SEC Football Offseason Power Snapshot: Who’s Rising, Who’s Rebuilding in 2026
Three straight seasons without an SEC national champion? That’s not something we’ve said often in the modern era of college football. But as the 2026 season starts to take shape, the SEC looks poised to make a serious push back to the top of the mountain.
This isn’t the same league it was even a few years ago. The transfer portal has become a game-changer, and the SEC is leaning all the way in.
As of February, 10 teams from the conference are inside the top 25 of the On3 Sports transfer portal rankings. Nine SEC programs also cracked the top 25 in Rivals’ recruiting rankings.
Translation: the talent is flowing in-and fast.
And it’s not just about bringing in new faces. Stability under center is another big storyline.
Eight teams-including Texas, Georgia, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and potentially Ole Miss-are set to return quarterbacks who started at least two games last season. In a league where QB play often separates contenders from pretenders, that kind of continuity matters.
But talent and experience alone don’t win championships. The right coach-one who knows how to navigate the portal, develop talent, and lead through the chaos-is the difference-maker. And this offseason, the SEC coaching carousel spun with serious force.
Arkansas brought in Ryan Silverfield. Auburn turned to Alex Golesh.
Florida tapped Jon Sumrall. And Kentucky hired Will Stein.
All four are walking into pressure-cookers, tasked with turning things around quickly in a league that doesn’t wait for rebuilds.
Then there’s the drama in Baton Rouge. Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss just before the playoff to take over at LSU, adding rocket fuel to an already fiery rivalry.
Ole Miss didn’t waste time, promoting defensive coordinator Pete Golding to the top job. That transition will be one to watch.
So, with a few months still to go before toe meets leather, here’s a comprehensive look at where each SEC team stands heading into the 2026 campaign-based on coaching shifts, returning talent, and how they’ve fared in the portal and on the recruiting trail:
1. Texas Longhorns
2025 Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 10 nationally, No. 4 in SEC (19 in, 23 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 10 nationally, No. 5 in SEC
Texas isn’t just knocking on the door-they’re kicking it down. With a top-10 class both in the portal and on the trail, the Longhorns are stacking talent.
Returning experience at quarterback only adds to the intrigue. They’re built to contend right now.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
2025 Record: 12-2 (7-1 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 54 nationally, No. 15 in SEC (14 in, 8 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 6 nationally, No. 2 in SEC
Georgia didn’t make a big splash in the portal, but they didn’t need to. The Dawgs continue to dominate on the recruiting front, and with a strong core returning, they’re still among the league’s elite. Don’t let the portal ranking fool you-this team is loaded.
3. LSU Tigers
2025 Record: 7-6 (3-5 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 4 nationally, No. 2 in SEC (40 in, 33 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 12 nationally, No. 6 in SEC
LSU went all-in on change-both on the field and on the sideline. Lane Kiffin’s arrival signals a new era in Baton Rouge, and the Tigers were aggressive in the portal.
This roster has been overhauled. Whether it clicks in Year 1 under Kiffin is the big question.
4. Texas A&M Aggies
2025 Record: 11-2 (7-1 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 3 nationally, No. 1 in SEC (18 in, 14 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 7 nationally, No. 3 in SEC
The Aggies are coming off a strong season and didn’t let off the gas. They lead the SEC in portal rankings and continue to recruit at a high level. With a returning QB and a deep roster, A&M is firmly in the title conversation.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
2025 Record: 11-4 (7-1 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 46 nationally, No. 13 in SEC (18 in, 23 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 5 nationally, No. 1 in SEC
Alabama didn’t go big in the portal, but they rarely need to. They landed the top recruiting class in the SEC, and as always, the Tide will reload-not rebuild. Don’t expect a drop-off.
6. Ole Miss Rebels
2025 Record: 13-2 (7-1 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 18 nationally, No. 8 in SEC (29 in, 21 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 26 nationally, No. 10 in SEC
The Rebels are coming off a monster season, but the late coaching change adds uncertainty. Promoting Pete Golding provides some continuity, and the portal additions should help. Still, this is a team in transition.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
2025 Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Recruiting Rank: No. 16 nationally, No. 8 in SEC
Oklahoma didn’t make major moves in the portal, but they’ve recruited well and return a proven quarterback. They’ll be in the mix again.
8. Tennessee Volunteers
2025 Record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 24 nationally, No. 9 in SEC (21 in, 23 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 9 nationally, No. 4 in SEC
Tennessee’s portal activity was balanced, and their recruiting class is among the best in the league. If their quarterback play stabilizes, they could take a step forward.
9. Missouri Tigers
2025 Record: 8-5 (4-4 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 47 nationally, No. 14 in SEC (28 in, 26 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 28 nationally, No. 11 in SEC
Missouri is holding steady. Neither their portal nor recruiting numbers jump off the page, but they’ve got a solid foundation. Another bowl season is well within reach.
10. Vanderbilt Commodores
2025 Record: 10-3 (6-2 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 17 nationally, No. 7 in SEC (17 in, 15 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 31 nationally, No. 13 in SEC
Vandy surprised a lot of people last year, and they’ve quietly had a strong offseason. If they can build on that momentum, they could be a dark horse again.
11. Florida Gators
2025 Record: 4-8 (2-6 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 12 nationally, No. 5 in SEC (27 in, 29 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 14 nationally, No. 7 in SEC
Florida’s new head coach Jon Sumrall has wasted no time reshaping the roster. The Gators were busy in the portal and had a solid recruiting class. It’s a rebuild, but the pieces are coming together.
12. Auburn Tigers
2025 Record: 5-7 (1-7 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 66 nationally, No. 16 in SEC (39 in, 36 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 42 nationally, No. 14 in SEC
Alex Golesh inherits a program in flux. Auburn brought in a massive number of transfers, but the rankings suggest quality may not match quantity. Year 1 could be rocky.
13. South Carolina Gamecocks
2025 Record: 4-8 (1-7 SEC)
Recruiting Rank: No. 18 nationally, No. 9 in SEC
The Gamecocks are banking on their recruiting class to lay the foundation for the future. Development and patience will be key.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2025 Record: 5-8 (1-7 SEC)
Portal Rank: No. 13 nationally, No. 6 in SEC (24 in, 38 out)
Recruiting Rank: No. 28 nationally, No. 11 in SEC
Mississippi State was active in the portal, but the high number of departures is notable. Still, a returning QB gives them something to build around.
15. Arkansas Razorbacks
2025 Record: