By Skeeter Smith
As college football teams continue to roll through spring practice, coaches are starting to get a feel for what their roster may look like come fall. With summer on the horizon, let’s look at the biggest offseason questions surrounding each team.
Alabama – Can DeBoer Follow Up the GOAT?
No first-year head coach will face more pressure next season than Kalen Deboer, tasked with filling the giant shoes of Nick Saban. While no one doubts Deboer’s ability to coach, questions swirl around his ability to recruit in the Southeast region. His SEC baptism by fire awaits as he hosts Georgia for the conference opener in 2024.
Arkansas – Who’s KJ Jefferson’s Replacement?
After three years as the Razorbacks’ signal caller, KJ Jefferson transferred to UCF, leaving the quarterback job up for grabs. Boise State transfer Taylen Green appears to be the frontrunner, highly regarded by new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. Jacolby Criswell, Jefferson’s backup in 2023, also aims to seize the starting role.
Auburn – What’s the Solution on Offense?
Auburn had a lot of trouble finding the end zone in 2023, largely due to poor play from the quarterback position. With no luck in acquiring a QB during the winter portal window, it appears that Payton Thorne will lead the team again in 2024. For success next season, head coach Hugh Freeze will need to revamp this offense to give his quarterback the best chance to succeed.
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Florida – How Quickly Can the Young Talent Develop?
Despite a rough 2023 season for the Gators, the bright spot was that a lot of Florida’s underclassmen, such as Eugene Wilson, shined in spots throughout the year. With a gauntlet of a schedule coming up in 2024, the Gators will need these players to continue to develop if they want to compete next season.
Georgia – Who Will Be the New Offensive Weapons?
The Dawgs will need to replace a lot of production on the offensive side of the ball as they are losing both running backs Kendall Milton and Dajuan Edwards, superstar tight end Brock Bowers, and their number 1 receiver, Ladd McConkey. It will be Mike Bobo who’s tasked with finding out who will step up as the next top targets for Carson Beck.
Kentucky – How Good is Brock Vandagriff?
After a disappointing season from Devin Leary last year, Kentucky will once again try its luck in the portal with former highly ranked quarterback Brock Vandergriff. After waiting his turn for three years at Georgia behind Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck, Vandagriff will finally get the opportunity to prove himself in Lexington.
LSU – How Much Can the Defense Improve?
Brian Kelly wasted no time in the offseason addressing the issues on the defensive side of the ball. He brought in a completely new defensive staff headlined by defensive coordinator Blake Baker, whom he poached from Missouri. With a lot of talent departing for the NFL on the offensive side of the ball, points may not come as often for the Tigers, so they will need the defense to step up in a big way.
Mississippi St. How Competitive Can Jeff Lebby Be in Year 1?
The Bulldogs were one of the worst teams in the SEC, only notching one conference win. After letting go of Zach Arnett after 1 season, Mississippi State hired one of the best offensive minds in college football, Jeff Lebby. Lebby’s task to rebuild this team won’t be easy as a lot of the team left for the portal, including long-time quarterback Will Rogers.
Missouri – How Much Will the Tigers Miss Blake Baker?
The Tigers are losing a lot on the defensive side of the ball, but none bigger than the loss of defensive coordinator Blake Baker. They replaced him with Corey Batoon from South Alabama, where he was terrific for the Jaguars. Missouri will also have to find ways to replace production on the defensive side of the line, as they are losing a solid group, including All-SEC defensive lineman Darius Robinson.
Oklahoma – What Will the Offense Look Like in 2024?
With Dillon Gabriel transferring to Oregon and Jeff Lebby taking the Mississippi State job, the Sooners’ offense may look a little different than it did last season. Five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold takes on the role of replacing Gabriel, while Seth Littrell takes over the offense as the new OC, so you can bet the two will take this offseason to learn each other and get on the same page.
Ole Miss – How Will All the New Pieces Fit Together?
Lane Kiffin and the Rebels proved again that they are one of the more active teams in football when it comes to acquiring talent through the transfer portal. They bring in big names like Walter Nolen, Juice Wells, and Princely Umanmielen. In what looks to be an “all in” type year for the Rebs, the challenge will be trying to mesh all the bodies that are coming in with the players that are already there.
South Carolina – Sellers or Ashford?
With Spencer Rattler off to the NFL, there will be a new QB1 suiting up for the Gamecocks in 2024. The competition is currently between LaNorris Sellers and Auburn transfer Robby Ashford. While Ashford is by far the more experienced of the two, Sellers offers a lot of upside and has been in the system longer.
Tennessee – Can Nico Revamp This Offense?
The Vols saw a big drop-off in offensive production last season and are hoping to regain that firepower in 2024. With Joe Milton gone to the NFL, all eyes will be on five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. After a nice debut vs. Iowa in the bowl game, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the redshirt freshman this offseason.
Texas – Who Will Replace Xavier Worthy and Andoni Mitchell?
The duo of Xavier Worthy and Andoni Mitchell combined for 1,859 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, which makes up over half of the offensive production for the Longhorns through the air. With both entering the NFL draft, Texas will have to find some new weapons for Quinn Ewers to throw to. They bring in transfer Isaiah Bond from Alabama, who showed tremendous potential last season.
Texas A&M – How Quickly Can Mike Elko Turn It Around?
While the Aggies took some major hits from the transfer portal this offseason, Mike Elko still inherits a pretty talented roster at Texas A&M. The challenge for Elko will be trying to change a football culture that has been used to mediocrity for so long. If he’s able to do that, along with recruiting at a high level, Elko should be able to right the ship down there in College Station.
Vanderbilt – How Will the Staff Changes Impact This Team?
After a huge regression in 2023, Clark Lea made some huge staff changes at the end of the year by firing his offensive coordinator and demoting his defensive coordinator, who eventually left the team. Lea would go on to make himself the new defensive coordinator and hire Tim Beck as the new offensive coordinator in hopes of breathing new life into this team.
