2. KJ Jefferson (Arkansas)
KJ Jefferson has had two very consistent (and almost identical) seasons the last two years as the starter for the Razorbacks. In 2022, Jefferson had a 68% completion percentage, 2,636 passing yards, 24 passing TD’s, 5 INT’s, plus 640 rushing yards and 9 more scores on the ground. He did that while missing two games due to injury. That comes after a 2021 season in which he completed 67.3% of his passes, threw for 2,676 yards, and 21 TD’s to 4 INT’s while running for 664 yards and 6 TD’s.
Arkansas begins the 2023 season against FCS Western Carolina at 1:00 pm Eastern on Saturday afternoon. Jefferson has been one of the SEC’s better QB’s for two years in a row, and figures to be in that discussion again this season. Jefferson was the Second Team preseason All-SEC selection from the SEC media this year.
1. Jayden Daniels (LSU)
It was quite the debut season in the SEC for Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels in 2022 with LSU. Daniels was arguably the top dual-threat QB in the conference a year ago, and now seems ready to be in the running for best overall QB this season. Last year, Daniels had a 68.6% completion percentage, 2,913 passing yards, and an efficient 17:3 TD:INT ratio to go along with 885 rushing yards and another 11 TD’s. Daniels helped lead LSU to a trip to the SEC Championship Game and 10 wins as well.
LSU opens up with arguably the toughest test of any SEC team in Week 1, a top 10 clash with Florida State. LSU and FSU will battle in primetime on Sunday night in Orlando at the Camping World Kickoff. LSU will hope to avenge a heartbreaking loss to the Noles from last season, as they look to prove they are title contenders and potentially that Daniels is a Heisman contender. Daniels was the First Team preseason All-SEC selection from the SEC media this year.