We’re virtually by means of the barren late-winter wasteland on the school soccer calendar. Because the south thaws from a very chilly January, all eyes flip in direction of spring follow for an attractive first take a look at groups for the upcoming season. 

It is a large offseason for the SEC, which is seeking to reclaim its spot atop the game after lacking out on every of the final two School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championships. 

The league has nonetheless been a mainstay in faculty soccer’s postseason, because it despatched Georgia, Texas and Tennessee to the playoff final season. 5 groups received at the least 10 video games, and 13 of the SEC’s 16 packages certified for a bowl sport. Nonetheless, given the SEC’s declare as certainly one of faculty soccer’s premier conferences, championships are the usual. There is definitely a strong crop of top-tier groups, and optimism is rarely larger than within the spring. 

As spring practices start, this is a take a look at the most important questions surrounding every of the league’s 16 groups. 

Alabama 

Who emerges at quarterback? Alabama has to exchange veteran starter Jalen Milroe, who posted his fair proportion of wow moments however by no means fairly put all of it along with the Crimson Tide. Even with Milroe off to the NFL, Alabama has constructed certainly one of faculty soccer’s deepest quarterback rooms. Longtime backup Ty Simpson eschewed the switch portal for a possibility to compete for the beginning job — a spot much like the one he was in previous to the 2023 season when he battled Milroe — however he will not be handed the chance. 

Austin Mack initially signed to play for Kalen DeBoer at Washington and adopted him to Tuscaloosa. New Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who collaborated with DeBoer at Washington and had a quick stint within the NFL, additionally had a hand in recruiting Mack to the Huskies. That provides Mack a definite benefit, although Simpson has the sting in expertise. 5-star freshman Keelon Russell may also get his fair proportion of appears. The Tide have a wealth of choices, and spring will probably be key to whittling issues down. 

Arkansas 

Will roster overhaul result in resurgence? Between highschool signings and switch portal additions, Arkansas welcomes 40 complete newcomers this spring. That is a number of new faces because the Hawgs look to get issues again on observe underneath Sam Pittman, who in all probability does not have a ton of leeway after posting a 10-14 regular-season file over the previous couple years. The upcoming follow slate will probably be essential for integrating these new faces, as a number of are anticipated to step into outstanding roles. Arkansas does return quarterback Taylen Inexperienced and potential breakout operating again Braylen Russell to offer some stability. 

Auburn 

Is Jackson Arnold the reply? Auburn remains to be looking for some stability at quarterback getting into its third-year underneath coach Hugh Freeze, who usually has a knack for creating high-caliber sign callers. In an effort to bolster the place, the Tigers dipped into the switch portal so as to add former blue-chip prospect Jackson Arnold from Oklahoma. Although Arnold brings a big pedigree — he was the No. 10 recruit nationally within the Class of 2023 — and bona fide SEC beginning expertise, he did not fairly dwell as much as the billing with the Sooners. 

He was truly benched halfway by means of the 2024 season earlier than returning later and, notably, main Oklahoma to an enormous upset win towards Alabama. He completed his sophomore marketing campaign with a decent 1,421 yards and 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions. Arnold can be a legit speeding menace, including an additional dimension to Auburn’s offense. Possibly Freeze has the important thing to completely unlock Arnold’s potential. The subsequent month will present some indication as to how he suits. 

Florida 

Will Napier innovate on offense? Florida promoted Russ Callaway to offensive coordinator in February, although the transfer appears largely symbolic. Coach Billy Napier plans to retain play-calling duties, although Florida’s offense has endured its fair proportion of struggles underneath his steering. The 2025 season is essential for Napier’s tenure. He purchased some goodwill because of a scorching-hot near 2024 and standout efforts on the recruiting path, however his leash is not that lengthy. 

The Gators must take important strides offensively to really escape, however the items are there. Rising quarterback DJ Lagway appears primed to emerge as one of many premier playmakers within the nation. Sophomore operating again Jadan Baugh is prepared for a standout function. Although Florida has to exchange its high two receivers, there’s a number of younger expertise within the room. Napier must match the improved roster together with his teaching. Leaning extra on Callaway, who engineered a number of the FCS’ greatest passing offenses throughout his time at Samford from 2016-19, can be a wise step. 

Georgia 

Can Georgia reload its go rush? Historical past and Georgia’s improvement underneath coach Kirby Sensible actually signifies that it is going to be nice, however the Dawgs’ losses alongside the road of scrimmage are, nonetheless, important. Mykel Williams, Chaz Chambliss and Jalon Walker are all off to the NFL, taking 18 of Georgia’s 45 complete sacks in 2024 with them. It ought to go with out saying that Georgia does not lack in expertise on protection, however spring will probably be key for some younger gamers stepping as much as fill the void. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Gabe Harris Jr. and Quintavius Johnson are strong choices already on the roster, however maybe a freshman like Isaiah Gibson — Georgia’s highest-rated EDGE signee within the 247Sports period — can pressure his approach into the rotation. The snaps are there. 

Kentucky 

Did Kentucky do sufficient to revitalize its offense? Kentucky’s 2024 season is greatest left far within the rearview mirror. The Wildcats spiraled to a 4-8 file, together with a 1-7 mark in convention play. It was this system’s first shedding season since 2020, and its worst SEC file since 2013 — coach Mark Stoops’ first yr with this system — not counting a 2021 season wherein Kentucky was compelled to vacate its wins. A pitiful offensive effort had so much to do with the sharp downturn. The Wildcats ranked fifteenth out of 16 SEC groups in complete offense (330.4 yards per sport) and sixteenth in scoring (20.6 factors per sport). 

To make issues worse, Kentucky misplaced a majority of its key figures to commencement and the switch portal. Broad receivers Barion Brown and Dane Key transferred. Three beginning offensive linemen departed and, to compound issues, former blue-chip switch quarterback Brock Vandagriff retired. In an try to offset the losses and attempt to spark a turnaround Kentucky added 12 offensive transfers through the portal. One other factor working within the Wildcats’ favor is the truth that offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan is again for his second season, giving Stoops the identical offensive coordinator in consecutive years for the primary time since 2019-20. 

LSU 

What form does LSU’s secondary take? Regardless of claiming the the “DBU” title, LSU has had endured some disappointing secondary play all through coach Brian Kelly’s tenure. It is restricted the Tigers’ ceiling, despite the fact that they’ve constantly boasted a number of the SEC’s high offenses and even produced a Heisman Trophy winner in 2023 alum Jayden Daniels. So it is a good signal for the Tigers that there’s a wealth of defensive again expertise descending upon Baton Rouge this spring. LSU signed two four-star switch cornerbacks in Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech) and Ja’Keem Jackson (Florida) and pulled four-star security switch Tamarcus Cooley from NC State. Moreover, LSU labored actually onerous to maintain high highschool signee DJ Pickett, the No. 24 prospect nationally and No. 5 cornerback within the 2025 class, on board. It looks like a query of when, not if, Pickett performs an enormous function as a real freshman. 

Ole Miss 

How does Ole Miss change Jaxson Dart? It will not be a straightforward feat. Dart earned his standing as a program legend by guiding Ole Miss to a few of its greatest seasons ever whereas posting a staggering 11,970 yards passing and 95 complete touchdowns in his profession. As he rockets up NFL Draft boards, Ole Miss’ teaching employees is attending to work figuring out his successor. Third-year sophomore Austin Simmons is the pure choice after backing Dart up in 2024. He performed in 9 video games and accomplished 19 passes for 282 yards with two touchdowns. However he’ll should fend off redshirt freshman AJ Maddox and switch addition Pierce Clarkson (Louisville). Even when Simmons pulls forward within the spring, Ole Miss may have its work reduce out ensuring the offense does not lose a step with out Dart on the helm. 

Mississippi State 

Is Blake Shapen wholesome? Shapen’s Mississippi State profession obtained off to a scorching-hot begin, as he posted 974 yards and eight touchdowns by means of three and a half video games earlier than a shoulder damage knocked him out for the rest of the 2024 season. So he got here again for a sixth yr of faculty soccer. In that span, he is solely performed one full season. His standing will probably be value monitoring because the offseason unfolds. The Bulldogs did put together a pleasant contingency plan by touchdown former high prospect Luke Kromenhoek by means of he switch portal. 

Missouri 

Who steps up on offense? The quarterback-receiver tandem of Brady Cook dinner and Luther Burden III carved up opposing defenses and helped Missouri win 21 video games over the previous two seasons. Now they’re gone — with much more important losses past that. Actually, the Tigers have to exchange Cook dinner, all three beginning large receivers and every of its high two operating backs in Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll. Missouri turned to the switch portal to handle Cook dinner’s departure by signing former Penn State backup Beau Pribula, a multi-dimensional menace that ought to win the job. The Tigers additionally added 1,000-yard rusher Ahmad Hardy, the 2024 Solar Belt Freshman of the Yr at ULM. 

It looks like Missouri is basically content material with its in-house choices at large receiver, although Kevin Coleman Jr. comes over from Mississippi State. In any other case, wideouts like Marquis Johnson, Joshua Manning and Daniel Blood can show they’re prepared for extra. Mizzou additionally signed four-star large receiver Donovan Olugbode, a high 75 prospect within the 2025 class. 

Oklahoma 

Can the Sooners repair their offensive line? Oklahoma allowed an FBS-worst 50 sacks final season, because the Sooners’ offense sputtered of their third yr underneath coach Brent Venables. The offensive line has been a reasonably constant problem all through Venables’ tenure, regardless of the presence of veteran OL coach Invoice Bedenbaugh. Oklahoma is not going to take a step towards SEC competition if it may possibly’t improve within the trenches. Beginning left sort out Logan Howland is again as a superb start line. He performed higher because the 2024 season went on. The Sooners additionally earned the pledge of four-star offensive line switch Derek Simmons (Western Carolina) and signed Michael Fasusi, the highest offensive sort out within the 2025 recruiting class. Fasusi has a college-ready body and will see loads of snaps early. Oklahoma is hoping these new faces are sufficient to improve the extent of play. 

South Carolina 

How does the entrance seven form up? South Carolina has to, primarily, overhaul its total entrance seven after that unit had a formidable efficiency in 2024. The Gamecocks misplaced their high three linebackers and 5 key gamers within the trenches, together with EDGE Kyle Kennard, who received the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Award after tallying 11.5 sacks. It is not all unhealthy, although; South Carolina does at the least return Freshman All-American Dylan Stewart, a former five-star prospect that completed his first yr of faculty soccer with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. There’s loads of holes to fill round him, although, and there is a good likelihood the Gamecocks begin a number of transfers at line of defense and linebacker after bolstering each items through the portal. 

Tennessee 

Will younger large receiver group up its sport? On the high of Tennessee’s agenda is changing operating again Dylan Sampson, who fairly actually carried the Vols’ offense together with his 1,491 yards and program-record 22 touchdowns on the bottom. Whereas that is necessary, Tennessee would not should lean on its run sport as a lot if a handful of dependable receivers emerge. Tennessee hasn’t had a real, go-to choice emerge within the wake of Jalin Hyatt’s departure following an outstanding 2022 season. Now the Vols have to exchange all three of their main receivers from 2024.To make issues worse, Tennessee additionally misplaced three skilled go catchers to the switch portal. 

Meaning the Vols have only one scholarship receiver with multiple yr of collegiate expertise on their roster getting into the offseason. Nevertheless, Tennessee’s WR room makes up for its lack of expertise with potential. Chris Brazzell II (the aforementioned participant with greater than a yr in faculty) may have his likelihood to shine in a featured function. Mike Matthews, a former top-40 prospect, will step in as a starter after flirting with the switch portal. The Vols additionally added former four-star prospect Amari Jefferson through the switch portal. In the meantime, Braylon Staley and true freshman Travis Smith Jr. boast a blue-chip pedigree. Spring will probably be a good time to kind all of it out, and it additionally affords Tennessee the chance to judge if it wants so as to add reinforcements throughout April’s portal window. 

Texas 

Is Arch Manning prepared for the highlight? In all probability, sure. He is been in headlines since his freshman yr of highschool. That type of comes with the territory of being a Manning. Nonetheless, this will probably be his first spring in command of Texas’ offense, since he’ll be stepping in for longtime starter Quinn Ewers. It is actually not a query of expertise with Manning, who has flashed throughout his (comparatively) restricted taking part in time with the Longhorns. However it’s a large leap from backup to the No. 1 man for a crew with championship expectations. 

Texas A&M 

Will ability place overhaul result in offensive enchancment? Texas A&M has misplaced some outstanding ability place stars through the switch portal lately, together with former five-star prospect Evan Stewart (now at Oregon) and 2024 main receiver Noah Thomas, (now at Georgia). To offset the expertise drain, second-year coach Mike Elko turned closely in direction of the ever-present portal through the spring window. The Aggies added 4 large receivers and two tight ends with collegiate expertise to their roster forward of the spring follow slate. 

The jewel of the haul is slot choice KC Concepcion, who had 839 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving with NC State final season. Micah Hudson, a former five-star prospect within the class of 2024, additionally made his option to Texas A&M after failing to interrupt by means of at Texas Tech as a real freshman. It is a number of change for one place group, however it may very well be the spark that A&M’s offense wants. 

Vanderbilt 

What does Vanderbilt do at security? Vanderbilt returns a majority of its protection, however the Commodores did endure a pair of key losses in CJ Taylor and De’Rickey Wright, who fashioned one of many SEC’s greatest security tandems final season. Dontae Carter performed throughout Vanderbilt’s secondary as a real freshman and will probably be first in line to fill the void. The Commodores even have graduate Marlen Sewell, who tallied 20 complete tackles and two go breakups in 2024. Vanderbilt dipped into the portal so as to add CJ Heard, who began at security as a freshman at Florida Atlantic final yr. There’s some younger expertise for the ‘Dores to be enthusiastic about regardless of the numerous losses on the backend.