The SEC may see the Texas Longhorns rise in 2026, with Cam Coleman's transfer to UT from the Auburn Tigers expected to be the biggest difference-maker. USA Today's Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams predicted as much on their SEC Football Unfiltered podcast.
Toppmeyer said that Coleman is the exact type of receiver needed to get the most out of Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, with previous WR1 Ryan Wingo acting as a decoy and running back transfers Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown also joining the mix and helping set up the pass with the run.
"I’m buying in, and not just because Manning finished the season playing much better than he did at the season’s start. Never mind Manning’s surname. Just consider how he played in the back half of the season, and it’s fair to think he should be among preseason Heisman frontrunners. I’m also buying in because of how Texas reloaded via the portal. The recent addition of wide receiver Cam Coleman of Auburn cannot be overstated," Adams said.
"Texas needed to pair a big-time receiver with Manning. Coleman provides that. Put Coleman alongside Ryan Wingo, and you can start to see the makings of a dynamic offense, particularly after you factor in transfer running backs Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State), who rushed for more than 2,000 yards combined this past season."
With a $40 million roster expected in Austin during the 2026 season, Texas is, on paper, the team to beat in an SEC field that's expected to be just as strong, if not even stronger, than it was during the 2025 season; and that was with five teams making the College Football Playoff from the conference.
UGA, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, and Oklahoma should also contend in SEC
Toppmeyer believes the Georgia Bulldogs will be right there with the Longhorns, saying, "Yes, although I’d have Georgia neck-and-neck with Texas. I like Georgia’s schedule better. These teams won’t play in the regular season and might be on a course for Atlanta."
The Texas A&M Aggies, with Marcel Reed returning and an expensive portal class incoming, should continue to improve under Mike Elko. The LSU Tigers, with Sam Leavitt running the show and Lane Kiffin lavishing the Arizona State Sun Devils transfer with elite skill position and trench talent. Meanwhile, Kiffin's old team, Pete Golding Ole Miss Rebels, have been firing away in the portal themselves, staying relevant with all-in rev-share/NIL spend. The Oklahoma Sooners could be a sneaky riser, with Dallas Cowboys legends Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray joining Brent Venables staff as offensive position coaches at the positions they became legendary at in the NFL.
It's a strong field, but the SEC is the Longhorns' to lose in 2026.