Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
By Chris Marler
Earlier this week I jokingly put out a way too early top 25. The list wasn’t real and was a satire in how absurd (albeit accurate) the annual preseason rankings tend to be with a list of lessons voters never seem to learn. It’s too early for me to break down which teams I think are going to be relevant or able to compete from the Big 12, ACC, and B1G.
The SEC though? We can talk about that right now. Let’s dive into some way too early thoughts on how the conference will shape up in 2026.
Biggest Step Back – Texas A&M
I was high on Texas A&M going into this season. I hated myself for it, but I was very high on the Aggies. One of the main reasons was I loved the receivers they added from the portal, the front seven they had returning on defense, and most of all the most experienced offensive line in America with five returning starters back.
Most of that is gone.
Texas A&M will lose their best weapon on offense and their best player on defense. They will also lose three starters on the offensive line. Granted, they went to the portal and got three starters from other SEC schools, but outside of Wilkin Formby from Alabama, the other two are all a step down from the man they’re having to replace. Tyree Adams and Trovon Baugh were liabilities at their previous stops.
Heisman Favorites for 2026, via Kalshi:
15% — CJ Carr
14% — Marcel Reed
12% — Julian Sayin
12% — Arch Manning
12% — Jeremiah Smith, Malachi Toney pic.twitter.com/5Y7kGBjSzY— Kalshi Sports (@KalshiSports) January 14, 2026
Biggest Enigma – South Carolina
South Carolina was awful last year. They were 4-8, had to fire their offensive coordinator in the middle of the year, and fell off drastically after coming into the season as a preseason Top 15 team. All of that was horrible. Outside of Lane Kiffin though, no one has won the offseason more this year than Shane Beamer. Again, he was clearly not doing a great job when the games were played in 2025, but since that final whistle blew against Clemson he’s done nothing but win and has done so when mostly everyone assumed he’d lose.
Shane Beamer 2026 Rehabilitation Grades:
1) Hire Competent Staff ✅
– OC | Kendal Briles
– RB | Stan Drayton
– OL | Randy Clements
– EDGE | Deion Barnes2) Retain Key Talent ✅
– LaNorris Sellers
– Dylan Stewart
– Nyck Harbor
– Matthew Fuller
– Young WR… pic.twitter.com/rkzBYdJXEO— INSIDE THE GAMECOCKS 🐔🤙🏻 (@InsideGamecocks) January 20, 2026
The story for South Carolina isn’t a great recruiting class or transfer portal haul. They did well in both by the way with each ranking in the top 20 and combining for what will be their highest blue chip ratio on a Gamecock roster in program history. They also were able to retain their best players including three potential first round picks in LaNorris Sellers, Dylan Stewart, and Nyck Harbor. They’ve revamped the offensive line, they brought in some really good pieces, and the back seven returns almost everyone.
The big thing for Carolina though is the coaching staff they’ve assembled and how much better they will be this year versus 2025. That’s especially the case at offensive coordinator with Kendal Briles. They should see a huge jump this year.
Biggest Surprise – Kentucky
Kentucky’s transfer portal haul was incredible. They finished with 29 players. That includes 20 from Power Four teams and 14 from other SEC programs. We have seen quick turnarounds in college football thanks to the NIL and transfer portal era. Just look at Indiana. They have a fresh face at head coach in Will Stein, and who’s to say that another historical blueblood in basketball can’t make a splash in football in 2026? The Hoosiers proved anything is possible.
Biggest Sleeper – Tennessee
I don’t know if Joey Aguilar returns as quarterback or not, and frankly I don’t really care. I think the lack of Tennessee getting a splashy commit at that position from the transfer portal has been really overly questioned. The blueprint for Tennessee to be really good next year is in place. They signed the No. 2 EDGE player in the portal in Chaz Coleman and brought in arguably the best defensive coordinator in America in Jim Knowles. They should expect an immediate improvement there.
Tennessee jumps to #2 in quality signings after the addition of Chaz Coleman https://t.co/Ay6JUtHTSK pic.twitter.com/o8X29ZyFhi
— UTK Aero (@MrChrisByrd) January 10, 2026
Offensively I don’t know what the answer is at quarterback, but I do know that they brought in the No. 2 player in America in Faizon Brandon and have former blue chip recruit George MacIntyre. This year they added the No. 1 ranked receiver in the country in Tristen Keys and signed another five star tackle that could anchor the opposite side of the offensive line from David Sanders Jr.
We know Tennessee will have an elite offense as long as Josh Heupel is in charge. His hiring of Knowles though was an elite move and they will be very good next season because of it.
Way Too Early Winner – Georgia
I will never bet against Kirby Smart. Last season they were the second youngest team in the SEC in 2025, and they lost very little from that roster. They also only play four games outside of the state in 2026 and two of those were 4-8 or worse a season ago. Give me the Dawgs.
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