12. Auburn Tigers
Notable Players Returning:
- QB Robby Ashford
- RB Jarquez Hunter
- WR Ja’Varrius Johnson
- LB Cam Riley
- CB Keionte Scott
Auburn (5-7 overall, 2-6 in SEC) will enter the Hugh Freeze era in 2023, coming off a season that was the Tigers lowest win total since 2012. As for the key names returning, the backfield duo of quarterback Robby Ashford and running back Jarquez Hunter are the biggest, with those two headlining an Auburn team that has been one of SEC football’s most active in the transfer portal so far this offseason.
11. Florida Gators
Notable Players Returning:
- RB Montrell Johnson
- RB Trevor Etienne
- LB Shemar James
- DB Kamari Wilson
- DB Jason Marshall Jr.
Coming off year one of the Billy Napier era in Gainesville, one in which Florida finished 6-7 overall (3-5 in SEC), the Gators are likely now set to begin 2023 among the bottom of SEC football, having posted back-to-back six-win seasons. Don’t count out the Gators as a potential sleeper team in the SEC however, as Florida will undoubtedly have talent on both sides of the ball, led by one of the conference’s running back duos, Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne.