The SEC is one of, if not the best, conference in FBS football. In 2025, they ranked third in total offense among all conferences. However, they were ranked last in rushing yards per game, while they were first in passing yards per game. This indicates that the SEC wants to pass the ball more, which aligns with the play callers on each team. I believe the SEC will improve overall in 2026, especially with the addition of some coaches during the offseason.
Veer and Shoot Offenses
6 out of the 16 SEC teams are employing a Veer and Shoot offense. This offense is characterized by an up-tempo no-huddle strategy, wide WR splits, a high number of RPOs, and deep choice routes. Given the prevalence of the Veer and Shoot offense in the SEC, it is anticipated that the conference will lead the nation in passing yards.
LSU
Lane Kiffin brings offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. to LSU from Ole Miss. Weis Jr. had complete control over the offense at Ole Miss and will maintain that control at LSU. The Tigers offense has seen some upgrades with the addition of Sam Leavitt at quarterback, along with enhancements to the offensive line and wide receivers.
Ole Miss ranked 2nd in total offense in 2025, while LSU ranked 111th. This indicates that the Tigers offense is poised to be the most improved in the country.
What to expect: Wide WR splits, Duo, Iso, Split Zone, and Counter RPOs, along with a significant dose of Y-Cross.
Tennessee
Josh Heupel handles the primary play-calling duties for the Tennessee Volunteers, with assistance from offensive coordinator Joey Halzle. Since Faizon Brandon, a true freshman, is the starting quarterback, there may be some growing pains.
The Vols ranked 7th in total offense in 2025 and have consistently had a top 20 offense in the past five years under head coach Heupel. While their defense ranked 92nd, they made a significant improvement by hiring a quality defensive coordinator, Jim Knowles.
What to expect: Wide WR Splits, Duo, Iso, QB Runs, and a variety of Choice Routes.
Auburn
Auburn made a significant hire by bringing in Alex Golesh from USF as their head coach. Golesh will be joined by offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, who will be responsible for calling the offense. Additionally, they brought in quarterback Byrum Brown, who is well-suited to their system.
USF ranked 3rd in total offense in 2025, and were very impressive. On the other hand, Auburn had a 79th ranked offense. Golesh decided to retain DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator, who had a 29th ranked defense.
What to expect: Veer and Shoot structure, more QB Read Runs, Screens, and Play-Action Passes.
Mississippi State
Head Coach Jeff Lebby, assisted by offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery, calls the offensive plays. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding sophomore quarterback Kamario Taylor, who had a few appearances in 2025.
Mississippi State’s total offense ranked 56th in 2025, a significant improvement from its 78th-place ranking in 2024. Notably, Lebby served as the offensive coordinator for Oklahoma’s 3rd ranked offense in 2023.
What to expect: Iso RPO, Switch Choice Routes
Ole Miss
John David Baker, formerly of ECU, has been appointed as the offensive coordinator for the Rebels. He was a part of the Ole Miss staff from 2021 to 2023 and now returns to take over as offensive coordinator after Charlie Weis Jr. departed. Baker will be tasked with leading the Rebels’ offense, which includes quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who had an exceptional year and is considered one of the Heisman Trophy favorites.
ECU ranked 19th in total offense in 2025 and Ole Miss ranked 2nd. Ole Miss returns 61% of offensive starters, so don’t expect a drop-off in production.
What to expect: Very similar to the offense from last year, but with more Vertical Routes.
South Carolina
Kendall Briles, comes from TCU to be the offensive coordinator at South Carolina. His coaching roots trace back to his father, Art Briles, at Baylor, where he worked with Veer and Shoot offenses, and Lane Kiffin at Florida Atlantic. Briles served as the offensive coordinator at TCU for 3 years under Sonny Dykes, during which they ran a more Air Raid-style offense.
TCU’s ranked 27th in total offense in 2025, while South Carolina’s ranked 109th. With a talented offense led by quarterback LaNorris Sellers, expect a significant improvement.
What to expect: Veer and Shoot with Air Raid sprinkled in. Wide WR Splits, heavy RPO and Play-Action, and Deep Choice Routes.
Pro-Style Offenses
4 out of the 16 SEC offenses employ a Pro-Style offense. Although many of these offenses are often categorized as Spread offenses, they incorporate various elements of Pistol or Under Center formations, Mid or Wide Zone runs, Gap Schemes, and Play-Action passes.
Georgia
Mike Bobo served as the offensive coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2007 to 2014 and again from 2023 to the present. Gunner Stockton is currently in his second year as the starting quarterback.
The Bulldogs ranked 50th in total offense in 2025. With 63% of their offensive starters returning, they are expected to see improvement this season.
What to expect: Mid and Outside Zone, Crack Toss, RPOs, variety in the Pass Game and a lot of Screens.
Texas
Steve Sarkisian, the head coach and play-caller for the Longhorns, is entering his sixth season. Kyle Flood is serving as the offensive coordinator. Sarkisian previously held the position of offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons from 2017 to 2018. Arch Manning, the current quarterback for the Longhorns, is the second Heisman Trophy favorite.
Texas, despite ranking 70th in total offense in 2025, bolstered their offense during the offseason by acquiring a plethora of weapons for Arch Manning.
What to expect: Wide Zone from Pistol, some QB Runs, Play-Actions, and tend to be better when they use Motion in their passing concepts.
Alabama
Ryan Grubb, in his second year as the offensive coordinator for Alabama, joined the team in 2024 after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Keelon Russell emerged victorious in the quarterback competition, defeating Austin Mack.
The Crimson Tide ranked 84th in total offense in 2025.
What to expect: Hopefully an improved Run Game, Play-Actions, and balance in the Pass and Screen Game.
Missouri
Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz appointed Chip Lindsey, former Michigan offensive coordinator, as the primary play-caller. Both Drinkwitz and Lindsey were under the tutelage of Guz Malzahn, but they have developed their own distinct philosophies. To bolster their offense, the Tigers acquired Ole Miss backup quarterback Austin Simmons. However, superstar runningback Ahmad Hardy will be sidelined for some time due to a gunshot wound.
Michigan ranked 59th in total offense in 2025 and Missouri was ranked 32nd. There are many questions about what this offense will look like because of the uncertainty surrounding Ahmad Hardy, Austin Simmons’s system fit, and the philosophies of Drinkwitz and Lindsey.
What to expect: Wide Zone if Hardy is back, more QB runs with Austin Simmons, Naked and Boot Passes, and some Mesh.
Spread Offenses
The remaining 6 teams employ a Spread offense. While the term “Spread offense” is broad, these offenses typically involve running the quarterback, utilizing space through motions instead of splits, and maintaining a balanced approach across various passing concepts, including RPOs, Screens, Quick Game, Play-Actions, and downfield Pass concepts.
Texas A&M
Holmon Wiggins replaces Collin Klein as offensive coordinator, who left to become Kansas State’s head coach. Wiggins is a first time play-caller but was the Co-OC for A&M and coached WRs for Nick Saban at Alabama. Talented quarterback Marcel Reed returns to lead the Aggies.
Texas A&M ranked 23rd in total offense in 2025.
What to expect: QB Run Reads, supplemented with Play-Actions, a creative downfield Pass Game, and receivers drawn open with Motion.
Florida
New head coach Jon Sumrall recruited Georgia Tech’s offensive coordinator, Buster Faulkner, who brought quarterback Aaron Philo and several other key players along with him.
Georgia Tech ranked 11th in total offense in 2025, while Florida ranked 104th. With a talented roster and play-caller, expect a significant upgrade in success.
What to expect: QB Runs, variations of Counter, and well designed Screen and Play-Action Passes.
Kentucky
Former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein was hired as the head coach, but Joe Sloan, who is transferring from LSU, will be responsible for calling the offense. Kenny Minchey, who previously backed up CJ Carr at Notre Dame, will be the quarterback.
Oregon ranked 16th in total offense in 2025, LSU ranked 111th in 2025 and 24th in 24, and Kentucky ranked 105th. Production is expected to see a significant improvement, but there are still many uncertainties surrounding this offense.
What to expect: True spreading of the field, variety in the Run Game, and Switch Release passing concepts.
Vanderbilt
Tim Beck, known for an exceptionally impressive 2025 campaign, has returned as the offensive coordinator. Following Diego Pavia’s departure, Blaze Berlowitz secured the starting quarterback position, defeating five-star Jason Curtis.
Vanderbilt ranked 9th in total offense in 2025.
What to expect: Spread Modern Triple, Quick Game, and downfield Vertical Pass variations.
Arkansas
Ryan Silverfield and Tim Cramsey, the head coach and offensive coordinator duo, have joined Arkansas from Memphis. KJ Jackson secured the starting quarterback position and will be tasked with replacing Taylen Green, the 2025 quarterback.
Arkansas ranked 13th in total offense in 2025, while Memphis ranked 35th. Although the team is expected to improve, the offense will likely decline after the departure of previous offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino to North Carolina.
What to expect: A variety of QB Run Reads and a generic Pass Game.
Oklahoma
Ben Arbuckle, in his second year as the offensive coordinator for the Sooners, has ties to the Air Raid offense, having worked with current FAU head coach Zach Kittley. However, he aims to develop a more effective run game. John Mateer is expected to have a better season as the starting quarterback.
Oklahoma ranked 92nd in total offense in 2025, an improvement from 2024 where they ranked 113th.
What to expect: The Air Raid roots are still there, including Empty formation, Quick Game, Mesh, and Y-Cross. However, expect Arbuckle to focus on the QB and RB Run Game.
2026 Season
I’m thrilled about the prospect of a fantastic 2026 season and have high hopes that most of these play-callers will enhance their offenses.
Here’s the whole season schedule for the SEC, so keep an eye out for these play-callers, either on the sidelines or in the box.
