SEC Quarterback Power Rankings After Week 2

Following the SEC’s poor showing in Week 2, many quarterbacks in the conference struggled. This is a new Hawg Country series that will feature my take on the SEC quarterback power rankings using a combination of overall play, statistics, QBR (quarterback rating), and team offensive performance.

As rough as last Saturday was, it was difficult to move many of the QBs too far up or down this list from my original rankings following Week 1. In an attempt to avoid being drastic given the league’s lackluster showing, the list didn’t change much (especially near the top). As SEC play opens up in the next couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see how this list changes. Most quarterbacks in the conference have yet to play respectable competition, so it’s inevitable that the rankings could see a major shakeup in the next few weeks.

1. KJ Jefferson, Arkansas

13/19 passing, 136 yards, 2 TDs, 67.3 QBR

13 rushes, 48 yards

vs. Kent State- W 28-6

Who did you expect at number 1? While injuring opposing safeties, taking care of the football, and leading his squad this quarterback has performed exceptionally so far this season. Pro Football Focus placed him on the national Week 2 PFF Team of the Week despite his unconvincing statistics against Kent State.

Jefferson has shown the ability to lead his team through adversity so far this season, as it became clear that the coaching staff was focused on running the football last week. This was despite the run game failing to a degree and Kent State playing the run hard. Being able to take a step back and trust in your coaches is huge in a quarterback.

However, if Arkansas wants to compete with the rest of the SEC, they’re going to have to count on Jefferson more. Fortunately for the Hogs, Jefferson’s play won’t be a concern.

2. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

17/27 passing, 267 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 68.2 QBR

14 rushes, 41 yards

at Tulane- W 37-20

As the only SEC quarterback that can claim a ranked win thus far in 2023-24, Jaxson Dart sits closely behind Jefferson. He has played well so far and looks like he is excelling under Lane Kiffin. This Ole Miss offense is going to be troublesome for a lot of SEC teams this year. Through 2 games, Dart is on pace for a monster season.

3. Joe Milton III, Tennessee

21/33 passing, 228 yards, 2 TDs, 36.3 QBR

3 rushes, 7 yards, 1 TD

vs. Austin Peay- W 30-13

One of my favorite quarterbacks in the conference is Joe Milton III. While his performance against Austin Peay wasn’t the greatest, they got the job done. Tennesee’s offensive line seems to be having similar issues that many SEC teams have experienced early on this year.

Milton’s arm strength is the biggest takeaway from watching him play. NFL scouts will be all over him around combine time. A popular theme this week has been the likelihood of Florida beating Tennessee this weekend…and I’m just not buying it. Florida’s defense won’t be able to stop Milton and the offense of Tennessee. A better performance than last week could move Milton even higher on this list.

4. Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

31/53 passing, 336 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 83.5 QBR

5 rushes, 29 yards, 1 TD

at Miami- L 48-33

Despite a disappointing loss to Miami and a pair of interceptions, Weigman stays put at number 4. This new Aggie passing offense is running on all cylinders, but their defense left Weigman out to dry last Saturday. The run game also struggled against Miami, which explains why the ball was thrown 53 times. This guy is another quarterback to watch as Bobby Petrino continues calling plays for him.

5. Will Rogers, Mississippi State  1

13/17 passing, 162 yards, 3 TDs, 84.7 QBR

vs. Arizona- W 31-24 in OT

This season is different for Rogers than previous seasons in his collegiate career. He is throwing the ball much less than he is used to. That being said, he has been efficient and has shown the pocket presence and IQ of a seasoned SEC quarterback. I’ll be curious to see how he does against LSU this week.

6. Spencer Rattler, South Carolina   3

25/27 passing, 345 yards, 3 TDs, 93.5 QBR

3 rushes, 8 yards, 1 TD

vs. Furman- W 47-21

With perhaps the best individual showing of the weekend, Rattler rises a few spots. The offensive line looked improved, but that was against Furman. For what it’s worth, South Carolina needs that line to play a lot better than they did in Week 1. Otherwise, Rattler won’t have many games as efficient as this one. Especially when matched up with SEC defenses. Georgia vs. South Carolina should prove interesting.

7. Devin Leary, Kentucky 2

24/38 passing, 299 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT, 33.7 QBR

vs. Eastern Kentucky- W 28-17

After two absolute struggles against lesser opponents, Kentucky fans should be more than worried. This offense is not what it was cracked up to be. Devin Leary has been underperforming expectations already, and we haven’t even started conference play. It could be a long season in Lexington if the coaching staff can’t pull it together.

8. Jayden Daniels, LSU   2

18/24 passing, 269 yards, 5 TDs, 89.7 QBR

vs. Grambling- W 72-10

Jayden Daniels looked much better against Grambling than he did against Florida State. As he should. I was high on Daniels in the preseason. The main factor in whether LSU will be a truly dangerous team this season is centered around Daniels and this offense.

Their defense will be fine with a few schematic adjustments from that Orlando beatdown from the Seminoles. The offense holding steady efficiency coupled with Daniels remaining in the pocket and making throws is what will help this team win important ball games. Mississippi State could sneak up on them this weekend.

9. Carson Beck, Georgia1

23/30 passing, 283 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 60.5 QBR

5 rushes, 17 yards

vs. Ball State- W 45-3

Georgia doesn’t have a bad quarterback in Carson Beck. He isn’t great either. Without an elite QB, this Bulldog team is far from untouchable. Against Ball State, Beck looked a lot more comfortable than he did in week 1. Once the jitters work themselves out, he may end up higher on the list with help from the talent surrounding him.

10. AJ Swann, Vanderbilt  2

26/39 passing, 314 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 72.5 QBR

at Wake Forest- L 36-20

While the Commodores are probably the worst team in the SEC again, they definitely don’t have the worst quarterback. Swann was making incredible throws left and right during their loss against Wake Forest. He was efficient as well, but it wasn’t enough to bring them very close to winning that ball game.

Swann could be one of the few bright spots on the Vanderbilt team this season. As he is only a sophomore, we could potentially see Vanderbilt field a solid team in a year or two.

11. Jalen Milroe, Alabama4

14/27 passing, 255 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 65.6 QBR

15 rushes 44 yards

at Texas- L 34-24

Is it the offensive line? Milroe? Both? Nick Saban is searching for answers in practice this week after their low-level showing against Texas. Whatever the issue may be, if they don’t find a solution quickly…we could be watching Saban coach his last year of college football.

Rumors have been buzzing about a quarterback change. Maybe that’s what is best for the Tide.

12. Brady Cook, Missouri1

14/19 passing, 209 yards,  2 TDs, 67.5 QBR

(negative rushing yards), 1 TD

vs. Middle Tennessee- W 23-19

After a strange offensive outing against Middle Tennessee, Cook falls. He was efficient, but the offense just struggled to capitalize and put points on the board. It almost caused them to lose to a team they had no business even being close with.

Quarterback is a position where the Tigers still have an ongoing battle, although Cook was the only one who played against Middle Tennessee. Eli Drinkwitz may have made a final decision, but Missouri might want to be concerned about whether or not it was the right one.

13. Graham Mertz, Florida  1

14/17 passing, 193 yards, 1 TD, 62.0 QBR

3 rushes, 8 yards, 1 TD

vs. McNeese- W 49-7

After an abysmal performance in the opener against Utah, Mertz played much better against McNeese. Will this hold going into SEC play against Tennessee this week? I was convinced he was the conference’s worst quarterback in Week 1, but he showed nice ball placement and efficiency in this last game. McNeese has a defense nothing like what the SEC is going to bring, so Mertz & Co. had better figure it out fast.

14. Payton Thorne, Auburn1

9/14 passing, 94 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 56.9 QBR

at California- W 14-10

This Auburn offense just couldn’t get anything going against Cal. The whole offense struggled all game long. Auburn has a lot of problems on that need fixed as soon as possible. SEC play is approaching quickly, and the unreliable play of Payton Thorne and the pieces around him could spell trouble for the Tigers this year.

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