Preseason All-SEC Team takeaways: Texas, Georgia dominate, but where's Arch Manning? - CBS Sports

What the report says

CBS Sports reported that the SEC’s preseason all-conference team, released Friday, reflected high expectations for Texas and Georgia ahead of the 2026 college football season. The selections were based on voting by 164 media members, and the two programs combined for eight of the 23 first-team offense and defense spots. CBS noted that Georgia and Texas were also voted to the top of the league’s preseason rankings.

According to the report, Texas had eight projected offensive starters and three defensive starters named across the preseason teams, while Georgia had six selections on offense and six on defense. LSU followed with eight total offensive and defensive picks, with Oklahoma at seven and Alabama and Ole Miss at six apiece. CBS framed the depth of those selections as a sign of why Texas and Georgia are viewed as leading SEC contenders.

One notable point was the quarterback vote. Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss was chosen as the first-team quarterback, while Texas’ Arch Manning landed on the second team and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton was listed third. CBS argued Chambliss’ 2025 production and role in Ole Miss reaching the College Football Playoff justified the first-team nod, while also suggesting Manning could still take a major step in 2026.

The article also highlighted the SEC’s strength at running back, with Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy and Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy on the first team, Florida’s Jadan Baugh and Georgia’s Nate Frazier on the second team, and Tennessee’s DeSean Bishop and Texas’ Hollywood Smothers on the third. CBS said the position group may be one of the league’s defining strengths this season.