In a world the place rosters are constructed yr to yr, spring soccer within the SEC is not about putting in schemes. With much less depth and extra roster holes, groups now use the spring window to repair issues.
This is one urgent challenge every SEC group should tackle this spring:
Alabama Crimson Tide | Working sport
Alabama completed final season with one of many worst dashing assaults in class historical past, rating 123rd nationally. Head coach Kalen DeBoer made revamping the bottom sport a precedence for 2026.
DeBoer employed Adrian Klemm as the brand new offensive line coach and charged him with rebuilding the unit via transfers and returners. Tackles Jackson Lloyd and Michael Carroll are the important thing returning starters, whereas transfers Nick Brooks (Texas ) and Ethan Fields (Ole Miss ) are battling at guard.
Spring game: April 11
Arkansas Razorbacks | Defensive overhaul
Arkansas‘ protection was abysmal in 2025, permitting 33.8 factors and 458.2 yards per sport in its 10 losses. In response, new head coach Ryan Silverfield employed veteran coordinator Ron Roberts to put in a brand new defensive scheme for 2026.
To stabilize a shaky secondary, the Razorbacks are relying on transfers La’Khi Roland (Maryland ) and Jahiem Johnson (Tulane ) to make an immediate impact.
Up front, Trajen Odom (Ohio State ) and Xadavien Sims (Oregon ) are expected to anchor the line and improve a run defense that allowed 185.9 yards per game last season.
Spring game: April 25
Auburn Tigers | Wide receiver
New head coach Alex Golesh brought transfer quarterback Byrum Brown with him from South Florida , but the offense’s biggest question will be at wide receiver.
Auburn’s receiver corps was gutted by the transfer portal after the coaching change. The top four receivers from the 2025 team are gone, including Cam Coleman, who led the Tigers with five touchdown catches.
The rebuilt group leans heavily on South Florida transfers. Chas Nimrod, Christian Neptune, Jeremiah Koger and Keshaun Singleton have played with Brown, but they must raise their level of play against SEC defenses.
Spring game: April 18
Florida Gators | Quarterback
Florida is getting into a brand new period underneath head coach Jon Sumrall, and DJ Lagway’s switch to Baylor has opened a full quarterback competitors.
“We have got a protracted option to go to establish who’s going to be the set off man that will get the chance to start out sport one,” Sumrall stated in his March 24 news conference.
The battle is between Aaron Philo, who arrived from Georgia Tech with offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, and redshirt freshman Tramell Jones Jr.
Sumrall’s group ought to be well-coached and bodily, however the quarterback spot will finally decide Florida’s ceiling.
Spring sport: April 11
Georgia Bulldogs | Cross-rush
Georgia has been stewing over its Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss, a sport through which the protection did not document a sack on Trinidad Chambliss. This spring, the Bulldogs are intent on regaining their former dominance as pass-rushers.
After the linebacking corps produced simply three sacks in 2025, the Bulldogs are demanding extra from that group. “We weren’t efficient sufficient in another areas, being explosive, third downs, after which creating havoc in sacks and disruption on protection must be higher,” Georgia coach Kirby Sensible said when requested about this season’s themes.
To spice up the frenzy, Georgia added switch exterior linebacker Amaris Williams from Auburn.
Given Sensible’s observe document, Georgia seems poised to make use of its depth and new additions to take a step ahead.
Spring sport: April 18
Kentucky Wildcats | Linebacker
New Kentucky head coach Will Stein brings his explosive offense to Lexington, however he’ll depend on youth at linebacker. Grant Godfrey returns, however he has not been a full-time starter.
Kentucky added assist via the portal, signing Elijah Barnes (Texas), the No. 11-ranked linebacker within the 2026 switch class (per 247Sports), and Tavion Wallace (Arkansas) to spherical out the beginning unit.
There’s expertise however little expertise. How rapidly this group learns run matches and move coverages will go a great distance in figuring out the protection’s ceiling.
Spring sport: April 18
LSU Tigers | Quarterback
Sam Leavitt is LSU’s projected beginning quarterback, however his well being is a priority. He is coming off foot surgical procedure, an damage that may linger, and he is not going to be 100% till properly after spring apply.
The Tigers are getting worthwhile reps for Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet, but when Leavitt is the man, LSU should fear that his first actual motion with the group could not come till fall camp.
The offense will go because the quarterbacks do, and it creates actual uncertainty heading into fall camp.
Spring sport: None.
Mississippi State Bulldogs | Offensive line
Mississippi State averaged 3.9 yards per carry and gave up 40 sacks final season. There’s pleasure about quarterback Kamario Taylor, however they should play higher up entrance for it to matter.
After including eight transfers to the offensive line, together with DJ Chester (LSU) and Miles McVay (North Carolina ), there’s confidence that the group has upgraded. Spring practice will help sort out the rotation, with competition likely bleeding into fall camp.
Spring game: April 11
Missouri Tigers | Edge rush
Missouri must rebuild its pass rush after losing Zion Young and Damon Wilson II. Replacing 15.5 sacks from last season will be a tall task, but the Tigers return Darris Smith and expect him to take a step forward in 2026. The other edge spot remains open; CJ May, a transfer from Louisville, has joined the mix.
They’ll spend the spring and fall identifying depth and rotational pieces, and must piece together a solid unit if they want to lean on the pass rush as they did last season.
Spring game: None because of ongoing renovations at Memorial Stadium.
Oklahoma Sooners | Running game
Oklahoma ranked 104th nationally in rushing in 2025, so the Sooners are focused on reviving their ground game. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle runs the Air Raid, but head coach Brent Venables still insists on a physical run identity.
“To me, it all starts with attitude and mindset,” Venables said in his March 26 news conference. “We have got good, sturdy, athletic dudes that bought energy, that may bend, which are bodily. Do not let soccer get in the best way and overthink issues.”
Returning sort out Michael Fasusi, guard Ryan Fodje and heart Jake Maikkuula kind the inspiration of the 2026 line. Transfers E’marion Harris (Arkansas) and Caleb Nitta (Western Kentucky ) are expected to add needed depth.
Spring game: April 18
Ole Miss Rebels | Offensive tackle
Ole Miss must replace both tackles from 2025. Left tackle Diego Pounds did not allow a sack in 2025, and right tackle Jayden Williams finished his career with 43 starts for the Rebels.
The Rebels will turn to transfer tackles Carius Curne (LSU), Tommy Kinsler IV (Miami) and Enoch Wangoy (Florida) to compete for the starting spots at each tackle position.
Tempo will be a key element of OC John David Baker’s offense, and mastering pass protections in an up-tempo system will be critical to keeping QB Trinidad Chambliss upright. While none of the three have held full-time starting roles at their previous schools, they arrive in Oxford hungry to lock down these spots.
Spring game: None, but Ole Miss will host “Meet the Rebels” on April 25.
South Carolina Gamecocks | Offensive line
After the line allowed 3.5 sacks per game in 2025, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer overhauled the offense. Kendal Briles was employed as offensive coordinator, and Randy Clements took over as offensive line coach.
The Gamecocks are already going through adversity in 2026, dropping two-year starter Josiah Thompson, a sort out, for the season to a lower-body damage.
Transfers Jacarrius Peak (N.C. State ) and Emmanuel Poku (East Carolina ) are expected to make an immediate impact on the offensive line. Everything in Columbia starts up front, and in 2026, that reality will define South Carolina’s ceiling.
Spring game: April 11
Tennessee Volunteers | Quarterback
After Joey Aguilar lost his bid for an extra year of eligibility on Feb 20, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel rapidly opened a quarterback competitors.
Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon are competing for the job, and their inexperience raises considerations for the 2026 season.
Each quarterbacks are nonetheless within the early growth part. The competitors will almost definitely lengthen into the autumn.
Spring sport: April 11
Texas Longhorns | Offensive line
QB Arch Manning spent most of 2025 working for his life. Texas by no means settled on a constant beginning 5 on the road, and it confirmed with breakdowns and miscommunication.
This offseason, the Longhorns attacked the portal, together with the offensive line. Transfers Jonte Newman (Texas A&M) and Dylan Sikorski (Oregon State ) join returning talent like Brandon Baker.
There’s enough firepower for Texas to crash the national title race, but the offensive line will ultimately decide whether this team reaches its ceiling.
Spring game: April 18
Texas A&M Aggies | QB Marcell Reed
Reed was a Heisman contender for much of 2025, but turnovers and two rough games to close the regular season ended that bid.
Expectations are high in 2026, and if the Aggies want to take the next step, Reed needs to become a more consistent pocket passer.
At times, his internal clock appeared accelerated, resulting in inaccurate throws. With a newly rebuilt offensive line, it will be crucial for him to establish early chemistry with that group.
Spring game: April 18
Vanderbilt Commodores | Quarterback
Vanderbilt’s offense will look new in key spots. Changing QB Diego Pavia and TE Eli Stowers isn’t any small job. At QB, the Commodores will flip to true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, who inherits a powerful group of weapons.
Working again Sedrick Alexander and receiver Junior Sherrill are again after combining for 18 touchdowns final season, whereas tight finish Spence Cole returns, seeking to tackle a bigger position as a receiving menace.
Pavia completed second within the 2025 Heisman race and will likely be troublesome to interchange, particularly with a real freshman, however Vanderbilt does not plan on sliding too far in 2026 after a 10-3 document final season.
Spring sport: April 18
