SEC FOOTBALL 2025
For a conference that has produced 13 of the last 19 national champions and four of the last six Heisman winners, the most remarkable thing about the SEC in 2025 is Vanderbilt’s ability to retain 70% of its production from a groundbreaking 2024 season. Clark Lea has his sights set on the upper tier of the SEC as the Commodores look to escape the conference’s basement in 2025.
Below is the Magic Ball Sports 2025 SEC Preview capsule; complete head-to-toe with evaluations for each position group on every team, players to watch and record predictions for the SEC’s 16 squads.
CEILING: 12-0
FLOOR: 7-5
TRAP GAME: ARK
PLAYOFF: LIKELY
STRENGTH: The Longhorns did well replenishing talent lost to the NFL and boast one of the best runningback rooms in the country.
WEAKNESS: The secondary is inexperienced but talented. Replacing both offensive tackles won’t be easy.
OFFENSE
QB: The long-awaited change-of-the-guard on the Forty Acres happened this off season, with former blue-chip recruit Arch Manning assuming starting duties from NFL Draft selection Quinn Ewers.
Manning appeared in 10 games in his redshirt freshman season, completing 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. If Manning is as advertised, the Horns may have the best quarterback in college football in 2025.
WEAPONS: After projected starter CJ Baxter was injured during fall camp last year, sophomore Quintrevion Wisner burst onto the scene in Austin, rumbling for 1,375 scrimmage yards and 6.1 yards per attempt while leading a defiant Texas run game to the national semi-finals. This year, the Horns get Baxter and Wisner back, along with the addition of Jerrick Gibson.
The Longhorn passing game losses most of its production from last season, but are nonetheless uber-talented and among the nation’s top units. Top returnee DeAndre Moore Jr. (456 yards in 2024) will pair with talented sophomore Ryan Wingo and freshman Kaliq Lockett on the outside, with Cal transfer Jack Endries ready to produce at tight end.
OL: Four starters are gone from an offensive line that ranked second in the nation in pass blocking on PFF’s database and was named a Joe Moore Award Semifinalist. DJ Campbell is the lone returner and leader up front, with others, including Trevor Goosby, gaining experience last season when filling in for injured starters.
DEFENSE
DL: Texas is deep — and very talented — along the defensive line, with transfers Maraad Watson and Travis Shaw pairing alongside F-AA Collin Simmons and veteran Trey Moore up front. The Horns are better equipped to get after the passer in 2025 and project to be one of the better units in the country.
LB: Nagurski Award candidate Anthony Hill Jr. anchors the defense, having developed into one of the best players in America across his two years in Austin. He will be joined by reliable tackler Liona Lefau to pilot a salty Longhorn defense.
S: If there’s a weakness on this Texas roster, it’s the secondary. Returners Michael Taafee and Malik Muhammad are stout, but the departures of Jahdae Barron and Andrew Makuba will sting on the backend, especially against the mighty Ohio State receiver room to open up the regular season.
CEILING: 12-0
FLOOR: 6-6
TRAP GAME: WISC
PLAYOFF: LIKELY
STRENGTH: One of the nation’s top offensive lines and a ferocious defense give the team its identity. The weapons around Simpson are spectacular.
WEAKNESS: The quarterback position will be the thing to hold the Tide back from reaching their ceiling. The tight ends are both unproven.
OFFENSE
QB: Redshirt junior Ty Simpson appears to be the heir-apparent to Jalen Milore, according to OC Ryan Grubb. The former five star recruit threw for 167 yards on 14 completions last season, appearing in six games for the Tide.
WEAPONS: The three headed monster of Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton (Miami) projects to be one of the best in the SEC. Depth will be provided by blue-chippers Jaylen Mbakwe and Jalen Hale while the tight ends adjust to the starting role.
The runningback room is headlined by the return of Jam Miller, but depth is a concern with a handful of unproven commodities behind him.
OL: The Crimson Tide posses three potential All-Americans along the line, starting with Sunday player Kadyn Proctor. Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts are also elite at their respective positions. Replacing Tyler Booker will be tough, but the Tide have the depth to do so.
DEFENSE
DL: LT Overton declined the NFL to return to Tuscaloosa and will be joined by breakout candidates Tim Keenan III and James Smith along the front. It is a veteran-laden, talented front that can rival any in the conference.
LB: DC Kane Wommack caught a huge break when both Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson elected to return for their final seasons. Lawson can become the next great Tide linebacker and could command a top-notch unit in 2025.
S: Alabama returns four starters from a unit that ranked sixth in the country in pass coverage according to PFF. Domani Jackson and Keon Sabb are both NFL caliber, while the steady Bray Hubbard takes over full time at free safety.
CEILING: 11-1
FLOOR: 7-5
TRAP GAME: @MISS
PLAYOFF: LIKELY
STRENGTH: Heisman front-runner Nussmeier should flourish in a deep and talented Tiger offense. There are multiple Sunday players on defense.
WEAKNESS: LSU has not shown the ability to complete a season since 2019. The defensive line is relatively new.
OFFENSE
QB: Heisman front-runner Garret Nussmeier is fresh off a 4,000-yard, 29-touchdown season and is back for a second year at the helm. Cutting down on interceptions (12) will be paramount for the Tiger offense, which is possible with the addition of so many weapons.
WEAPONS: There is an abundance of riches for Nussmeier to throw to, including star returnees Aaron Anderson in the slot and Chris Hilton Jr. out wide. Lightning-quick Barion Brown and Nic Anderson arrive from SEC programs. Zavion Thomas is a good depth piece.
Freshman sensation Caden Durham took the lead role midway through last season and rushed for 753 yards and six touchdowns in 12 appearances. He is back for 2025, along with transfer-in Harlem Berry to form a gritty runningback room.
OL: There is concern along the offensive front with the loss of four starters, including first round pick Will Campbell. DJ Chester will have to lead an inexperienced group into a week one showdown with one of the nation’s top defensive lines in Clemson.
DEFENSE
DL: The edges were fortified with the additions of Jack Pyburn (UF) and Patrick Payton (FSU). The interior is relatively new but has the potential to develop rapidly, but the unit will play second fiddle to the nation’s top linebacking group.
LB: The combination of Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr. is arguably the nation’s best. Weeks is a top tackler in America and Perkins has high draft pick written all over him. Depth could be an issue if injuries return in 2025.
S: The backend of the Tiger defense will need to mesh quickly – being made mostly of transfers. Cornerback Ashton Stamps has CB1 potential and will be helped by the additions of safeties AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley over the top.
CEILING: 10-2
FLOOR: 8-4
TRAP GAME: @AUB
PLAYOFF: PROBABLE
STRENGTH: The “eat off the floor” mentality runs through each player’s blood. Talent on defense and a restock of weapons gives the ‘Dawgs plenty of hype.
WEAKNESS: The defense is talented but inexperienced. Stockton takes the reigns and will look to run UGA through the SEC’s toughest schedule.
OFFENSE
QB: Gunner Stockton will take over as the full-time starter after limited action saw the redshirt junior throw for 440 yards and one score over five appearances in 2024, including an SEC Championship game victory. Stockton has the tools to elevate the Bulldog offense.
WEAPONS: Kirby Smart did an excellent job surrounding Stockon with weapons via the portal. Zachariah Branch and Noah Thomas will be inserted with a litany of key returners, including tight ends Lawson Luckie and Oscar Delp, as well as wideouts Colbie Young, Dillon Bell and London Humphreys.
The stable of Bulldog backs may have its next great in Nate Frazier, but the room goes five deep in Athens. Josh McCray (Illinois), Roderick Robinson II, Cash Jones and Chauncey Bowens elevate the floor of the Bulldog offense significantly.
OL: This group is new, anchored by lone-returner Earnest Greene III at tackle. Most projected starters have game experience and have even started at points, however, including Drew Bobo and Monroe Freeling. The line could present some early issues for the Bulldogs.
DEFENSE
DL: Depth could be a concern, especially with the number of underclassmen on the roster, but Georgia’s new-look defensive front will be headlined by breakout candidate Christen Miller and 320-pounder Jordan Hall in the middle. Edge rusher could take a step back with the departure of two first round draft selections.
LB: CJ Allen and Raylen Harris make up the strength of the Georgia defense, with Allen projected high in the 2026 NFL Draft. The players behind them are unproven but UGA always develops linebackers at a frightening rate.
S: Led by standout returner Daylen Everette, the Dawgs will welcome highly coveted recruit KJ Bolden into the starting lineup alongside JaCory Thomas on the back end. Daniel Harris has breakout potential on the boundary.
CEILING: 10-2
FLOOR: 6-6
TRAP GAME: MISS
PLAYOFF: POSSIBILITY
STRENGTH: Mateer will have familiarity with Arbuckle’s scheme, and the defensive front goes four deep with potential All-Americans.
WEAKNESS: Will anyone emerge as a true No. 1 receiver? The Sooners have the depth but have yet to show a game-breaking weapon on the boundary.
OFFENSE
QB: John Mateer followed OC Ben Arbuckle to Norman after an eye-opening 3,139-yard, 29-touchdown season in Pullman. Mateer figures to be one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the SEC in 2025 behind an improved supporting cast and a second year in the Arbuckle system.
WEAPONS: Despite the transfer of Gavin Sawchuck, the running back room is deep and talented following the addition of Jaydn Ott via the portal. Taylor Tatum and Jovantae Barnes will provide depth and explosiveness for OU.
The receivers are more of an unproven commodity, with top target Deion Burks returning from injury and other projected starters not fielding a ton of game experience. The development of that room will be vital for Oklahoma’s success in 2025.
OL: The Sooners project to improve from a dreadful finish in 2024, which saw 50 sacks allowed and a PFF pass blocking grade of 62.9. The unit returns three starters, including blindside protector Jacob Sexton.
DEFENSE
DL: The Sooners own one of the top rated defensive lines in the country, anchored by the star-studded quintet of David Stone, Damonic Williams, R Mason Thomas, Jayden Jackson and Gracen Halton. Generating pressure will not be a challenge for OU, nor will be defending the run.
LB: There is a ton of starting experience in this room, which projects to be elite again despite the loss of Danny Stutsman. Kendal Daniels appears to be the top guy, joined by Kip Lewis at will-backer.
S: There is a lot gone from last year’s secondary, including stud safety Billy Bowman Jr. The unit may be the Achilles’ heal of an otherwise stout defense unless leader Robert Spears-Jennings can help the new guys assimilate to the starting role quickly.
CEILING: 9-3
FLOOR: 6-6
TRAP GAME: @MIZ
PLAYOFF: POSSIBILITY
STRENGTH: Arguably the best runningback room in college football paired with Reed in the backfield is terrifying to think about.
WEAKNESS: There are questions along the defensive front with the loss of three NFL Draft selections.
OFFENSE
QB: Marcel Reed will step into full-time starting duties after a jolting true freshman season saw a comeback victory over LSU and a 41-point effort against Auburn. Reed is one of the best rushers at the position in the conference but will need to take a step up as a passer in 2025 to elevate the Aggie offense.
WEAPONS: Mike Elko and staff plucked two uber-consistent receivers out of the portal to pair alongside slot threat Terry Bussey. KC Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (MSU) look to stabilize the receiver room after an up-and-down 2024.
The Aggie runningbacks are the strength of the team. Returning starter Le’Veon Moss will pair with Amari Daniels and Rueben Owens to form one of the very best units in the country out of the backfield.
OL: It’ll be a maroon and white barricade up front for the Aggies, with 156 career starts and four returning starters in 2025. The left side of the line, anchored by team leader Trey Zuhn III, will be tough to break. This unit is a Joe Moore contender and among the best in America.
DEFENSE
DL: The lone question mark on this team pops up along the defensive front. The loss of three draft choices hurts, but there is talent (Cashius Howell, TJ Searcy Jr., Albert Regis) to compete in the SEC. How fast they acclimate will be the answer for the Aggies, whose run defense was elite in 2024.
LB: The returning duo of Scooby Williams and Taurean York rivals LSU’s room atop the SEC. The Aggies return a combined 125 tackles and 18 TFL’s from those two alone, with the room chock-full of team leaders and NFL talent.
S: Elko returned Will Lee and Tyreek Chappell, and No. 2 tackler Dalton Brooks – all NFL caliber. He then scooped up Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey to complete the unit, which should be rock-solid behind the elite linebacker play.
CEILING: 10-2
FLOOR: 5-7
TRAP GAME: @UK
PLAYOFF: POSSIBILITY
STRENGTH: The roster is star-studded and the most complete it has been under Napier — multiple first round defensive linemen headline.
WEAKNESS: Minor questions on the backend and a tough schedule could take a toll on the Gators. Team health is a concern.
OFFENSE
QB: The success of the entire Florida program is contingent upon DJ Lagway’s health. Lagway, at times, looked brilliant in 2024 before being hampered by injuries and forced to miss time in the middle of the SEC slate. His ability is undeniable. His health? Vital.
WEAPONS: The Gators restocked at wide receiver, welcoming Eugene Wilson back from injury and adding J. Michael Strudivant from UCLA and Dallas Wilson from the high school level.
The one-two punch of Jaden Baugh and Ja’Kobi Jackson will be a handful for defenses. Baugh rushed for 673 as a true freshman and will assume the lion’s share of touches when in the game.
OL: The offensive line projects to be elite, in part because of All-American Jake Slaughter’s return in the middle. All-SEC tackle Austin Barber is also back, along with two other starters.
DEFENSE
DL: The inarguable heartbeat of the team, Florida’s defensive front is brimming with NFL talent, including Tyreak Sapp off the edge and Caleb Banks in the middle. Depth could be a concern, especially when accounting for injuries, but the unit is nonetheless extremely dangerous.
LB: Three stout linebackers make up the core of the defense, led by Grayson Howard and Myles Graham. Excellent depth is provided by Aaron Chiles. This unit will be reliable and could develop into one of the best in the SEC.
S: There are health concerns will all returners, but the talent is there to become one of the top units in the SEC. Jordan Castell has NFL-level talent. The unit returns both safeties, which will help the corners in pass coverage as they develop into full-time starters.
CEILING: 9-3
FLOOR: 6-6
TRAP GAME: @ARK
PLAYOFF: NO
STRENGTH: The Tigers did spectacular in the transfer portal on the offensive side and retained a decent chunk of a gritty defense from 2024.
WEAKNESS: A very inexperienced quarterback and a retooled offensive line may not make for a good combination in the SEC.
OFFENSE
QB: Drinkwitz will turn to Penn State transfer Beau Pribula to fill in for program-great Brady Cook in 2025. Pribula threw for 424 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception across two seasons in Happy Valley. If Pribula lives up to his recruiting rank, the Tigers will have a seamless transition.
WEAPONS: Perhaps cognizant of his strength on the interior offensive line, Drinkwitz poached top-rusher Ahmad Hardy (1,351, 13 TD) from ULM to become the bell cow back in Columbia. There is not a ton behind him, so his health is paramount.
The Tigers also welcomed in Miss. State transfer Kevin Coleman, who will be Pribula’s No. 1 option out wide. Tight end Brett Norfleet emerged as a reliable target at the end of last season. The Tigers will need a reliable third option to step up.
OL: The loss of both starting tackles raises concern about the pass protection. Outstanding guard Cayden Green is back for his junior season, and veteran center Connor Tollison returns to man the middle. The tackles have a combined 31 starts across five seasons.
DEFENSE
DL: Mizzou added two Georgia transfers to fortify the defensive front after the departure of two invaluable starters. If Damon Wilson and Darris Smith live up to their billing, the Tigers should be fine up front, especially against the run.
LB: The linebacking corps projects to be the most talented group on the team. Led by Triston Newson and Daylan Carnell, Missouri’s second-level defense will stout, especially with the addition of standout WVU linebacker Josiah Trotter.
S: Three starters return for DC Corey Batoon, including breakout candidate Toriano Pride Jr. All-MWC safety Jalen Catalon will be ushered in over the top and will act as a ball-hawk ove the middle.
CEILING: 9-3
FLOOR: 7-5
TRAP GAME: ARK
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: The Vols effectively traded Nico Iamaleava to UCLA in exchange for App. State transfer Joey Aguilar in April, resetting the offensive plans to welcome in the gunslinging veteran. Aguilar is a capable thrower and creative runner, and was a team leader with the Mountaineers. He will need to cut down on interceptions (12) in order to keep the Vols in contention in a bottlenecked SEC.
WEAPONS: The bulk of last season’s gaudy group is gone, with linchpin Dylan Sampson departing for the NFL and Squirrel White jumping ship to Florida State. The receiver corps will be made up of unproven but talented underclassmen, including Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Chris Brazzell II. Tight end Miles Kitselman is back and adds a security blanket for Aguilar.
DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis will lead a running back-by-committee room that also features Duke transfer Star Thomas, looking to succeed program-great Sampson and his 1,634 scrimmage yards from last year.
OL: Junior tackle Lance Heard is the lone returner from last season’s line, but Heupel won the recruiting battle for No. 11 overall prospect David Sanders Jr. to start opposite of Heard. The Vols will be patched together by transfers on the interior, including Sam Pendleton from Notre Dame and Wendell Moe Jr. from Arizona.
DEFENSE
DL: Despite the loss of two high NFL Draft choices, the Volunteer defensive line projects to be one of the stingiest in the SEC in 2025. Back are starters Bryson Eason and Dominic Bailey, with Jaxson Moi and Joshua Joesphs garnering heavy off season hype as they step into starting roles. This group could rank among the top in the conference.
LB: Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander both return to man the heart of the Volunteer defense, which returns seven starters overall and 69% of its production from 2024. The two combined for over 100 tackles and 11 TFLs last season.
S: This group projects to be elite, led by the boundary buzzsaw duo of Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy. Returning safeties Boo Carter and Andre Turrentine add even more playmaking to one of the conference’s top secondaries. McCoy could be a top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
STRENGTH: The defense will be stout as usual, especially up front. The runningback and receiver rooms should be reloaded despite mass departure.
WEAKNESS: The Iamaleava drama set the offense back momentarily, and top defensive back McCoy will likely miss the start of the season with an ACL tear.
CEILING: 9-3
FLOOR: 6-6
TRAP GAME: @MIZ
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: LaNorris Sellers is back after accounting for 25 touchdowns and 6.9 yards per play in 2024. Sellers could very well be a Heisman candidate and is an outstanding playmaker, but the experience behind him is non-existent – zero combined snaps at the FBS level.
WEAPONS: Uber-athlete Nyck Harbor is back to anchor the receiver corps and is a breakout candidate in year three under OC Mike Shula. The room behind him is made up of five freshmen, two sophomores and senior Jared Brown. Depth will be a question mark.
Utah State standout Rahsul Faison comes over from Logan, pocketing 1,996 scrimmage yards across two seasons, to lead a stable of backs looking to replace Rahiem Sanders. Oscar Adaway III brings experience to the room in year six.
OL: The group up front is well rounded, with bookend tackles back from last season and most possessing some experience in the FBS ranks. The interior will made up of three new starters, however, and will need to gel quickly considering the Cocks’ tough opening month.
DEFENSE
DL: After possessing arguably the top defensive front in the country last season, the Gamecocks were stripped of all but one major contributor: Dylan Stewart. While Stewart is a proven commodity off the edge, the Cocks will need another threat to emerge to model last season’s historical showing.
LB: Both starting linebackers are gone from last season, which indicates that this unit will be down a few pegs this year. Shawn Murphy could evolve into a defensive leader as a junior, which would help DC Clayton White in his search to replace seven starters.
S: Team-leader and stalwart safety Nick Emmanwori is gone to the NFL, but the Cocks return the bulk of a stout secondary from 2024, including potential NFL Draft choice Jalen Kilgore and versatile safety DQ Smith. This unit will not regress as much as most think.
STRENGTH: The roster is laden with some of the nation’s most entertaining players in LaNorris Sellers and Dylan Stewart. Gamecocks did well in the portal.
WEAKNESS: The defensive line will be substantially weaker despite Stewart’s return. The ‘Cocks will need a new leader on the back end.
CEILING: 9-3
FLOOR: 5-7
TRAP GAME: TUL
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Austin Simmons steps into the starting role in hopes of filling Jaxson Dart’s 10,000-yard, 72-touchdown shoes in Oxford. Replacing a first round draft choice is never seamless, but Simmons has the physical tools to replicate Dart’s fantastic numbers with the Rebels.
WEAPONS: Ole Miss replenished its receiving talent through the transfer portal, poaching Harrison Wallace III and De’Zhaun Stribling to pair with top returner Cayden Lee to form a solid trio of wideouts for Simmons to utilize.
The runningback room will once again be a committee effort, with Logan Diggs and Damien Taylor projected to split carries at the top of the depth chart.
OL: The Rebels lost four starters along the offensive line, with only Diego Pounds returning at tackle. It’ll be a slew of transfers that make up the rest of the configuration, with some arriving mid-way through spring practice. This unit could be down a few notches.
DEFENSE
DL: DC Pete Golding will have to work around losing nine starters, including each starter along a terrific defensive front that produced four draft choices. Princewill Umanmielen transfers in and projects to be the top threat, but this unit will not produce nearly the same numbers as 2024.
LB: The linebacking corps is the only unit on the team that returns more than one starter. Suntarine Perkins and TJ Dottery both came back for 2025 after combining for over 130 tackles in 2024, with Perkins projected to be among the top off-ball backers in the 2026 NFL Draft class.
S: The secondary not only lost all four starters – including leader Trey Amos – but will be hindered by a regressing pass rush and depleted front seven. The unit is made up entirely of transfers and will have its lumps in the early going.
STRENGTH: Perkins projects as one of the nation’s top off-ball linebackers, and the offense has the talent to compete in the SEC under Kiffin.
WEAKNESS: The entire defense is redone — top to bottom. The weapons around Simmons are new and unproven in the system.
CEILING: 8-4
FLOOR: 5-7
TRAP GAME: @VAN
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Polarizing Jackson Arnold will take over for Payton Thorne after transferring in from Oklahoma. Arnold was benched periodically in Norman for his inconsistencies but has the recruiting pedigree and weapons to warrant high expectations.
WEAPONS: The Tiger offense is laden with high-powered weapons, including outstanding sophomore Cam Coleman and highly touted transfers Eric Singleton Jr. and Horatio Fields. Perry Thompson provides excellent depth.
Senior runningback Damari Alston will get the lion’s share carries and is bound for a breakout year, with junior Jeremiah Cobb and transfer Durrell Robinson making up the back end of a dynamic runningback room.
OL: All five starters and 140 career starts return for the Tigers, including standout center Connor Lew and a plethora of upperclassmen with multiple years of starting under their belts. This could be one of the most reliable units in the SEC.
DEFENSE
DL: Keldric Faulk returns and is one of the top edge rushers in the country. Malik Blocton was reliable as a true freshman and could break out in 2025. Auburn’s pass rush is upgraded with more experience and returning talent.
LB: Keyron Crawford returns and is the big cat of the group. Demarcus Riddick and Robert Woodyard Jr. are reliable starters opposite of Crawford. If the room takes a step up from 2024, the Tigers could put together one of the top units in the SEC in 2025.
S: The secondary returns all four starters, including shutdown corner Kayin Lee, in year two under DC DJ Durkin. The Tigers are predicted to take a huge step up on the backend with returning experience and an improved pass rush.
STRENGTH: One of the very best receiver rooms in the country is anchored by a sturdy offensive line. Auburn could have a very reliable pass rush in 2025.
WEAKNESS: Question marks at quarterback and linebacker open up holes at some of the most crucial parts of the roster.
CEILING: 8-4
FLOOR: 4-8
TRAP GAME: UK
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Diego Pavia returns and will lead the Commodores for a second consecutive season, this time with more familiarity with both the scheme and the conference. Pavia threw for nearly 2,300 yards and accounted for 28 touchdowns with just four turnovers in 2024 and figures to be one of the more savvy quarterbacks in the SEC.
WEAPONS: There is production returning in the backfield, with runningback Sedrick Alexander bound for a big 2025 in the option-centric scheme and 1,328 scrimmage yards under his belt.
The receivers are more unknown, with the No. 1 option projecting to be Eli Stowers at tight end (who may be the best in the country at his position). There isn’t a whole lot of experience at the receiver position with just three career starts in the room.
OL: This unit was detrimental to the team’s success on the backend of 2024, letting rushers get free to knock down Pavia frequently enough where the quarterback had to miss time. Fixing this unit was a focus for Clark Lea, and he brought in four full-time starters via the portal to address the issue, including potential draft choice Jordan White.
DEFENSE
DL: The defensive front projects to be better in 2025, with the return of three starters (including Khordae Sydnor) and the addition of many high-level transfers via fellow SEC schools. If the line progresses as its expected to, the Commodores could have another salty defensive outfit in 2025.
LB: Vanderbilt returns four of the top five tacklers from last season, with three of them being in the linebacking room. Langston Patterson and Bryan Longwell are both reliable on the inside, with depth being provided by Nicholas Rinaldi off the bench.
S: Standout safety Randon Fontenette comes over from TCU and could be the leader of the defense in his box safety role. The cornerbacks are unproven but safety CJ Heard can cause problems on the backend.
STRENGTH: Returning production. The Commodores are number one on Phil Steele’s experience chart heading into 2025.
WEAKNESS: Overall roster talent still doesn’t present itself, especially on the offensive line for a team that struggled in protection last season.
CEILING: 6-6
FLOOR: 2-10
TRAP GAME: MISS. ST.
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Taylen Green’s return gives the Razorbacks a solid foundation to build off in year two of the Bobby Petrino offense. Green is a talented playmaker that will keep the Hogs in games with his legs, which he used to collect 602 yards and eight scores last year.
WEAPONS: The top eight options are all gone, including SEC-standout Andrew Armstrong on the boundary, now-Ole Miss tight end Luke Hasz and NFL-bound Isaac TeSlaa. The Hogs will look to replace them with Charlotte transfer O’Mega Blake and Fresno State transfer Raylen Sharpe.
The running game will be buoyed by returner Braylen Russell and NMSU transfer Mike Washington Jr. – a solid one-two punch that Hogs fans should be excited about.
OL: The tackles will be brand new, which raises suspicion about the line’s ability to fix its pass protection woes. The interior is solid, with both guards being the tackles from last season’s team, and Sam Pittman is an offensive line guru.
DEFENSE
DL: Stalwort pass rusher Landon Jackson departs for the NFL, leaving tackle Cameron Ball as the lone returning starter. Ball has good upside and should be a force on the interior, but the edges are unproven and new. This unit could take a step back in 2025.
LB: The most returning production on defense comes from this room, which returns leaders Stephen Dix and Xavian Sorey. Sorey, a Georgia transfer, had 99 tackles last year while Dix tallied 49 in his first year in Fayetteville.
S: The Hogs lose their top six, but a solid amount of production and some potential from the portal offers some upside to a rebuilding unit. Larry Worth III is the unit’s leader and most versatile player.
STRENGTH: Taylen Green, Bobby Petrino and a duo of grizzly linebackers builds the roster on a stable bedrock. The interior of the o-line could be stout.
WEAKNESS: The Hogs lose their top eight (!) receivers and five defensive backs from last season, and are hoping new offensive tackles gel quickly.
CEILING: 5-7
FLOOR: 2-10
TRAP GAME: NONE
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Seasoned quarterback Zach Calzada returns to the SEC after spending two years at FCS Incarnate Word. Calzada will enter his seventh college football season as one of the most experienced players in the country and will be the team leader in Lexington.
WEAPONS: This unit was gutted by the transfer portal, with most leading contributors dashing for more appetizing NIL packages and more playing time. Alabama transfer Kendrick Law and returnee Ja’Mori Maclin look to become the primary options for Calzada.
The runningback room will focus on the trio of Dante Dowell, Seth McGowan and Jason Patterson, with Dowell projected the most volume out of the backfield. It’s a solid all-around unit which could be the backbone of the Wildcat offense.
OL: UK loses four starters from last season but the unit has 170 career starts and figures to be a bit more reliable than last season’s let down. Kentucky’s offense will make or break over the play of the guys up front.
DEFENSE
DL: Deone Walker’s departure left a pass-rushing hole to fix, and the Wildcats didn’t address it effectively enough in the portal to match last season’s production. Every starter is gone and the unit is overall much less experienced.
LB: Another case of talented being stripped away via the portal, Kentucky lost all but one starter, Alex Afari Jr., from last season. The Wildcats lost six of its front seven and will be in full-fledged rebuild mode entering 2025.
S: Despite the loss of first round draft selection Maxwell Harriston, the Wildcats’ defensive strength will be the secondary, with three returning starters and an anchor in Jordan Lovett. Whether or not the unit will perform at its ceiling could depend on the strength of an unproven pass rush up front.
STRENGTH: Quarterback play should improve despite the makeover at wide receiver — which is talented but somewhat inexperienced.
WEAKNESS: The notoriously tough Wildcat defense could take a sharp step back this season, especially up front. Offensive line is completely redone.
CEILING: 6-6
FLOOR: 2-10
TRAP GAME: @SO.MISS
PLAYOFF: NO
OFFENSE
QB: Blake Shapen, who started the first half of last season before exiting with an injury, is back to pilot the Bulldog offense. Shapen was effective before his season ended and could offer upside at the position if healthy, especially as a runner and in the red zone.
WEAPONS: The strongest unit of this team resides in the backfield. Returner Davon Booth projects to be the starting runningback, but South Alabama transfer Fluff Bothwell will demand carries with undeniable talent.
Oklahoma transfer Brenan Thompson is in line to be the Bulldogs’ No. 1 wideout, with eight transfers making up a completely redone room. Jordan Mosely could offer some explosiveness but the unit is relatively unproven.
OL: The Bulldogs sported the SEC’s worst offensive line in 2024 and went to work in the portal to address that, adding five transfers to bring experience to the unit. The career starts climb to 91 and this unit could be somewhat improved in 2025.
DEFENSE
DL: This is an upperclassmen-laden front with a lot of experience. Although the unit is on the smaller side (two projected starters in the 290-pound range) the Bulldogs can only be better after last season’s disastrous showing at the line of scrimmage.
LB: Adding Tennessee’s Jalen Smith did a lot to fortify the backend for the Bulldogs, who welcome back No. 3 tackler Nic Mitchell in the middle as well. This should be a reliable unit for Jeff Lebby.
S: The return of Isaac Smith – the SEC’s leading tackler – was huge for Hail State, with now three returning starters and a litany of playmakers that can screw down to the box. Look for an improvement from this unit overall.
STRENGTH: A deep stable of runningbacks and the return of the SEC’s leading tackler should help. Shapen is also healthy at quarterback.
WEAKNESS: The offensive line is a glaring issue. Coupling that with one of the worst defenses in the FBS last season is not a good combination.