Way too early SEC power ranking for 2025: Texas A&M football set to take huge strides
As the 2024 college football season winds down, eyes have already started to turn toward 2025. The SEC continues to stand as the pinnacle of college football, with the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and LSU consistently vying for national titles and conference championships. However, as we look toward the future, one program is poised to make a massive leap—Texas A&M.
Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M Aggies have shown promise over the past few seasons, but 2025 is shaping up to be the year they finally make the jump to true SEC contenders. Despite an up-and-down 2024 campaign, the Aggies’ roster is filled with young talent and the kind of veteran leadership needed to compete at the highest level. In this way-too-early look at the SEC power rankings for 2025, we will examine why Texas A&M is set to take a huge stride forward and break into the conversation of the conference’s elite programs.
1. Georgia Bulldogs: The Standard of Consistency
When it comes to the SEC, no team has been as consistently dominant in recent years as Georgia. With Kirby Smart at the helm, the Bulldogs have firmly established themselves as a national powerhouse. Having won back-to-back National Championships in 2022 and 2023, Georgia is not only the team to beat in the SEC East, but they are also the team to beat in college football overall.
In 2025, Georgia will still be one of the most talented teams in the country, with a roster brimming with five-star recruits, a stellar defense, and the ability to reload at every position. Quarterback play will likely be key as Carson Beck takes over for Stetson Bennett, but even without Bennett’s experience, Georgia has shown an ability to plug in new talent seamlessly.
What stands out about Georgia is their depth. From offensive line to defensive backfield, the Bulldogs have elite talent at every position. Brock Bowers will still be one of the most dangerous weapons in the country, and Kendall Milton will provide a solid presence in the running game. Defensively, Jalen Walker, Mikel Williams, and other future NFL talents will continue to stifle opposing offenses.
With a head coach who has proven he can keep the program at the top of the college football world, Georgia will remain No. 1 in the SEC heading into 2025, barring any unforeseen changes.
2. Alabama Crimson Tide: Reloading for Another Run
Despite the loss of long-time head coach Nick Saban being inevitable in the near future, Alabama has remained an SEC juggernaut under his leadership. In 2025, Alabama will continue to reload with top-tier talent, maintaining its place as one of the most feared programs in college football. After a bit of a dip in 2023, Alabama rebounded in 2024 to make the SEC Championship game, further solidifying that the program is far from rebuilding.
Quarterback Jalen Milroe will be one of the key pieces to keep an eye on in 2025. The dual-threat QB has shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency will be key in his development. If Milroe can continue to develop and find rhythm with a talented group of receivers, Alabama could become even more dangerous offensively.
Defensively, Nick Saban’s influence is still as prominent as ever. Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell are expected to be future NFL draft picks, and the secondary will still be elite. With top-tier recruiting, the Crimson Tide will reload in the trenches, making them a powerhouse yet again. While Georgia may currently be the king of the SEC, Alabama is never too far behind and is likely to remain a perennial contender for both SEC and national championships in 2025.
3. LSU Tigers: Poised for Another Championship Run
LSU, under the leadership of Brian Kelly, has been a force to be reckoned with. The Tigers have built a program capable of competing with the best of the SEC, and 2025 promises to be another season of growth and success. With a solid recruiting class and a blend of veteran leadership, LSU will remain one of the toughest teams in the conference.
Jayden Daniels, one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, will likely return for his final season in 2025, giving LSU one of the most dynamic signal-callers in college football. His ability to make plays with his legs and arm makes him a constant threat and difficult to defend against. The addition of Malik Nabers as a reliable target will provide Daniels with the playmaking ability to stretch defenses.
Defensively, LSU will continue to be a solid, well-coached team, with Harold Perkins Jr. at the forefront of an aggressive defense. The Tigers’ defensive front will be a force in the SEC, ensuring that LSU is able to win the battle in the trenches and stop the run. With Brian Kelly’s established ability to recruit at the highest level and the steady growth of the program, LSU will remain firmly in the top tier of the SEC in 2025.
4. Texas A&M Aggies: Ready to Make Their Move
In recent years, the Texas A&M Aggies have often found themselves on the precipice of greatness, only to fall short in critical moments. However, 2025 is shaping up to be the year that Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies make the leap into elite status in the SEC.
The biggest factor in this transformation is Texas A&M’s recruiting class and the development of young talent. Fisher has consistently brought in some of the best recruits in the country, and those players are beginning to mature and develop into future stars. Conner Weigman, the Aggies’ promising young quarterback, will likely be one of the focal points of the offense in 2025. With a full season as the starter under his belt, Weigman could take significant strides forward and become one of the SEC’s top quarterbacks.
Additionally, Texas A&M’s offensive line has seen significant improvement under Derrick Turner, ensuring that the Aggies will have a much-improved run game and better pass protection for Weigman. Le’Veon Moss and other backs should benefit from improved blocking, helping the Aggies become more balanced on offense.
On defense, the Aggies have been quietly building one of the most talented defensive units in the conference, led by Shemar Stewart and other elite pass rushers. Texas A&M‘s front seven will be one of the most feared in the SEC, with the ability to stifle opponents’ running games and disrupt their quarterbacks.
If Texas A&M can stay healthy, develop consistency on both sides of the ball, and avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued them in the past, 2025 could be a breakthrough year. The Aggies are well-positioned to make a run for the SEC Championship and potentially a College Football Playoff spot. The talent is there, and the coaching staff is more experienced than ever, making Texas A&M a serious contender in 2025.
5. Tennessee Volunteers: Will the Magic Continue?
After a resurgent 2023 season that saw the Tennessee Volunteers become one of the most exciting teams in the SEC, expectations are high for Josh Heupel and his squad in 2025. Hendon Hooker will have moved on, but Joe Milton is likely to take the reins as Tennessee’s starting quarterback, bringing a powerful arm and deep-ball accuracy to the position.
The Vols’ offense, which has been built around a fast-paced, high-tempo attack, will continue to make waves in the SEC, even without Hooker. Jalin Hyatt and other receiving threats will help Milton find success in the passing game, and the offensive line will need to give him ample time to get the ball to his playmakers.
Defensively, Tennessee has made strides but will need to be more consistent in 2025 if they are to challenge for the SEC East title. With Heupel’s high-powered offense putting up points, the defense will need to step up and create more turnovers while limiting explosive plays.
The Vols have a bright future ahead of them, but they may be slightly behind Georgia and Alabama in 2025. Still, Tennessee will be a major player in the SEC East and could make a significant run if everything falls into place.
6. Ole Miss Rebels: Lane Kiffin’s Offense Continues to Roll
Lane Kiffin has turned the Ole Miss Rebels into a legitimate contender in the SEC, thanks to his innovative offense and his ability to recruit skilled playmakers. Jackson Dart, the Rebel’s quarterback, will be looking to build on his success and continue to run a dynamic offensive system that features one of the most potent passing attacks in the conference.
Defensively, Ole Miss has struggled at times, but if Kiffin can continue to recruit top talent on that side of the ball, the Rebels could be a more complete team in 2025. Expect Ole Miss to be in the middle of the pack in the SEC, but they could surprise teams and compete for an SEC Championship berth.
