LSU, Vanderbilt, South Carolina take predictable stances at 2025 SEC Media Days

Andy Hodges
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LSU, Vanderbilt, South Carolina take predictable stances at 2025 SEC Media Days

ATLANTA — LSU coach Brian Kelly wasted no time setting the tone Monday at SEC Media Days, focusing on defensive improvement and the high stakes awaiting his program.

Entering his fourth season in Baton Rouge, Kelly said the Tigers will take a “playoff-or-bust” mindset into 2025, beginning with a challenging opener against Clemson.

“We haven’t played the kind of defense necessary to win a national championship,” Kelly said. “We’ve given defensive coordinator Blake Baker the tools to play championship-level defense. Clearly, the 2023 offensive football team we had was good enough to win the national championship, but we weren’t good enough as a team.

“A lot of that was addressing the shortcoming we had on defense. I love our seriousness and focus and intent. Anytime you go on the road and play a team like Clemson, you better bring a defense with you.”

Kelly, who has more career victories than any other active coach, is still seeking his first win in a season opener at LSU. The Tigers have not started with a victory since their 2019 national championship season.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, LSU is currently a three-point underdog against Clemson.

LSU’s offseason overhaul included major additions from the transfer portal. Among the newcomers are edge rusher Jack Plyburn (Florida), safety A.J. Haulcy (Houston), edge rusher Patrick Payton (Florida State), and nose tackle Sydir Mitchell (Texas).

The Tigers also return quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season in his first year as a starter.

Nussmeier will lead an offense that must replace four starters on the line, including No. 4 overall NFL Draft pick Will Campbell.

Kelly praised Nussmeier’s commitment to team goals over individual accolades.

“He wants to lead our football team to a championship and if the Heisman follows that, I think he’s good with that,” Kelly said. “Our conversations with him aren’t about individual goals, they’re about how he can lead this football team to a championship.

“His selfishness is going to be the differentiator from last year to this year as well as the experience he had playing against really good SEC teams.”

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia arrived at Media Days with high expectations after winning a court battle for an additional year of eligibility.

Pavia, who transferred from New Mexico State, finished last season with over 3,000 total yards and 28 touchdowns, helping Vanderbilt to bowl eligibility and a landmark win over Alabama.

“I came back to finish something that we started and that’s to win a national championship,” Pavia said on 106.3 The Game. “Every loss I blame on myself when I go home at night, Texas was a big one. Two interceptions on tipped balls was big.

“Georgia State, we lost in the last 10 seconds. And then Missouri, we lost in double overtime. We win those three games and we’re in the playoffs.”

Pavia’s performance against Auburn last fall caught the attention of Commodores coach Clark Lea. Now, Vanderbilt is leaning on Pavia’s leadership as it aims for a breakthrough season.

“I’ve believed in myself since the beginning, I always believed I could play in the SEC,” Pavia said. “That game was a good one. We got a lot of players from New Mexico State who are playing on Vanderbilt right now and I’m super-excited for those guys.”

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer enters his fifth year optimistic but realistic about his young defense. The Gamecocks return just 49% of their defensive production and must replace six starters, including the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and three other NFL Draft picks.

“For us, we didn’t pay attention to it [last year] and we don’t need to be listening to it right now,” Beamer said. “There’s teams last year that all summer long were getting built up and went out in Week 1, got smacked in the face and never recovered. What it gets down to is preparing and playing good football on Saturdays.”

South Carolina’s defense allowed 18.1 points per game and 317 yards per game last season, both among the best in the SEC. Beamer said the team has recruited well and expects edge rusher Dylan Stewart to play a key role this season.

“Those guys are gone, but we’ve recruited well,” Beamer said. “In the secondary, we’re fortunate we bring back the bulk. We lose [Kyle] Kennard, but we’re fortunate we bring back the best edge rusher, in my opinion, in the country with Dylan Stewart.

“We’ve got to be good around him. Overall, it’s a young defense, but we have size, we have speed and we have the things that you’re looking for. We’ve got some talented guys I think are eager to take the next step.”

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin opened his appearance by reflecting on his gratitude for the Oxford community, especially after the death of his parents. Kiffin, entering his sixth season, also addressed his social media activity, including playful jabs at Auburn coach Hugh Freeze.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Kiffin said. “I don’t give you coach-speak. You lose your parents and you see how [the people of Oxford] helped take care of them at the end and cared about them. It opened my eyes in a completely different way. I owe so much to Oxford and the people there.”

The expanded College Football Playoff format has heightened expectations across the conference.

For LSU and South Carolina, a playoff berth is the minimum goal. For Vanderbilt, led by Pavia, making the playoff would be a milestone.

The SEC’s first day in Atlanta highlighted programs addressing gaps and taking accountability.

Coaches and players spoke of urgency, focus, and the importance of adapting quickly as the season approaches.

As the league prepares for September, the storylines are getting pretty clear and sounds a lot like predictions.

LSU is seeking redemption, Vanderbilt eyes a breakthrough and South Carolina must prove last season’s defensive standard can be maintained.

Things will get more interesting on Tuesday. Bigger names will be in the house at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Auburn and Georgia will kick things off in the morning with the oldest rivalry in the South starting the second day. Then it will be Tennessee and Texas, two schools with a much richer tradition than most people even realize.

Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on team to watch in SEC race this year

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Pig Trail Nation’s Mike Irwin on team to watch in SEC race this year

After moving to top of recruiting polls, has LSU’s Brian Kelly done enough that he can back with results to get off heat seat?

Ruscin & Zach July 14

Derek Ruscin
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Ruscin & Zach July 14

We have day one of SEC Media Days covered from Atlanta with a check in featuring Tye Richardson.

Who Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara thinks wins SEC from Media Days

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Who Saturday Down South’s Connor O’Gara thinks wins SEC from Media Days

In agreement with former Razorbacks quarterback Matt Jones on who is getting lot of attention at event in Atlanta.

Eastside Liquor🍺 Half🕛time Podcast 7.14.25

Christian Johnston
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Eastside Liquor🍺 Half🕛time Podcast 7.14.25

Saban’s possible return to coaching sparks speculation from McElroy

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Saban’s possible return to coaching sparks speculation from McElroy

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Rumors of a possible return to coaching for former Alabama coach Nick Saban have reignited debate across college football after comments from Greg McElroy, a former Crimson Tide quarterback and current ESPN analyst.

McElroy, speaking Monday on “Mac and Cube” on WJOX-FM in Birmingham, cited a “very much in the know” source who is “adamant” Saban will coach in college football again.

It came up again during SEC Media Days in Atlanta on SEC Network when he was asked about it and emphasized while he didn’t think Saban had any interest he did pass that along.

Even SEC Network host and longtime league media personality Paul Finebaum wasn’t of the belief Saban would even entertain the idea.

“He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again,” McElroy said, according to 247Sports and other outlets. “If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word. He is of firm belief that Nick Saban will coach in college football again.” (CBS Sports, AL.com).

Saban, 73, retired from coaching in January 2024 after 17 seasons at Alabama. His tenure included six national championships and one of the most successful dynasties in modern college football.

Since retiring, Saban has joined ESPN as a television analyst and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The University of Alabama also renamed its football field in his honor.

Saban has not commented publicly on the latest round of speculation.

He has appeared regularly on ESPN broadcasts and College GameDay, and has previously described his life in retirement as less stressful, though he admitted to ESPN that he sometimes misses the intensity of coaching.

Alabama replaced Saban with Kalen DeBoer, who completed his first season as head coach earlier this year. DeBoer arrived after leading Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship game and faces the challenge of following Saban’s legacy in Tuscaloosa.

The possibility of Saban returning to coaching has triggered widespread speculation about where he might land.

Some have questioned whether Alabama would seek to bring him back, while others have raised the possibility of Saban joining another major program.

“Considering Saban’s resume and well-known competitive nature, you can never say never,” wrote Men’s Journal. “It seems unlikely, though.”

Saban’s name has become synonymous with college football success, having also won a national championship at LSU before joining Alabama.

His competitive drive and reputation as a “teacher at heart,” as described by Georgia coach Kirby Smart, have fueled speculation that Saban could return if presented with the right opportunity or challenge.

The college football landscape is undergoing significant changes, including new rules around name, image and likeness (NIL), expanded transfer regulations, and playoff format adjustments.

McElroy suggested that these developments could motivate Saban to consider a comeback.

“If the structure of this new era of college football crystallizes in the near future, it could provide him with some motivation,” McElroy said.

Saban’s departure from Alabama marked the end of a period in which the program won six national titles and produced dozens of NFL players. Much like Arkansas native Paul “Bear” Bryant before him, his legacy won’t be going away anytime soon.

McElroy’s comments have spread quickly across social media and sports forums, with fans and analysts debating the likelihood and potential impact of a Saban return.

“Would Alabama eat DeBoer’s buyout to rehire Saban?” one Reddit user posted, reflecting the ongoing fascination with Saban’s future.

Don’t count on it and probably because Saban isn’t that interested in going back to that grind again.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 7-14-25

Colton Little
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 7-14-25


LIVE From SEC Media Days at the CFB Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Tye and Tommy break down the stories from around Digital Drive (Radio Row).

Guests: Brad Logan

SEC’s Sankey discusses CFP expansion, schedule debate at Media Days

Andy Hodges
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SEC’s Sankey discusses CFP expansion, schedule debate at Media Days

ATLANTA — SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened the league’s annual football media days Monday by trying to calm everybody down at the start.

He declared that while college athletics isn’t “broken,” it is under significant strain as it navigates a period of rapid and historic change.

Sankey’s remarks came as the SEC and the broader college football landscape adjust to new realities, including the implementation of revenue sharing for athletes, ongoing debate over conference scheduling, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff.

“The settlement went into effect July 1 and it’s July 14 while working through historic and transformed change,” Sankey said. “In the middle of anything significant, it will get messy. That doesn’t mean you leave or, in a marathon, it doesn’t mean you step off the course.

“The burden of making a new system work is certainly on commissioners and conference offices, but the responsibility is shared with our campuses and campus leaders.”

Sankey said conversations with university presidents this spring included discussion of the Power Four conferences forming a committee to explore their future role in college athletics.

The group would include multiple university presidents and conference commissioners, reflecting a shift toward greater autonomy for the sport’s most powerful leagues.

On the College Football Playoff, Sankey expressed support for the new straight-seeding model to be used in 2025.

Under the revised system, the top four teams in the selection committee’s final rankings will receive byes to the quarterfinals, regardless of conference affiliation.

This replaces the previous format that awarded byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions.

“We think growth beyond 12 can be positive and should be pursued,” Sankey said, signaling the SEC’s support for further expansion of the playoff field. A 16-team playoff model remains under consideration, with ongoing debate over how many automatic bids will be reserved for conference champions.

The SEC has not announced whether it will move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. The league has played eight conference games while other Power Four leagues play nine.

“It’s absolutely, fully and 100 percent correct that we play eight conference games, while others play nine conference games,” Sankey said. “It’s also correct that last season, all 16 members played at least nine games against, what you would label, power opponents.

“I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and their opponents with our conference schedule.”

Sankey said a decision on the 2026 schedule is approaching. He probably would like to see that happen sooner rather than later.

“We have to make decisions, if we’re going to nine games,” he said. “If we stay at eight, it’ll probably be a little bit easier logistically.”

The conference’s debate over scheduling has drawn comments from coaches, athletic directors and TV partners.

Some, including Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, have advocated for a nine-game conference slate to strengthen schedules and increase television revenue.

ESPN has reportedly offered the SEC additional compensation if it adds a ninth conference game.

The 2025 season marks the first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

The new system is designed to reward the highest-ranked teams with first-round byes, a move intended to increase fairness and competitiveness.

Still, Sankey and SEC officials are pushing for continued evaluation and possible expansion to ensure the system serves the sport’s best interests.

The Power Four’s move toward more centralized governance comes as the NCAA’s influence appears to be waning.

Sankey’s comments reflect a growing consensus that the largest conferences will set the agenda for college athletics going forward, particularly in football.

The current period is also defined by major changes off the field. The July 1 settlement allowing direct payments to athletes has fundamentally altered the relationship between schools and student-athletes.

Sankey urged patience and cooperation as the SEC navigates the new landscape.

Coaches and administrators across the league acknowledge the scope of the transformation.

LSU’s Brian Kelly recently called this “the most challenging period I’ve seen in my career,” while Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said, “We have to be nimble. The rules are changing, and so is the definition of what it means to be a student-athlete.”

The SEC enters the 2025 season as a leader in the sport, but Sankey said the league must work with other conferences and stakeholders to manage the challenges ahead.

“We’re in the middle of a marathon,” he said. “We’re not stepping off the course. The challenge is to make this work … together.”

The 2025 season will bring new playoff procedures, a possible schedule shift, and ongoing debate about the future of college athletics, both on and off the field.

SEC Media Days kicked off in Atlanta on Monday morning. The Arkansas Razorbacks will make their appearance on the last day, Thursday, with coach Sam Pittman, quarterback Taylen Green, linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr., and defensive lineman Cam Ball.

All coverage will be on SEC Network and ESPN Arkansas shows with Tye Richardson getting interviews and interviewing everybody that will talk to him at the event.

Razorbacks set record with four players picked in MLB Draft first round

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks set record with four players picked in MLB Draft first round

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Razorbacks made program history Sunday night when four players were selected in the first round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft.

Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy, the 2025 Golden Spikes Award winner as the nation’s top amateur player, was the first Razorback taken, going No. 31 overall to the Baltimore Orioles. “It’s surreal,” Aloy said in a press conference after his selection.

Right-handed pitcher Gage Wood, a Batesville, Arkansas, native, was picked No. 26 overall by the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Los Angeles Dodgers then made back-to-back picks, selecting left-handed pitcher Zach Root at No. 40 and outfielder Charles Davalan at No. 41. Root, a transfer who developed into Arkansas’ ace, credited the coaching staff for his rise.

The milestone adds to Arkansas’s reputation as a college baseball powerhouse. The Razorbacks reached the College World Series finals three seasons ago and have consistently produced top MLB prospects under Dave Van Horn.

National baseball analysts praised the program’s development and recruiting.

“You don’t see this kind of first-round representation outside of blue bloods like Vanderbilt or Florida,” Jim Bowden, a former MLB general manager, said on MLB Network. “Arkansas has elevated itself into that tier.”

The combined slot values for the four first-rounders are estimated at nearly $12 million, according to projections.

Fans, alumni and state leaders celebrated the achievement on social media. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted, “Proud to see our Hogs making history. Congratulations to these incredible young men — proof that Arkansas can do anything.”

The Razorbacks’ historic night came amid another strong showing for the SEC, which continues to lead the nation in producing professional-level baseball talent.

Aloy, originally from Hawaii, transferred to Arkansas from Arizona State and quickly became one of the top shortstops in the SEC.

Wood turned down the pros last year for a final run at Omaha. Root, a left-hander, rebuilt his game after a difficult freshman season, while Davalan emerged as a top prospect after a breakout campaign.

Razorbacks to host Southern, UCA, Mount St. Mary’s in 2025 non-conference

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Razorbacks to host Southern, UCA, Mount St. Mary’s in 2025 non-conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — More games on Arkansas’ non-conference schedule are starting to come together, according to a report by Racketeer’s Rocco Miller.

The Razorbacks will host Southern on Nov. 3, Central Arkansas on Nov. 11 and Mount St. Mary’s on Dec. 16 at Bud Walton Arena.

The Hogs are 3-0 all-time against Southern, most recently winning 79-44 in 2020, and 9-0 against UCA, including an 82-57 victory last season. The Razorbacks defeated Mount St. Mary’s 89-76 in their only previous meeting in 2016.

The Razorbacks will also play Duke on Thanksgiving at the United Center in Chicago, Texas Tech on Dec. 13 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, and Houston on Dec. 20 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.

The Hogs are scheduled to host Baylor and Louisville (Dec. 3) and will travel to Michigan State for a home-and-home series.

Southern enters coach Kevin Johnson’s third season after finishing 20-12 and winning the SWAC regular-season title last year.

“We’re excited about the challenge ahead of us,” Johnson said, according to the HBCU All-Star Game. The Jaguars return contributors Michael Jacobs, Cam Amboree and AJ Barnes, and have added Fazl Oshodi and freshmen Ashton Magee and Trey Shephard.

UCA, in its second season under coach John Shulman, finished 9-24 last year and lost six of its top seven contributors, including Layne Taylor from Farmington.

The Bears added Camren Hunter, who returns after a stint at Wisconsin, and several transfers.

“It’s about building a culture and competing every night,” Shulman told Arkansas Online.

Cole McCormick, who averaged nine points and 3.4 rebounds, is the leading returner.

Mount St. Mary’s, led by coach Donny Lind, won the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and reached the NCAA Tournament last season before falling to Duke.

The Mountaineers return Xavier Lipscomb and Abdou Khadre Kébé. Little Rock native Justin May, a freshman, joins the roster.

Ticket and broadcast information will be announced at a later date.

BetSaracen odds highlight Razorbacks trio ahead of 2025 MLB Draft’s first round

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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BetSaracen odds highlight Razorbacks trio ahead of 2025 MLB Draft’s first round

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas players Wehiwa Aloy, Gage Wood and Charles Davalan are drawing significant attention from both Major League Baseball scouts and oddsmakers as the 2025 MLB Draft approaches.

BetSaracen, the state’s official mobile sports betting app, releasing odds for where the Razorbacks’ stars will be selected. in Sunday evening’s MLB Draft.

BetSaracen has set the over/under draft position for shortstop Wehiwa Aloy at 17.5, reflecting expectations that the Golden Spikes Award winner will be chosen in the top half of the first round.

Aloy, who hit .350 with 21 home runs and 68 RBIs for Arkansas this season, is widely regarded as one of the top college position players available.

“He’s got above-average power for a middle infielder and makes plays deep in the hole,” one scout said.

Right-hander Gage Wood, who threw a 19-strikeout no-hitter in the College World Series and finished with a 3.82 ERA, has also been assigned an over/under draft position of 17.5 by BetSaracen. Wood is projected as a potential mid-first-round pick, with scouts praising his mid-90s fastball and sharp slider.

BetSaracen is also offering head-to-head proposition bets on who will be drafted first, with Aloy narrowly trailing Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston in the odds, and Davalan favored over Texas outfielder Max Belyeu to be the first player selected between the two. Davalan, who posted a contact rate of 95% and an OPS above 1.300, is viewed as a likely Day One pick.

The 2025 MLB Draft begins Sunday at 5 p.m. The event will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans can listen to the coverage on ESPN Arkansas 99.5 in Fayetteville, 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home. It will also be streamed at HitThatLine.com.

Arkansas, which reached the College World Series semifinals this year, is expected to have multiple players selected early. The prominence of BetSaracen’s betting lines reflects both the state’s enthusiasm for baseball and the growing influence of sports wagering on the draft.

The app, which is only available to users 21 and older in Arkansas, has seen a surge of interest ahead of the draft.

Aloy’s draft odds have shifted as his stock has risen throughout the season. Scouts say adjustments to his approach at the plate, particularly against high fastballs, could determine his immediate impact at the next level.

Wood, who overcame injuries in high school, has impressed with his postseason performance and is seen as a candidate to move quickly through a professional system.

Davalan, who spent time at both Arkansas and Florida Gulf Coast, is praised for his bat-to-ball skills and defensive versatility.

“He plays with a lot of energy and can steal an occasional base,” according to MLB’s official draft pipeline.

The official mobile sports betting app of the Saracen Casino Resort, BetSaracen, lists odds for where Razorbacks could be selected, underscoring both the state’s passion for baseball and the increasing intersection of college sports and wagering.

MLB Draft odds

(Lines and odds are subject to change at any point after the publishing of this story. HawgBeat does not guarantee any bet as a winner or loser. You must be at least 21 years of age to use BetSaracen. If you have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net)

Arkansas player odds

• Draft position – Wehiwa Aloy – O/U pick 17.5 (-145/+115)
• Draft position – Gage Wood – O/U pick 17.5 (-175/+145)
• First player drafted – Charles Davalan (-175) vs. Texas OF Max Belyeu (+135)
• First player drafted – Wehiwa Aloy (-105) vs. Wake Forest SS Marek Houston (-120)

Notable SEC player odds

• First overall pick – LSU’s Kade Anderson (-225), HS outfielder Ethan Holliday (+175) and • Oregon State’s Aiva Arquette (+1100)
• Second overall pick – Tennessee’s Liam Doyle (-220), LSU’s Kade Anderson (+195) and HS RHP Seth Hernandez (+1100)
• Third overall pick – Oregon State’s Aiva Arquette (+165), HS OF Seth Hernandez (+130) and Florida State’s Jamie Arnold (+750)
• Fourth overall pick – HS outfielder Ethan Holliday (-275), Florida State’s Jamie Arnold (+600) and Oregon State’s Aiva Arquette (+800)

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