SEC Spotlight: Concern level for programs lagging behind on 2026 class
Spring official visits have kicked off around the country and players are still taking unofficial visits to check out spring practices. As we enter a very busy time on the recruiting calendar, which programs currently lagging behind should be truly worried about their recruiting classes and which of them will be just fine?
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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.
ALABAMA'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST
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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.
GEORGIA'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST
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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.
TEXAS'S 2026 COMMITMENT LIST
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