The 2026 Quarterback Carousel: Predicting All 68 Power Conference Starters

In the ever-churning world of college football, the quarterback position is the ultimate axis of uncertainty and hope. While the 2026 season kickoff remains nine months away, the chessboard is already taking shape. Transfers, graduations, NFL Draft declarations, and the relentless pursuit of elite high school talent create a volatile mix. Here, we project the starting signal-callers for all 68 Power Four teams (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) for the 2026 campaign, a forecast that blends current roster analysis, recruiting trends, and the inevitable gravitational pull of the transfer portal.

The Methodology: Reading the Tea Leaves in a Portal World

Predicting quarterbacks two seasons out is an exercise in informed speculation. Our analysis hinges on several key pillars. First, we examine the current roster composition—is there a prized freshman or sophomore being groomed as the quarterback of the future? Second, we factor in recruiting class rankings and the pedigree of committed high school juniors. Most critically, we acknowledge the transfer portal’s dominant role. Programs without a clear heir apparent will almost certainly dip into the portal, making some of these projections a forecast of a future acquisition. This is a snapshot of the most likely scenario for each program as of today’s trajectory.

Conference-by-Conference 2026 QB Projections

Let’s dive into the projected starters, conference by conference. Remember, these names represent the player we believe will take the first snap in Week 1 of 2026, a journey that will be fraught with competition and change.

SEC: Where Star Power and the Portal Collide

The Southeastern Conference remains the epicenter of quarterback talent and drama. Look for established stars to hold court, while other blue-blood programs reload with elite talent.

• Alabama: Keelon Russell. The highly-touted 2024 signee will be a seasoned junior and the clear centerpiece of Kalen DeBoer’s offense.
• Georgia: Ryan Montgomery. The Bulldogs’ 2025 commit, a top-tier pro-style talent, will have a year under his belt and be ready to lead.
• Texas: Quinn Ewers (if he uses final year of eligibility) or Arch Manning. This is the nation’s most watched QB room. Manning, a junior in 2026, seems the likely successor if Ewers departs for the NFL.
• Oklahoma: Kevin Sperry. The talented 2024 signee will be a redshirt sophomore, poised to be the next great Sooner passer.
• LSU: A major transfer portal acquisition. With no clear long-term heir after 2025, Brian Kelly will likely land a top veteran transfer.
• Ole Miss: Walker White. Lane Kiffin’s 2024 prize will be the entrenched starter as a junior in his system.

Big Ten: A Blend of Veteran Savvy and New Blood

The expanded Big Ten will feature a fascinating mix of experienced multi-year starters and new faces in major markets.

• Ohio State: Julian Sayin. The crown jewel of the 2024 class will be a true junior and potentially a Heisman frontrunner.
• Oregon: Akili Smith Jr.. The Ducks’ 2025 commit, son of the legend, has the tools to be an instant star in the Big Ten.
• Michigan: Jadyn Davis or a transfer. Davis, a 2024 signee, could be ready, but the post-Sherrone Moore era may seek immediate portal help.
• Penn State: Ethan Grunkemeyer. The Nittany Lions’ 2024 QB is developed in the system and will be the logical successor to Drew Allar.
• USC: Jaden Rashada (Transfer). Predicting Lincoln Riley’s QB is tricky, but a talented transfer like Rashada, who would be a senior, fits the mold perfectly.
• Nebraska: Dylan Raiola. The Cornhuskers’ franchise-changing 2024 commit will be a seasoned leader by his junior year.

ACC & Big 12: The Havens of Experience and Portal Mobility

These conferences may boast the most seasoned quarterbacks in the country, as the transfer portal creates fascinating veteran pairings.

ACC Notables:

• Clemson: Aidan Mizell or Bryce Baker. One of these high-ceiling 2024/2025 recruits will win the job post-Cade Klubnik.
• Florida State: Luke Kromenhoek. The 2024 signee is the designated successor and will have two years to learn before taking over.
• Miami: Judd Anderson (2024) or a blue-chip transfer. Mario Cristobal will have a competition, likely bringing in a challenger.
• SMU: Preston Stone (if eligible). He could use a seventh year; if not, look for a high-profile transfer to keep the Mustangs’ offense flying.

Big 12 Notables:

• Utah: Isaac Wilson. Zach Wilson’s brother, a 2024 signee, will be the unquestioned starter as a junior in Utah’s system.
• Kansas State: Avery Johnson. The dynamic dual-threat will be a senior and the face of the Wildcats’ program.
• Arizona: Demond Williams Jr. or Brendan Zurbrugg. Brent Brennan’s 2024 recruits will battle to be the next in a strong QB lineage.
• Colorado: Drew Dickey (2025 commit). Coach Prime will have his hand-picked QB of the future ready to roll as a sophomore.

The Unavoidable X-Factors: What Could Change Everything

This crystal ball is inherently cloudy. Several forces will radically reshape this list before September 2026. The 2025 NFL Draft will vacuum up more talent than expected, creating sudden voids. The 2025-26 transfer portal cycle will be the single most important event, with dozens of starters changing addresses. Furthermore, injury developments and surprise recruiting flips can alter a program’s trajectory overnight. Programs like LSU, USC, and Florida are projected to take portal QBs precisely because their current trajectories suggest necessity. The only true prediction is that at least a third of these projections will be wrong—such is the nature of modern college football.

Conclusion: The Constant is Change

Projecting the 2026 quarterback landscape is a reminder that in college football, stability at the sport’s most important position is a rare luxury. While we can identify programs with clear succession plans like Ohio State (Sayin), Georgia (Montgomery), and Alabama (Russell), the majority are navigating a high-stakes game of musical chairs. The transfer portal has democratized talent but also accelerated turnover, making long-term planning more difficult than ever. The names highlighted here represent the most logical outcomes based on today’s information—a blend of budding five-star recruits, seasoned system quarterbacks, and yet-to-be-named portal mercenaries. One thing is certain: the road to the 2026 College Football Playoff will be paved by the decisions these 68 men make, both on the field and in their choice of destination.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.