We’re coming off of a hell of a year for quarterback play in the SEC. What used to be a conference dominated by three yards and a cloud of dust seems to have transitioned into the modern era with offenses that lit up scoreboards like the 4th of July in 2019. I don’t expect we’ll see generational quarterback play again this season, especially considering the unusual season we’re set for – but there’s some real NFL talent in this conference with a few potential surprises to boot. Let’s get to it – this is my top 10 SEC quarterbacks list for 2020, as we approach the season’s kickoff.
The Top 10 SEC Quarterbacks for 2020
10. Ryan Hilinski, South Carolina – Hilinski is the incumbent for South Carolina, but could face some pressure from Collin Hill. Both are splitting first team reps so far in practice. I like Hillinski because of the potential he showed in 2019 and his experience in the SEC, but there’s no doubt that he’s going to have to take the next step in order for South Carolina to be competitive in 2020.
9. Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee – Raise your hand if you realized that Gurantano had a better passer rating than Jake Fromm, Kelly Bryant, Kellen Mond, and Bo Nix a season ago. MMMHHMM, that’s what I thought. Hey – let’s be real…the guy simply hasn’t amounted to what we thought he’d be for the Vols, but he’s shown improvement, especially in 2019, and could be a surprise in 2020.
8. Terry Wilson, Kentucky – Maybe he’s not the best pure passer in the SEC, and maybe saying that is awfully generous on my part. But, this Kentucky offense is going to run the ball, and Wilson may be the best runner at the position in the entire conference. His presence increases the likelihood for Kentucky to win, and that, my friends, is the very essence of value.
7. KJ Costello, Mississippi State – Costello has the size you want in a quarterback, and he has a damn strong arm. Not to mention the fact that he’s going to be playing in a Mike Leach offense. If it can translate to the SEC, Costello figures to rack up the numbers it would take to make a surprise run at some of the national awards.
6. Myles Brennan, LSU – I wouldn’t dare compare Brennan to Joe Burrow, but I’ll at least say that Brennan is in the same spot that Burrow was in a year ago. Just saying. Brennan could shock some people with his understanding of the offense and the weapons he has at his disposal – Burrow called him a smart dude who “can spin it” back in April.
5. Jamie Newman, Georgia – Newman was an absolute stud at Wake Forest, but I’m not as sold on how easily he’ll translate to the SEC as others seem to be. I think the Bulldogs offense is going to struggle a bit as Newman finds his footing. Starting with Arkansas is one thing. But, the stretch that follows – Auburn, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Florida – is going to be absolutely brutal.
4. Mac Jones, Alabama – If I have to hear about those Iron Bowl interceptions one more time…
Like…y’all do realize that one of those was a complete fluke? Y’all do realize that Jones was doing the best he could against a quality opponent after coming in relatively cold, having served as backup all season, right? SMDH. There’s a chance that Jones loses the job to the electric Bryce Young, but I think with the weird offseason we’ve had, Nick Saban is going to roll with Jones, and all of y’all are sleeping on just how good this dude can be. If he’s the guy, he’ll be one of the best in the league.
3. Bo Nix, Auburn – I’m rolling the dice on this one, I know. Nix’s 2019 stats were pedestrian at best. But, something about the moxie that Nix played with when he was playing well makes me think he has what it takes to make a leap in the Auburn offense. He’s a polarizing guy, though – at his best, he was a lot of fun to watch, but at his worst….man, it was bad. With another season together, I think Gus Malzahn figures it out. Is this projection a season or two early? Maybe. I’m goin’ with the ol’ gut feeling on this one.
2. Kyle Trask, Florida – The Gators could very well win the SEC in 2020, and Trask could be the key cog on offense for ’em. Not only could this dude emerge as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, but he could drastically improve his NFL Draft stock. This dude was third in the SEC in passer rating in 2019 (159.2), and had a touchdown to interception ratio of 24-6. Sure, the Gators lose their two leading receivers, but Trask has all of the tools he needs to keep that train rolling, namely the quarterback magic of Dan Mullen.
1. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M – I don’t sense that too many people in the national media are as high on Mond this season as I am. I think we get the breakout year that we thought we were going to get last year in 2020. Mond was third in the SEC in passing yards in 2019 with 2,802 – the two dudes ahead of him? Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa – both of whom are gearing up for their first seasons in the NFL.
The Aggies are returning pretty much their entire offense, a unit that figures to be one of the best in the conference. Mond is a dual threat guy whose stats figure to benefit from that continuity and experience. If he can just get some of those bad interceptions down and make a few more plays with his arm, he could be in store for a special season in 2020.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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