DALLAS — Rejoice, college football fans: The return of your favorite Saturday tradition is night.
For the first time ever in Texas, SEC Media Days kicked off on Monday, July 15, at the Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas.
On the first day, media members from around the country were able to hear words from coaches, players and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
There's a lot of anticipation for this season of college football, especially for the SEC as it welcomes in Texas and Oklahoma, two teams that will surely create numerous heavyweight matchups.
Day 1 of Media Days featured an address from Commissioner Sankey followed by speeches and Q&A sessions from LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Vanderbilt's head coaches.
View a breakdown of each session on Day 1 below:
SEC Media Days | Monday, July 15
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey
Sankey began his address by shouting out local Dallas-Fort Worth area athletes, including Cowboys QB Dak Prescott and the Dallas Mavericks.
The commissioner was also proud to say that all 16 schools in the newly formed SEC will be represented in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
When asked about the decision to host the 2024 SEC Media Days in Dallas and its cultural fit here, Sankey stated that there is an incredible alumni presence in the Metroplex and there’s plenty of SEC ties in the area.
Sankey, of course, touched on Texas and Oklahoma joining the conference and mentioned that they both passed the “It means more” test.
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly
When asked about replacing wide receiver production with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. being drafted to the NFL, Kelly stated that he’s confident in the group's depth and that six to eight players will get the opportunity to contribute on the field.
Kelly was asked what he and his staff would have done differently last year with LB Harold Perkins Jr. and he said, “We would’ve tied him down and made him eat more.”
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
Nussmeier reinforced Kelly’s confidence in the wide receiver group as they go into the season with new faces.
“They push themselves to the expectation of being a receiver at LSU,” Nussmeier said. “I mean look at our past record of what – you know – LSU receivers have been able to accomplish. You know – it’s special.”
South Carolina Head Coach Shane Beamer
Beamer says he “really really really likes” his team this year, despite what the media may think about them talent-wise.
He’s been tasked with replacing QB Spencer Rattler as he is now in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Beamer says he’s confident in the 240-pound LaNorris Sellers as he was named the starting QB after spring camp, but mentions that competition is still open.
Beamer, who previously served as an assistant head coach at Oklahoma, was asked about his matchup with the Sooners later this year. Beamer said while he is excited to return to Norman and reconnect with old friends, he’s treating this one as a business trip.
Ole Miss Head Coach Lane Kiffin
It’s been a tough week for Coach Kiffin as he has had to deal with the passing of his father, longtime NFL and college assistant coach Monte Kiffin. After offering a few kind words to honor his father’s legacy, Kiffin went into the outlook of Ole Miss’ season.
He said this season offers a very exciting schedule, although, it looks like one that will prove to be very challenging.
Kiffin says QB Jaxson Dart would have a 99 overall leadership ranking if that were a recorded statistic.
Coach Kiffin was asked about last year’s loss to Georgia and how preparation may change this season. Kiffin stated, “We’re gonna look better coming off the bus,” in regards to their gain in size and strength this offseason.
Kiffin alluded to the media talk about Ole Miss as “rat poison,” just as his former superior Nick Saban did. He said he has continued to tell his players that none of the outside noise matters.
Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart
Dart credited his coach’s praise about his leadership to the role he plays in helping new guys from the transfer portal feel at home.
“There’s definitely gotta be a lot of urgency involved in being able to get those guys implemented into the system — into the program and get people to buy in,” Dart stated.
Vanderbilt Head Coach Clark Lea
Lea began by explaining the offseason changes the team made following a disappointing 2023 season. Some of these changes included him also taking on the role as Defensive Coordinator.
Coach Lea also noted that the team has changed the way they train and workout, hoping to give them a chance to compete with the other teams in the SEC.
He says the speed and the weight of the team has increased this offseason.
Lea was asked about what type of player fits at Vanderbilt, to which he said it’s no different than any other SEC school and it really comes down to who wants to be there.
Coach Lea emphasized that he’s heavily interested in helping form good people at the university as he believes “Better people make better players.”
SEC Media Days Schedule
View the full SEC Media Days schedule here.
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