There’s only so much you can learn during the offseason. Talking season at SEC Media Days didn’t dramatically change my outlook on many teams, but a few programs definitely left Tampa with different vibes. Here are my biggest movers after four days at Media Days.
Moving Up: Texas
The Longhorns already had what is widely considered the most loaded roster in the conference, if not the country. That was only bolstered when Steve Sarkisian announced that five-star recruit John Meredith would be reclassifying from the 2027 class to 2026.
Meredith was the No. 2 overall player for the 2026 cycle and gives the Longhorns six former five-stars in their secondary. It also shouldn’t be lost on anyone the level of talent that they brought with them to Tampa.
Everyone at Media Days gets to bring three players. Texas brought three players that are all currently projected in the top ten of next year’s NFL Draft. That doesn’t even include Cam Coleman who is projected to be in the top 15 at wide receiver.
Moving Up: Tennessee
Tennessee’s biggest concern this year is starting a first year player at quarterback. But, that’s probably where we should give Josh Heupel way more credit that he’s received. Over the last nine years, quarterbacks in his offenses have averaged 262 pass ypg, 31 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in year one.
It’s also not his first rodeo with a first year starting quarterback. This will be the eighth time in ten years he’s had one and the fifth consecutive at Tennessee. In the previous nine years, his teams finished with a top ten scoring offense in seven seasons. The defense will almost certainly be improved because it can’t get much worse. Even without Chaz Coleman, they should still be much improved.
The way that Tennessee’s schedule sets up, it feels like this team could be very good and even a potential sleeper to make the playoff. Most of their toughest games are at home like Alabama, Texas and LSU. The confidence that Heupel spoke with should worry everyone.
Moving Down: Missouri
None of this has anything to do with Ahmad Hardy not being there. It was interesting to hear Eli Drinkwitz talk about that and it was great news that Hardy was medically cleared. But, that doesn’t mean he’ll be 100 percent by the time the season starts.
The one thing I can’t shake about the SEC this year is just how deep the conference feels. That’s not exactly great news for Missouri. Missouri’s biggest challenge under Drinkwitz has been breaking through against the SEC’s best. He’s still winless against teams that finished with a winning record in conference play.
