Following a tumultuous saga in the transfer portal, the SEC is quite shaken up for 2024. With the addition of the 12-team college football playoff, several teams are in contention for postseason football. Whether the conference gets three, four or even five teams into the expanded format remains to be seen, but as always, it’s a loaded field in the southeast.
1. Georgia
Sitting atop the preseason AP Poll, Georgia leaves no reason to question its place at the top of the SEC. Heisman contender Carson Beck leads a dominant backfield alongside Florida transfer running back Trevor Etienne, both of whom are coming off productive seasons. Behind an elite offensive line that is returning four All-SEC players up front, their production should only improve. The Bulldogs’ offense is bolstered by a deep receiving core led by Miami transfer Colbie Young and Vanderbilt transfer London Humphreys.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs see five senior starters returning, keeping a strong nucleus alive. Standout junior defensive edge Mykel Williams and 2023 first-team All-American Malaki Starks headline an elite unit that has been a force to be reckoned with over the past five years — during which they allowed just 14.1 points per game. Even though Georgia faces a difficult schedule and has to compete with other elite SEC teams, Kirby Smart should be able to lead this team to a playoff berth after just missing out on it last season.
2. Texas
With Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning as arguably the best quarterback tandem in the nation, the Longhorns should be set to compete with Georgia at the top of the conference. Sophomore back CJ Baxter, who will now serve a more feature role, is coming off of an efficient freshman year serving as the backup to Jonathon Brooks. Texas also managed to land one of the top receivers in the portal in Isaiah Bond (Alabama). Pairing him alongside Houston transfer Matthew Golden and Oregon State transfer Silas Bolden should provide Ewers with great targets.
Texas filled a significant gap in its defense by bringing Trey Moore in from UTSA to attack opposing quarterbacks off the edge. It also brought in one of the top safeties in the nation, Andrew Mukuba, to go along with Jahdae Barron and Malik Muhammad in what should be a stout secondary. Linebacker Anthony Hill is expected to take another leap this season following a five-sack freshman campaign. All in all, expect Texas to be consistently at the top of AP Polls for the foreseeable future.
3. Alabama
Two words: Jalen Milroe. Milroe, who is expected to be one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy this season, will need to live up to his expectations and more under Kalen DeBoer. After losing five-star quarterback commit Julian Sayin to Ohio State (who also took star safety Caleb Downs), Alabama will need some returning players to fill a few holes in their roster. Despite this, Milroe should exist behind one of the nation’s most dominant interior offensive lines, featuring the duo of guard Tyler Booker and center Parker Brailsford. Running back tandem Justice Haynes and Jam Miller will also thrive behind this line and hopefully blossom with increased reps.
Defensively, the Tide will need some returners to improve from last season after losing the aforementioned Downs to the Buckeyes. Linebacker Deonte Lawson was one of the best in the nation at his position, finishing as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. The only player in the secondary with in-game experience for Alabama is safety Malachi Moore, who looks to build off of his previous productive season as defensive captain. Nevertheless, he — and Jalen Milroe — will always be remembered in Tuscaloosa, Ala. for sticking through the coaching carousel.
4. Ole Miss
The Rebels are coming off of a very successful season last year, finishing as the ninth-ranked team in the final AP Poll. Returning senior Jaxson Dart, who threw for nearly 3,000 yards in 2023, will look to contend for the Heisman as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. Despite losing star running back Quinshon Judkins, the running back committee in Mississippi should be a top-five unit in the country. Wide receiver Tre Harris and tight end Caden Prieskorn will both aim to be top-ten nationally at their position.
Ole Miss also has playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, thanks to a successful saga in the transfer portal. Star edge Princely Umanmielen from Florida and defensive tackle Walter Nolen from Texas A&M will completely revamp the Ole Miss defense from last season, with four other projected starters coming out of the portal as well. The Rebels are primed for playoff contention this season, so expect to see them near the top of the polls weekly.
5. Missouri
Also following an effective 2023 campaign, Missouri comes into the season as the No. 11 team in the nation. Regarded as top players at their respective positions, returning quarterback and wide receiver duo Brady Cook and Luther Burden III, are expected to produce even more with another year under their belts. Burden III put up over 1,200 yards and 9 touchdowns while dealing with injuries throughout the year, and Cook’s 3,317 passing yards ranked him fourth in the SEC. The SEC’s leading rusher, Cody Schrader, is no longer eligible, so head coach Eli Drinkwitz will be relying on Georgia State transfer Marcus Caroll to be Missouri’s lead back. The Tigers also managed to build their offensive line through the portal, bringing in tackle Marcus Bryant and guard Cayden Green from SMU and Oklahoma, respectively.
Mizzou lost a number of defensive players to the NFL last season, including standout edge rusher Darius Robinson and reliable defensive backs Ennis Rakestraw and Kris Abrams-Draine. Performances from seniors and transfer portal additions will be key to Missouri’s hopes of finishing as competitors in the new 12-team playoff this season.
6. Tennessee
The Volunteers come into the 2024 season as the preseason No. 15. They are led by dual-threat quarterback and redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava — who is coming off a stellar performance in Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl victory against Iowa. Receiver Bru McCoy will hope to bounce back after starting just five games before going down with a season-ending ankle injury in 2023. He will play alongside Squirrel White, who led the team in receptions in 2023 after an excellent freshman year. Behind a strong offensive unit, featuring Lance Heard and Cooper Mays, running back Dylan Sampson will look to follow up an efficient 2023, when he rushed for over 600 yards and 7 touchdowns on just 104 carries.
The Volunteers also have stars on defense, particularly with potential No. 1 overall pick James Pearce, who wreaked havoc off the edge in 2023 with 9.5 sacks. They also have an improved secondary featuring Oregon State transfer Jermod McCoy and sophomore Rickey Gibson — both coming off exceptional years. This team is tough to judge, but head coach Josh Heupel will do his best to lead the team to another successful season.
7. LSU
The departure of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels to the Commanders and standout receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas to the Giants and Jaguars, respectively, left large shoes to be filled in Baton Rouge, LA. However, head coach Brian Kelly is putting a vote of confidence into his new quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who lacks experience but has the talent to excel with this offense. Pass catchers Kyren Lacy and Mason Taylor will hope to live up to their predecessors, and having an extremely seasoned offensive line should certainly help with that production.
On the defensive end, Harold Perkins Jr. is the obvious name to mention. After being one of the best defenders in the conference in 2022, he struggled last season. However, much of that inconsistency is the coaching staff’s fault — they aspire to help him find his form again. Edge rushers Bradyn Swinson and Dashawn Womack, along with defensive tackle Jacobian Guillory, will undoubtedly put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. New defensive coordinator Blake Baker should help the defense catch its rhythm early in the season as LSU pushes, once again, to reach the playoff.
8. Oklahoma
After starting the 2023 season undefeated through seven games, including a massive win against Texas, the Sooners dropped their next two, pushing them out of playoff contention. Oklahoma features a heavily revamped offensive line, with three of its expected starters coming via the transfer portal. Behind this line, former five-star quarterback recruit Jackson Arnold will have to handle large expectations following the departure of Dillon Gabriel to Oregon. Offseason Purdue transfer wideout Deion Burks will certainly be his top weapon. Running back Gavin Sawchuk, who ran for 744 yards and 9 touchdowns on just 120 carries, is also expected to take a leap this upcoming season.
Oklahoma’s strong suit should be its defense, as it’s returning several starters, including senior linebacker Danny Stuntsman. The Sooners will also bring back linebacker Kip Lewis and defensive end Ethan Downs, both are likely to be major contributors in the front seven. Safeties Billy Bowman and Kendel Dolby along with cornerback Gentry Williams headline a strong secondary for the Sooners. Brent Venables will be relying on these returners heavily this fall as Oklahoma faces an all-new foe — the SEC.
9. Texas A&M
Under the leadership of new head coach Mike Elko, Texas A&M only has the potential to compete for a spot in the expanded playoffs if its offense powers through and its defense dominates. This year’s recruiting class is ranked No. 17 on the On3 Industry Rankings, a far cry from the newsworthy 2022 class assembled by former head coach Jimbo Fisher.
Nearly half the Aggie’s roster has been replaced this season. However, the team’s success is still widely contingent on quarterback Connor Weigman, who is once again returning as a starter and is one of Texas A&M’s few potential NFL Draftees. In the pre-season, new offensive coordinator Collin Klein prioritized developing consistency and sharpening accuracy to improve the offensive line. On the defensive side, edge rusher Nic Scourton from the transfer portal is considered one of the top pass rushers in college. Alongside him is returner Shemar Turner, who is expected to propel a powerful defensive line from the inside in conjunction with defensive coordinator Jay Bateman. The focus will be on the player, both new and old, as the Aggies seek to rebuild their team and find their footing under new leadership.
10. Kentucky
Due to strong recruiting, and strategic use of the transfer portal, Kentucky’s roster has certainly improved this year. Expectations are high for All-American defensive lineman Deone Walker, who enters the 2024 season as a potential first-round NFL Draft pick. Wide receiver Barion Brown, another notable playmaker, boasted 43 catches for 439 yards last season and led the nation in return yards per kick. However, the key to Kentucky’s offense will be Quarterback Brock Vandagriff, a former five-star prospect still waiting to make his first start. The offensive line will continue to develop in both performance and tempo with the return of offensive line coach Eric Wolford and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan.
With some questionable performances scattered over the last two years, some issues remain for the Wildcats. One looming question is whether the defensive line will develop following a sequence of spring injuries and a new defensive coordinator (for the fifth straight year).
11. Florida
Even with a more experienced roster than the rest of the SEC, Florida faces a few challenges as it heads into a schedule rated by ESPN’s Football Power Index as the toughest in the country. Historically, injuries have been an issue for the team, but new depth options exist on the offensive line this season. Running back Montrell Johnson — who led the Gators with 817 yards and 5 scores in 2023 — will be back this season, and Arizona State transfer wide receiver Elijah Badger is projected to have the potential to lead the team in receptions. Brandon Dickson-Crenshaw, an offensive tackle formerly with San Diego State, should help offensive cohesion if he can succeed at the line.
Florida will have to focus on its run defense this year after its worst performance in decades, allowing 4.84 yards per carry in 2023. The loss of star edge defender Princely Umanmielen to Ole Miss, along with several of its top cornerbacks to various other schools, has left the future of the Gators’ pass defense uncertain.
12. Auburn
Auburn sits in a hopeful position under the leadership of head coach Hugh Freeze — who has increasingly prioritized recruitment, managing to secure a top-10 national class in 2024. After a season of missing plays and letting games fall through its fingers, Auburn hopes to lean on the increased maturity of its roster throughout this season. The Tigers bring a kicking game among the best in the nation, led by Alex McPherson, as well as a formidable defense backed by a strong coaching staff.
A collection of strong skill-position players on offense and key returning defenders lend optimism to the idea that Auburn will snap its streak of three straight losing seasons. Star running back Jarquez Hunter and top-five overall 2024 recruit Cam Coleman are the two key players to potentially lead the receiving corps. However, Payton Thorne’s below-average passing ability, paired with a shaky offensive line, will limit the team’s offensive potential. With obtainable victories in all matchups except Georgia, Alabama and Missouri, the Tigers are in a favorable position to change the pattern of the team’s performance in recent years and reach bowl eligibility.
13. Mississippi St.
This year marks a new horizon for the Bulldogs with new head coach Jeff Lebby, one of the country’s most accomplished offensive coordinators. This season will be highly dependent on incoming transfer talent, which includes four new starters on the offensive line. The top transfer is Ethan Miner, a center from North Texas, due to his strong technical abilities. Despite Lebby’s recognition for offense, Mississippi St.’s success could come from its defensive line, with veterans like tackle Trevion Williams and UNC transfer Kendrick Bingley-Jones at the helm.
Lebby’s common strategy is to attack and hit deep, the success of which will lie in the hands of quarterback Blake Shapen, who posted 5,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in his three years at Baylor. The key to the season will be making more downfield plays and improving the passing game, which previously lacked accuracy, as indicated by the team’s 58% completion rate on the offensive line.
14. South Carolina
In recent years, South Carolina has been inconsistent in performance, largely due to poorly-timed injuries and a lack of cohesion on both the defensive and offensive lines. The line struggles were especially evident against stronger, more physically talented opponents. A difficult 2023 season blemished by season-ending injuries on the offensive line, forcing it to start nine different line combinations, leaves a lot of room to grow for South Carolina.
The Gamecocks were last in sacks and second-to-last in tackles for loss in the SEC last season. The team is heavily banking on the integration of strong players from the transfer portal. Defensive lineman Gilbert Edmond from Florida State and defensive end Kyle Kennard from Georgia Tech are both expected to shore up the defense. South Carolina will be forced to lean on more experienced players at defensive tackle, edge and linebacker to improve a pass rush that has historically struggled.
15. Arkansas
Arkansas is aiming to improve its offensive front after allowing the most tackles for loss in the SEC in 2023. The offensive line lacked cohesion and power, which caused fumbles, special teams problems and a plethora of untimely plays. These internal issues posed a challenge to the Razorbacks’ defense, who spent too much time on the field. Quarterback Taylen Green has shown that he has the potential to be a playmaker. With a corps of experienced wide receivers in Isaac TeSlaa, Jaedon Wilson and Khafre Brown, Green has the potential to improve on the team’s inconsistencies in X.
Arkansas has always been a historically successful rushing team, and a key objective for it will be to reclaim that skill. Last season, the Razorbacks’ defensive line was consistently in the backfield, with defensive tackles and edge defenders accounting for the second most tackles for loss or no gain in the SEC. All-American defensive end Landon Jackson anchors the group via a dominant pass rush. Arkansas is looking to reapply that same pressure in the 2024 season.
16. Vanderbilt
The Commodores experienced lots of changes this offseason, including a shift in defensive strategy, with head coach Clark Lea taking on defensive coordinator responsibilities. Lea also brought in new leadership, with Tim Beck now serving as offensive coordinator. New quarterback Diego Pavia hopes to exceed expectations and guide the Commodores to some wins after transferring in from New Mexico State. A reportedly improved offensive line throughout training camp offers a glimmer of hope to fans, but throughout the preseason, Vanderbilt’s wide receiver group has appeared to be a weakness. However, the Commodores have a deep tight-end core led by emerging star Cole Spence and NMSU transfer Eli Stowers.
With the always-challenging schedule Vanderbilt deals with in the SEC, the projected outcome of this season remains fairly uncertain. While it’s been a rough couple of years for the Commodores, who haven’t made a bowl game in five seasons, the team still has some cornerstone players on defense. Linebacker Langston Patterson and safety CJ Taylor will help slow down opposing offenses.
