Full Breakdown
SEC Media Days 2026: Player Representatives from Georgia, Florida and Arkansas
7/15/2026, 1:15:41 AM
Background & Context
The SEC’s annual Media Days, the unofficial kickoff of the college-football offseason, will convene in Tampa, Florida from July 20-23, 2026. All 16 conference schools send coaches and selected players to answer media questions about the upcoming season. This year marks the event’s first appearance in the Sunshine State after previous stops in Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville and Dallas.
Georgia Bulldogs Representatives
Georgia will field quarterback Gunner Stockton, offensive lineman Drew Bobo and linebacker Raylen Wilson. Stockton, returning as the starter, threw for 24 touchdowns and rushed for 10 in 2025, finishing seventh in Heisman Trophy voting and completing just under 70 % of his passes for 2,894 yards. Bobo, a Second-Team All-SEC selection, missed the spring practice period while recovering from a season-ending foot injury that hampered Georgia’s offense in the SEC championship and College Football Playoff. Wilson, a fourth-year player, posted the third-most tackles on the team last season (6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) and is expected to assume a larger vocal leadership role as the Bulldogs replace CJ Allen.
Head coach Kirby Smart, the longest-tenured active SEC coach and the only active SEC head coach with a national title, will also address the media, previewing Georgia’s bid to three-peat the conference championship and to finally secure a College Football Playoff victory.
Florida Gators Representatives
Florida’s trio includes junior running back Jadan Baugh, junior linebacker Myles Graham and sophomore wide receiver Vernell Brown III. Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and 10 total touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving) in 2025, ranking third in the SEC in rushing behind Missouri’s Ahmad Harvey and Ole Miss’s Kewan Lacy. Graham led the Gators with 76 tackles, adding 7 tackles for loss, 7 quarterback hurries, 4 pass break-ups and 2 sacks. Brown, who led Florida with 40 receptions for 512 yards as a true freshman, also contributed as a punt returner, averaging 11.7 yards per return (sixth in the SEC) and posting a long return of 40 yards.
First-year head coach Jon Sumrall will join the Gators at Media Days, offering his perspective on the program’s progress under new leadership.
Arkansas Razorbacks Representatives
Arkansas will send defensive lineman Rhodes Jr., offensive lineman Kitler and running back Smith. Rhodes Jr., highlighted by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele as a preseason All-SEC defensive end, recorded 44 tackles, a team-leading 15.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 2025, ranking 13th nationally in tackles for loss per game (1.23) and 23rd in sacks per game (0.67). Kitler, a redshirt senior, helped the Razorbacks achieve six games with 500+ total offensive yards and contributed to a 119-yard improvement in rushing, supporting senior RB Mike Washington Jr.’s first 1,000-yard season since 2022. Arkansas allowed only 29 sacks, the fewest since 2019. Smith posted 669 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and 1,058 total yards in 2025, including three 100-yard rushing games and a 64-yard game-winning run against Arkansas.
Head coach Steve Silverfield, making his Arkansas debut after six successful seasons at Memphis (50-25 record, two 10-plus-win seasons), will be present at Media Days.
Data & Statistics
- SEC Media Days dates: July 20-23, 2026 (Tampa, FL)
- Georgia QB Gunner Stockton: 24 passing TDs, 10 rushing TDs, 2,894 passing yards, 70 % completion rate (2025)
- Florida RB Jadan Baugh: 1,170 rushing yards, 10 total TDs, 3rd in SEC rushing (2025)
- Arkansas DE Rhodes Jr.: 44 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 8 sacks (2025)
Official Statements & Responses
Kirby Smart indicated that Georgia will aim to defend its SEC title and finally capture a College Football Playoff win. Jon Sumrall emphasized the Gators’ intent to exceed preseason expectations under his first year at the helm. Steve Silverfield highlighted his excitement to debut at Media Days and to build on Arkansas’s recent defensive improvements.
What’s Next
SEC Media Days will begin each morning at 9 a.m. ET, with each school’s representatives scheduled for interview sessions throughout the four-day span. The Bulldogs open their 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Tennessee State, the Gators face their first opponent later in September, and the Razorbacks start at home versus North Alabama on Sept. 5 at 3:15 p.m. on the SEC Network.
