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SEC Sports
Matt Corral is the best quarterback in the SEC going into the 2021 season, according to a poll of sports journalists who cover the league.
The Ole Miss football starter garnered 10 of a possible 17 firstplace votes to head a list of the top 10 SEC quarterbacks as determined by those who cover the conference for the USA TODAY Sports Network.
A total of 14 quarterbacks from 13 schools received votes in the poll: Kentucky was the only school without a quarterback to get at least one vote. Ten points were awarded for a first-place vote down to one point for a 10thplace vote. Four quarterbacks received at least one first-place vote.
The USA TODAY Sports Network is counting down to SEC Media Days, scheduled for July 19-22 in Hoover, Alabama, by revealing its top players at each position grouping.
Here is a look at the top 10 quarterbacks:
1. Matt Corral
Ole Miss, junior (158 total points, 10 first-place votes)
Corral led the nation in total offense last year with a 384.3-yard average. He threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns and ran for 506 yards and four touchdowns, passing for at least 300 yards in seven out of 10 games.
Nick Suss
2. JT Daniels
Georgia, junior (148 points, 5 firstplace votes)
Daniels quickly settled an unstable quarterback situation last season and went 4-0 as a starter. He gave the Bulldogs an explosive vertical passing game, throwing for 10 touchdowns and an average of 307.8 yards.
Marc Weiszer
3. Bryce Young
Alabama, sophomore (126 points, 1 first-place vote)
Young will present problems for defenses despite minimal playing time so far. The former five-star recruit will likely make some of his biggest plays on the move as he replaces Mac Jones.
Nick Kelly
4. Connor Bazelak
Missouri, sophomore (109 points)
Bazelak is the returning co-SEC freshman of the year after showing a pocket presence beyond his years. He had seven touchdowns and six interceptions last year but completed 67% of his attempts with 2,366 passing yards.
Eric Blum
5. Bo Nix
Auburn, junior (103 points, 1 firstplace vote)
Nix hasn't quite lived up to his fivestar billing, but he's a third-year starter who ranked fourth in the SEC with 2,415 passing yards last season. And Nos. 1 and 2 on that list (Mac Jones and Kyle Trask) are now in the NFL.
Josh Vitale
6. Emory Jones
Florida, junior (77 points)
Jones is a dual-threat quarterback who averaged 6.8 yards per carry last season. He becomes a starter this fall after being groomed by Dan Mullen for three years.
Zach Abolverdi
7. Will Rogers
Mississippi State, sophomore (50 points)
Rogers started six games as a true freshman. He completed 69.1% of his passes for 1,976 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Tyler Horka
8. (tie) KJ Jefferson
Arkansas, sophomore (42 points)
Jefferson looked like a stud in his lone start of 2020, completing 18 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He now holds the keys to Arkansas' offense.
Will Backus
8. (tie) Ken Seals
Vanderbilt, sophomore (42 points)
Seals passed for 1,928 yards, breaking Vanderbiltās freshman record previously held by career passing leader Kyle Shurmur. Heās an accurate passer (64.6%) with some solid receivers returning, so he should produce.
Adam Sparks
10. Myles Brennan
LSU, senior (34 points)
Brennan was the heir apparent to Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow before his season-ending injury. He threw for 1,112 yards and 11 touchdowns in just three games.
Zach Abolverdi
Come on 50+, donāt do that to Ms. 50+
