Report: SEC going to 105 football scholarships

The Southeastern Conference is joining the rest of the power 4 leagues in moving from 85 scholarships to 105 scholarships. 

The decision came on Friday according to Ross Dellenger of Yahoosports. 

SEC presidents voted to increase the number of maximum scholarships available to football rosters from 85 to 105, sources tell @YahooSports.

As part of the House settlement, schools are permitted to increase scholarships to 105 in football, but the SEC last year remained at 85.

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 5, 2025

Tennessee athletic director Danny White said last Saturday on the Big Orange Countdown that he wasn’t sure how the SEC would vote after going through the first season post House Settlement remaining at 85 instead of increasing like the rest of the power 4 leagues did. Some argued staying at 85 was a competitive disadvantage while other coaches and administrators in this league didn’t feel that way. 

“I think there are some opinions that is a disadvantage. There’s also some opinion that it doesn’t matter what other leagues are doing. We certainly need practice bodies. We also certainly need elite talent in this era of college football. It will be interesting to see where that goes. I’m not sure. I could see it landing either way.” 

Going to 105 scholarships obviously increased the opportunity to give aid to current walk-ons. It also gives you an opportunity to sign more high school players for developmental purposes and overall gives you more numbers to work with. It also increases expenses and depending on where athletic departments are numbers wise it could me needing to add a non-revenue women’s sport for Title IX compliance would would obviously mean more expenses. 

Some feel that, while more practice bodies are needed and the ability to take a “chance” on a guy who might develop into a player, more money should be allocated to those who play the bulk of the snaps in games. 

In 2025 according to Pro Football Focus snap counts, Tennessee has played 51 players on defense. Of those 51 guys, 25 played more than 100 snaps this season. Offensively, Tennessee played 49 players. Of those 49 guys, 17 played 100+ snaps in 12 games. 

On special teams, 11 players had 100+ snaps with three of them, William Wright, Caleb Herring and Jack Van Dorselaer also playing 100+ snaps on offense and defense

In total 50 offensive, defensive, and special teams players logged over 100 snaps in 12 games this season.