SEC softball had a banner season a year ago.
It produced the national champion, Texas, as well as three of the four teams in the national semifinals and five of the eight teams in the Women’s College World Series. It claimed the top four seeds in the NCAA Tournament, seven of the top eight and nine of the top 16. It sent 14 teams to the tournament, setting an NCAA record for qualifiers from a single conference.
About the only knock against the league — Texas A&M failed to survive regionals.
The Aggies, so tough throughout the season, landed the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament, then lost on their home field to Liberty and became the first top seed in tournament history to be eliminated from its own regional.
Still, the overall results were spectacular for the SEC. To lose the No. 1 seed and still win the title? That’s heady stuff.
So, will the conference be as deep this season?
As the college softball season opens this week, there’s no doubt the SEC has several of the best teams in the country. Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee are consensus top-four picks in whatever preseason poll you prefer, with Texas Tech as the only non-SEC interloper.
The rest of the conference might not be as stout as it was a year ago — sending all but one team to the NCAA Tournament is an extremely high bar — but make no mistake, SEC softball isn’t for the faint of heart.
Here’s a look at the preseason edition of the SEC softball power rankings:
1. Texas
2025 record: 56-12, 16-8
The defending national champs remain loaded, anchored by ace Teagan Kavan and catcher Reese Atwood, who led the nation with 89 RBIs a year ago.
2. Oklahoma
2025 record: 52-9, 17-7
Just because the Sooners didn’t win it all a year ago doesn’t mean they’ve taken a step back. Ella Parker? Kasidi Pickering? Gabbie Garcia? Look out, softball world.
3. Tennessee
2025 record: 47-17, 15-9
Everybody knows about Karlyn Pickens’ power. Fastest pitch in college softball and all that. But freshman catcher Elsa Morrison has a different kind of power. Bombs away.
4. Arkansas
2025 record: 44-14, 14-10
National player of the year Bri Ellis is gone, so offense is a question. But Arkansas has a for-sure ace in Robyn Herron, who should be able to shoulder innings and pressure.
5. Florida
2025 record: 48-17, 14-10
Keagan Rothrock’s continued evolution in the circle will be vital. Even with significant offensive losses, rebuilding around Taylor Shumaker is a great place to start.
6. Alabama
2025 record: 40-23, 12-12
Audrey Vandagriff had an amazing freshman year. What will the speedy outfielder do for an encore? Another question: Will ace Jocelyn Briski get help from the pitching rotation?
7. LSU
2025 record: 42-16, 12-12
Offense doesn’t look like an issue with Tori Edwards, Maci Bergeron and Co. But with Sydney Berzon’s transfer, sophomore Jayden Heavener will need to lead the pitchers.
8. South Carolina
2025 record: 44-17, 13-11
Who steps into Sam Gress’ shoes as the ace is a huge question. But the Gamecocks have four players back who hit over .330 a year ago, led by Quincee Lilio.
9. Georgia
2025 record: 35-23, 7-16
The Bulldogs hooked a huge fish out of the transfer portal in righty Addisen Fisher from UCLA. Win the close SEC games that were lost a year ago, and look out for Georgia.
10. Texas A&M
2025 record: 48-11, 16-7
No SEC team was hit harder by graduation; Emiley Kennedy and Mac Barbara top the loss list. Oklahoma State transfers Tallen Edwards and Micaela Wark are big adds.
11. Mississippi State
2025 record: 39-19, 13-11
The Bulldogs decided they needed to build a pitching staff instead of depending on one arm, so what transfers Peja Goold, Alyssa Faircloth and Leila Ammon do will be big.
12. Ole Miss
2025 record: 42-21, 11-13
A surprise WCWS team a year ago, the Rebels lost a lot and have double-digit newcomers. Then again, they had the same formula last season, and that worked out.
13. Auburn
2025 record: 35-24, 6-18
Returning ace SJ Geurin might get a boost from Rutgers transfer Ella Harrison. The offense looks for a similar bump from transfers Destiny Rodriguez and Alyssa Hastings.
14. Missouri
2025 record: 25-31, 6-18
The only SEC team out of the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Adding hitting coach Jake Epstein from South Carolina should help an offense last in SEC scoring last season.
15. Kentucky
2025 record: 31-28, 7-17
The Wildcats have made the NCAA Tournament every year since 2009 but haven’t made the super regionals since 2021. Pitcher Carson Fall might be their key.
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at jcarlson@oklahoman.com. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, andsupport her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: SEC softball power rankings: Will Texas hold off OU, Tennessee?
