The kickoff to the upcoming SEC season begins where it will end in December, though the SEC Championship Game will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Before toe meets leather to kick off the 2025 slate of football game, players and coaches meet with the media to talk about what lies ahead. Each day, AL.com will provide a daily recap from each day with key moments and interesting nuggets of information you might have missed.

Hugh Freeze optimism showcased at Media Days

For a coach and football program that are entering the third year of a relationship that hasn’t borne much fruit, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze and the Auburn Tigers arrived at Media Day with a bit of quiet confidence, and relaxed mindset.

Much of the talk that had been centered around Freeze’s golf game was discussed a bit, with Freeze embracing it, even giving former Alabama standout and SEC Network analyst Roman Harper some tips for his golf game.

One reason Freeze may have been comfortable talking about his golf game was because he displayed confidence in the team he coaches. Going as far as saying that his Auburn squad will be in the playoff discussion this season. There is a lot of time between now and Dec. 7 when playoff fates are decided, but Freeze feels good about his team.

Joining Auburn’s head coach were quarterback Jackson Arnold, offensive lineman Connor Lew, and defensive end Keldrick Faulk.

Arnold, who is no stranger to big rivalries following his time at Oklahoma, discussed the differences between the Red River Rivalry and the Iron Bowl.

 While on the main stage at SEC Media Days, Freeze remarked about how both depth, and talent on the offensive line, makes it one of his favorite lines since he’s been a coach. A lot of that credit, going to Connor Lew, who has been a mainstay on the line.

And despite the criticisms and daggers thrown Freeze’s way, Faulk stepped up and defended his coach while focusing on the present and ignoring talk of being a high NFL draft pick.

Alabama remains on Kirby’s mind

The reigning SEC champions arrived at Tuesday’s SEC Media Days, and while Kirby Smart took plenty of questions regarding his team, another school in the league was also discussed.

It’s no secret that some of Kirby’s best work as a coach was done for the Alabama Crimson Tide as he was an assistant for eight seasons. Add in his notable history with Alabama as Georgia head coach, and the litany of Alabama (and Auburn) related questions makes more sense.

When asked about the popular topic from the first day, the Georgia head coach joked that he tried to replace former assistant Will Muschamp, with Nick Saban. Although Smart got a predictable no, he did acknowledge that Saban remains locked into the sport, even chatting defensive tactics with the Georgia head coach.

Of the most anticipated games of 2025, Alabama at Georgia on Sept. 27 is right up there. In what very well could be a sequel to one of 2024’s best games, Kirby Smart is ready to welcome Alabama to Sanford Stadium.

As for perhaps his toughest road test of the 2025 campaign, Georgia’s head coach immediately declined adding any fuel to the fire for Auburn fans when Georgia visits Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Life without Nico

One of the biggest storylines of the offseason in the SEC and around the country was the departure of former Tennessee quarterback, Nico Iamaleava who left the Vols due to an NIL dispute. Following his holdout from spring ball with Tennessee, Iamaleava landed at UCLA and leaving Tennessee without a proven starter entering 2025.

During Tuesday afternoon’s press conference at SEC Media Days, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel addressed his quarterback situation. Later on, while chatting with ESPN, Tennessee’s head coach opened up more on the events of this past spring.

Despite the struggles of the last few months, the Tennessee football program has had some immediate success in recent seasons over Alabama, winning two of the last three “Third Saturday in October” matchups. Both were in Knoxville, but Heupel wasn’t ready to look too far ahead, however he does appreciate what the rivalry provides.

It’s rare that a player can be on both sides of a rivalry such as Tennesse and Alabama, however Tennessee has someone on their roster who can make such a claim. Vols tight end Myles Kitselman played for the Crimson Tide before entering the portal following Nick Saban’s retirement. He spoke at Media days on what it meant to have a role in wearing both crimson and orange on the third Saturday in October.

Is Arch Manning ready for his closeup?

He’s yet to take a snap in his sophomore season, and you can make a case he’s already one of the faces (if not, the face) of college football.

Attending his first media days, Texas quarterback Arch Manning is used to the spotlight, he is a Manning after all. So why not lean on family for advice when it comes to these types of events. Arch’s grandfather, SEC quarterback legend, Archie.

As for the Texas Longhorns, head coach Steve Sarkisian was introduced to the main room at the College Football Hall of Fame, to the tune of the Aggie War Hymn, Texas A&M’s fight song. One major problem there, he’s the head coach at Texas. Now, it’s only fair that A&M head coach Mike Elko has to hear “Texas Fight” as he goes to the podium.

As for the on-field product, the Texas head coach talked about Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, the man who currently occupies his old spot on the Alabama staff.

Sark has matched up with Grubb twice before, in the 2022 Alamo Bowl and lastly in the 2023 Sugar Bowl. Sark was complementary of what Grubb can do and provided a good review of what Alabama’s offense could potentially do this coming season.

An interesting note during the Texas head coach’s media session today was his comments regarding Jordan-Hare Stadium. Although he hasn’t coached there with Texas, he’s spent plenty of time there at the Iron Bowl as an assistant. However, it doesn’t matter if his job title has changed, some things you just don’t forget.

What’s coming on Day 3 of Media Days?

The third day of Media Days from Atlanta will see the arrival of the Alabama Crimson Tide to kick things off. Head coach Kalen DeBoer will bring Tim Keenan, Kadyn Proctor, and Deontae Lawson.

Could DeBoer make an announcement regarding his quarterback? Will DeBoer carry the same quiet confidence that Auburn’s Hugh Freeze walked in with on Tuesday?

Joining Alabama in Atlanta tomorrow will be Mississippi State, Florida, and Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners will be a much-talked about group with head coach Brent Venables in a must-win season but also may have some words regarding his former quarterback, Jackson Arnold, now with Auburn.

SEC Media Days begin at 9 a.m. on SEC Network. Follow AL.com for live updates as Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer speaks in front of the media. For a recap of Day 1 of SEC Media Days 2025, follow the link.