Five impactful SEC newcomers: LSU safety, Texas RB among those set to shake up the conference

Later in the season, Benefield (No. 0) chased down Utah State Aggies back Bryson Barnes on a 4th-and-1, quickly crashing the line to force the turnover on downs.

The 2025 second-team All-MWC safety should be a major piece of defensive coordinator Blake Baker's scheme. It might not take long for Benefield to prove he belongs in the power conference.

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown

Like Benefield, Brown joins the SEC after establishing himself in the mid-majors. The fifth-year senior appeared in 35 games at South Florida from 2022-25, starting 12 times last season while throwing for 3,158 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions and adding 1,008 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground.

He's a dynamic playmaker, and following head coach Alex Golesh, who previously served as Tennessee offensive coordinator from 2021-22, to Auburn gives Brown a chance to more easily replicate his prior success. 

Texas Longhorns running back Raleek Brown

Texas remade its running back room this offseason, adding Brown and Hollywood Smothers, who began his collegiate career at Oklahoma (2023) before playing at North Carolina State the past two seasons.

Both backs have big-play ability, but we're spotlighting Brown, who had the difficult task of replacing beloved former Arizona State back Cam Skattebo last season. He responded with his best college season, finishing the year with 186 carries, 1,141 rushing yards (6.1 yards per carry) and six total touchdowns.

Brown has electrifying speed, reaching a max of 21.6 mph on the following 75-yard touchdown runs against Texas State and later turning on the jets for an 88-yard strike versus Colorado.

He's more than just blazing speed, also scoring the winning touchdown in an upset over eventual Big 12-champion Texas Tech on a goal line carry.

With quarterback Arch Manning and the passing attack likely to command an overwhelming amount of the attention from defenses, Brown and Smothers can make life easier by putting together big seasons.

Ole Miss Rebels linebacker Luke Ferrelli

We'll soon learn what all the fuss was about.

Earlier this offseason, Ferrelli found himself at the center of a mild controversy after initially signing with the Clemson Tigers in the transfer portal before backing out and joining Ole Miss, prompting tampering allegations against the Rebels from Tigers coach Dabo Swinney.

Ferrelli was named 2025 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after tallying 91 tackles (five for loss), a sack, interception and pass defended in 13 games at Cal. He sealed a 28-24 win over Boston College with a goal-line pick late in the fourth quarter.

The rising sophomore is expected to man the middle of Ole Miss' defense under first-year head coach Pete Golding, who may eventually face consequences for the tampering accusations but will benefit from the alleged finagling in the meantime.

Kentucky Wildcats head coach Will Stein

The Wildcats went from outside the SEC to find their next coach, plucking former Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein as Mark Stoops' replacement.

When asked Monday what makes him believe he can "win big" in Lexington, Stein turned heads with bold talk.

"This is gonna sound like really," Stein said before trailing off — possibly looking for the word "cocky" — then adding, "I think because of me."

"I know what it takes," Stein explained. "I have seen it at the highest levels."

While no "I win. Google me" — words famously said by Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti at his introductory news conference — Stein's brash confidence is a close relative. But unlike Cignetti, the former Louisville quarterback enters his first season at Kentucky with no prior head-coaching experience.

Stein talked a big game during Monday's media day session. It will soon be time to back it up.