NEWS FLASH: The Longhorns Are Positioned To Acquire A Formidable 5-Star Offensive Lineman That Have A Potential To Rule For Years, the SEC

NEWS FLASH: The Longhorns Are Positioned To Acquire A Formidable 5-Star Offensive Lineman That Have A Potential To Rule For Years, the SEC

The Southeastern Conference is, once again, the top conference in college baseball heading into 2026. Eleven teams cracked the top 25 of Baseball America’s preseason rankings, including three teams that made the top five.

An SEC team has won the national championship every year since 2019. On paper, that streak is in a good position to continue in 2026.

Here’s a preview of all 16 SEC teams heading into the spring, along with three top hitters and pitchers to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

Texas
The Longhorns bring back almost all of their best arms from a year ago in right-handers Max Grubbs, Ruger Riojos and Jason Flores, and left-handers Luke Harrison and Dylan Volantis. Volantis is expected to slide into the rotation after setting the SEC record for saves by a freshman. Outfielder Max Belyeu is gone, but Texas added the top catcher in the transfer portal, Notre Dame’s Carson Tinney. Third baseman Casey Borba, Tinney and Wichita State transfer Josh Livingston are expected to provide most of the power for the offense.

BR.lsucws.061525 HS 217.JPG
LSU head coach Jay Johnson meets with Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn and game officials before game four of the College World Series between the Tigers and the Razorbacks, Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb.

STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK
Arkansas
An army of big arms will populate coach Dave Van Horn’s team once again. Right-hander Gabe Gaeckle returns to the rotation as the Razorbacks also bring back left-handers Cole Gibler, Parker Coil and Colin Fisher. From the transfer portal, they added talented right-hander Ethan McElvain from Vanderbilt and supplemented a lineup that has preseason All-SEC first-team catcher Ryder Helfrick and second baseman Cam Kozeal.

Mississippi State
The Bulldogs were extremely aggressive in rebuilding their program this offseason under new coach Brian O’Connor’s stewardship. Returning third baseman Ace Reese and designated hitter Noah Sullivan headline a lineup that added multiple proven bats out of the portal. The pitching staff also has a bunch of new faces, including Virginia transfer Tomas Valincius and freshman left-hander Jack Bauer. How all the new pieces will mesh under the weight of high expectations will be the biggest key.

LSU
The Tigers bring back a lot of production from a squad that is coming off a second national title in three years under coach Jay Johnson. Right-handers Casan Evans and Zac Cowan return to an LSU pitching staff that added Kansas transfer Cooper Moore. LSU also brings back its starting outfield and, most notably, Derek Curiel, a projected top-10 draft pick. Oregon State transfer Trent Caraway and Grand Canyon transfer Zach Yorke are expected to make big contributions at the plate.

Auburn
Catcher Chase Fralick, second baseman Chris Rembert and outfielder Bub Terrell lead a strong core of positional players returning from last season’s strong lineup. St. Mary’s transfer Eddie Madrigal is expected to provide the power. The pitching will rely on a handful of transfers and right-hander Christian Chatterton, a sophomore who started 14 games as a freshman and posted a 4.47 ERA.

Georgia

Coach Wes Johnson has most of his infield back from last season, but the third-year coach was aggressive in adding power to his lineup. Davidson transfer Michael O’Shaughnessy, South Carolina Upstate transfer Scott Newman, New Mexico transfer Jody Oriach and Richmond transfer Jack Arcamone each blasted at least 13 homers last season. The Bulldogs didn’t have any players crack the All-SEC preseason first or second team, but Seattle transfer Kenny Ishikawa has a chance to make a massive impact as a two-way player.

Texas A&M
The Aggies lost a lot from last year’s uber-talented group, but they bring back two elite bats in first baseman Gavin Grahovac and outfielder Caden Sorrell. Both sluggers cracked the SEC preseason first team. Texas A&M doesn’t return much on the mound, but left-hander Shane Sdao leads the rotation after missing all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He won’t be joined by fellow left-hander Caden McCoy, who will under