Ranking SEC’s Starting Quarterbacks

Year: Sophomore

2011 Stats: 4-5 (80%) 0 TD, 0 INT

Good luck to Kevin Sumlin in his first year as Texas A&M head coach. He certainly doesn't have the record-setting Case Keenum at his disposal as he did at Houston. Nor will he have Ryan Tannehill, the Aggies' QB who became a Top 10 pick in last month's NFL draft.

That leaves him with an inexperienced lot of QBs, including likely starter Showers, who appeared in just three games and attempted five passes as a freshman last fall. Now the inexperienced QB who had a strong spring could be in charge of the pass-happy "Air Raid" offense - gulp ... Welcome to the SEC, coach.

Year: Sophomore

2011 Stats: 84-153 (54.9%) 4 TD, 4 INT

Smith came out of nowhere, literally. He didn't have an offer from an FBS school after sitting out his junior year of high school and emerging onto the recruiting scene late as a senior. As ESPN.com reported, Smith sent his video resume to UK, which eventually gave him a scholarship offer.

Now Smith is set to be the starter for the Wildcats, for whom he appeared in seven games last season and impressed when starter Cameron Newton went down with an injury. Smith himself was injured and didn't play in the season finale against Tennessee but expect him to get a chance to grab the reins this fall - even when Newton is healthy.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 69-129 (53.5%) 8 TD, 4 INT

Russell had a decent season at Mississippi State, where he was the starter for most of October and November. He led the team to three wins and showed flashes of a big-time arm, racking up 1,034 yards and eight TDs after attempting just 129 passes.

It's unclear what Russell will do if given full autonomy at the position in 2012, but Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen hopes that the QB can lead the squad back toward the success it had in 2010, when it won nine games. Time will tell if he's ready.

Year: Sophomore

2011 Stats: 16-34 (47.1%) 0 TD, 2 INT

Driskel might not even be the starter for the Gators, as he no doubt will battle Jacoby Brissett for the job - a competition that could last close to the season opener. But it's time to step up for Driskel, the former top overall QB recruit in the nation who saw action in just five games last year.

With Florida's program in flux post-Urban Meyer, Driskel was once dubbed the "Next Tim Tebow" who needs to start by winning the job under center. Driskel certainly has talent but will we actually see it on the field this fall? We shall see.

Year: Senior

2011 Stats: 108-216 (50%) 9 TD, 10 INT

It's a process at Vanderbilt for James Franklin, who changed the culture in his first year in Nashville. The Commodores no longer are expected to fail. We expect improvement under center from Rodgers - the little brother of NFL rockstar Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers - who appeared in every game for Vandy last year with an up-and-down performance.

It was Rodgers who gave Vandy its most promise when he was the permanent starter, opening up the game a bit with his arm and legs. That sound familiar? His 10 INTs - including three vs. rival Tennessee - were too many for the time that he played. Let's see if he can clean it up as a senior in 2012.

Year: Sophomore

2011 Stats: 336-502 (67%) 53 TD, 14 INT (Junior College)

Wallace is just what the doctor ordered for Ole Miss. A 6-foot-5 QB with lots of talent, he transferred in state after one season at East Mississippi Community College, where he recorded the gaudy numbers you see above while winning all 12 of his games at the school. Not too shabby.

The JuCo talent originally had signed with Arkansas State but followed coach Hugh Freeze to Oxford, where he aims to be part of the tonic that helps cure what ailed Ole Miss during its deplorable two-win season in 2011.

Year: Sophomore

2011 Stats: 5-12 (41.7%) 0 TD, 2 INT

The 6-foot-3, 210 pounder had a strong spring and looks like he will be overtaking Clint Moseley as Auburn's starter in the fall. A former blue chip recruit with great size, Frazier has Auburn fans dreaming he will be another Cam Newton.

That's very premature, but Frazier proved he can run the ball last fall with 327 yards on the ground. Now he needs to show he can throw the ball, too, like his 7-of-9 first half of the team's Spring Game. It's hard to place Frazier any higher than this without seeing him do it during the season but the potential is there for a break-out year.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 8-11 (72.7%) 1 TD, 0 INT

All reports indicate the Mettenberger will be an absolute stud after he gets he feet wet in the SEC. A junior college star who originally signed with Georgia, Mettenberger appeared in just two games as the Tigers advanced to the national title game in 2011 - throwing all 11 of his passes in a rout of Northwestern State in September.

LSU had trouble stretching the defense last year, even with the presence of NFL draft pick WR Reuben Randle. Once Mettenberger rounds into form, Miles shouldn't have to search for answers under center in the biggest games - as he did with Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee last fall.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 123-188 (65.4%) 14 TD, 6 INT

With Stephen Garcia and his antics out of the way, South Carolina can focus on preparing Shaw for the 2012 season. He certainly ended with a flourish last fall - throwing eight TDs in his final three games, including two in a Capital One Bowl victory over Nebraska.

That being said, the 6-foot-1 Shaw isn't your prototypical stand-tall-in-the-pocket passer. He has shown an ability to throw the ball on the run when things break down. That's always a good thing and we look for more positive things in a full season for Shaw in 2012.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 219-328 (66.8%) 16 TD, 5 INT

Well, Year One of McCarron as Alabama's starter went well, right? The Tide captured the national title and McCarron was the offensive MVP of the BCS National Championship Game, where he faced a tough LSU defense. His numbers in that game told the story of the season: 234 yards passing without a TD or an interception.

McCarron managed the game - we mean that in a good way - and allowed 'Bama to lean on its defense and star running back Trent Richardson. But in 2012, we expect the Tide to extend the leash on McCarron, who has proven himself an instant winner and has the tools to do it with bigger numbers.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 238-376 (63.3%) 21 TD, 11 INT

It was a promising sophomore season for Franklin, who added 981 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground to his considerable passing stats. What a dual threat he will be under center for Missouri, which will have to face off against SEC defenses for the first time in 2012.

Franklin appears ready for the challenge. It doesn't hurt that the junior quarterback will have top overall recruit WR Dorial Green-Beckham as a top target. The Tigers' offense certainly will have some playmakers.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 147-247 (59.5%) 17 TD, 6 INT

We're looking for big things out of Bray this fall. The 6-foot-6 QB showed flashes of brilliance in 2011, collecting 14 TDs and just 2 INTs in the first five games of the season before going down with a thumb injury.

He returned with tepid results in the season's final two games, perhaps rusty from the layoff and not completely healed. Bray should be primed for 2012 with WRs Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers, when the furthering of his skill could result in a high selection in 2013 NFL draft. Derek Dooley wouldn't mind the help, either.

Year: Junior

2011 Stats: 238-403 (59.1%) 35 TD, 14 INT

One could argue that Murray was the best quarterback in the SEC last year, when he helped save coach Mark Richt's job as the Bulldogs reeled off 10 straight wins after an 0-2 start. He put up some eye-popping numbers through most of the season as the offense ran through him.

However, it's clear that Murray - known for his light-hearted antics off the field - needs to get serious in big games. The QB hit on just 16-of-40 passes in the SEC title game against LSU, then threw two picks in a three-overtime loss to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl. Something tells us that Murray will take the leap in 2012.

Year: Senior

2011 Stats: 277-438 (63.2%), 24 TD, 6 INT

Wilson made Arkansas fans forget about Ryan Mallett in a hurry by leading the Hogs to an 11-2 season and putting up performances like a 510-yard, three-touchdown outing vs. Texas A&M that has Wilson as a frontrunner for the 2012 Heisman and 2013 NFL Draft’s No. 1 overall pick.

There are obstacles, though. Gone is offensive guru Bobby Petrino as the team’s head coach, offensive coordinator Garrick McGee to head UAB and Wilson’s talented receiver trio of Joe Adams, Greg Childs and Jarius Wright. Wilson has all the tools to be a franchise NFL quarterback and don't expect a step back even with the challenges Wilson will face this fall.