3 newcomers, 2 returners and 1 game to circle for each SEC team (Part 2)
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Last week, we took a look at 3 newcomers, 2 returners and 1 game to circle for 8 SEC teams. Now, it’s time to cover the rest of the SEC in Part 2.
Let’s get right into it, starting with Mizzou.
Mizzou
- 3 Newcomers: Austin Simmons (QB), Cayden Lee (WR), Robert Woodyard (LB)
Austin Simmons’ sophomore season didn’t exactly go as planned. The former Ole Miss QB threw 2 interceptions against Georgia State, then suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 that kept him sidelined for an extended period of time. Trinidad Chambliss was an immediate star in his place and kept the starting job, so Simmons transferred out for another go around in 2026.
Making his life easier, Mizzou now boasts WR Cayden Lee, who is familiar with Simmons and totaled over 1,500 receiving yards with 5 touchdowns across the past 2 seasons in Oxford. He’s the frontrunner to lead the Tigers in receiving yards this season.
Robert Woodyard has a chance to be special for Mizzou’s defense in DC Corey Batoon’s system. The PFF first team All-SEC linebacker collected 67 tackles and 2 sacks last season for Auburn and will enter his 4th year of college football in Columbia. Many words adequately describe Woodyard, but perhaps the best I’ve seen used to describe his game is “violent.”
With Josiah Trotter off to the NFL, the Tigers’ LB unit could use some violence.
- 2 Returners: Ahmad Hardy (RB), Cayden Green (OT)
Speaking of violence.
Mizzou’s run game could be lethal with consensus All-American Ahmad Hardy at running back and left tackle Cayden Green anchoring the offensive line. Hardy is one of the 3 best running backs in the sport heading into 2026, and incoming OC Chip Lindsey should have a few tricks up his sleeve to let Hardy shine.
- 1 Game: Florida (Oct. 3)
Eli Drinkwitz, who is entering Year 7 at the helm of the Tigers, cannot lose to first-year SEC coach Jon Sumrall in this spot. At home. During Homecoming Week.
Oklahoma
- 3 Newcomers: Parker Livingstone (WR), Trell Harris (WR), Cole Sullivan (LB)
Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris combined for 1,363 yards and 11 touchdowns last season at Texas and Virginia, respectively. Both complement Isaiah Sategna well, which forms a great pass-catching trio for a reloaded John Mateer.
Cole Sullivan is one of a few transfers set to play significant snaps for OU’s defense. The former Michigan LB proved to have great football instincts in a breakout campaign last year, snagging 3 interceptions with 44 tackles and a pair of sacks. Don’t sleep on Sullivan and returning LB Kip Lewis.
- 2 Returners: David Stone (DT), Taylor Wein (Edge)
There are so many great Oklahoma returners it was difficult to choose just a few.
David Stone was briefly the No. 1 player in the transfer portal before deciding to stay at Oklahoma. The former 5-star prospect is a monster in the middle for what should be the best defensive line in the SEC, specifically excelling as a run-stopper.
While Stone and Jayden Jackson hold it down in the middle, Taylor Wein is set for another big year rushing the passer. Perhaps overshadowed by R Mason Thomas, Wein totaled 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception last season while leading the team in tackles for loss with 15. Ten sacks and 20 tackles for loss are on the table for Wein in 2026.
- 1 Game: vs. Texas (Oct. 10)
Texas spanked Oklahoma in Dallas in 2024, then embarrassed the Sooners again in 2025. The Longhorns won both games by a combined score of 57-9. That’s… far from ideal.
Here’s the good news: Oklahoma’s defense is set to be elite in 2026, John Mateer is healthy and the Sooners (as well as the Longhorns…) get a bye week to prepare ahead of this gargantuan rivalry matchup at the Cotton Bowl.
Ole Miss
- 3 Newcomers: Luke Ferrelli (LB), Darrell Gill (WR), Johntay Cook (WR)
Ole Miss added ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Luke Ferrelli after he originally committed to Clemson out of the transfer portal. That makes for a monster LB unit alongside Suntarine Perkins and Keaton Thomas out of Baylor.
The Rebels also added Syracuse wide receivers Darrell Gill and Johntay Cook, who started his career at Texas. Either could outperform their time at Syracuse, but I’m especially interested in 6-foot-3 deep ball target Gill.
- 2 Returners: Kewan Lacy (RB), Trinidad Chambliss (QB)
Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy make up the best QB-RB duo in the country. There’s a world where they both rush for 1,000 yards, and Lacy could lead the country in rushing yards when it’s all said and done. Something that tends to fly under the radar with Lacy is his pass protection, which is really, really strong.
Perhaps the question of the offseason for Ole Miss is as follows: How will Chambliss fare without Lane Kiffin in town? If his play in the College Football Playoff is any indication, Rebels fans shouldn’t be too worried.
- 1 Game: vs. LSU (Sept. 19)
As mentioned in Part 1, Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford is perhaps the most anticipated matchup of the year in college football. Ole Miss fans are itching for revenge against Kiffin. There’s drama, potential Playoff implications and NFL talent on both sides of the field, all set to mix together in an elite SEC atmosphere live on ABC. Under the lights.
What’s not to love?
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South Carolina
- 3 Newcomers: Jacarrius Peak (OL), Caleb Herring (DL), Noah Clark (DT)
Right off the bat, this one comes with an asterisk. Jacarrius Peak, one of the top players in the transfer portal, will miss at least part of the season while dealing with a “significant” knee injury. He’s expected to be one of the top tackles off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft, so hopefully he plays meaningful snaps for the Gamecocks. They’ll need him to, because a rebuilt offensive line may send LaNorris Sellers scrambling if Beamer and Co. can’t figure it out.
Caleb Herring has a ton of potential and will likely start opposite Dylan Stewart off the edge. The former Tennessee pass rusher could eat with Stewart drawing tons of attention — especially early in the season.
Noah Clark was tabbed the co-defensive newcomer of the spring by South Carolina’s coaching staff. The true freshman is 6-foot-5 and 340 pounds — enough said.
- 2 Returners: LaNorris Sellers (QB), Dylan Stewart (Edge)
The pitch for South Carolina last year was simple: The Gamecocks feature arguably the most talented offensive player and the most talented defensive player in the SEC. You could realistically reuse that pitch in 2026.
Admittedly, LaNorris Sellers has a lot to prove after a down year in 2025. He’s got a cannon for a right arm and has the tools to be the best rushing quarterback in the SEC, but he’ll have to be more accurate as a passer — and his receivers (looking at you, Nyck Harbor) will need to improve, too.
What is there to say about Dylan Stewart that hasn’t already been said? There are few human beings alive who glide to the backfield as effortlessly as Stewart has shown since his freshman year. Since 2024, Stewart boasts 88 QB pressures and 12 sacks. Top 10 pick?
- 1 Game: Tennessee (Oct. 24)
Tennessee, a team that will be led by an inexperienced quarterback, is set to face off against Alabama on October 17. Over in Columbia, South Carolina gets a bye week to rest up and prepare to host the Volunteers on Oct. 24. After that, the going is rough for the Gamecocks: at Oklahoma, vs. Texas A&M, at Arkansas, vs. Georgia and at Clemson.
Tennessee
- 3 Newcomers: Faizon Brandon (QB), Jordan Norman (Edge), Amare Campbell (LB)
Faizon Brandon certainly has the look of a great SEC quarterback. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2026 class (per 247Sports) could very well start for the Vols as a true freshman. The race between Brandon and returner George MacIntyre is neck and neck but from a physical standpoint, Brandon should have the edge. Regardless, you can bet on Brandon seeing the field before Tennessee’s dance with Texas in Week 4.
Jordan Norman was set to be an important piece for this Vols squad even before Chaz Coleman was medically disqualified from the team. Now, he’s set to see the most time off the edge for the Vols at LEO with by far the most experience in the room. But after collecting 6 sacks last season at Tulane, is Norman ready for the physicality of the SEC?
Amare Campbell was Penn State’s top tackler in 2025 and joins an absolutely stacked Vols LB unit after following DC Jim Knowles to Knoxville. Even with Arion Carter, Jadon Perlotte and Edwin Spillman in the room, I expect Campbell to lead his team in tackles for the second-straight season.
- 2 Returners: DeSean Bishop (RB), Ty Redmond (CB)
I think DeSean Bishop will rush for 1,500+ yards in 2026. The Vols will be inexperienced at quarterback, and Bishop will be working behind what should be one of the best offensive line units in the country. On top of that, Bishop was a scoring machine with 16 rushing touchdowns last season.
True freshman CB Ty Redmond was thrust into a starting role early last year in place of injured starters Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson. Week after week, opposing OCs tried to pick on him — but the freshman All-American more than held his own. The former 3-star prospect totaled 11 pass deflections with 3 interceptions and figures to be Tennessee’s top cornerback heading into 2026.
- 1 Game: Alabama (Oct. 17)
Tennessee gets 3 of its 4 toughest games at home: Texas, Alabama and LSU. Tennessee needs to win at least 2 of these matchups to feel good about reaching the CFP, and Tennessee fans would prefer the Third Saturday in October be one of them.
Texas
- 3 Newcomers: Cam Coleman (WR), Raleek Brown (RB), Rasheem Biles (LB)
Texas landed the No. 1 WR, No. 1 LB and the No. 3 and 4 RBs in On3’s transfer portal rankings.
Coleman is perhaps the most exciting of the group. He put up 708 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in the 2nd worst passing offense in the SEC at Auburn, and he’s set to be Arch Manning’s favorite target in a room that also features Ryan Wingo.
Raleek Brown was actually No. 4 in On3’s portal rankings, but I like Brown’s ceiling over No. 3 Hollywood Smothers — who is a threat to rush for 1,000 yards in his own right. Brown was probably the 2nd best running back in the Big 12 behind BYU’s LJ Martin, averaging 6.1 yards per carry with 1,141 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Last but not least, not by a long shot, there’s Pitt transfer Rasheem Biles. The 2-time All-ACC linebacker totaled 100 tackles with 2 forced fumbles, a pair of interceptions, a pair of defensive touchdowns and 4.5 sacks in 2025 to go with 31 career tackles for loss.
- 2 Returners: Arch Manning (QB), Trevor Goosby (LT)
Trevor Goosby and Arch Manning could each be top 10 picks in the 2027 NFL Draft. Cam Coleman could join them. That’s ultimately the allure of this Texas team; there is talent everywhere you look.
While offensive line is a bit of a question mark for Texas in 2026, Trevor Goosby certainly isn’t. The standout left tackle is as good of an option to have if Steve Sarkisian and Co. are to see Arch Manning finally meet sky-high expectations. This is the year for a big jump.
- 1 Game: vs. Ohio State (Sept. 12)
We’ll know early if Arch Manning and the Longhorns are built for the bright lights. Ohio State was the better team in last year’s matchup, and the early loss defined the rest of Texas’s 2025 season. On top of that, Texas’s schedule is too tough to have an early blemish heading into matchups at Tennessee, vs. Oklahoma in Dallas, vs. Ole Miss, at LSU and at Texas A&M.
Ohio State at Texas is also just an elite game with NFL talent on both sidelines. Week 2’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff is an early candidate for Matchup of the Year alongside Ohio State at Indiana and LSU at Ole Miss.
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Texas A&M
- 3 Newcomers: Anto Saka (Edge), Isaiah Horton (WR), Brandon Arrington (CB)
Don’t know Anto Saka? You will.
The Northwestern transfer is a grown man. At 6-foot-4, 255 pounds, he was considered one of the top players off the edge in the portal when Texas A&M scooped him up earlier this offseason. He had 3 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 2025 and boasts 12 sacks for his CFB career. There are many more sacks to come.
Isaiah Horton is a candidate to score 10 touchdowns this season. He led Alabama with 8 touchdown receptions in 2025, most in the red zone, and fits well alongside speedy receivers Mario Craver and Ashton Bethel-Roman at an impressive 6-foot-4, 208 pounds.
Arrington may seem like a bit of a head scratcher considering he’s a true freshman in a pretty talented CB room. I don’t think it matters. The former 5-star and No. 1 CB prospect in the Class of 2026 is one of the most talented freshmen in the SEC with long arms and elite speed. Don’t be surprised to see meaningful snaps from Arrington in Year 1.
- 2 Returners: Daymion Sanford (LB), Marcel Reed (QB)
A lot of people have already made up their minds regarding Marcel Reed. Some say he’s not an SEC quarterback. He can prove them right or wrong in his 3rd season as a starter.
While Reed is set to lead the offense, Daymion Sanford is set to lead the defense… once he returns from the lower body injury he suffered during the spring. The 2026 team captain totaled 57 tackles with 3.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 interception and a forced fumble last year. There’s talent behind him, but the Aggies will miss Sanford to start the season.
- 1 Game: vs. Texas (Nov. 27)
There are multiple good options to choose from here. I picked this game for a few key reasons.
For one, Texas A&M is highly unlikely to be undefeated in this spot like it was last year heading into Rivalry Week. The Aggies have to play at LSU, at Alabama and at Oklahoma, and that’s without mentioning a sneaky tough road trip to Columbia to face South Carolina… in November. A 9-2 record entering Rivalry Week is absolutely on the table.
Texas A&M has also lost 3 straight to Texas dating back to 2011 as the Aggies continue to spend more in recruiting than most teams around the country. Need I say more? Gotta have it, Ags.
Vanderbilt
- 3 Newcomers: Jared Curtis (QB), Ricardo Jones (S), Brian Allen (DE)
One of the 3 most talented QB prospects in the 2026 recruiting class decided not to uphold his commitment to Georgia and will instead play for the Vanderbilt Commodores.
What a time to be alive.
The physical element is already there for Jared Curtis — can he get the mental element right in Year 1? We’ll see.
Vanderbilt’s defense should be better than it was last season with Ricardo Jones patrolling the Commodores’ secondary. Jones snagged 6 interceptions for Clemson and joins a talented secondary that includes another player to circle, Martel Hight.
Iowa transfer Brian Allen is another guy to keep an eye on. He’s slated to start for Vanderbilt’s defensive line heading into his 4th season in college football alongside Miles Capers on the edge.
- 2 Returners: Bryan Longwell (LB), Martel Hight (CB)
Martel Hight did a little bit of everything for the Commodores last season. He returned punts, played a little receiver and collected 4 interceptions with a pair of pass deflections. The senior cornerback is back for more in a crowded room.
Longwell finished second behind returner CJ Heard in total tackles (70) in 2025 and will be relied on as the senior leader. He’ll be gunning for 100 tackles in 2026.
- 1 Game: at Auburn (Sept. 26)
This is an absolutely crucial game for Clark Lea and the Commodores. It represents Vanderbilt’s first SEC game of the season, as well as its first road test. More than anything, September 26 will be a tone-setter for a Vandy squad that’s out to prove it still belongs at the top of the conference rankings.
Vanderbilt has to play at Georgia before returning home to face Ole Miss following this matchup. A loss in this spot likely kickstarts a tumble towards 3-3 heading into a Oct. 17 matchup against Arkansas.
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Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
