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Blue Blood QBs drop, while Taylen Green, John Mateer rise—SEC QB power rankings

It feels like the power dynamics in the SEC are changing.
ByAustin Farmer|
Aug 30, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green after the game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Aug 30, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green after the game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

The SEC quarterbacks had an eventful opening weekend. With six teams playing Power Four opponents, including two top-10 matchups, the conference's play-callers had ample opportunity to show off on national TV or, in some cases, expose themselves. Perhaps the most striking case of the latter was Arch Manning.

The heir to the Manning throne had a lackluster QB1 debut against Ohio State. Going into the season, he was the Heisman favorite based on a couple of games in 2024 and his name alone. But those odds quickly dropped after his 170-yard, 1-touchdown, 1-interception performance, while completing only 56.7 percent of his passes.

Texas wasn't the only upper-echelon team with quarterback problems. Gunnar Stckton from Georgia and Alabama's Ty Simpson weren't stellar in their first performances either. Simpson led the Crimson Tide to their first opening-game loss since 2001. Stockton at least won his game, but he only completed 58.3 percent of his pass attempts for 190 yards against Marshal.

On the other hand, Garrett Nussmeier from LSU was incredibly efficient. On his way to a top-5 win, Nussmeier may not have had an outstanding day, but with a clean picket, he picked apart the Clemson secondary. Arkansas' own Taylen Green probably had the best day overall, but DJ Lagway from Florida, Oklahoma's John Mateer, and maybe the biggest personality in college football, Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia, all had completion percentages over 80.

SEC QB Power Rankings: Week One

  1. GARRETT NUSSMEIER – LSU
  2. JOHN MATEER – Oklahoma
  3. DJ LAGWAY – Flordia
  4. TAYLEN GREEN – Arkansas
  5. AUSTIN SIMMONS – Ole Miss
  6. ARCH MANNING – Texas
  7. LANORRIS SELLERS – South Carolina
  8. DIEGO PAVIA – Vanderbilt
  9. MARCEL REED – Texas A&M
  10. JACKSON ARNOLD – Auburn
  11. JOEY AGUILAR – Tennessee
  12. GUNNAR STOCKTON – Georgia
  13. TY SIMPSON – Alabama
  14. BEAU PRIBULA – Missouri
  15. BLAKE SHAPEN – Mississippi State
  16. ZACH CALZADA – Kentucky
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