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Ranking the top quarterbacks in the SEC

Steven Lassan
Athlon Sports
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback Jeremy Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers points to the crowd after scoring a touchdown during their game against the San Jose State Spartans on September 6, 2014 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated San Jose State 59-13. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback Jeremy Johnson #6 of the Auburn Tigers points to the crowd after scoring a touchdown during their game against the San Jose State Spartans on September 6, 2014 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated San Jose State 59-13. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

AthlonSports.com is a leading website for preseason and in-season football previews, predictions, rankings and analysis.

With fall camps set to open in August for all 128 college football teams, the 2015 season is officially around the corner. There’s no shortage of position battles or schemes to work on this fall, but quarterback competitions will steal the spotlight in August.

The SEC has an inexperienced group of signal-callers set to take over in 2015. Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott is the league’s most-proven option and the clear favorite to earn preseason first-team all-conference honors. After Prescott in the quarterback rankings is a combination of breakout candidates (Jeremy Johnson and Joshua Dobbs), along with veterans (Maty Mauk and Brandon Allen) looking to improve this season.

To help compile the rankings, there was some projection involved for 2015. This was not a ranking of quarterbacks only based on accomplishments so far or pro potential. All factors - pure talent, supporting cast, 2015 projection and scheme changes (just to name a few) - were considered and projected to rank the quarterbacks in the SEC for 2015.

SEC Quarterback Rankings for 2015

 

1. Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

Mississippi State has some holes to fill around Prescott, but the senior quarterback is a big reason why the Bulldogs will remain a factor in the SEC West this season. Prescott recorded 4,435 total yards and 41 scores in 2014 and earned first-team All-SEC honors. The senior is one of the top contenders for the 2015 Heisman Trophy.

Related: Ranking the SEC's Heisman Contenders for 2015

2. Jeremy Johnson, Auburn

All signs point to a huge season from Johnson in his first year as the starter. The junior isn’t as mobile as Nick Marshall, but the Montgomery native is a dynamic player for coach Gus Malzahn. Over the last two seasons, Johnson has completed 57 of 78 passes for 858 yards and nine scores. He also has two career starts.

3. Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee

A redshirt year was planned for Dobbs in 2014, but the Georgia native was pressed into the starting lineup midway through the season. Dobbs played well in the 34-20 loss to Alabama (19 of 32 for 192 yards) and assumed the starting role for Tennessee’s next game against South Carolina. Dobbs started the final five games for the Volunteers and closed 2014 with 1,206 passing yards and nine scores, while adding 469 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. With a full year to work as the starter ahead, Dobbs is due for a breakout year.

4. Kyle Allen, Texas A&M

Allen is another quarterback poised for a breakout campaign. The Arizona native was one of the top quarterback recruits in the 2014 signing class and eventually replaced Kenny Hill as the starter in November. Allen threw for 1,322 yards and 16 scores in nine appearances, finishing 2014 with his best performance (22 of 35 for 294 yards and four scores against West Virginia).

5. Maty Mauk, Missouri

Mauk’s first year as a starter had its share of ups and downs, but he finished with 2,648 passing yards and 25 scores and guided Missouri to a SEC East title. The junior needs to take a step forward in SEC play after only completing 48.9 percent of his passes in nine conference games last season. There’s a lot of potential with Mauk, but he will be throwing to a revamped group of receivers after the departure of last year’s top three targets.

6. Brandon Allen, Arkansas

There’s no doubt Arkansas will be tough on defense and with its ground attack once again in 2015. For the Razorbacks to improve on last year’s win total, improving the passing game is a priority under new coordinator Dan Enos. Allen was solid in 2014, completing 190 of 339 passes for 2,285 yards and 20 scores. With Enos at the controls, Allen should take another step forward in 2015.

Related: College Football Bowl Projections for 2015

7. Patrick Towles, Kentucky

Towles is a bit of a wild card on this list. He could rank a spot or two higher or he could lose the starting job to talented redshirt freshman Drew Barker. In 12 games last season, Towles threw for 2,718 yards and 14 scores and added 303 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. How quickly will new coordinator Shannon Dawson settle on a starter this fall?

8. Jake Coker, Alabama

For the second consecutive season, Coker is considered by some to be the favorite to take the first snap in Alabama’s opener. However, Coker was edged by Blake Sims for the starting job last season and only played in six games in 2014. Can the Florida State transfer hold off redshirt freshman David Cornwell this fall?

Related: SEC Predictions for 2015

9. Brice Ramsey, Georgia

The battle to replace Hutson Mason will extend into fall practice, as the Bulldogs added Virginia transfer Greyson Lambert to compete with Ramsey and Faton Bauta. Ramsey worked as Mason’s backup in 2014 and completed 24 of 39 passes for three scores and two picks. Regardless of which quarterback starts, expect to see a heavy dose of running back Nick Chubb for the Bulldogs in 2015.

10. Chad Kelly, Ole Miss

Ole Miss is another SEC title contender with uncertainty at quarterback. Bo Wallace expired his eligibility, and the Rebels had a three-way battle for the job in the spring. Kelly – a former Clemson quarterback – transferred from the junior college ranks and is considered the favorite to start over Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade.

Related: College Football's Top 50 Players for 2015

11. Will Grier, Florida

The arrival of new coach Jim McElwain and coordinator Doug Nussmeier should pay dividends for a Florida offense that averaged only 4.9 yards per play in SEC games last season. Treon Harris finished 2014 as the starter, but Grier is considered the favorite to start. The redshirt freshman ranked as the No. 48 recruit in the 2014 247Sports Composite and should be a good fit in Florida’s new offense.

12. Anthony Jennings/Brandon Harris, LSU

Improving the passing attack is priority No. 1 for coach Les Miles. LSU averaged only 140.6 passing yards in SEC games last season and finished 2014 with just 17 passing scores. Jennings started 12 games last year, completed only 48.9 percent of his passes and finished with 1,611 yards and 11 scores. There’s more upside with Harris, but how quickly will the sophomore grasp the offense?

13. Connor Mitch, South Carolina

Mitch finished spring as the favorite to replace Dylan Thompson under center. Talented freshman Lorenzo Nunez is an intriguing player to watch in fall camp, but Mitch is expected to take the first snap in the opener against North Carolina. The sophomore played in two games last season and completed 2 of 6 passes for 19 yards.

14. Wade Freebeck, Vanderbilt

It’s a tossup between Freebeck and Johnny McCrary as Vanderbilt’s starter for 2015. McCrary threw for 985 yards and nine scores last season, while Freebeck (as a true freshman) completed 34 of 72 passes for 376 yards and one touchdown. Both players should benefit from the arrival of new coordinator Andy Ludwig, but the supporting cast – especially at receiver – has to step up.

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