SEC Spotlight: Concern level for programs lagging behind on 2026 class
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We continue with a look at the SEC.
RELATED: SEC recruiting rankings | Concern level for Big Ten programs lagging behind on 2026 class
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2027 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
TRANSFER PORTAL: Full coverage | Player ranking | Team ranking | Transfer search | Transfer Tracker
ALABAMA
SEC rank: No. 8 out of 16
Level of concern: Low
Spiegelman's take: In January, the Crimson Tide appeared to be off and rolling on the recruiting trail. Momentum has slowed a bit, but Kalen DeBoer's program holds four commitments and are standing inside the top 30 with verbals from several in-state standouts and a few more blue-chippers of note.
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Jorden Edmonds recently committed to Alabama, and the Tide have potential to keep rolling with several more top targets in the secondary, pass-catchers and defensive linemen before this cycle is over.
Under Nick Saban, the Tide always started slowly before finishing fast and we are predicting a similar trajectory for DeBoer this cycle.
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GEORGIA
SEC rank: No. 7 out of 16
Level of concern: None
Spiegelman's take: Kirby Smart's program is sitting just inside the top 25 of the Rivals Team Rankings, which comes with having only five total verbal commitments. Of that group, the Dawgs hold a pair of commitments from speedy wide receivers in Vance Spafford and Brady Marchese, and there is plenty of room for blue-chip talent to fill out the class.
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Georgia is in pole position for several elite targets on the offensive and defensive lines and secondary. The Dawgs are trending in a strong direction at running back and tight end. When all is said and done, we expect Georgia to be in the mix for another top-five haul.
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OKLAHOMA
SEC rank: No. 11 out of 16
Level of concern: Medium
Spiegelman's take: Oklahoma is sitting with a top-40 recruiting class midway through the spring with four early commitments in the bag. Of that group, there are already teams in heavy pursuit of four-star receiver commit Daniel Odom as well as top-100 quarterback Jaden O'Neal, who was at Florida State last weekend.
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The Sooners are in the mix with some elite talent in the Rivals250 and will have to overcome a few more teams working to flip some current commitments before finalizing their 2026 haul.
OKLAHOMA'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST
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TEXAS
SEC rank: No. 9 out of 16
Level of concern: None
Spiegelman's take: Steve Sarkisian and Texas captured the recruiting title last year with the top class in the Rivals Team Rankings for 2025 – its first in the SEC. The Longhorns vaulted to the top after a fiery close to the 2025 recruiting cycle. They have yet to find their gear for 2026, but have the pieces in place to make a run.
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Texas just added its fourth four-star commitment – from Nicolas Robertson – and is trending up with multiple blue-chippers both in-state and in SEC territory ahead of a massive recruiting weekend on the Forty Acres. Under Sarkisian, top-five hauls have become the expectation and we expect another this year.
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