The start of fall camp has turned into a showcase of quarterback battles, with programs across the country evaluating who will take the first snap under center.
At Alabama, the competition between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack has drawn early attention, with insiders placing Russell as the slight favorite but noting that consistency will be the deciding factor when the team opens against ECU.
In Arkansas, KJ Jackson holds a modest edge over AJ Hill thanks to his prior experience, though both are expected to push each other throughout the preseason.
Arizona State’s Cutter Boley is viewed as the frontrunner to replace Sam Leavitt, yet he must fend off the resurgence of Mikey Keene and the steady progress of Jake Fette, who have both impressed during spring drills.
The race for starting spots intensifies across the SEC and beyond
Florida’s quarterback room features Aaron Philo leading the pack against redshirt freshman Tramell Jones, with Philo’s improved consistency and resilience in spring practices giving him a clear edge.
Tennessee’s coaching staff believes five‑star freshman Faizon Brandon possesses the mental makeup, arm talent and poise to outperform George Macintyre, positioning him as the likely starter.
Vanderbilt’s top recruit Jared Curtis is in a duel with veteran Blaze Berlowitz, a matchup that could shape the Commodores’ offensive identity early in the season.
Rutgers and Iowa each present tightly contested races: AJ Surace’s system familiarity meets Dylan Lonergan’s higher career passing volume, while Iowa’s Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski are locked in a neck‑and‑neck battle after spring ball.
Kansas will field junior Cole Ballard and sophomore Isaiah Marshall, both expected to see significant snaps regardless of the eventual starter, while Duke’s Dan Mahan and transfer Walker Eget — still recovering from injury — are vying for the opening role.
These quarterback competitions illustrate how programs are leveraging depth and talent to shape early‑season expectations, setting the stage for a dynamic fall schedule.