prepare for the 2026 campaign. It's no secret the program has slipped from its late 2010s heights, but it was especially pronounced last season. The Tigers were a preseason darling but instead went .500 in a weak ACC and finished 7-6 overall. They are out to prove they can not only chase down Miami inside the league, but still be a factor on the national stage. The offense is in for an overhaul, as Chad Morris returns to the program as offensive coordinator and a new quarterback is handed control. Morris was a major reason for Clemson's rise, as he was with the school from 2011-14 before departing for the SMU head coaching job. Yet, his stock has cratered since after brutal stints at Arkansas and as Auburn OC, and there are real questions whether his offense can work in the year 2026. Competing it to run it this fall will be junior Christopher Vizzina and freshman Tait Reynolds, who has earned rave reviews at spring camp. In fact, Reynolds has emerged as the greatest threat to Vizzina for the starting gig, with redshirt freshman Chris Denson likely No. 3 on the depth chart. One would assume Vizzina is still the favorite after serving for two seasons as Cade Klubnik's backup, but could this be another situation where the youngster ends up being the guy during the season? Vizzina has collegiate experience, including one start last season, but he's still learning the Morris system the same as everyone else on the roster. Dabo Swinney has never been afraid to make the change - he benched veterans Cole Stoudt and Kelly Bryant in favor of rising stars like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence. That's of course a lot to ask of Reynolds, but this is a competition worth keeping an eye on as the season gets underway.
Favorite: Vizzina
Duke Blue Devils
Competitors: Walker Eget (Gr.), Dan Mahan (RFr.), Ari Patu (Gr.)
It's easy to forget it was Duke, not the National Runner-Up Miami Hurricanes, who ended up as winners of the ACC last fall. What's in store for an encore in 2026 from the Blue Devils? Well, we do know they'll be operating without last season's starter, as Miami lured away Darian Mensah with a massive NIL package. Already late in the offseason, Duke had to scramble for other options and eventually landed on San Jose State transfer Walker Eget. Eget is accomplished, eclipsing 3,000 yards of passing last season with the Spartans, and one would assume he's the guy heading into 2026. However, the veteran has been slowed with a knee injury, which could crack the door open for redshirt freshman Dan Mahan. Mahan doesn't have any live game experience but has been in the system longer now, and the staff is reportedly quite high on him. Veteran Ari Patu is also on the roster, but is likely a depth option. He started his career at Stanford before a two-season stint at North Alabama and does bring much-needed experience, playing in 20 games over his collegiate career.
Favorite: Eget
Florida Gators
Competitors: Aaron Philo (RSo.), Tramell Jones Jr. (RFr.), Aidan Warner (RJr.)
It's a brand new day in Gainesville as Jon Sumrall takes over for Billy Napier and attempts to reinvigorate a program that just never quite got going under the previous head man. With D.J. Lagway also out the door and off to the Big 12 at Baylor, a new signal-caller will be running the offense in the debut season of this regime. It's a three-man competition, although redshirt sophomore Aaron Philo and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr. are the favorites, with former Yale transfer Aidan Warner the depth option. Warner was forced into action last fall due to injury and got his first taste of the SEC, going 21-50 and throwing three interceptions. Philo is coming in from Georgia Tech, while Jones is a former three-star recruit who stayed on for the new staff after meeting with Sumrall. Jones did see some game action himself in 2025, throwing the ball 35 times against Long Island and Kentucky. Yet, Philo is still considered the "veteran" of the room a the FBS level after playing in eight games over two seasons while at Georgia Tech. He did have a huge game in the lone start of his collegiate career last season, but that came against the likes of Gardner-Webb. Needless to say, it's hard to have a super confident read on any of the guys in this quarterback room things stand in April. Philo does hold the advantage in that offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner came over from Georgia Tech, too, and the two have a relationship. Given that grasp of the offense he is the clear favorite, but Jones could make things interesting heading into fall camp. Either way, I get the sense this is going to be a run-first offense in the first year of the Sumrall era.
Favorite: Philo
Iowa Hawkeyes
Competitors: Jeremy Hecklinski (So.), Hank Brown (RJr.)
Mark Gronowski received a lot of attention in his lone offseason in Iowa City, as the former South Dakota State signal-caller was supposed to be the upgrade the Hawkeyes needed at QB to compete with the big boys of the Big Ten. Gronowski was not a complete bust, but he didn't exactly set the world on fire either, finishing with a stat-line of 1,741 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. With his eligibility exhausted, Iowa again starts anew at the position, with Wake Forest transfer Jeremy Hecklinski battling former Auburn transfer Hank Brown. Both have been here for just one year apiece, with Brown appearing in three contests, completing 11 of 21 passes for 107 yards. He spent two seasons prior to that with Auburn, where he was not able to break out of a crowded and underwhelming quarterback room. Hecklinski appeared in just one game but was a highly touted recruit coming in to Wake Forest, one of the highest rated in program history. This is another situation where you can't feel overly confident about either this early in the process. Brown has some edge in experience but it's a slight one, and most around the program seem to believe Hecklinski has the higher ceiling. He seems to have the inside edge and gives Iowa their best shot to have their first 300-yard passer since Nate Stanley all the way back in 2019.
Favorite: Hecklinski
Memphis Tigers
Competitors: Marcus Stokes (RJr.), Air Noland (RSo.)
Ryan Silverfield may have departed to Arkansas, but Memphis still expects to be firmly in the hunt for the American crown next fall. New head coach Charles Huff will look to keep the momentum going for a program that has gone to a bowl game in 11 of their last 12 seasons, and has won 29 games over the last three seasons. The first key decision for Huff will be in the quarterback battle between Air Noland and Marcus Stokes, two players who have had interesting routes to Memphis. Stokes is a former four-star recruit who was signed to Florida before off-field controversy led to his scholarship being rescinded, and him landing at Division II West Florida. He made the most of the opportunity, including a 2025 in which he threw for 3,297 yards and 30 touchdowns, earning Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Noland was a big-name recruit himself who originally signed at Ohio State, but saw his chances of starter evaporate after Julian Sayin transferred in from Alabama. Noland transferred to South Carolina for the 2025 campaign and again found himself buried on the depth chart, appearing in just two games. With LaNorris Sellers back for this upcoming season, it's no surprise Noland again transferred, this time to the Group of Five level. The scouting report on Noland is that he's always had a huge arm, but it may be telling that he hasn't had the chance to break through at either of his two previous destinations. As Huff acclimates to the role and learns the personnel, you get the sense he may lean on the more experienced option in Stokes. He's not your average Division II to Division I transfer, and seems like a great fit in new offensive coordinator Kevin Decker's system.
Favorite: Stokes
North Carolina Tar Heels
Competitors: Taron Dickens (RJr.), Billy Edwards Jr. (Gr.), Miles O'Neill (RSo.)
Will Bill Belichick make it to 2027 as North Carolina's head coach? It's a fair question after a rough debut campaign, although the Tar Heels did show some fight down the stretch to at least finish 4-8. It was no surprise that Belichick and general manager Michael Lombardi flipped over this roster in the offseason, including bringing on several transfers at quarterback. The most known commodity at the FBS level is Billy Edwards Jr., who spent several seasons at Maryland before a lost 2025 at Wisconsin. Edwards was a bright spot on a bad Maryland team back in 2024, throwing for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns and displaying dual threat abilities. Yet, playing in just two games last year for the Badgers makes him a beat of a question mark heading into 2026. Competing with him Western Carolina transfer Taron Dickens and Texas A&M transfer Miles O'Neill. Dickens was prolific at the FCS level with Western Carolina last fall, totaling nearly 4,000 yards of total offense. But, at 5'11" and 180 pounds, he is certainly not your typical power conference quarterback. O'Neill is probably the long shot here given his lack of college experience, although he knows new play-caller Bobby Petrino going back to his time at A&M. It should still be an open competition heading into fall camp, but one would assume Edwards has the inside track, if he's 100 percent. With rising star Jordan Shipp on the roster, whoever does take the job could have an opportunity to surprise some folks in an ACC that is wide open behind Miami.
Favorite: Edwards
Tennessee Volunteers
Competitors: George MacIntyre (RFr.), Ryan Staub (RJr.), Faizon Brandon (Fr.)
Alabama will be the most high-profile quarterback competition in the SEC heading into the fall, but I'd argue Tennessee's may be more intriguing. The Volunteers swung and missed on most of the big names in the transfer portal and watched as incumbent starter Joey Aguilar was not granted another year of eligibility by the NCAA. That leaves a three-man race between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, redshirt junior Ryan Staub, and highly touted freshman Faizon Brandon. Whoever wins the job will be handed the keys to one of the most explosive offenses in all of college football, one that has consistently put up monster numbers under Josh Heupel. The talk out of spring camp is that it's essentially a two man race between MacIntyre and Brandon, with the pair on even footing as we look ahead to fall camp. MacIntyre has the advantage of being in the system for a year, as he came to Knoxville in January of last year and played in two games. But Brandon is widely considered the future of the program, a multi-sport athlete who was a consensus five-star prospect coming out of Greensboro, North Carolina. There's no denying Brandon is raw, as he entered college under 18 and missed a chunk of his senior season of high school with injury. He has the physical gifts to be special, but life in the SEC as a starting quarterback at his age is exceptionally difficult. You get the sense this is a situation where MacIntyre's age and slight experience advantage makes him the default starter heading into the season, but Tennessee fans will be calling for Brandon at the first signs of offensive struggles. There is a runway for whoever starts as the non-conference isn't particularly tough, but September 26 against Texas will require the Vols to have this position figured out.
Favorite: MacIntyre
Virginia Cavaliers
Competitors: Beau Pribula (Gr.), Eli Holstein (Sr.)
Virginia head man Tony Elliott not only saved his job last season, but put together one of the most surprising teams anywhere in the nation, as Virginia finished 11-3. There was hope for an impressive encore campaign led by incumbent starter Chandler Morris, but he was denied a seventh year of eligibility. That means a new quarterback will lead the Cavaliers this fall, with grad transfer Beau Pribula and Pitt transfer Eli Holstein the two primary competitors. Both come to Charlottesville with something to prove - Pribula was okay in a one-season pit stop at Missouri, but was injured down the stretch and faded significantly. Holstein was a former big-time recruit who began his career at Alabama before heading north to Pittsburgh. He had moments of greatness with the Panthers, but ultimately lost his starting job in 2025, as the program turning to rising youngster Mason Heintschel. Neither Pribula or Holstein are overwhelmingly exciting options, but they provide Elliott with capable, experienced options to keep this offense rolling. Pribula's running ability does seem to give him the advantage in a battle that should be competitive. He's ran for 868 yards over his three-season career (4.6 YPC) and 16 touchdowns, potentially giving the Cavaliers the type of playmaker they haven't had at the position since Bryce Perkins was in town.
Favorite: Pribula
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