Previously six years, 4 of the School Soccer Playoff nationwide champions have been SEC groups. Will 2025 be the season that yet one more SEC group claims the title?
Texas, Georgia and Alabama all enter the season with new beginning quarterbacks. Texas’ Arch Manning is underneath some very vivid lights as we wait to see whether or not he lives as much as the hype in his new beginning function. Georgia’s Gunner Stockton acquired a style at beginning quarterback, stepping up within the 2025 Sugar Bowl after now-Miami quarterback Carson Beck acquired injured within the 2024 SEC championship sport. And Alabama’s Ty Simpson has an enormous season forward as Alabama appears to be like to make a run on the CFP after simply lacking it final season.
Former Washington State quarterback John Mateer joins Oklahoma this fall after rating No. 1 within the high 100 transfers checklist from the 2024-25 switch cycle. May Oklahoma bounce again after a seven-loss season final yr?
We’re right here to get you caught up on the SEC by breaking down the convention’s CFP outlook, Energy Rankings, must-see video games, high freshmen, key transfers and numbers to know.
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CFP outlook | Must-see games
Freshmen | Transfers
Numbers to know
Power rankings
CFB outlook
Must be in: The SEC will try to revive its dominance after its groups didn’t win every of the previous two nationwide championships. The league claimed 4 in a row from 2019 to ’22 and despatched three groups (Georgia, Texas and Tennessee) to the CFP in 2024. Alabama was the primary group not noted of the 12-team bracket. The Longhorns ought to be proper again within the combine, particularly if former five-star quarterback Arch Manning is nearly as good as marketed. Texas returns three potential All-Individuals — edge rusher Colin Simmons, linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and security Michael Taaffe — from a protection that ranked No. 3 within the FBS in scoring protection (15.3 factors) final season. Georgia will even be breaking in a brand new beginning quarterback, as Gunner Stockton is changing Carson Beck, who left for Miami. The Bulldogs could have 4 new beginning offensive linemen, and so they’re relying on Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) to improve their receiver corps. The Crimson Tide might be trying to bounce again from a four-loss marketing campaign in coach Kalen DeBoer’s first season, and their protection, led by an imposing entrance seven, ought to be adequate to get them again into the race for an SEC title. Ty Simpson is one other first-year beginning quarterback, and he’ll have loads of weapons and a stout offensive line supporting him. — Mark Schlabach
Within the working: LSU brings again the SEC’s most completed quarterback in Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 4,052 yards with 29 touchdowns in 2024. With tailback Caden Durham and receiver Aaron Anderson returning, the Tigers ought to once more be as explosive as any offense within the league. The query, in fact, is whether or not LSU’s protection will be capable to decelerate opponents. The Tigers ought to be higher after including a plethora of defenders from the switch portal, particularly if Harold Perkins Jr. can keep wholesome. Texas A&M is without doubt one of the few SEC contenders that will not be breaking in a brand new quarterback. Marcel Reed was stable as a freshman, and if he can minimize down on errors in his second season, the Aggies is perhaps an enormous shock. With tailbacks Amari Daniels and Le’Veon Moss working behind an offensive line that brings again 5 seniors, Reed will not need to do an excessive amount of. Ole Miss was within the working for a CFP bid till shedding at Florida late within the 2024 season, and coach Lane Kiffin has used the switch portal once more to reload his roster. The Rebels might be breaking in a brand new quarterback, Austin Simmons, and they will be counting on myriad transfers to rebuild their protection. They will play at Georgia and Oklahoma and get LSU, South Carolina and Florida at house. — Chris Low
Lengthy photographs: In what figures to be an enormous season for Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, the Sooners added former Washington State quarterback John Mateer and working again Jaydn Ott from Cal. The protection ought to be stable, and if new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle can flip issues round, the Sooners is perhaps a sleeper. The Sooners play Texas in Dallas and South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama on the street. South Carolina brings again one of many league’s greatest gamers in quarterback LaNorris Sellers, however it should substitute its complete offensive line, main rusher and most of its high playmakers on protection. Tennessee might be on the lookout for a return to the playoff. Nico Iamaleava is out as quarterback, and Joey Aguilar is available in after spending the spring at UCLA. The Vols will once more want Tim Banks’ protection to hold the load. Missouri has essentially the most manageable schedule within the league, and this can be Eliah Drinkwitz’s greatest protection. The Tigers play eight of their 12 video games at house and keep away from Georgia, LSU and Texas. Florida will even be improved and has the quarterback and protection to make a run. However, whew, that schedule. — Schlabach
Should-see video games
From Invoice Connelly’s SEC conference preview
Listed here are the ten video games — eight in convention play, plus two of the largest nonconference video games of 2025 — that function (A) the very best mixed SP+ rankings for each groups and (B) a projected scoring margin underneath 10 factors.
Texas at Ohio State (Aug. 30) and LSU at Clemson (Aug. 30). I’ve so many questions on every of those 4 groups, and I am so blissful that they’ve mainly paired off with one another to assist reply them. Toss in Alabama at Florida State in between the midday ET kickoff in Columbus and the night kickoff in Clemson and you have your self a stable SEC headliner for every time slot on the primary Saturday of the season.
Georgia at Tennessee (Sept. 13). The Bulldogs and Volunteers meet in September for the primary time since 2018. Good. I like my UGA-Tennessee video games early, once they can spark the biggest attainable existential crises.
Alabama at Georgia (Sept. 27). A rematch of the second-best game of 2024*. Apart from Ohio State-Michigan, no sport did a greater job of reminding us that vast school soccer video games will nonetheless be big and pleasant even when the nationwide title stakes are dampened by an even bigger playoff.
(* Bama will get a rematch of the very best sport of 2024 the subsequent week when Vandy involves city.)
LSU at Ole Miss (Sept. 27). Is it too late to redraw the schedules? Between the Bama-Georgia and Oregon-Penn State fundamental occasions and an undercard of LSU-Ole Miss, Indiana-Iowa, TCU-Arizona State and USC-Illinois (and, on high of all the pieces else, South Dakota at North Dakota State), Week 5 would possibly truly be too massive! Goodness.
Texas at Florida (Oct. 4). Texas benefited from a better slate (comparatively talking) in 2024, with simply three regular-season opponents ending within the SP+ high 20. But when Florida and Oklahoma enhance as projected this fall, the Horns are 5 such video games, solely one in all which is in Austin. That is the alternative of simple.
Ole Miss at Georgia (Oct. 18). Ole Miss may need loved the only greatest efficiency of the common season in final yr’s 28-10 walloping of the Dawgs. That the Rebels turned proper round and misplaced to Florida, ultimately eliminating them from CFP rivalry, must be one of many largest on-field regrets of the previous 50 years in Oxford.
Alabama at South Carolina (Oct. 25). South Carolina started turning its season round with a near-comeback win over Bama in 2024. This would be the Gamecocks’ third straight sport towards a projected top-20 group, so the season may need already gone in a pair totally different instructions by the point Bama will get to city.
LSU at Alabama (Nov. 8). Bama crushed LSU in Baton Rouge final season, then pulled an Ole Miss and fell sufferer to a devastating upset two weeks later. Contemplating the expectations and stress each of those groups are coping with, this sport may have playoff stakes and/or scorching seat stakes. Or each?
Texas at Georgia (Nov. 15). Georgia was the one SEC hurdle Texas could not clear final season. There’s clearly an opportunity this would be the first of two UGA-UT matchups in a four-week span.
Three freshmen to observe
Dallas Wilson, WR, Florida
Wilson confirmed up immediately by catching 10 passes for nearly 200 yards and two touchdowns in Florida’s spring sport. Regardless of who begins at quarterback on Week 1 for the Gators, there is a good probability they’re going to develop a fast reference to Wilson. The 6-foot-4 Florida native has a large catch radius, 10-inch palms and shocking breakaway velocity given his body. He runs a professional 4.5 40-yard sprint and has the shiftiness to select up yards after the catch, making him a nightmare matchup who ought to see the sector early in The Swamp.
David Sanders Jr., OT, Tennessee
Hardly ever does Tennessee flip a beginning offensive line spot over to a freshman, however Sanders has all of the developmental markers of an impactful deal with proper out of the gate in Rocky High. He was named North Carolina’s Gatorade Participant of the 12 months as a junior, a uncommon accolade for an offensive lineman, and was the No. 7 recruit within the Class of 2025. Tennessee coaches challenged Sanders to placed on weight after he enrolled early and he answered the decision. The freshman now checks in at 6-6, 305 kilos with an distinctive mixture of athleticism, decrease physique flexibility and response expertise. Sanders could have each alternative to win the beginning proper deal with spot on a Volunteers line that should substitute 4 starters from final yr as they retool in quest of a nationwide championship.
DJ Pickett, CB, LSU
At 6-4, Pickett has a monster body and legit velocity after recording a ten.7 100-meter time in highschool, the place he was a district sprinting champion. If he can carry over his momentum from spring observe into fall camp, Pickett has a shot to earn a beginning job in Brian Kelly’s overhauled secondary. Pickett impressed LSU coaches along with his mixture of elite athleticism and playmaking. The five-star nook has a excessive ceiling and his mixture of measurement and velocity not often seen on the boundaries within the SEC. — Billy Tucker
Three high transfers
These choices are based mostly on Max Olson’s rating of the top 100 transfers from the 2024-25 switch cycle.
Transferring from: Washington State | High 100 rank: 1
HT: 6-1 | WT: 219 | Class: Redshirt sophomore
Background: After spending two years behind Cam Ward, Mateer put collectively a formidable breakout season in 2024 that has made him some of the coveted beginning QBs within the nation. Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns on 65% passing and ranked sixth amongst FBS starters with 1,032 dashing yards (excluding sacks) whereas scoring 15 dashing TDs. He is explosive and fearless when he is on the run, forcing 58 missed tackles in response to ESPN Analysis (most amongst FBS QBs) with 22 rushes of 15 or extra yards. The Little Elm, Texas, native went 8-4 as a starter, main the Cougars as excessive as No. 18 within the School Soccer Playoff rankings, with a top-five anticipated factors added (EPA) per dropback amongst FBS starters. Washington State put collectively a robust supply to deliver Mateer again in 2025, however he selected to maneuver on by way of the portal and has a chance to be essentially the most impactful participant on this portal cycle for 2025. — Max Olson
Scout’s take: Mateer is a real Air Raid man within the passing sport. He excels in rhythm and timing throws and may be very decisive. He is a really robust participant to hurry as a result of he will get the ball out of his hand. He is a stable runner who can get out of hassle and lengthen performs. He performs with a excessive confidence degree and raises the play of the folks round him. — Tom Luginbill
What he brings to Oklahoma: A lot-needed swagger. Oklahoma employed Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle on Dec. 2, which made Mateer-to-OU the worst-kept secret in portal recruiting. Miami and others made a robust push, however Mateer could not flip down an opportunity to affix his coaches in Norman and play on an enormous stage subsequent season. The Sooners have added lots of expertise by way of the portal to attempt to get issues mounted, however Mateer will inject a ton of playmaking potential and confidence into their offense. — Max Olson
Transferring from: Georgia Tech | High 100 rank: 6
HT: 5-11 | WT: 190 | Class: Sophomore
Background: Singleton was an instantaneous difference-maker for Georgia Tech’s offense when he arrived, incomes Freshman All-America honors in 2023 and ending second for the ACC’s Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honor. The three-star signee from Douglasville, Georgia, caught 104 passes for 1,468 yards and scored 10 offensive touchdowns over the previous two seasons. Singleton additionally ran monitor for the Yellow Jackets with a private report of 10.32 within the 100-meter sprint this spring. He has the expertise to grow to be an early-round draft choose and was some of the coveted gamers within the portal. — Olson
Scout’s take: Singleton is perhaps among the finest route runners and quickest general gamers to enter the switch portal. He is actually good within the beneath passing sport, the place he can flip screens and 5-yard catches into massive chunk positive aspects. He additionally has elite straight-line velocity to get behind the protection and plucks most balls thrown in his neighborhood. What made him such a excessive commodity within the portal are the intangibles. He is a terrific blocker and hard participant. — Billy Tucker
What he brings to Auburn: After this system’s fourth consecutive shedding season, coach Hugh Freeze and the Tigers assembled a formidable switch recruiting class that they hope will flip their fortunes in 2025. This can be a vital win over Texas, Ole Miss and a number of other different SEC foes; Singleton ought to play a high-target function for the Tigers as they substitute proficient cross catchers KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Rivaldo Fairweather. — Olson
Transferring from: USC | High 100 rank: 8
HT: 5-10 | WT: 175 | Class: Sophomore
Background: Department lived as much as five-star hype straight away with the Trojans and was some of the harmful all-purpose playmakers within the nation in 2023. The No. 7 general recruit grew to become the primary USC freshman to earn first-team All-America honors in program historical past. He was dominant within the return sport (774 yards, two TDs) throughout his debut season and turned 89 touches on offense into 910 yards and 4 TDs over his two years at USC. He entered the portal alongside along with his older brother, USC security Zion Branch. — Olson
Scout’s take: One of many quickest gamers within the 2023 class, Department rapidly transitioned into one in all school soccer’s most electrifying gamers as a real freshman at USC. He ran a verified 4.41 40 and had 100-meter monitor instances within the 10.3 vary popping out of nationwide energy Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas. That velocity transferred to the sector instantly as a returner in 2023. His particular groups manufacturing dipped as a sophomore, however that is perhaps extra associated to opponent scheme than any diminishing ability. Within the passing sport, he is what you’d count on: a big-play weapon within the display sport, jet sweeps and on fast slants and crossers that get him the ball in house. He is an beneath mismatch and a terrific YAC goal. — Tucker
What he brings to Georgia: Department is a big-time improve for a Georgia offense that should substitute main receivers Arian Smith and Dominic Lovett. The Bulldogs led all FBS groups with 36 receiver drops final season, in response to ESPN Analysis, and can want Department to be a dependable difference-maker for brand new beginning QB Gunner Stockton. — Olson
Numbers to know
3: Based on the Allstate Playoff Predictor, three of the 4 groups with not less than a ten% probability of successful the nationwide championship are within the SEC: Texas at 24%, Georgia at 18% and Alabama at 11%. (The fourth group is Ohio State of the Massive Ten at 11%.)
0: The variety of new head coaches within the SEC this season, marking simply the fourth time that has occurred for the reason that league expanded to 12 groups in 1992. There additionally had been solely 4 coordinator modifications this offseason after greater than half of the SEC’s coordinators had been changed following the 2023-24 season.
+250: The percentages of Texas successful the SEC championship, in response to ESPN BET, that are the longest odds for an SEC favourite in not less than 15 years. The preseason favourite has gone on to win the SEC title in six of the final 10 seasons. — ESPN Analysis
Energy Rankings
Steve Sarkisian loves his roster, and he has loads of motive to be excited with Manning, receivers DeAndre Moore Jr. and Ryan Wingo, and tailbacks Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter returning. The Longhorns should substitute 4 beginning offensive linemen and fill some holes on the defensive entrance.
Stockton acquired a style of being the beginning quarterback within the second half of final season’s SEC championship sport and a CFP quarterfinal and did an admirable job. If Georgia’s offensive line performs higher and his receivers are extra reliable, Stockton ought to be positive working the offense.
DeBoer’s first season did not go as deliberate, however changing Nick Saban at Alabama would have been a nightmare for any coach. DeBoer’s monitor report of success is simply too good for the Crimson Tide to not bounce again in 12 months 2.
4. LSU Tigers
The Tigers are most likely going to attain lots of factors, and if Brian Kelly can determine the way to flip round his protection, they is perhaps a professional SEC title and CFP contender. LSU has dropped 5 straight season openers, three underneath Kelly, and it performs at Clemson on Aug. 30.
The Aggies went 8-5 in Mike Elko’s first season after beginning 7-1, and if the longtime defensive coordinator can determine the way to enhance a unit that allowed 5.5 yards per play in 2024, they is perhaps a CFP darkish horse. The offense is perhaps spectacular and pound groups within the working sport if quarterback Marcel Reed continues to develop as a passer.
Lane Kiffin loves to attain factors, however the Rebels had been within the CFP hunt in 2024 due to their protection, which ranked No. 2 within the FBS in scoring protection (14.4 factors), behind solely nationwide champion Ohio State. If Austin Simmons takes care of the ball, the Rebels is perhaps higher than anticipated.
The SEC schedule will get just a little more durable for the Vols this season, with the Alabama and Florida video games each being on the street. The Georgia sport on Sept. 13 can also be sooner than typical, albeit at house, as Tennessee breaks in a brand new quarterback. The protection ought to once more be excellent and preserve the Vols in video games, however they will want extra explosive performs on offense if they will make the playoff once more.
Mateer was a large get within the switch portal for the Sooners, who merely could not rating a yr in the past. They had been held to twenty or fewer factors in seven of their 13 video games. Oklahoma addressed a number of different wants on offense within the portal, and Venables is taking on the play-calling duties on protection. A four-game stretch from Oct. 11-Nov. 1 towards Texas in Dallas, South Carolina on the street, Ole Miss at house and Tennessee on the street will outline OU’s season.
The 2 lingering questions with the Gators, who got here again from the lifeless a yr in the past, are whether or not or not ultra-talented quarterback DJ Lagway can keep wholesome for the season and the way they navigate a killer schedule once more. Florida performs six groups ranked nationally within the preseason polls.
The Gamecocks may need a bona fide star in Sellers, however they’re having to switch most of the key items round him, in addition to a number of difference-makers on protection. South Carolina performs a five-game stretch towards LSU (street), Oklahoma (house), Alabama (house), Ole Miss (street) and Texas A&M (street) in October and November.
11. Missouri Tigers
If the Tigers had been extra confirmed at quarterback, they’d most likely be ranked loads larger. Even so, do not be stunned if Drinkwitz’s membership makes a severe run at double-digit wins for the third straight season, which has by no means occurred at school historical past. Penn State switch Beau Pribula and Sam Horn, who missed all of final season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure, are competing for the beginning quarterback job.
12. Auburn Tigers
This ought to be Hugh Freeze’s greatest group on the Plains, and the Tigers might be a type of groups that makes much more noise through the season than some outdoors of this system predict. A lot will rely on quarterback Jackson Arnold, who’s getting a reset after transferring from Oklahoma. He has a deep and proficient receiving corps, and edge rusher Keldric Faulk leads a protection that must be higher at getting off the sector in key conditions.
13. Arkansas is one other group that has an opportunity to be a lot improved, though the ultimate report may not replicate it. The Hogs have one of many trickier schedules within the league, and a few new faces must step up on protection. However returning quarterback Taylen Green is dynamic as each a passer and runner and ought to be even higher in his second season underneath offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
14. That is no diss to Clark Lea and the Commodores to be ranked this low. They reveled in proving folks unsuitable a yr and should do the identical once more this yr, particularly if they’ll keep wholesome. High quality depth has at all times been an issue for Vanderbilt. What’s not an issue is its quarterback. Diego Pavia returns after a terrific debut season on West Finish. His teammates feed off his power and toughness.
15. 
Mark Stoops, in his thirteenth season at Kentucky, is the dean of SEC coaches. He has constructed the Wildcats’ program from the bottom up, however they dipped to 4-8 a yr in the past and 1-7 within the SEC. That is after successful 10 video games in 2018 and 2021 and going to eight straight bowl video games. The Wildcats must regain their robust, blue-collar strategy and get constant play from switch quarterback Zach Calzada (on his fourth totally different group) if they will bounce again in 2025.
16. Mississippi State Bulldogs
It has been a whirlwind for second-year Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby, who has needed to utterly overhaul the roster, 80% consisting of gamers of their first or second yr in this system. Lebby is happy by what he has seen from quarterback Blake Shapen, who missed most of final season with a shoulder damage. The house schedule for the Bulldogs is without doubt one of the hardest within the nation. 4 playoff groups from a yr in the past (Arizona State, Tennessee, Texas and Georgia) go to Starkville. — Schlabach, Low