SEC Supremacy: Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss Crowned the Nation’s Ultimate “Everything Schools” for 2024–25 — Dominating Football, Men’s & Women’s Hoops Alike
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has once again proven why it reigns supreme in college athletics. In a recent national ranking released by 247Sports, Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss have emerged as the top three “everything schools” for the 2024–25 season — a title reserved for universities that excel in football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball.
Leading the charge is Tennessee, which has captured national attention with dominant showings across all three major sports. The Vols football program continues to surge under Head Coach Josh Heupel, boasting a high-octane offense and a Top 10 preseason ranking. Meanwhile, the men’s basketball team, led by Head Coach Rick Barnes, remains a powerhouse in the SEC and a threat in March Madness. On the women’s side, the Lady Vols are building on their storied legacy with a squad that’s poised for a deep tournament run.
Coming in at No. 2 is Alabama, a perennial football juggernaut and a rising force in both men’s and women’s basketball. Even with Nick Saban’s retirement, the Crimson Tide remains in elite territory with new leadership and elite-level recruits. In basketball, Nate Oats has turned the men’s team into one of the most dynamic in the nation, while the women’s team continues to gain national respect with an impressive blend of talent and toughness.
Ole Miss rounds out the top three and might be the biggest surprise of the trio. While Lane Kiffin’s Rebels continue to climb the SEC football rankings, the basketball programs are gaining serious momentum. Chris Beard has quickly revitalized the men’s team, and the women’s basketball squad has emerged as a gritty, high-energy unit that refuses to be overlooked.
This SEC trifecta not only showcases the depth and balance within each athletic department but also highlights the changing landscape of college sports, where success across multiple platforms is becoming the new standard for powerhouse programs.
Analyst Carter Bahns of 247Sports, who compiled the rankings, emphasized the holistic approach these schools have taken. “It’s no longer just about having a dominant football team,” Bahns noted. “The top athletic departments are those investing in excellence across the board — and the SEC is leading that movement.”
Rounding out the rest of the list are Oregon, Michigan, Louisville, and Illinois, each of which boasts impressive athletic balance and potential championship-caliber squads. But the spotlight remains fixed on the SEC, where tradition, talent, and tenacity intersect.
As the 2024–25 collegiate season gears up, all eyes will be on Tennessee, Alabama, and Ole Miss to see if they can maintain their all-sport dominance and further cement the SEC’s claim to being the most complete and competitive conference in college sports.
