SEC Football: Ranking the Top 10 quarterbacks entering 2023 season
By Matt Melton
8. Carson Beck – Georgia Bulldogs
2022 Stats: 74.3 CMP%, 310 yards, 4:0 TD:INT, 7 carries, 43 yards across 7 games
With previous starter Stetson Bennett having moved on the professional level, there will be a new starting quarterback for the back-to-back defending national champions this upcoming fall, with Beck arguably the favorite to do that. A former four-star prospect from the 2020 class, Beck has seen action each of the last two seasons in a backup role, holding combined marks of a 62.1 CMP% with 486 passing yards and a 6:2 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 58 yards on 12 attempts.
During the Bulldogs national title winning 2022 season, Beck would complete 74.3% of passes for 310 yards with a 4:0 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 43 yards on seven attempts in a backup role. Looking ahead however, Beck, assuming he wins the Bulldogs starting job, will have a strong supporting cast around him, and should be in a position for a breakout 2023 campaign in Athens.
7. Joe Milton III – Tennessee Volunteers
2022 Stats: 64.6 CMP%, 971 yards, 10:0 TD:INT, 18 carries, 77 yards across 9 games
Coming in at No. 7 is likely the biggest-named new starter in SEC football this season in Milton, who is expected to takeover as the Volunteers starting quarterback after backing up Hendon Hooker the last two years. Milton is certainly no stranger to college football however, as he is entering year No. 6 at the collegiate level owning career marks of a 57.8 CMP% with 2,540 passing yards and a 17:6 TD:INT ratio across both Michigan and Tennessee, while also having rushed for 362 yards and five touchdowns on 96 attempts.
As for last season, Milton enjoyed a breakout campaign in limited action with the Volunteers, while also taking over as Tennessee’s starter at the end of the year, completing 64.6% of passes for 971 yards and a 10:0 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 77 yards on 18 attempts. While the Vols also have five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava on the roster, Milton should be the starter for Tennessee in 2023, and is likely set for a career year at the helm of Josh Heupel’s high-powered offense.