LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — As always with the SEC, ‘it just means more.’ That’s never been more truthful than it is now with the conference expanded to 16 members.
Texas and Oklahoma have brought two of the biggest brands full of tradition, winning and revenue. Both schools also recruit at a very high level which makes it an even tougher league each year.
Half of the SEC teams sit from No. 1 to No. 17 in 247sports recruiting ranking. Kentucky (No. 26) and Arkansas (No. 28) sit just outside the top 25. Florida and Ole Miss have quality pieces but are lacking in terms of number of commits. Here’s a breakdown of where each SEC sits in regard to recruiting.
VANDERBILT
Rank: 75 (16 in SEC)
The Commodores have historically struggled but have seen moderate levels of success in short spurts. Access to elite talent isn’t a problem given where the school sits relative to recruiting hotbeds across the south.
There are currently no 4-star prospects committed nor anyone ranked in the top-300 of 247sports ranking. With Coach Clark Lea generating much support from Vanderbilt’s fanbase it’s hard to believe recruiting will change much over the next few months.
FLORIDA
Rank: 42 (15 in SEC)
Billy Napier enters his third season with the Gators but is also on one of the hottest of coaching hot seats in the country. Florida’s recruiting has dropped significantly considering the program signed the No. 7 freshman class along with a No. 10 transfer portal haul.
Winning cures a lot of things but there may not be any saving this 2025 class with most of the nation’s top prospects already committed. Florida’s highest rated prospect, Vernell Brown III, gives fans Percy Harvin vibes with his short range burst and versatility as a wideout. Brown is the No. 36 prospect in his class, according to 247sports.
MISSISSIPPI STATE
Rank: 34 (14 in SEC)
The Bulldogs are one SEC program that’s surprisingly had an uptick in performance given its on-field product lately. Keeping top players in-state has been a priority for new coach Jeff Lebby with athlete KeMario Taylor, defensive end Tyshun Willis and Mario Nash, Jr. already pledged to the Mississippi State.
Prize commitment so far is Baton Rouge standout wide receiver Ferzell Shephard who is bought into Lebby’s electric offense. 4-star defensive lineman Kelvin Oatis’ recruitment is a tight one between Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Arkansas but seems to be in a good spot with the Bulldogs.
OLE MISS
Rank: 33 (13 in SEC)
A surprise not many expected as the Rebels are considered darkhorse playoff contenders this season. Coach Lane Kiffin has shown he covets transfers more than high school seniors throughout his tenure in Oxford but that’s the state of college football.
The Rebels have suffered a few defections over the summer six players decommitting including 5-star wide receiver Jerome Myles and No. 1 running back prospect Akylin Dear. 4-star athlete Jarcoby Hopson is the program’s top rated committed prospect for now. He has tremendous size to play an impact role at many positions but is projected to play linebacker for Ole Miss.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Rank: 30 (12 in SEC)
Coach Shane Beamer has assembled a solid class of 19 commitments so far with 14 prospects ranked in the top 600 of 247sports composite ranking. The Gamecocks’ top commitment is 4-star wideout Lex Cyrus is a speedster who dominated competition in his home state of Pennsylvania with 67 catches for 1,115 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior.
ARKANSAS
Rank: 28 (11 in SEC)
Led by 4-star linebacker Tavion Wallace, the Razorbacks have piece together a solid class capable of competing in the middle of the SEC. Key piece to the class is 4-star quarterback Grayson Wilson who has been committed since April of 2023. Wilson has grown into his body and recently transferred up a couple divisions in high school competition to 7A ball at Conway High School.
KENTUCKY
Rank: 26 (10 in SEC)
Mark Stoops has pieced together a consistent program as any in the SEC since he was hired in Lexington over a decade ago. His grind it out, physical, professional style has sent several former players to the pros and that speaks to young talent especially on defense.
Kentucky’s top two prospects are a pair of 4-star defensive ends ranked in the top-15 for their positions in Cedric Works and Javeon Campbell. Another quality defensive piece in the secondary is 4-star safety commit Martels Carter who is an explosive athlete in all three phases of the game.
MISSOURI
Rank: 17 (9 in SEC)
Imagine being a top 20 program in recruiting but barely in the top half of the SEC for 2025. That’s the Tigers’ problem after winning 11 games an beating Ohio State in last seasons Cotton Bowl.
Drinkwitz has Missouri on an insane pace with five top 250 prospects in the country committed. Matt Zollers has been touted a can’t miss quarterback prospect, a perfect fit for the Tigers’ dynamic spread offense.
TEXAS
Rank: 12 (8 in SEC)
Paging Steve Sarkisian. His Longhorns program has been on a tear since a bumpy first year in 2021. Fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance last season, Texas is considered ‘back’ by many.
5-star wideout Kaliq Lockett recently committed to Texas last week after a lengthy recruitment which featured him being pursued by 31 different programs. After an exceptional junior season that saw him catch 59 passes for 1,299 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Lance Jackson, brother of current Arkansas defensive end Landon, is another prized recruit for 2025. As a junior, Jackson played both ways but excelled at defensive end with 69 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and three forced fumbles.
OKLAHOMA
Rank: 11 (7 in SEC)
Brent Venables inherited a recruiting monster on both sides of the football. Even if the talent didn’t live up to expectations under Lincoln Riley, the Sooners will soon be a defensive juggernaut in the SEC.
Led by defensive end CJ Nickson, Oklahoma has three commitments in the 247sports top 150. A solid first season in the SEC could change its ranking with any late decisions during the early signing period.
TENNESSEE
Rank: 8 (6 in SEC)
Pending a last second change by David Sanders, Jr., the Volunteers are set to gain a pledge from the nation’s No. 3 prospect and best offensive tackle prospect David Sanders, Jr. this Saturday. Coach Josh Heupel has balanced his class on both sides of the ball with seven commitments from top-150 prospects.
TEXAS A&M
Rank: 6 (5 in SEC)
Kevin Sumlin, Jimbo Fisher or Mike Elko means no problem in recruiting around Aggieland. Since their entrance into the SEC in 2012, Texas A&M has been fixtures for 5-star prospects and top-10 finishes in recruiting rankings.
The Aggies currently hold commitments from seven top-150 prospects, according to 247sports composite rankings. Desperately in need of running back depth, A&M does have a pledge from 4-star tailback Deondrea Riden.
Also in play is top running back prospect for 2025, Akylin Dean, who was committed to Ole Miss. Alabama and the Texas A&M are very much in the mix.
AUBURN
Rank: 5 (4 in SEC)
Hugh Freeze has his Tigers’ program picking up steam on the national and state levels for 2025. His crew holds commitments from eight of the 10 best prospects in Alabama.
There is a future for a dangerous defensive line very soon with 5-star’s Jared Smith and Malik Autrey in tow. Auburn has eight top-100 commitments and 10 who currently sit in the top-150. Just like he did at Ole Miss, Freeze is looking to dominate the recruiting landscape in the SEC.
GEORGIA
Rank: 4 (3 in SEC)
There’s not much to say about the Bulldogs except its dominance will continue on the recruiting scene. Currently, six top-100 prospects are committed to Georgia with three ranked in the top-25.
5-star linebacker Zayden Walker appears to be the next big thing after excelling on both sides of the football throughout his prep career. Playing college football is in his family bloodline with two brothers Jalewis Solomon (South Carolina) and Zykeivous Walker (Auburn) playing in the SEC this season.
LSU
Rank: 3 (2 in SEC)
Talk about a program changing class, the Tigers have commitments from three 5-star prospects including top overall prospect Bryce Underwood. He is expected to be an immediate star at the college level after dominating high school competition at Belleville, Michigan since his freshman season.
Without academic limitations, Coach Brian Kelly is proving his worth surrounded by other elite recruiters. One prospect to keep an eye on is Jonah Williams, the No. 7 player in the 2025 class. He’s down to the Tigers, USC, Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M.
ALABAMA
Rank: 2 (1 in SEC)
The Crimson Tide are a national brand for now and don’t have to depend on regional talent to stay atop the mountain post-Saban. New coach Kalen DeBoer has commitments from 12 prospects ranked inside the top-150 of 247sports rankings.
Since his decommitment from SMU, 5-star quarterback Keelon Russell’s stock skyrocketed from No. 371 overall to No. 10 since February 23, 2024. Wide receiver Caleb Cunningham of Ackerman, Mississippi is another key addition for the 2025 class as an exceptional athlete capable of creating separation at the line and using his speed to go vertical.
