SEC Power Rankings: Post-spring look at all 16 squads

SEC football teams have finished up spring practices. Now we have to wait until late-August for the start of the 2025 regular season.

This year, many teams eschewed their usual spring games, citing concerns about losing guys to the transfer portal. But there were still some important things to learn about each of the 16 SEC football squads.

Now that the spring session is in the books, it’s a good time to update our power rankings.

Here’s how we’d rank every SEC team now that spring practices are over:

16. Mississippi State

The Bulldogs didn’t have a single player taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. They’re the only team to earn that distinction. And it’s not like it’s because a ton of talent is returning to Starkville. Coach Jeff Lebby is in the middle of a big-time roster overhaul at Mississippi State. I don’t think there’s light at the end of the tunnel until 2026 at the earliest.

15. Kentucky

I’m not entirely sure what the plan is for this offense. Kentucky brought in Zach Calzada to be its new quarterback, and I was as surprised as anyone that he still had college eligibility remaining. I expect the defense to be competitive, but this offense is going to struggle mightily to put points on the board.

14. Arkansas

Sam Pittman enters 2025 on the hot seat. The good news is that Taylen Green returns at QB for another year under OC Bobby Petrino. The bad news is his top receivers, Andrew Armstrong and Isaac TeSlaa are gone. Losing Landon Jackson on defense hurts. This is a decent Arkansas team, but decent won’t be good enough to navigate a brutal schedule that includes road trips to Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU and Texas. The Hogs also host Notre Dame in nonconference action.

13. Vanderbilt

I love that Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers are back for Vanderbilt. The linebackers are a solid group, led by Bryan Longwell, Langston Patterson and Randon Fontenette, who were the Commodores’ 3 leading tacklers last season, in that order. But I don’t think this team has the depth to take a step forward from last year’s 7-6 overall record and 3-5 mark in conference play.

12. Tennessee

I’m worried about the QB situation after the dramatic exit of Nico Iamaleava. Even if Joey Aguilar is a decent quarterback, learning the Tennessee system without getting to go through spring football will be difficult. I’m worried about the Vols needing to replace All-SEC RB Dylan Sampson. I’m worried about the defense losing elite edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to the NFL. There are a lot of questions Josh Heupel and company need to answer before Week 1.

11. Mizzou

Speaking of QB situations, I’m not fully sold on the Beau Pribula era at Mizzou just yet. I do think with Pribula and new RB Ahmad Hardy, the Tigers could have one of the better rushing attacks in the SEC. Kevin Coleman Jr. was a solid pickup at receiver. The defensive line, normally a strength at Mizzou, might have some problems this year, though.

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10. South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers is one of the better QBs in the country. But the Gamecocks didn’t do much to get him help this offseason. Nyck Harbor figures to be his top receiver. Beyond Harbor, I’m just not impressed with South Carolina‘s WR room. I also think there are going to be some issues on the back end of the defense with Nick Emmanwori off to the NFL.

9. Auburn

Can Jackson Arnold take a step forward? That’s what will define Year 3 under Hugh Freeze at Auburn. Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. form an intriguing receiver tandem. The defense should be … fine. This all hinges on whether or not Arnold can clear the low bar set by QBs in Freeze’s first 2 years at the helm of the program.

8. Oklahoma

I love what Oklahoma has done in the transfer portal this offseason. QB John Mateer is the real deal. OC Ben Arbuckle is a great hire by Brent Venables. Jaydn Ott is an elite running back. However, defensively, losing Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman Jr. will hurt. How much? We’ll find out this fall.

7. Florida

I’m mildly concerned about the DJ Lagway injury situation. I believe Billy Napier when he says the rising Florida star QB will be fully healthy for Week 1, but not throwing this spring definitely hurt his development. Losing Chim Dike and Elijhah Badger from the receiving corps hurts. There’s still plenty of talent at Florida, so we’ll see if Lagway can start the year strong.

6. Alabama

If Alabama had its QB situation sorted out, it would be much higher in these rankings. Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard form a strong receiver tandem. The defense has studs all over it. But I want to see this offense in action with its Week 1 starting QB before I bump the Crimson Tide into the top 5.

5. Texas A&M

The biggest thing Texas A&M has to do is revamp its defensive line/pass rush after Shemar Stewart, Shemar Turner and Nic Scourton all left for the NFL Draft. Those guys are going to be tough to replace, but I trust coach Mike Elko. Year 2 for Elko in College Station is shaping up to be a good one if QB Marcel Reed can take a step forward.

4. Ole Miss

I’m a believer in QB Austin Simmons. I think he’s going to step in and become a star under coach Lane Kiffin. Cayden Lee looks ready to be a WR1. Suntarine Perkins could develop into a first-round pick at linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft. Ole Miss should be in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot once again this season. Will the Rebels actually get there this time around?

3. Georgia

Despite losing 13 players to the NFL Draft, including 3 first-rounders on defense, the Bulldogs are still loaded. Georgia added a couple of receivers who might be able to actually catch passes via the portal. Josh McCray was a sneaky addition at running back. The offensive line will look mostly new in 2025. I still have some questions about QB Gunner Stockton. But there’s no doubting that it’s Playoff or bust again in Athens.

2. LSU

If this offensive line can hold up, the Tigers should make their first Playoff run under Brian Kelly. Garrett Nussmeier is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. LSU once again has a loaded receiver room after adding Barion Brown and Nic Anderson to the mix alongside Aaron Anderson. Harold Perkins Jr. and Whit Weeks should wreak havoc on defense. The Tigers need to look to bolster the defensive line through the portal, but that’s the only potential weakness I see on defense.

1. Texas

Quinn Ewers. Matthew Golden. Kelvin Banks Jr. Jahdae Barron. Andrew Mukuba. These are just a few of the names Texas lost to the NFL this offseason. And yet, Steve Sarkisian has another loaded team. It’s officially Arch Manning time at quarterback. CJ Baxter and Tre Wisner form maybe the best running back tandem in the SEC. Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore Jr. are ready to step up at receiver. Trevor Goosby will replace Banks at left tackle. The defense is going to be strong once again. Texas is the class of the SEC until proven otherwise.

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.