In a world where rosters are built year to year, spring football in the SEC is no longer about installing schemes. With less depth and more roster holes, teams now use the spring window to fix problems.
Here’s one pressing issue each SEC team must address this spring:
Alabama Crimson Tide | Running game
Alabama finished last season with one of the worst rushing attacks in school history, ranking 123rd nationally. Head coach Kalen DeBoer made revamping the ground game a priority for 2026.
DeBoer hired Adrian Klemm as the new offensive line coach and charged him with rebuilding the unit through transfers and returners. Tackles Jackson Lloyd and Michael Carroll are the key returning starters, while transfers Nick Brooks (Texas ) and Ethan Fields (Ole Miss ) are battling at guard.
Spring game: April 11
Arkansas Razorbacks | Defensive overhaul
Arkansas’ defense was abysmal in 2025, allowing 33.8 points and 458.2 yards per game in its 10 losses. In response, new head coach Ryan Silverfield hired veteran coordinator Ron Roberts to install a new defensive scheme for 2026.
To stabilize a shaky secondary, the Razorbacks are counting 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 entering a new era under head coach Jon Sumrall, and DJ Lagway’s transfer to Baylor has opened a full quarterback competition.
“We’ve got a long way to go to identify who’s going to be the trigger man that gets the opportunity to start game one,” Sumrall said 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 team should be well-coached and physical, but the quarterback spot will ultimately determine Florida’s ceiling.
Spring game: April 11
Georgia Bulldogs | Pass-rush
Georgia has been stewing over its Sugar Bowl loss to Ole Miss, a game in which the defense failed to record a sack on Trinidad Chambliss. This spring, the Bulldogs are intent on regaining their former dominance as pass-rushers.
After the linebacking corps produced just three sacks in 2025, the Bulldogs are demanding more from that group. “We weren’t effective enough in some other areas, being explosive, third downs, and then creating havoc in sacks and disruption on defense has to be better,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said when asked about this season’s themes.
To boost the rush, Georgia added transfer outside linebacker Amaris Williams from Auburn.
Given Smart’s track record, Georgia appears poised to use its depth and new additions to take a step forward.
Spring game: April 18
Kentucky Wildcats | Linebacker
New Kentucky head coach Will Stein brings his explosive offense to Lexington, but he’ll rely on youth at linebacker. Grant Godfrey returns, but he has not been a full-time starter.
Kentucky added help through the portal, signing Elijah Barnes (Texas), the No. 11-ranked linebacker in the 2026 transfer class (per 247Sports), and Tavion Wallace (Arkansas) to round out the starting unit.
There’s talent but little experience. How quickly this group learns run fits and pass coverages will go a long way in determining the defense’s ceiling.
Spring game: April 18
LSU Tigers | Quarterback
Sam Leavitt is LSU’s projected starting quarterback, but his health is a concern. He’s coming off foot surgery, an injury that can linger, and he will not be 100% until well after spring practice.
The Tigers are getting valuable reps for Landen Clark and Husan Longstreet, but if Leavitt is the guy, LSU must worry that his first real action with the team may not come until fall camp.
The offense will go as the quarterbacks do, and it creates real uncertainty heading into fall camp.
Spring game: None.
Mississippi State Bulldogs | Offensive line
Mississippi State averaged 3.9 yards per carry and gave up 40 sacks last season. There’s excitement about quarterback Kamario Taylor, but they need to play better up front for it to matter.
After adding eight transfers to the offensive line, including 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’ve got good, strong, athletic dudes that got power, that can bend, that are physical. Don’t let football get in the way and overthink things.”
Returning tackle Michael Fasusi, guard Ryan Fodje and center Jake Maikkuula form the foundation 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 hired as offensive coordinator, and Randy Clements took over as offensive line coach.
The Gamecocks are already facing adversity in 2026, losing two-year starter Josiah Thompson, a tackle, for the season to a lower-body injury.
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 quickly opened a quarterback competition.
Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon are competing for the job, and their inexperience raises concerns for the 2026 season.
Both quarterbacks are still in the early development phase. The competition will most likely extend into the fall.
Spring game: April 11
Texas Longhorns | Offensive line
QB Arch Manning spent most of 2025 running for his life. Texas never settled on a consistent starting five on the line, and it showed with breakdowns and miscommunication.
This offseason, the Longhorns attacked the portal, including 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. Replacing QB Diego Pavia and TE Eli Stowers is no small task. At QB, the Commodores will turn to true freshman quarterback Jared Curtis, who inherits a strong group of weapons.
Running back Sedrick Alexander and receiver Junior Sherrill are back after combining for 18 touchdowns last season, while tight end Spence Cole returns, looking to take on a larger role as a receiving threat.
Pavia finished second in the 2025 Heisman race and will be difficult to replace, especially with a true freshman, but Vanderbilt doesn’t plan on sliding too far in 2026 after a 10-3 record last season.
Spring game: April 18
