SEC power rankings before training camp

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The Georgia Bulldogs won their second SEC championship in a row in 2025, and will be a tough one out for the upcoming season.

The Texas Longhorns appear ready to contend for the conference title this season with quarterback Arch Manning back for his second year as a starter. Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Alabama are expected to be in the mix as well after making the College Football Playoff last season.

The SEC saw some significant turnover in the coaching ranks during the offseason with six programs introducing new head coaches: Will Stein (Kentucky), Ryan Silverfield (Arkansas), Pete Golding (Ole Miss), Alex Golesh (Auburn), Jon Sumrall (Florida) and Lane Kiffin (LSU).

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Here’s how the SEC stacks up before training camp starts in July.

SEC Power Rankings

1. Texas

The Texas Longhorns reportedly spent $23 million in the transfer portal this offseason, the most of any college program. Wide receiver Cam Coleman was a huge get for Texas and should be the No. 1 target for Manning this fall.

Texas added running backs Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, which should give the offense a talented backfield. The offensive line was a problem for the Longhorns last season, and the additions of Melvin Siani and Laurence Seymore should give Manning more time to throw.

Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian brought back Will Muschamp to run the defense as the program hopes to chase a title with Manning on the roster.

2. LSU

LSU is sparing no expense with new head coach Lane Kiffin. Per 247 Sports, LSU earned the top class in the transfer portal this offseason.

Quarterback Sam Leavitt led Arizona State to Big 12 championship and an appearance in the CFP in 2024. Offensive tackle Jordan Seaton is set to protect him this fall. Leavitt will have key playmakers in Eugene Wilson III and Jayce Brown to target.

Don’t sleep on the defense. Former Ole Miss edge Princewill Umanmielen recorded nine sacks last season and will be a force for the Tigers this fall. LSU spent vast resources in the trenches for Kiffin, and that should pay dividends in a nine-game SEC schedule.

3. Georgia

Head coach Kirby Smart has gotten the best out of his roster during the last two regular seasons, but the Bulldogs have come up short in the CFP. Georgia is poised to do better in the playoff this season with quarterback Gunner Stockton returning for his second season as the starter.

Running back Nate Frazier is returning after running for 947 yards and six touchdowns last season.

Georgia brought in wide receiver Isiah Canion, tight end Kaiden Prothro and safety Khalil Barnes in the transfer portal. Those additions will be key in keeping the Bulldogs in the SEC chase.

Smart will have to continue to do a tremendous job coaching to keep up with SEC teams willing to spend big bucks for winners.

4. Texas A&M

Marcel Reed led Texas A&M to the CFP last season, though he struggled mightily in a 10-3 loss to Miami. How much he develops this offseason will be key for the Aggies to compete for the SEC championship and return to the CFP.

The Aggies brought in key additions in the transfer portal with cornerback Rickey Gibson III, wide receiver Isaiah Horton, offensive tackle Wiklin Formby and edge Anto Saka.

Texas A&M started hot in 2025 but sputtered at the end of the season. Expect head coach Mike Elko to have this group even better prepared for a CFP run in 2026.

5. Alabama

The Crimson Tide signed Kalen DeBoer to a contract extension this spring. He’ll have to earn that money this season as he attempts to get Alabama back to the CFP with a new quarterback (Keelon Russell or Austin Mack).

Alabama missed out on Cam Coleman and Hollywood Smothers in the transfer portal, but they still added key players like defensive linemen Devan Thompkins and Terrance Green, receiver Noah Rogers and offensive tackle Ty Haywood.

The Crimson Tide might not have enough juice to win the national title, but they should be on the bubble of making the CFP.

6. Ole Miss

After winning two CFP games and making the semifinal, new head coach Pete Golding put together an impressive transfer portal class for 2026. The Rebels are ranked No. 2 for their transfer class and should be in good shape to make a run for the SEC championship.

Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is returning for his second season at Ole Miss. He’ll be joined by newcomers Darrell Gill Jr. (WR) and Carius Curne (OT).

The question for the Rebels won’t be about talent. They have plenty of that. But it will be a challenge for Golding to navigate his first full season as a head coach.

7. Oklahoma

The Sooners made it to the CFP last season, but the offense needed to show more consistency to pair with a strong Brent Venables defense.

Oklahoma brought in receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone in the transfer portal, and that should make quarterback John Mateer’s life easier. The defenses should be good, but it’ll be a task for OU to return to the CFP.

8. Florida

There is a lot of hype surrounding new head coach Jon Sumrall, and for good reason. He led Tulane to the CFP.

The defense is loaded. The Gators have a talented receiver corps with Eric Singleton Jr., Vernell Brown and Dallas Wilson. Running back Jadan Baugh is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2027 draft.

Still, there are questions about whether Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. are ready to lead the offense at quarterback. The Gators are replacing three starting offensive linemen.

9. Tennessee

The Volunteers hit the transfer portal hard looking for defenders. Nose tackle Xavier Gilliam and linebacker Amare Campbell should help balance a defense that finished No. 92 last season.

10. Auburn

New head coach Alex Golesh brought in 39 players in the transfer portal, nine of whom are four-star athletes. A rebuilt defensive line with Cody Sigler and Da’Shawn Womack will be a strong foundation on defense.

11. Missouri

Head coach Eliah Drinkwitz will have Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons under center this fall. It remains to be seen if the Tigers have enough in the trenches to make any headway in the SEC.

12. South Carolina

Head coach Shane Beamer enters 2027 on the hot seat. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers could be an early draft pick in 2027. A rebuilt offensive line will be the key to the Gamecocks season.

13. Vanderbilt

Losing Heisman Trophy runner-up Diego Pavia will be painful for Vandy. Five-star quarterback Jared Curtis is replacing Pavia, but there will be bumps in the road for the young freshman.

14. Mississippi State

Head coach Jeff Lebby won two games with the Bulldogs in 2024. He won five last season. It’ll be a tough ask for Lebby to win more in 2026.

15. Kentucky

There is some excitement in Lexington after Will Stein left his offensive coordinator role with Oregon to become Kentucky’s head coach.

Stein is facing an impossible schedule. The Wildcats will play the toughest SEC schedule: Alabama, Texas A&M, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida and Missouri.

16. Arkansas

New head coach Ryan Silverfield is going to need resources to win. The Razorbacks won’t have much in that department for the upcoming season.

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