Where does John Mateer rank among SEC Quarterbacks?

USA Today

06-07-2025

Less than two months remain until the start of the 2025 college football season. With most of the roster movement portion of the offseason behind us and media days around the corner, fans and analysts alike are trying to figure out where their favorite teams and players rank within their conference or college football as a whole.
In the case of the Southeastern Conference, there are plenty of unknowns when it comes to the quarterback position this season. As always, there are returning stars. However, there are also some players with very high ceilings who can shake things up.
Chris Phillips, founder of SEC Unfiltered, outlined his hierarchy of projected SEC starting quarterbacks this week. New Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback John Mateer was ranked a bit lower than expected, coming in at No. 10.
Mateer fell in line behind the usual suspects on these types of lists, but it's the name right above him that will raise some eyebrows. Auburn's Jackson Arnold was ranked ninth, as Mateer's predecessor is looking to revive his career on The Plains after just 10 starts as a Sooner.
While Arnold's arm talent and athletic ability certainly give him a high ceiling, he's nowhere near the proven commodity that Mateer is at this stage of the game. Arnold was the primary starting quarterback for the worst Oklahoma offense since 1998, and he played so poorly at times that the Sooners could barely move the ball at all.
Arnold's turnover issues were a significant problem for OU in 2024, and he hasn't come close to living up to the hype he gained as a five-star recruit coming out of high school. He's very talented and could improve mightily in Auburn, but Mateer is easily the better player heading into the season after the former Washington State Cougar led the nation in total touchdowns last year.
Sooners Wire's John Williams released his SEC QB rankings last month, but I figured I'd take a crack at it as well. Here are all 16 projected SEC quarterbacks for 2025 ranked from worst to first.
More: SEC quarterback rankings for the 2025 season
16. Zach Calzada, Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky's Zach Calzada is playing for his fourth different college football program in 2025. He's played in the SEC before, suiting up for Texas A&M and Auburn before a couple of seasons at FCS Incarnate Word. The Wildcats hope he can run the offense better than last year's starter, Brock Vandagriff, did. Calzada isn't a bad player, and he put up good numbers last year, but someone's gotta be last on this list.
15. Beau Pribula, Missouri Tigers
Missouri needed a replacement for Brady Cook, so they turned to Beau Pribula, who should be able to beat out Sam Horn for the starting job. Pribula has spent the past few seasons at Penn State and saw some action as Drew Allar's backup last season. He has mostly played in a wildcat QB role or been on the field for gadget plays. Pribula will get a real chance to start for the Tigers. He's got some upside, and he adds a dual-threat element to his skillset.
14. Blake Shapen, Mississippi State Bulldogs
While Calzada and Pribula are entering their first seasons on their respective teams, Mississippi State's Blake Shapen is a returning player. Following a long stint at Baylor, Shapen won the starting job for the Bulldogs last season, but he was lost for the season with a shoulder injury early last season. With Michael Van Buren Jr., who replaced him, transferring out, Shapen is back in the saddle in 2025. He's a veteran who has started plenty of games over the years, which should help Jeff Lebby in Year 2. If Shapen falters, Lebby has Luke Kromenhoek and KaMario Taylor waiting in the wings.
13. Jackson Arnold, Auburn Tigers
Auburn's Jackson Arnold transferred this winter after a rough stint at Oklahoma. Sure, the problems that OU had weren't all his fault, but he didn't live up to the lofty expectations that were placed on his shoulders. He's got a remarkably high upside, but his turnovers were a killer. He'll be an upgrade over Payton Thorne and Hank Brown, but until his potential is realized, it's hard to put him much higher on this list. If Arnold struggles again, Ashton Daniels and/or Deuce Knight could get a look under center as well. It'll be interesting to see what Arnold, Hugh Freeze, and the Tigers can cook up in 2025.
12. Gunner Stockton, Georgia Bulldogs
Gunner Stockton is entering his fourth year with the Bulldogs, but this will be his first season as the starter. He was the primary backup behind Carson Beck for the past couple of seasons, and when Beck was lost for the year in the 2024 SEC Championship Game, Stockton came on in relief for the win over Texas and the Sugar Bowl loss against Notre Dame. In 2025, Stockton takes the reins for Georgia, and he could climb higher on this list by season's end.
11. Ty Simpson, Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama needs to replace Jalen Milroe, and it looks like Ty Simpson, who has played for the Crimson Tide since 2022, will get the first crack at it. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell might have something to say about that, but Simpson looks like he's in line to finally be the Tide's starter. Kalen DeBoer has had some really good QB play as a head coach, so Simpson could be in line for a big year.
10. Austin Simmons, Ole Miss Rebels
Austin Simmons has played for the Rebels since 2023, but he'll get his first shot to be a starter this season. He backed up Jaxson Dart last year, and the lefty hopes to keep the QB party rolling at Ole Miss. Head coach Lane Kiffin has consistently had good players under center since taking his current gig, and he has a player in Simmons who already knows his system in place for 2025.
9. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee needed to replace Nico Iamaleava this spring after Josh Heupel called Nico's hold-out bluff. They ended up getting Joey Aguilar to run the offense, as the veteran was originally committed to UCLA, but joined the Volunteers after Iamaleava decided to leave for the Bruins. Aguilar played for Appalachian State from 2023 to 2024, but before that, he was a JUCO player at Diablo Valley College. The Vols have a gunslinger who has the opportunity to shine in Josh Heupel's lightspeed offense.
8. Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks
Formerly of Boise State, Taylen Green enters his second season as Arkansas' starter. He's an excellent athlete and still has plenty of upside, even as a senior. His arm strength and speed were on display last season, and the Razorbacks might have one of the SEC's best-kept secrets under center. Improving on his consistency will be key for Green as he enters his final go-around in college football.
7. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M turned to Marcel Reed under center midway through last season, and he was good enough to send last year's Week 1 starter, Conner Weigman, to the transfer portal. Now, it's all Reed's job for the Aggies, as he'll continue to burn defenses with his speed and running ability. He'll need to get better as a passer, but just ask LSU how much of a game-changer Reed can be.
6. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Commodores
Diego Pavia has had a long ride in college football. After two seasons at the JUCO level with New Mexico Military Institute, he transferred to New Mexico State for two more seasons before ending up at Vanderbilt last year. He gained an extra year of eligibility and will return to start for the Commodores this year. Pavia provided Vandy with an all-time moment last season when he spearheaded an upset over top-ranked Alabama. He gives his team a chance to make more memories in 2025.
5. Arch Manning, Texas Longhorns
Archie's grandson, Cooper's son, and Peyton and Eli's nephew steps into the spotlight for Texas in 2025. Arch Manning takes the reins from Quinn Ewers and will be one of the most talked-about players in college football this year, regardless of how he plays. The hype surrounding Manning is palpable, but he still has to prove he can make it happen in the SEC. Fortunately, Steve Sarkisian's offense is very QB-friendly, and the Longhorns look like they're loaded again.
4. DJ Lagway, Florida Gators
DJ Lagway could end the season at the top of this list, and it wouldn't be the biggest of surprises. The future came early for Lagway and the Gators last year, after Graham Mertz was knocked out for the season in October. Lagway showed off his big-play ability and was a big part of Florida's late-season resurgence in 2024. If he can stay healthy in 2025, his dual-threat ability could have him among the best QBs in the country.
3. John Mateer, Oklahoma Sooners
John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State, where he had a breakout campaign in 2024. He totaled 44 touchdowns and had almost 4,000 total yards in his first season as a starter. Mateer replaces Jackson Arnold under center for the Sooners, and expectations are high that he can help get the OU offense back on track. He's got a blend of confidence, upside, and proven production that is hard to find these days.
2. Garrett Nussmeier, LSU Tigers
Garrett Nussmeier has played for LSU since 2021, but he finally became a starter last year. His patience paid off with a solid season in 2024 that has led to some Heisman Trophy-level hype coming into 2025. Nussmeier is a talented passer who will have plenty of weapons to work with, but he was ineffective in big games against Texas A&M, Alabama and Florida last year. That can't happen this season, because the Tigers have big goals after adding a bevy of talented transfers around Nussmeier this offseason.
1. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers is one of the biggest game-changers in all of college football. It's his second year as the starter for the Gamecocks, and expectations are high after he ended last year on an absolute tear. He's a dual threat player who can destroy even the best-laid defensive plans, as he did against Texas A&M, Missouri and Clemson in the back half of 2024. He is capable of winning the Heisman this year and he was the SEC Freshman of the Year last season.
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