Way too early SEC player of the year candidates from each team including Kentucky football

A dive into a possible SEC player of the year from each SEC football team including who may be the best representative from Kentucky.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks onto the field as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 1, 2025.
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) walks onto the field as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, Jan. 1, 2025. | Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In 2024 the SEC welcomed in two new members, Texas and Oklahoma. Texas found a lot of success ultimately losing to Georgia in the SEC title game. Oklahoma struggled a little more but went to a bowl game. Mississippi State had a new head coach in Jeff Lebby, and Kentucky had the longest reigning coach in Mark Stoops; neither had a good year.

Let's take a look at the candidates for each team to be the most likely player to win SEC Offensive or Defensive Player of the Year.

2025 SEC offensive and defensive Players of the Year by team candidates

in order of conference finish in 2024

1. Texas

Offensive Player of the Year: Arch Manning (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Hill Jr. (LB)


2. Georgia

Offensive Player of the Year: Gunner Stockton (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: KJ Bolden (S)

3. Tennessee

Offensive Player of the Year: Nico Iamaleava (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Joshua Josephs (EDGE)

4. Alabama

Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Williams (WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Keon Sabb (S)

5. LSU

Offensive Player of the Year: Aaron Anderson (WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jardin Gilbert (S)

6. Ole Miss

Offensive Player of the
Year: Austin Simmons (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Suntarine Perkins (LB)

7. Missouri

Offensive Player of the Year
: Marquis Johnson (WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Marvin Burks Jr. (S,

8. South Carolina

Offensive Player of the Year: LaNorris Sellers (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jalon Kilgore (S

9. Texas A&M

Offensive Player of the Year: Terry Bussey (WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Taurean York (LB)

10. Florida

Offensive Player of the Year: DJ Lagway (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jordan Castell (S)

11. Arkansas

Offensive Player of the Year: Taylen Green (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Xavian Sorey (LB)

12. Vanderbilt

Offensive Player of the Year: Diego Pavia (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Bryan Longwell (LB


13. Auburn

Offensive Player of the Year: Cam Coleman (WR)
Defensive Player of the Year: Keldric Faulk (DL)

14. Oklahoma

Offensive Player of the Year: Taylor Tatum (RB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Peyton Bowen (S)

15. Kentucky

Offensive Player of the Year:
Zach Calzada (QB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Ty Bryant (S)


16. Mississippi State

Offensive Player of the Year: Fluff Bothwell (RB)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jalen Smith (LB)


The 2025 SEC season promises to be another thrilling chapter in college football, with young talent stepping into the spotlight across the conference. Teams like Texas, Georgia, and Tennessee will rely on their returning underclassmen to chase national glory, while others like Kentucky, with Zach Calzada at the helm, hope to turn the page on recent struggles.

Who walks away these awards is up to who plays on the field, but these are the best players for each team.