The first six weeks of college football proved that preseason QB rankings don’t mean much. When the 2025 season started, SEC fans were bragging that their conference had the best quarterbacks in the country, which, to be fair, was partly true. But at the same time, it also had its fair share of semi-busts.

Arch Manning entered the season with the best Heisman odds in all of college football, but fast forward to Week 7, and he’s arguably been the worst-performing big-name QB in the SEC. Some others still haven’t lived up to their preseason hype. Meanwhile, the new faces like Beau Pribula and Trinidad Chamberliss have balled their hearts out. With Week 7 right around the corner, it’s time to rank the top 10 quarterbacks in the SEC.

1. Ty Simpson (Alabama Crimson Tide)

At the top of the SEC QB food chain is Ty Simpson. After riding the bench for 3 years behind Mac Jones and Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson finally got his shot. Best believe, he’s putting up the best performances of his life each week. The former five-star has thrown for 1,478 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just one pick. The Craziest thing? Despite being a starter for the very first time, he’s already looking like a certified NFL-caliber QB. The Roll Tide got that Mac Jones-type Cinderella run all over again in Ty Simoson.

There aren’t any major flaws in his game. Kalen DeBoer justified that pick by saying the receivers ran the wrong route against Vanderbilt. Even in their Week 1 loss to FSU, Ty Simpson threw for two touchdowns and over 240 yards with zero picks. Ty Simpson now has the third-best odds (+800) to win the Heisman. He’s already got Joel Klatt’s Heisman approval: “If Ty Simpson’s name was Ty Manning, we would cancel the end-of-season Heisman Trophy ceremony and just do it now.”

2. Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt Commodores)

Diego Pavia, AKA ‘the father of NCAA eligibility,’ has taken Vanderbilt (5-1) to its best start to a season since the 2000s. Within 12 months, Diego Pavia has become the soul of Vanderbilt. He’s playing like his eligibility depends on it. Pavia leads the SEC in total touchdowns (14), he’s diabolically accurate (71%), and he has thrown for over 1,400 yards. He was named the Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week after tying the school record with 5 touchdowns and over 400 total yards.

The biggest weapon in Diego’s arsenal is his experience; the man’s been in college football like forever, looks like that experience is paying off for Vandy in dividends. The only reason he’s not above Ty Simpson is because of his two turnovers, which kind of ruined their chances against Alabama.

3. Taylen Green (Arkansas Razorbacks)

Taylen Green surprised a lot of folks with his ball. In six weeks of football, he’s certified himself as one of the nation’s finest dual-threat QBs. He throws as well as any gunslinger and runs as well as any running back in the FBS. Through his first five outings, Taylen Green threw for close to 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 441 yards and 2 touchdowns.

One of his best performances came against the No. 4-ranked Ole Miss. He’s arguably the only QB to throw for 300 yards and rush for 111 yards against the Rebels. Also, we have to give him props for his performance against Arkansas State.

4. Joey Aguilar (Tennessee Volunteers)

Josh Heupel and Tennessee won the Nico-Aguilar trade. Joey Aguilar was the blessing that Orange Nation needed. The former Sun Belt QB was the most slept on QB when he entered the 2025 season. Many folks wholeheartedly believed that he would be a downgrade from Nico.

Fast forward to Week 6, the Vols are ranked No. 12 in the AP Poll, and Joey Aguilar leads the nation’s second-highest scoring offense, averaging 45.8 points and 492.5 yards per game. The former App State gunslinger is ranked 2nd in the SEC in both passing yards (1,459) and touchdowns (13). Some might point fingers at his interceptions (5), but if you’ve watched Tennessee’s games, you know three of them weren’t his fault.

5. John Mateer (Oklahoma Sooners)

Nobody would question anyone if they put John Mateer in the top 2. John Mateer is him. Money Mateer has all the qualities to be the next great Oklahoma QB like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, and Jalen Hurts. The Little Elm native plays every drive like it’s his last. The man’s literally brought life back to Norman and Sooners football after being mediocre for the last 3 years. John Mateer has played just four games this season, including matchups against No. 15-ranked Michigan and former No. 21-ranked Auburn. He threw for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and added 190 rushing yards and five more scores on the ground, flexing his inner Kyler Murray ability.

Don’t let those six touchdowns fool you. The only reason John Mateer isn’t higher on this list is that he injured his throwing arm while playing against Auburn. The Sooners are praying for Mateer’s return, and with the Texas Longhorns up next, they’ll stick with Michael Hawkins and expect the defense to ball out like it usually does.

6. Marcel Reed (Texas A&M Aggies)

Marcel Reed balling out for the Texas A&M Aggies in 2025 was not on many people’s bingo cards. He has improved his passing accuracy after spending the offseason with a private QB coach, and his decision-making and pocket presence have improved dramatically. The Aggies are 5-0 and ranked 5th in the AP Poll.

He’s already winning the hearts of Heisman voters, and his numbers are looking pretty legit: 1,256 passing yards and 11 touchdowns against just only three picks, plus he can still scamper for yards and scores when he needs to. But what stood out was his clutch performance in the epic game-winning drive against No. 8 Notre Dame. He threw for 360 yards that day and showed everyone why we should consider him in the Heisman conversation.

7. Beau Pribula (Missouri Tigers)

Beau Pribula is the definition of “one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure.” The best thing Beau Pribula did was pack his bags and hit the transfer portal to Missouri. The No. 14-ranked Missouri Tigers are 5-0, all thanks to Beau Pribula’s accuracy. He set the school record by completing 21 consecutive passes in a game.

Pribula is insanely accurate and leads the SEC with a completion percentage of 75.8%. Through his five starts, he has thrown for 1,203 yards and 12 touchdowns and has also run for 121 yards and three touchdowns. With Alabama next, Beau Pribula has a chance to skyrocket his stock.

8. Trinidad Chamblis

Bet you didn’t expect him over Arch Manning and Garrett Nussmeier. Trinidad Chambliss is the hottest thing in Hotty Toddy. And also has one of the best stories in modern college football. The kid is Rocky Balboa of power 4. After winning D2 natty, he started the year as a backup, a transfer from Division II Ferris State, where he was a D2 national champion and Harlon Hill finalist (that’s like their Heisman!). But when Austin Simmons (starter) went down with an ankle injury, Chambliss stepped up and took the starting job in Week 3 against Arkansas, and boy, he hasn’t looked back since. He’s now 3-0 as the starter, leading Ole Miss to an undefeated 5-0 record and climbing all the way to No. 4 in the nation!

Chambliss has been on fire since taking over. He’s thrown for over 1,000 yards (1,033 to be exact) and 5 touchdowns, with just one interception through his three starts. He’s also a serious dual threat, adding 266 rushing yards and 2 more touchdowns on the ground. The Harlon Hill finalist went band for band against the SEC’s original gunslinger, Nussmeier, and came out alive. The man’s got three 300+ yard games in his four starts. Austin Simmons might need his baseball bat to get his grub back now.

9. Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers)

Garrett Nussmeier entered the 2025 season with the second-best Heisman odds and dreams of winning a natty for his hometown program. So far, his performance has been a bit underwhelming. It’s been six weeks, and the Tigers’ offense still can’t seem to catch a break. Garrett is struggling to match his 2024 numbers.

Right now, he ranks 59th nationally in passing yards with 1,159, 64th in touchdown passes with 7, and has thrown 3 interceptions. The Heisman dream looks like a mirage for Nussmeier with the amount of catching up he needs to do. However, the LSU Tigers are still a legit team and remain in the playoff hunt.

10. Gunner Stockton (Georgia Bulldogs)

Yes, Gunner Stockton edges out Arch Manning by a close call. Despite ugly football against Alabama, Gunner Stockton has played solid, gritty football. The former 5-star led the Bulldogs to a 4-1 record, and his best performance came against the former No. 15 Tennessee Vols. Gunner balled his heart out and ended the game with over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. His dual-threat ability has been a lifeline for the Bulldogs.

Although his touchdowns (6) are almost half of Arch Manning’s (11), his rushing performance gives him the nod over Manning. He rushed for 194 yards and 5 touchdowns. Most importantly, he has the second-best QBR in the country at 89.6. While there have been some minor inconsistencies with his accuracy on deeper throws, it is still his first full season as the starter. Cut him some slack!