Sun Belt Quarterback Rankings for 2026

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Sun Belt Quarterback Rankings for 2026

Steven Lassan · Athlon Sports

Thu, Aug 13, 2026 ·

7 min read

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Similar to other Group of 6 conferences, the Sun Belt experienced its share of change and turnover at the quarterback position. Marshall's Carlos Del Rio-Wilson tops the rankings for 2026, with Troy's Goose Crowder, Louisiana's Lunch Winfield and Georgia Southern's Max Johnson up next. However, given the turnover at the position — and a few intriguing names like Georgia State's Cameran Brown, Appalachian State's Malachi Singleton and Old Dominion's Quinn Henicle — a wild card (or two) could emerge as a top-tier option.

Ranking the quarterbacks by conference or nationally is no easy task. To help compile the rankings, some projection was involved for 2026. This was not a ranking of quarterbacks based only on accomplishments so far or pro potential. All factors — pure talent, supporting cast, having a clear hold on the No. 1 position, previous production, '26 projection, and scheme changes (just to name a few) — were considered to rank the quarterbacks in the Sun Belt for 2026.

With over 70 new players and a new coach in Blake Anderson, change is the biggest storyline surrounding Southern Miss. The quarterback battle is also wide open, as Hampton, Landry Lyddy and John White are battling to start this fall. White and Lyddy combined for 53 pass attempts with the Golden Eagles, while Hampton arrived in Hattiesburg this offseason after stints at Northern Illinois and Illinois. Experience is Hampton's biggest asset in this battle, as he has 26 career appearances and passed for 2,595 yards and 21 touchdowns in that span.

Owens is part of a four-man competition vying to replace Jaylen Raynor (transferred to Iowa State) this offseason. The Houston native spent the last two seasons at Texas and recorded snaps in only two games. Vanderbilt transfers Jérémy St-Hilaire and Drew Dickey, along with fourth-year signal-caller Ethan Crawford, are also in the mix to start for new coordinator Garrett Altman. Owens ranked as a four-star prospect coming out of high school and brings a ton of untapped upside to the offense. If he wins the starting battle, Owens should move up this list by a few spots.

Improving the passing offense is a must if ULM wants to go bowling in 2026. The Warhawks have ranked last in the Sun Belt in passing yards per game in each of the last two seasons and have struggled with turnovers and a lack of big plays. Armenta has piloted the attack during that span but showed progress as a passer last year, upping his yardage to 1,629 in '25 from 1,292 the year before. Also, his completion rate (58.5% last year) jumped a couple of points. Per Hudl IQ data , Armenta had a -0.27 EPA/Play value last season, showcasing the need to take another step forward in '26.

A torn ACL ended Baker's 2025 season in early November, but he's on track to return to full strength. The Texas native opened as the backup to Trey Kukuk last year before claiming the job early in the '25 campaign. In eight games, Baker threw for 1,251 yards and five touchdowns against three picks and rushed for 260 yards and three scores. Although the overall numbers weren't statistically overwhelming, Baker's underlying metrics were solid by recording 8.1 yards per attempt and a 65.8% completion rate. Additionally, 22.4% of Baker's completions resulted in gains of 15-plus yards (per Hudl IQ data ). Kukuk (609 rushing yards) should maintain his change-of-pace role for the Bulldogs this fall.

Bailey followed coach Ryan Beard from Missouri State to Coastal Carolina this offseason. And thanks to that familiarity with the coaching staff and scheme, Bailey should make a fast transition to his new surroundings. The Kentucky native played in three games last season and guided Missouri State to a 22-20 victory at Middle Tennessee with 278 passing yards and a touchdown toss to go with 61 yards on the ground. The '25 sample size was small but also provided reasons for optimism on a breakout year by Bailey this fall.

Colton Joseph leaves big shoes to fill in Norfolk, but Henicle has flashed potential in limited snaps. The Pennsylvania native ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Arkansas State in 2024 and recorded 107 yards and two scores on the ground in a 24-10 bowl victory against South Florida last season. In 12 career appearances, Henicle has passed for 365 yards and added 487 yards on the ground. It's a small sample size, but the third-year signal-caller has room to grow as a passer with a 47.7% completion rate over 65 attempts. While the passing game could be a work in progress, Henicle should thrive as a runner under coach Ricky Rahne.

Appalachian State coach Dowell Loggains recruited (but never got to coach) Singleton to Arkansas, but now the pairing will finally have a chance to work together in '26. Singleton spent two years with the Razorbacks and received snaps in five games in '24. During that stint, the Georgia native threw for 358 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 74 yards and three scores. Singleton transferred to Purdue last year and saw snaps in 11 games as a reserve. Similar to his stint with the Razorbacks, Singleton's mobility shined (202 yards and a touchdown) with the Boilermakers. The junior has intriguing upside and could have a breakout season thanks to his familiarity with Loggains.

New coach Billy Napier has a two-man competition underway to replace Alonza Barnett III this fall. JC Evans appeared in three games as a reserve last year, rushing for 45 yards and a score over six carries. Coleman did not see any snaps in '25 but was a standout signal-caller at the FCS level in '24. In 11 games at Richmond, Coleman threw for 2,031 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 342 yards and six scores. In addition to the new staff, James Madison has a ton of transition to navigate at running back, receiver and the offensive line. Both Evans and Coleman seem capable of directing this offense. Will a clear winner emerge this fall? Or will Coleman's experience win out over the upside of Evans?

Gio Lopez's post-spring transfer to North Carolina opened the door for Davenport to start for the Jaguars last season. The Texas native was solid in his debut in Mobile, completing 68% of his throws for 2,073 yards and 12 touchdowns. Also, Davenport rushed for 325 yards and nine scores. Cutting down on turnovers (six interceptions and a couple of lost fumbles) is a priority.

Georgia State is just 4-20 over the last two seasons, but entering a critical '26 season, coach Dell McGee might have a breakout star ready to emerge at quarterback. After spending time at West Georgia (2022-23) and Texas Tech (2024), Brown transferred to Georgia State last offseason. After working behind TJ Finley and Christian Veilleux, Brown eventually emerged as the team's top option before a late-season injury limited his availability. Brown connected on 64.9% of his throws for 1,296 yards and 13 touchdowns against just one pick and added 284 yards and four scores on the ground. Per Hudl IQ data , Brown generated 0.38 EPA per rush and boasted an explosiveness rate of 5.2% (pass plays resulting in gains of 30-plus yards).

After stints at LSU , Texas A&M and North Carolina, Johnson is aiming to end his collegiate career on a high note in Statesboro. The Eagles have ranked among the Sun Belt's best passing attacks under coach Clay Helton, so Johnson should get plenty of attempts in this scheme in '26. The Georgia native has appeared in 35 games and passed for 6,355 yards and 49 scores in his career. Johnson is efficient (60.7% completion rate) and has minimized mistakes (13 interceptions over 890 attempts). If Johnson can stay healthy, a receiving corps that ranks as one of the best in the conference will provide plenty of help.

Winfield's development over the second half of 2025 was instrumental to Louisiana's run to a bowl after a 2-6 start. If the Louisiana native picks up where he left off, the Ragin' Cajuns will be a threat to win the Sun Belt's West Division. Over 12 appearances, Winfield threw for 1,555 yards and 11 touchdowns against seven interceptions. However, the real strength of his game was on the ground with 667 rushing yards and nine scores (0.14 EPA/Rush per Hudl IQ data ).

Injuries derailed Crowder in each of the last two seasons. The West Virginia transfer was limited to four games with the Trojans in 2024 and missed six contests last year due to a shoulder injury. In eight appearances in '25, Crowder threw for 1,327 yards and 11 touchdowns and connected on 58.7% of his passes. If Crowder can stay healthy, he has a chance to push for a spot among the top quarterbacks in the conference. New coordinator Adam Austin had a prolific stint as the play-caller at Tarleton State and should boost Crowder's overall play and the production of this offense in '26.

After stints at Florida and Syracuse, Rio-Wilson finally had a chance to thrive as the starter last year at Marshall. The Georgia native was steady through the air, completing 66.8% of his throws, passing for 2,043 yards and 17 touchdowns against only five picks. Rio-Wilson also paced the Thundering Herd offense with 660 yards and six scores on the ground. Per Hudl IQ data , Rio-Wilson boasted a success rate of 50.8%, while 18.6% of his completions resulted in a gain of 15 or more yards.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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