SEC Quarterback Power Rankings: Daniels, Jefferson on top in Preseason

8. Carson Beck (Georgia)

Carson Beck is entering his first season as a starter for the Dawgs. Beck has slowly worked his way up the depth charts across his first three seasons in Athens, and this offseason he beat out Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton to win the starting job for the two-time defending national champs. Last season, Beck was 26-of-35 passing (74.3%), with 310 passing yards and 4 TD’s (0 INT’s) across seven games as the backup. He also ran for 43 yards on 7 attempts.

Georgia opens up the season and their quest for a three-peat on Saturday evening against FCS UT-Martin. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm Eastern in Athens. Georgia will hope that this is a game for Beck to ease into his role as a starter.

7. Joe Milton III (Tennessee)

Here we have another new starter replacing an established starter, although Milton comes with a good bit more experience than Beck. Milton served as the backup for Hendon Hooker a season ago, although he started at the end of the year after Hooker’s torn ACL. For the season, Milton completed 64.6% of his passes (53-of-82) for 971 passing yards, 10 TD’s, and 0 INT’s. He also ran for 77 yards as well. Milton is heading into his sixth season this year, with 296 career passes under his belt.

Tennessee opens up their season on Saturday in one of the bigger SEC games of Week 1. The Vols will play Virginia at Noon Eastern in Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Milton also has one of the biggest arms in the SEC and will be the starter in one of the best offensive systems in the country. Tennessee will hope he can replicate what Hendon Hooker gave them a year ago.