Auburn Football: Pre-Spring SEC Quarterback Power Rankings

Oct 18, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback Connor Mitch (6) scrambles for yardage as Furman Paladins linebacker Cory Magwood (46) pursues in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

The least experienced group of quarterbacks in the SEC belongs to the South Carolina Gamecocks, whose leading returning passer is wide receiver Pharoh Cooper. Graduated senior Dylan Thompson completed 270 of 451 passes for 3,564 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2014, while Cooper was 5-for-8 for 78 yards and two TDs on trick plays and as a Wildcat QB.

You might have expected head coach Steve Spurrier to give one of his backups a little more playing time last season in order to prepare for the future. But, with the Gamecocks struggling all season to win games and become bowl eligible, Spurrier relied on his fifth-year senior instead.

The leading returning quarterback is rising sophomore Connor Mitch, who attempted only six passes, of which he completed two for 19 yards, and saw action in just two games. Mitch, a 6-foot-3, 211-pound signal caller from Raleigh, North Carolina, has the inside track for the position but will compete with Perry Orth and Michael Scarnecchia, as well as true freshman Lorenzo Nunez.

Next: 12. Georgia