Texas A&M’s 2026 season will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 5, against Missouri State in Kyle Field, as coach Mike Elko enters his third year at the helm, accomplishing two key goals during his second season, including reaching the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. Before a record 10 players were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, Elko and his staff landed 17 players from the transfer portal.
Combined with 65% of the 2025 roster returning, Elko’s choice to elevate WR coach Holmon Wiggins as Collin Klein’s replacement at offensive coordinator could result in a bumpy start on offense, but with starting quarterback Marcel Reed returning under center, aided by an elite wide receiver rotation, Wiggins is well equipped during his first season as the play-caller.
On defense, Jay Bateman departed for Kentucky to become the Wildcats’ defensive coordinator, likely due to Elko’s decision to retain his play-calling duties, leading to defensive assistant Lyle Hemphill taking over as the new defensive coordinator, which was a smart choice given his long-term relationship with Elko and successful one-year stint as James Madison’s D-coordinator.
While losing key playmakers to the NFL stings, the offseason additions of former Alabama receiver Isaiah Horton and Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka provide plug-and-play options after WR KC Concepcion and unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell were selected in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft.
In the new era of nine-game SEC schedules, Texas A&M will face Kentucky (home), LSU (road), Arkansas (home), Missouri (road), Alabama (road), South Carolina (road), Tennessee (home), Oklahoma (road), and the Texas Longhorns in Kyle Field to end the regular season.
48 days before Texas A&M’s 2026 season opener, who are the nine SEC quarterbacks the Aggie defense will face this fall? Here are the Aggies Wire projections for every SEC QB Texas A&M will square off against.
Kentucky (Sept. 19)
Projected starter: Kenny Minchey
After transferring from Notre Dame, rookie head coach Will Stein has secured his starting quarterback for the next two to three seasons, as Kenny Minchey’s dual-threat skill set nearly beat out current Fighting Irish star QB CJ Carr before the 2025 season.
LSU (Sept. 26)
Projected starter: Sam Leavitt
This is a no-brainer given Sam Leavitt’s starting background with Arizona State, quickly becoming one of the top signal callers in the Big 12 after leading the Sun Devils to the CFP two seasons ago. Reportedly healthy after last season’s injury issues, Leavitt will not speak at SEC media days next week.
Arkansas (Oct. 3)
Projected starter: KJ Jackson
The time has come for KJ Jackson to take over as the Razorbacks’ starting signal-caller, and while he’ll compete with Memphis transfer AJ Hill, former Memphis coach Ryan Silverand is well acquainted with both quarterbacks, but stated this offseason that it is a “death heat” between Jackson and Hill. Still, Jackson should get the nod.
Missouri (Oct. 10)
Projected starter: Austin Simmons
One of the smartest quarterbacks in the country, current star Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss led Austin Simmons to make the business decision to seek other options, landing with the Missouri Tigers, who are likely a solid starting quarterback away from taking the next step.
Alabama (Oct. 24)
Projected starter: Keelon Russell
Alabama’s quarterback battle between redshirt junior Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell will likely be determined a few weeks before the 2026 season, and after his impressive performance during the Alabama A Game scrimmage, Russell slightly leads the race, but things could change by this time next month.
South Carolina (Nov. 7)
Projected starter: LaNorris Sellers
One of the few guaranteed starters on the Aggies’ schedule, NFL scouts are still waiting for LaNorris Sellers to take the vaunted “next step” towards becoming a worthy first-round NFL Draft selection. Last season, Texas A&M’s epic 31-30 comeback against South Carolina after trailing 30-3 at the half included a forgettable performance from Sellers after the half.
Tennessee (Nov. 14)
Projected starter: George Macintyre
By the time Texas A&M hosts Tennessee on November 14, freshman QB Faizon Brandon could be the starter, but before the Volunteers open the season against Furman, redshirt freshman George Macintyre has a chance to regain momentum during the preseason. While I predict Macintyre as the starter, Faizon is the name to watch early in the year.
Oklahoma (Nov. 21)
Projected starter: John Mateer
Another guaranteed starter, John Mateer’s thumb injury derailed the Sooners’ chances of making a deep run in the College Football Playoff. Now healthy, Oklahoma’s revamped wide receiver room and elite defense provide Mateer the best chance to lead the Sooners back to the CFP.
Texas (Nov. 27)
Prjoected starter: Arch Manning
Despite playing with an injury during his first full starting season, Arch Manning is the real deal, throwing for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions, which nearly matched Marcel Reed’s 2025 numbers. Equipped with one of the best rosters in college football, now including star receiver Cam Coleman, Manning faced plenty of pressure to lead the Longhorns back to the CFP and compete for a national title.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Projecting nine SEC starting quarterbacks Texas A&M will face in 2026
Reporting by Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron Ohnysty, Aggies Wire | USA TODAY Network
