The SEC failed to put a team in the national championship game for a second straight season last year, but the league still will have something to say about who wears the crown in 2025.

Even among the greatest players and teams in college football, however, there are a few standouts. In the final part of the 79th annual SEC post-spring football report — first published by the Birmingham News in 1947 — we seek to identify the best of the best and answer the big questions facing the SEC in 2025.

In voting conducted among AL.com sports staff members, here are how we see 10 key issues shaping up and panning out heading into the season:

1. Who is the SEC’s top Heisman Trophy candidate?

Answer: Arch Manning, QB, Texas

“Arch Madness” will begin in earnest this season in Austin, with Quinn Ewers having left for the NFL and ceded the starting job to the former 5-star scion of football’s most-famous quarterback family. In addition to his name recognition and skill set, Manning will be playing for a national-championship contender, always a plus when it comes to Heisman candidacy.

Others receiving votes: Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU; Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt; Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama

2. Who is the league’s best overall defensive player?

Answer: Anthony Hill, LB, Texas

The Longhorns are loaded on defense, and Hill is the leader on that side of the ball. He’s a tackling and big-play machine, adept as both a run-stuffer and pass-rusher. A defensive line featuring three seniors should allow Hill plenty of freedom to make plays.

Others receiving votes: Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn; Harold Perkins, LB, LSU; Colin Simmons, DL, Texas; Dylan Stewart, DL, South Carolina; Whit Weeks, LB, LSU

3. Who is the SEC’s best offensive lineman?

Answer: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

Proctor is technically on his second stint in Tuscaloosa following a brief transfer back home to Iowa during the winter of 2023-24, but he showed last season why he was so highly touted coming out of high school. He’s physical and aggressive, and uses his long arms and mammoth frame to swallow up opposing pass-rushers.

Others receiving votes: Connor Lew, C, Auburn; Jake Slaughter, C, Florida

4. Who will be the league’s most-impactful transfer in 2024?

Answer: John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma

The Sooners seem to cycle through a new quarterback every year, and the multi-talented Mateer is the latest to assume control of the offense in Norman. He passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with just seven interceptions last season at Washington State, while adding 826 yards and 15 TDs rushing.

Others receiving votes: Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn; Jake Endries, TE, Texas; Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri; Jaydn Ott, RB, Oklahoma; Eric Singleton, WR, Auburn

5. Which true freshman will make the biggest impact this season?

Answer: DJ Pickett, CB, LSU

Pickett was a two-way star at receiver and defensive back at Zephyrillis High School in Tampa, Fla., but will look to become the latest in a long line of standout cornerbacks in Baton Rouge. At 6-foot-4, he features a unique blend of size, speed and leaping ability that should allow him to more than hold his own in the SEC.

Others receiving votes: Harlem Berry, RB, LSU; Lotzeir Brooks, WR, Alabama; Elijah Griffin, DL, Georgia; Keelon Russell, QB, Alabama; David Sanders, OT, Tennessee

6. Who will be the SEC’s surprise team (in a good way) in 2024?

Answer: Oklahoma

The Sooners were ravaged by injuries on offense in 2025, but added some intriguing transfers to the mix this season in hopes of a bounce back. Mateer and running back transfer Jaydn Ott should at least make OU much more explosive this time around. It’s now or never time for third-year coach Brent Venables, who probably needs to at least approach double-digit victories to stay off the hot seat.

Others receiving votes: Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M

7. Which SEC team will disappoint this season, relative to expectations?

Answer: Missouri

The Tigers have enjoyed back-to-back double-digit win seasons, but have leaked a lot of offensive talent over the last two years. Eli Drinkwitz’s team is expected to start at least 10 transfers, including three on the offensive line. The schedule is somewhat manageable, however, with only Alabama on Mizzou’s docket among the league’s top contenders.

Others receiving votes: Alabama, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

8. Which SEC coach has the hottest ‘seat’ in 2024?

Answer: Hugh Freeze, Auburn

Freeze has recruited at a high level since arriving on The Plains prior to the 2023 season, but the results have not yet shown up on the field. The Tigers found every way imaginable to lose a game in 2024, and have endured three straight seasons for the first time since the Truman administration. Another sub-.500 record, and Freeze likely won’t get a fourth year.

Others receiving votes: Kalen DeBoer, Alabama; Sam Pittman, Arkansas; Brent Venables, Oklahoma

9. How many SEC teams (and which ones) will make the College Football Playoff?

Answer: Probably 3, but maybe 4

This will likely be the last year before they tweak the playoff format to favor leagues like the SEC, if not outright grant them four guaranteed spots. This year, however, Texas, Alabama and Georgia were the most-popular candidates in our voting to make the 12-team field. If a fourth team makes it, LSU looks like the strongest possibility. Auburn, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt (seriously) also received at least one vote.

10. Who will win the national championship?

Answer: Texas

Voters were allowed to choose someone from outside the SEC in this category, but the majority went with the Longhorns, who return a rock-solid defense and plenty of weapons on offense. Should Texas falter, Georgia and LSU could also contend from the SEC. This is probably the first year in recent memory Alabama isn’t on the short list of most-likely title challengers.

Others receiving votes: Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Penn State

Creg Stephenson is a sports writer for AL.com. He has covered college football for a variety of publications since 1994. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter at @CregStephenson.