Auburn football: Ranking every SEC West QB room

No. 3: Mississippi State (Will Rogers, Sawyer Robertson, Chance Lovertich)

Truthfully, when discussing the Mississippi State ‘Air Raid’ offense, the conversation begins and ends with Will Rogers — who broke several of current Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott’s Bulldogs single-season records in 2021, including total offense (4,435 yards) and touchdowns (29).

Rogers’ finest outing came during a matinee at Jordan-Hare Stadium last November when he went 44-of-55 on pass attempts, amassing 415 yards with six touchdowns in a shocking 28-3 comeback that would have made Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the rest of the 2016 Patriots proud.

Mike Leach will be letting his third-year gunslinger once again take full control of the offense as he hedges the Bulldogs’ bets to Rogers’ rocket arm. Sawyer Robertson and Chance Lovertich will only see the field if an injury is keeping Rogers off of it.

No. 2: Arkansas (KJ Jefferson, Cade Fortin, Kade Renfro)

Much like the Mississippi State offense lives and dies by Will Rogers, the Arkansas machine only goes as far as KJ Jefferson can take it. In 2021, that was quite far, as the Razorbacks reeled off their most wins as a program in a decade.

It was a slow burn for Jefferson, who finally put it all together last season. Having always had the physical gifts to compete at the SEC level, Jefferson became better at making reads and at varying his offensive attack.

That has turned the Hogs into a trendy SEC title pick in 2022. Whether or not they get that far is debatable–they have to at least end a losing streak to Auburn football that’s been active since the Obama administration–but that they’re in the conversation speaks volumes to Jefferson’s abilities.

No. 1: Alabama (Bryce Young, Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson)

Bryce Young is clearly QB1 in the conference off the strength of an SEC Championship win over eventual CFP champions Georgia and a Heisman Trophy-winning season, but Jalen Milroe could be the next big thing behind him on the depth chart.

Milroe is more imposing than Young and invites contact as a physical runner unafraid of decking a defender or two on his way to the house. He has accuracy issues, but if those can get worked out, he could be a thorn in the side of every SEC West defensive coordinator for years to come.

If he doesn’t, 5-star Ty Simpson is the next man up. Having this level of depth and luxury in the backfield is what makes the crimson Tide so hate-able. QB was supposed to be Nick Saban’s kryptonite, but between Mac Jones becoming a competent starter in the NFL and Young breaking the Tide’s Heisman curse, even that is a nice thing Auburn football fans can’t have.