
SEC Running Backs 2026: Who Leads the Pack?
A look at the top backfields and key players heading into the next college football season.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning DeSean Bishop across Football.

A look at the top backfields and key players heading into the next college football season.

Auburn’s Jeremiah Cobb enters his senior season aiming to surpass 1,000 rushing yards, facing a new coaching staff and a crowded backfield.

Two Volunteers crack the top‑25 offensive skill players for 2026, heralding a potent attack and a quarterback battle that could define the year.

ESPN’s latest projection places the University of Tennessee at No. 18, reflecting a mix of quarterback competition, coaching changes and key returners as the SEC continues to dominate the rankings.
Indiana’s unprecedented 16‑0 run under Curt Cignetti shows what’s possible when culture, transfers and coaching align, while Tennessee’s quietly stacked roster hints at a breakout year.

From dynamic wide receivers to powerhouse running backs and versatile tight ends, the 2026 season showcases a cohort of athletes whose unique talents could tilt the balance of power in college football's national title conversation.

Despite a nine‑spot drop in ESPN’s futures power rankings, Tennessee’s strong recruiting class and revamped strength program signal potential upside.

Current Vol DeSean Bishop and former star A.J. Johnson recently led a football camp at Sevier County High School, emphasizing community, brotherhood, and leadership as the program prepares for its July session in Knoxville.

With 103 days until kickoff, Tennessee fans and experts diverge on what the Volunteers can achieve, from playoff dreams to cautious 8‑4 expectations, while key storylines shape the upcoming campaign.

With the college football season looming, the Heisman Trophy race is already taking shape. Fernando Mendoza’s move to the NFL, emerging 2026 candidates, and the historical backdrop of the award set the stage for a compelling narrative.

With the 2026 season less than three months away, SEC coaches voice skepticism about Tennessee’s fifth‑year quarterback shuffle, highlighting the lack of an experienced starter and the challenges it poses for coach Josh Heupel.

With 50-1 odds, the Vols sit in the second tier of title contenders. Their success hinges on a revamped defense under Jim Knowles, a promising new quarterback, and a core of returning playmakers.

The 2026 schedule presents a gauntlet of elite opponents for Auburn's new head coach, Alex Golesh, as the program seeks to rebound

DeSean Bishop's 2025 season placed him among the Volunteers' most prolific rushers, setting the stage for a pivotal role in the 2026 campaign.