By SCOTT FELTS
The final Southeastern Conference spring football recap heading into the summer is here and it includes a last name Tennessee fans know well.
Let’s get to it.
Arkansas
This was the first spring under new head coach Ryan Silverfield. The Razorbacks ran 15 practices with three scrimmages and brought in a ton of transfers to rebuild the roster. The emphasis was on situational football, ball security, and installing a simpler, more physical offense.
Silverfield said he was pleased with the growth he saw over the five months he’s been there. The defense looks ahead of the offense right now, the running back room has depth, and the pass rush showed promise. He wants a few more weeks of practice but feels they took positive steps.
The Razorbacks wrapped up their spring on April 25 with the annual Red-White Spring Game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. In a 90-play scrimmage with two 15-minute quarters plus untimed drives, the Red team beat the White team 14-13. The defense stole the show throughout spring, and that carried into the game.
As for the quarterback battle, KJ Jackson (Red) went 9-for-13 for 129 yards and a touchdown. AJ Hill (White) finished 9-for-17 for 95 yards with an interception. Jackson looked a bit ahead in the competition by being more efficient and making big plays, but Silverfield said it’s still an open competition.
Key offensive highlights included:
• Wide receiver CJ Brown had a huge 65-yard touchdown catch on a deep crossing route from Jackson which ended up being the longest play of the day and the game-winner.
• Running back Cam Settles stood out with seven carries for 57 yards and a 7-yard touchdown. Silverfield was pleased with Settles’ spring.
• Other rushers like Braylen Russell (35 yards) and Jasper Parker also got solid work in the game.
Defensive standouts included Nsongbeh Ginyui, who returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown off of Hill; and several members of the pass rush, as Steven Soles Jr. had two sacks, Quincy Rhodes added a sack and pressures, and several others got to the quarterback. The defense limited explosive plays overall and forced turnovers.
The offense struggled with drops (especially on White’s side) and didn’t score easily.
Special teams were quiet since there were no live kickoffs or punts.
Overall, the Razorbacks’ spring looked a lot like many other teams: Defense dominated, the QB competition continues into fall camp, and the program is building a tougher identity.
Oklahoma
Overall, this spring showed real improvement in the run game and offensive line play for the Sooners, continued development from John Mateer, and a defense that remains a strength. The offense looks more balanced than it did a year ago.
The Sooners held their first spring game since 2024 on April 18 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in front of 31,407 fans. The Red Team (mostly starters) dominated the White Team (mostly backups) 31-3.
Mateer looked sharp and comfortable as the clear starting quarterback. He went 12-of-19 for 192 yards and a touchdown. He showed improved mechanics and better decision-making throughout spring, and coaches were pleased with his progress in Ben Arbuckle’s system. The offense emphasized a much stronger run game, which looked significantly better than last season.
The running backs stole the show. True freshman DeZephen Walker was arguably the MVP — with eight carries for 81 yards and a touchdown. Colorado State transfer Lloyd Avant had 13 carries for 66 yards and a score. Freshman Jonathan Hatton, Jr. also added solid production.
The ground attack looked physical, explosive, and balanced. Receivers like Mackenzie Alleyne (TD catch) and Rocky Beers (4 catches, 64 yards) contributed well, though the passing attack took a back seat overall to the run game.
Defense was dominant, especially for the Red, which held the White Team to just a field goal. The front was disruptive, including redshirt sophomore Danny Okoye who stood out with pressure and physical play. The secondary looked solid, and the unit as a whole was physical and assignment-sound. Several projected starters were held out for health reasons, but the depth still performed well.
No major injuries were reported during the spring game, which was a big win for the program.
Mississippi State
Coach Jeff Lebby praised the overall physicality and competition throughout camp. The offense made noticeable strides in the run game and consistency, though the defense made it tough on them daily.
The Bulldogs wrapped up spring with a public scrimmage on April 11 at Davis Wade Stadium. It was a non-contact, situational scrimmage with roughly 100 plays. No score was kept, no full tackling occurred, and the focus was on evaluation and scheme installation rather than a traditional spring game.
Kamario Taylor appears locked in as the starting quarterback. He had some nice moments, throwing two touchdown passes. One was 38-yard strike to Anthony Evans III and the other a short, tight-window throw to Sanfrisco Magee. However, Taylor himself said afterward he wasn’t happy with his overall performance. He also dealt with pressure, including back-to-back sacks in one sequence.
Other quarterbacks got plenty of reps. Transfer AJ Swann threw a 65-yard touchdown pass. Jaden Rashada and Parker Puckett also saw action.
The offense showed some big-play ability with several explosive passes, including a trick play when running back Fluff Bothwell threw a 75-yard touchdown to Magee. Receivers like Magee, Evans, and Zion Ragins made highlight level catches.
The offensive line was a major focus this spring. Lebby said it was the most physical spring the Bulldogs have had in his three years. Tackle Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins has been one of the biggest standouts and has already locked down a starting spot. The line protected well in stretches but still allowed some pressure.
On defense, new defensive coordinator Zach Arnett (back for his second stint with the Bulldogs) had his unit competing hard. They forced an interception (by Kelley Jones) and got pressure on several drives, though Lebby wanted more consistent pocket pressure and one-on-one wins.
Several key players sat out the scrimmage due to injury or caution, including some defensive linemen and linebackers.
Bottom line: This was a developmental spring focused on building depth, installing schemes, and improving the trenches after another roster overhaul. Taylor is the centerpiece on offense, the O-line showed real progress, and the program feels like it’s taking steady steps forward in year three under Lebby.
Texas
Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian and the staff viewed spring as a success mainly because of no major injuries across all practices, but also saw good competition, strong depth from the portal and recruiting class, and clear progress from young players. The offense has weapons and a reliable backup in KJ Lacey, while the defense continues to look physical and deep.
The Longhorns concluded their spring on April 18 with an open practice and scrimmage at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. For the second straight year, Sarkisian skipped a traditional spring game, mainly due to depth concerns on the offensive line. The final session included drills, 7-on-7, and some 11-on-11 work in front of fans.
Arch Manning was limited all spring after minor foot surgery in the offseason. He participated only in individual drills and 7-on-7 with no live contact or full scrimmage reps. When he threw, he looked sharp. He connected with Auburn transfer Cam Coleman multiple times, including a nice dig route for a would-be touchdown and a clutch out route. He also missed one fade to Ryan Wingo.
Manning and Sarkisian both confirmed he’s healthy and will be fully ready by summer conditioning.
With Manning sitting out most action, the backup quarterback battle took center stage. Lacey, a redshirt freshman, clearly stood out as the top backup. He made impressive throws, including a deep touchdown up the seam to Jermaine Bishop Jr. and a red-zone touchdown to Daylan McCutcheon. Lacey showed good decision-making, calmness, and mobility. MJ Morris and Dia Bell got reps but didn’t flash as much as Lacey.
The wide receiver room looked deep and talented. Bishop, an early enrollee, was one of the biggest standouts with multiple big plays. McCutcheon had a strong showing with several catches, including a diving touchdown. Sterling Berkhalter made contested catches from the slot. With top guys like Wingo and Emmett Mosley V held out for recovery, younger and transfer receivers got valuable reps.
As was the case across most of the SEC, the defense was ahead of the offense throughout much of spring and the final scrimmage. The secondary looked sticky, led by transfers like Bo Mascoe. Linebackers like Rasheem Biles and early enrollee Kosi Okpala showed up well against the run. The front got pressure at times, though the offense was missing several linemen.
Injuries and caution were a theme. Several key offensive linemen were out or limited (Jackson Christian, Kaden Scherer, Trevor Goosby, Andre Cojoe). Sarkisian took a very careful approach with returning players recovering from surgeries, which kept the scrimmage lighter than usual.
The Longhorns now shift into summer workouts with Manning expected to be fully cleared.
Ole Miss
New head coach Pete Golding was blunt as spring practice ended: the team is “nowhere near where we need to be.”
He stressed the need for greater consistency from leaders like Antonio Kite and Ladarian “Squirrel” Clardy.
The Rebels finished spring practice on April 30, and did not hold a traditional public spring game. Instead, they ran a modified “Grove Bowl” style event on April 25 at the Manning Center and focused the final week on game-week simulations and high-pressure situational drills.
Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is firmly entrenched as the starter. The main competition is for the backup job behind him. Ole Miss has five quarterbacks total, including Auburn transfer Deuce Knight, Walker Howard (who transferred back), and AJ Maddox. Coaches are evaluating the No. 2 spot strictly on stats, grades, and production in tough situations. No decision has been made yet.
The offensive line remains one of the biggest question marks. Finding two reliable starting tackles is an ongoing process. The interior looks more settled, but the tackle spots need more consistency.
On the positive side, the defense has a lot of talent and “specimens” up front. Newcomers have made an immediate impact. Golding has highlighted several standouts:
• Freshmen Landon Barnes (defensive end) and Dorian Barney (cornerback) have shown big physical development. Barney returned from a hand injury and had a pick-six in a two-minute drill.
• Two transfers, edge rusher Jonathan Maldonado (Nevada) and running back Makhi Frazier (Michigan State) have stood out.
• Defensive backs like Sharif Denson are playing at a high level, and Joenel Aguero continues to improve daily.
The receiver room is starting to come together with a mix of returners and transfers, though they avoided giving too many specifics to the media.
No major injuries were reported in the final weeks, which is always a positive.
Overall, this spring was about installing Golding’s vision in his first full season as head coach, evaluating depth after losing several key players to the NFL, and building consistency. The offense has weapons but needs the offensive line to stabilize. The defense has the talent to be very good if it can play with consistency.
They’ll now shift into May strength and conditioning with some time off before summer workouts begin.
This concludes our look around the SEC. Look forward in the coming weeks to individual Tennessee Volunteer 2026 season opponent previews as we move closer and closer to the greatest time of the year, college football season!