SEC Football: Offseason grades per school

Oklahoma (B-)

Wide receiver Deion Burks headlined an offseason for the Sooners who are joining the SEC in 2024. The former Purdue wide receiver caught 47 passes for 629 yards and seven touchdowns for the Boilermakers in 2023 and looks to be a nice addition to the receiving core in Norman.

The Sooners do have an entire new offensive line and new starting quarterback in Jackson Arnold. Although Arnold is a former five star and this will be his second season at the college level, the Sooners could have returned veteran Dillon Gabriel, who they lost to the transfer portal. Gabriel led the Sooners to a 10-win season in head coach Brent Venables’ second season.

The Sooners also lost four star offensive lineman Cayden Green back to his home state Missouri Tigers who would have been an anchor in his second year for them on the line.

Ole Miss (A)

Wow- Lane Kiffin made some serious moves this offseason on both sides of the ball for the Rebels. On the offensive side of the ball, Kiffin acquired wide receivers Juice Wells and some key pieces on the offensive line from the transfer portal.

He also acquired wide receiver Deion Smith from the junior college ranks. Smith ranked as the number one junior college prospect for the class of 2023 according to On3.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Rebels are loaded for bear. They return interior defensive lineman J.J. Pegues who is now complimented by top transfer portal acquisition Walter Nolen to clog the middle on run plays. They are complimented by Princely Unanmielen, edge rusher from the Florida Gators who also comes over in the transfer portal.

And at linebacker, TJ Dudley who transferred last season from the Clemson Tigers is now eligible alongside 2023 transfer portal acquisition Chris “Poo” Paul Jr.

The only reason the Rebels are not at an A+ is the exit of running back Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State. But even that was supplemented by some nice pieces in the transfer portal.