Spring practice in the SEC isn’t just drills; it’s about building continuity and setting the tone for the season ahead. With coaching turnover, roster movement, and identity shifts defining the offseason, the coming weeks will offer a glimpse into which programs are positioned to contend.
Here are five storylines that could define the SEC race.
Alabama: rebuilding the run
Alabama struggled to run the football in 2025, ranking 123rd nationally at just 104.1 yards per game. This added strain to the passing game down the stretch and has to be addressed in 2026.
Kalen DeBoer hired Adrian Klemm to coach the offensive line for 2026. Klemm inherits a rebuild with four of five starters gone from last season.
The Crimson Tide added six new offensive linemen from the transfer portal and expects Nick Brooks (Texas) and Kaden Strayhorn (Michigan) to anchor the interior.
The question isn’t who starts, but whether the group can restore its former identity. If Klemm’s group can win on early downs, the offense becomes more balanced and dangerous.
Arch Manning: limited spring reps
Texas quarterback Arch Manning underwent foot surgery in January and will be limited for spring practice. Manning threw for 3,163 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2025 and looks to take the next step in 2026. The Longhorns added explosive weapons via the portal, including Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Cam Coleman (Auburn), giving Manning a deep arsenal.
Spring reps are critical for building timing and chemistry between quarterbacks and receivers. The Longhorns will still have one of the nation’s most talented offenses, but how quickly the group gels could be a key storyline heading into the season.
Ole Miss: replacing departed stars
Trinidad Chambliss returns for his final season at Ole Miss, but the Rebels’ receiving corps looks very different. Harrison Wallace III and De’Zhaun Stribling are headed for the NFL after combining for 116 receptions, 1,745 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2025, while Cayden Lee has transferred to Missouri.
To fill the void, Ole Miss added two 4-star receivers, per 247 Sports, in Horatio Fields (Auburn) and Darrell Gill Jr. (Syracuse), along with Johntay Cook (Syracuse), to replace production and contend for starting roles. Meanwhile, the Rebels hope to see Caleb Cunningham take a step and contribute in year two.
Vanderbilt: sustaining momentum
Diego Pavia finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up and led the Vanderbilt Commodores to their first-ever 10-win season in 2025. Coach Clark Lea aims to build on that historic momentum in 2026.
The Commodores signed 5-star quarterback Jared Curtis in the 2026 high school class, and from all accounts, he is as advertised. Curtis will compete with Blaze Berlowitz this spring, a battle that could push both quarterbacks and strengthen the group overall.
Vanderbilt signed three tight ends via the portal to replace Eli Stowers’ production. If Vanderbilt can maintain their ball-controlled offense and mix in play-action passes, it will be fine in 2026.
Pressure cooker: Kiffin at LSU
Lane Kiffin may be the most proven new hire, but he’ll face as much pressure as anyone to win immediately. He recruited the no. 1 transfer class in 2026 rankings per 247 Sports, and after winning 50 games in five years at Ole Miss, LSU has put together one of the most expensive rosters in college football.
Spring practice will offer an early glimpse of how these teams handle the reconstructed rosters and coaching changes. With high turnover and high expectations, the next few weeks could reveal who’s ready to seize the spotlight.
