SEC: Ranking the Top Ten 2015 Quarterbacks

As we close in on the start of the 2015 College Football season, it’s time to dive in and take a look at who has certain roster advantages. Over the next month I’ll be diving into the SEC, providing rankings for each positional group. First up: the quarterbacks.

The SEC has experienced a bit of a downswing in quarterback play over the past two seasons. Stars like AJ McCarron, Johnny Manziel, Nick Marshall, Aaron Murray and Zach Mettenberger have left a void for their respective teams. Some of their replacements have lived up to the hype, others have struggled so far in the spotlight. For that reason, we have seen teams like LSU, South Carolina and Texas A&M take a step back.

So who has the best quarterback in the SEC? Here is my top ten.

10. Chad Kelly, Ole Miss

Nov 2, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Former Clemson Tigers quarterback Chad Kelly (11) Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The former Under Armor All American, Elite 11 member and Clemson Tiger has landed in Oxford, Mississippi. Chad Kelly was dismissed from Clemson early in 2014 by the coaching staff, citing “conduct detrimental to the team.” Kelly was fighting for the starting quarterback position at the time.

Kelly then spent a season at the JUCO level, attempting to resurrect his college career. He led East Mississippi to a 12-0 mark, throwing for over 3,900 yards and 47 touchdowns. His season earned him a four star ranking from most recruiting services, eventually landing him in Oxford.

Ole Miss and Hugh Freeze are hoping that Kelly can stay out of trouble and provide the Rebels with consistency. He has the best receiver in the country to work with in Laquan Treadwell. He also has arguably the best blindside protector in the land with Laremy Tunsil. The pieces are there for the taking, but can Kelly stay out of trouble long enough to take advantage?

9. Brandon Allen, Arkansas

Third year starter Brandon Allen will lead the Razorbacks into 2015. Expectations are high in Arkansas after the Razorbacks ended 2014 as one of the hottest teams in the nation. Arkansas leaned on their rushing attack for offensive success, but Allen provided Bret Bielema with a consistent, efficient option as a passer.

Allen threw for 2,285 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2014. Perhaps his best achievement was throwing just five interceptions, allowing Arkansas’ rushing attack to control the tempo of the game. Allen may not be the guy going out and winning games for Arkansas, but he certainly isn’t going to lose any for them either.

8. Will Grier, Florida

The first order of business for first year head coach Jim McIllwain is to figure out who his quarterback will be. While nothing has been decided, my money is on redshirt freshman Will Grier. Grier was a prized recruit back in 2014, bringing home several player of the year honors as a high school senior. Will Muschamp decided to redshirt him for his first year on campus, leaving him with four years of eligibility for McIllwain.

Treon Harris got most of the quarterback snaps last season, but Grier may fit McIllwain’s pro-style attack better. Grier got the better of Harris in the spring game, going 8-11 for 136 yards. Grier seems to fit the mold that McIllwain displayed during his time at Colorado State, where he turned Garrett Grayson into an NFL prospect.

7. Jake Coker, Alabama

Apr 18, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jake Coker (14) Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Coker seems to be the great unknown in the SEC this year. Everyone expected him to run away with the job last season, but that didn’t happen. He was beaten out rather convincingly by Blake Sims. This year appears to be all his, however.

Coker got extended looks against inferior talent last season, putting up 403 yards and four touchdowns. None of that was in meaningful time, however. Nick Saban and Lane Kiffin have to be concerned about Coker’s ability to lead their offense, especially considering Amari Cooper’s departure. I think Coker has shown us enough to at least be somewhat confident that Coker can hold things down for a season in Tuscaloosa.

6. Patrick Towles, Kentucky

Kentucky appeared to be on their way to possibly contending for the SEC East last season before everything fell apart. Patrick Towles was a big part of that turn around to start the season. Towles was able to give the Wildcats some stability at the quarterback position, something that hadn’t really been done since the Andre Woodson days.

Towles didn’t light up the stat sheet, but was effective in managing the offense. He threw for over 2,700 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was working with a lot of youth and inexperience, as Mark Stoops attempts to build up some talent in Lexington. That talent is now a year older around him as Towles enters his sophomore season. Look for him to make a leap forward this season.

5. Maty Mauk, Missouri

Maty Mauk has experienced some peaks and valleys so far in his career at Missouri. Last year a loss to Indiana at home, a 34-0 beating at home against Georgia and a blowout loss in the SEC Championship put a damper on the season as a whole. Nonetheless, Missouri still managed a 10-3 record.

Mauk himself was hot and cold. He managed to throw for over 2,600 yards and 25 touchdowns, but also threw 13 interceptions and only completed 53% of his 414 attempts. Those last two numbers must improve. Mauk is one of the most experienced passers in the SEC, now it’s time to show it. Missouri will need to lean on Mauk offensively this season and will need him to be consistent to win the improved SEC East.

4. Kyle Allen, Texas A&M

Nov 27, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Allen was just about everything that Aggies fans could have hoped for in his freshman season. After starting the season behind Kenny Hill, Allen took over full time for the final five games of the season. Texas A&M went 3-2 during that span, including two near wins against LSU and a hot Missouri squad.

Allen finished up 2014 with an excellent showing in the Liberty Bowl against West Virginia. Allen threw for nearly 300 yards and four scores, capping off a successful freshman campaign. Expectations are starting to rise in College Station as Allen returns as the starter for his sophomore season. Allen should put up big numbers in Kevin Sumlin’s high powered offensive attack.

3. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Dak Prescott burst onto the national scene last season as Mississippi State came out of nowhere to become a national contender. Prescott led an offensive attack that finished 7th nationally. Prescott will be without a major weapon in 2015, as Josh Robinson moves on to the NFL.

Can Dak repeat what he did in 2014? It’s going to be a tough task, simply because of the division that Mississippi State plays in. It’s a brutal schedule, but Prescott proved to be one of the best players in the country last season. I’m not sure if Mississippi State can do what they did last season, but I’m fairly certain Dak Prescott will make them exciting to watch.

2. Josh Dobbs, Tennessee

Josh Dobbs finally enters his first full season as Tennessee’s starter in 2015. Dobbs impressed while posting a 4-1 record as the starter closing out 2014. He really opened up Butch Jones’ spread attack with his ability to use his legs. This season, the job is all Dobbs’. He will have nearly all of his weapons back from last year.

Dobbs will look to build on a five game stretch where he put up 1,200 yards through the air and another 469 on the ground. He took a big step forward from his freshman season, where he through for just two touchdowns and six interceptions. If Dobbs can take another similar step forward, look out.

1. Jeremy Johnson, Auburn

Jeremy Johnson will take the reins at Auburn, following the departure of Nick Marshall. Johnson has shown us flashes of brilliance in limited time under Gus Malzahn, especially last season in his only start against Arkansas. In one half of play against a stout Razorback defense, Johnson went 12-16 for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson continued to impress in mop-up duty for the remainder of the season.

Johnson is on track to be the next star quarterback at Auburn, following in the steps of Cam Newton and Nick Marshall. He walks into a great situation with receiver Duke Williams returning for his senior season. Auburn has a host of playmakers around Johnson which could prove to be deadly under the watch of Gus Malzahn. Don’t be surprised if Johnson is in New York as a Heisman finalist come December.

Next: Evan

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