With spring football approaching in the coming weeks, the Southeastern Conference anticipates a return back to the College Football Playoff national title game. While the conference steadily graduates marquee names on to the National Football League and working world, it seems to reload in the following year with fresh faces that are ready to emerge and become impact stars.
Joshua Dobbs (Tennessee), Chad Kelly (Ole Miss) and Trevor Knight (Texas A&M) all were exceptional quarterbacks within the SEC. The trio found ways to bring their respective programs to new heights, and even with them gone, their successors will carry on the mantle left behind.
Some new personalities were under center last season, and one in particular, came six seconds away from being a national champion. As we look forward to position battles, spring games and fall camp, yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine names five quarterbacks that will be under the most pressure next season.
SEC quarterbacks under most pressure in 2017
5. Kyle Shurmur|Junior|Vanderbilt
Shurmur was a big reason behind Vanderbilt’s mid-season turnaround in 2016.
After starting the year at 2-4 and averaging 19 points a game, he and offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig got on the same page. The Commodores won four of its last six regular season games, including victories over Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee (6-6) to earn a postseason bowl berth.
During those matchups, the sophomore quarterback completed 45 of 82 attempts (55 percent) for 798 passing yards with four touchdowns to one interception. Vanderbilt’s offense would improve to earning 28 points per contest down the stretch, moving it overall number from 19 to 23.
Having both Ralph Webb and Khari Blasingame in the backfield should help Shurmur be effective next fall.
Webb accounts for two 1,000-yard seasons, following his output of 1,283 yards and 13 touchdowns on 250 carries a year ago. C.J. Duncan (494), Trent Sherfield (472) and Caleb Scott (462) make up the trio of 400-plus yard receivers at Shurmur’s disposal. Two of its four SEC home games in the fall will be against Alabama and Georgia. Shurmur and company kicked in the door for a bowl last year, but Commodore fans expect more.
4. Nick Fitzgerald|Junior|Mississippi State
A 5-7 regular season mark shouldn’t constitute a bowl, however, Mississippi State got in.
Nick Fitzgerald was one of the positives on offense, as he turned in headline numbers through 13 games. He threw for 2,243 yards and 21 touchdowns, while being Mississippi State’s leading rusher with 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns on 195 attempts. As Ole Miss faces a self-imposed bowl ban, the Bulldogs can do some damage in the SEC West with the pieces it has returning. Rising junior Aries Williams is set to carry the rush load with Fitzgerald, and the trio of Donald Grey, Malik Dear and Keith Mixon, will serve as a sure-handed targets.
Mississippi State’s lone 10-win season in six years under coach Dan Mullen came in 2014, where it had Dak Prescott calling the shots (10-3). The Bulldogs have a favorable schedule next fall with Louisiana State University, Kentucky, Alabama and Ole Miss all at Davis Wade Stadium.
3. Jalen Hurts|Sophomore|Alabama
Alabama unveiled a true freshman starter at quarterback for the first time in 32 years (1984), and it almost produced a national championship. Hailing from Channelview, Texas, Jalen Hurts accomplished a multitude of individual accolades. He ended the 2016 season as the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, while compiling 2,780 passing yards, 954 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns.
Aside from the numbers, Hurts’ passing mechanics took a downward spiral as the year progressed.
Under new offensive coordinators Brian Daboll and Mike Locksley, much will be expected from the 6-foot-2, 209-pounder through the air. Five-star freshman Tua Tagovailoa and four-star Mac Jones will both be vying with him for the starting job against Florida State.
2. Jacob Eason|Sophomore|Georgia
Depending on how attractive the job is, most fans accept an eight to 10-win campaign.
For Georgia, this is not that type of fan base. It dealt with eight to 10 wins through 14 seasons (2001-15) under head coach Mark Richt; all the more to why it hired Kirby Smart from the Crimson Tide.
Smart brought in a five-star phenom from Washington in quarterback, Jacob Eason.
At 6-foot-5, 235 pounds, Eason has the ability to make every throw possible, but he must continue to manage the game. He had a solid year in 2016, tossing for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
With Joshua Dobbs gone, the Lake Stevens (HS) alumnus becomes the golden boy of the SEC East. Georgia returns a dynamic duo in the backfield – Nick Chubb and Sony Michel – and talent at the receiver position led by sophomore Riley Ridley. The Bulldogs haven’t won a conference championship since 2005, and its faithful have grown restless. Smart was hired to his Alma mater to produce a title and Eason is his main man.
1. Jarrett Stidham|Junior|Auburn
All hope of the plains getting back to an SEC title game and the College Football Playoff rest on his shoulders.
Auburn’s head coach Gus Malzahn seems to have his quarterback in Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham; nevertheless, he can’t fall victim to the hype like Jeremy Johnson. Stidham was rated a five-star quarterback per 247Sports and Rivals, and turned a good freshman season as Seth Russell’s backup at Baylor. He registered 1,265 passing yards with 12 touchdowns to two interceptions on a 68.8 percent completion rating in 2015.
Behind Stidham’s production, head coach Art Briles and the Bears concluded the year at 10-3. A horrific sexual scandal during the summer of 2016 caused the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder to transfer to Auburn University.
Since the “Kick Six” in 2013, the Tigers have lost three straight games to Alabama.
Auburn returns star power at running back – Kerryon Johnson and Kamryn Pettway – however, its biggest need is at wide receiver. Darius Slayton, Kyle Davis and Eli Stove all return as sophomores, but neither of the three were highly involved on offense a year ago. Seeing that he has breakaway speed, Malzahn has switched John Franklin III (6’1″ 186 pounds) to a receiver.
Though it made up for a rough start with an 8-5 finish, the Tigers must seize advantage of its schedule in the fall. Stidham leads this offense against Mississippi State, Georgia and Alabama inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
A blunder in 2017 could very well cost Malzahn his job.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
