The SEC has produced some of the most talented wide receivers and cornerbacks in recent memory, and when they face off in conference play, it leads to fireworks. Now, with eight conference games on the schedule of 16 SEC teams, sparks will continue to fly in 2025.
But which WR/CB battles will have fans grabbing for their popcorn? Let’s look at some of the best potential wide receiver and cornerback showdowns.
Best WR/CB Matchups in the SEC in 2025
10) Eric Singleton Jr., Auburn vs. Jonquis Hardaway, Kentucky
Eric Singleton is eager to make an impression on the SEC after racking up 754 yards and three touchdowns with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 2024. On Nov. 1, he will face the Kentucky Wildcats, who will be looking to Jonquis Hardaway to take a leading role following an impressive junior season. CSN awarded the Alabama native an All-SEC Honorable Mention and will be tasked with keeping a shifty Singleton at bay.
While this matchup may not boast star power, it features two potential breakout stars competing to make their mark in the SEC.
9) Nic Anderson, LSU vs. Cameron Calhoun, Alabama
A battle of two transfers, Nic Anderson and Cameron Calhoun, in 2025 is one to watch. After missing the 2024 season with the Oklahoma Sooners due to a quad tear, Nic Anderson has transferred to the LSU Tigers, aiming to regain his impressive 2023 form, in which he recorded 38 receptions for 798 yards and 10 touchdowns.
On the other hand, Calhoun is transferring to Alabama from the Utah Utes, where he logged 223 snaps in coverage, deflecting four passes and making one interception. Defending against Anderson and his quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, will be challenging for the Alabama transfer in what will be compulsive viewing on Nov. 29.
8) KC Concepcion, Texas A&M vs. Mansoor Delane, LSU
Two of the most significant additions from the transfer portal in 2025 are KC Concepcion and Mansoor Delane, ranked No. 49 and No. 87 on CSN’s early top 100 watchlist for the 2026 NFL Draft. The former NC State Wolfpack receiver saw 80.2% of his snaps come from the slot in 2024, but will need to take on a much more expanded role in the Texas A&M Aggies’ offense.
He will face Delane on the road in Death Valley on Oct. 25, where the former Virginia Tech Hokie defensive back will be looking to be a lockdown SEC corner, building on his four pass breakups and four interceptions in 2024.
7) Germie Bernard, Alabama vs. Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina
On Oct. 25, two SEC players with promising aspirations for the 2026 NFL Draft will face off, as South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore takes on one of his toughest tests of the season. The 6’2”, 219-pound defender played 72.2% of his snaps from the slot in 2024, recording five interceptions.
Kilgore will need to keep Alabama receiver Germie Bernard in check to avenge last season’s narrow loss. Bernard spent 50.1% of his snaps in the slot in 2024, accumulating 794 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per reception.
6) Zachariah Branch, Georgia vs. Jaylon Guilbeau, Texas
Adding Zachariah Branch was a significant move for the Georgia Bulldogs this offseason, and his usage in the slot is expected to create further mismatches in the SEC. The former USC Trojan wide receiver played 371 snaps (77.6%) from the slot in Lincoln Riley’s offense during the 2024 season, but he did not perform up to his talent level.
On the other hand, Jaylon Guilbeau has often been underrated in the talented Texas Longhorns secondary. He will likely be tasked with covering Branch on Nov 15 in Athens. Guilbeau played 513 snaps from the slot in 2024 (76.6%), and he will need to keep the former five-star recruit under wraps if Texas wants to defeat the reigning SEC champions.
5) Noah Thomas, Georgia vs. Malik Muhammad, Texas
One matchup to watch when Texas faces Georgia is between Malik Muhammad and Noah Thomas. Muhammad, who is ranked No. 41 on CSN’s early 2026 NFL Draft watchlist, is one of college football’s top returning cover corners.
He will be responsible for covering Noah Thomas, a transfer from Texas A&M, who has generated excitement among Kirby Smart and the coaching staff in Athens. In 2024, Thomas recorded 574 yards and eight touchdowns for the Aggies and is anticipated to be the standout perimeter receiver that the Bulldogs lacked last season.
4) Cam Coleman, Auburn vs. Will Lee III, Texas A&M
The Auburn Tigers have made significant moves in the transfer portal, resulting in one of the most exciting receiver tandems in the SEC. Cam Coleman is emerging as a star and is expected to be a key player in Auburn’s offense after recording 598 yards and eight touchdowns in 2024.
KEEP READING: Top 5 Must-See SEC Games in the 2025 College Football Season
He will face a considerable opponent on Sept. 27 when he heads to College Station, where Will Lee III aims to enhance his profile as a potential selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
3) Nyck Harbor, South Carolina vs. Domani Jackson, Alabama
At 6’5” and 235 pounds, Nyck Harbor is physically imposing and will be one of the most formidable opponents Alabama CB Domani Jackson will face in 2025. The Gamecocks’ receiver ranked 66th in the nation with an impressive 0.56 EPA per target in 2024 and is expected to make another leap this season with LaNorris Sellers under center.
Jackson will hope that he can compete with Harbor’s contested catch ability, add to his two interceptions in 2024, and continue his ascension as one of the SEC’s top cornerbacks.
2) Ryan Wingo, Texas vs. Daylen Everette, Georgia
With the third Texas-Georgia combination on this list, all eyes will be on Stanford Stadium on Nov. 15 as Georgia and Texas face off in an exciting matchup. And they should be, Texas at Georgia is the fourth-ranked game on CSN’s top 50 games of the 2025 college football season.
While Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams are often discussed as the top receivers in college football, Ryan Wingo deserves to be part of that conversation.
In his freshman season, Wingo likely would have matched Williams’ yardage if he had played the same number of snaps (Williams had 48 catches for 865 yards, while Wingo had 29 catches for 472 yards). It’s worth noting that Smith played more than double the number of snaps compared to Wingo (76 snaps).
All that to say, with Arch Manning now under center and Texas expected to have a more dynamic passing attack, expect big things from Wingo. Daylen Everett will have his work cut out restricting the Texas receiver. Everett is expected to climb up boards in 2025 and be Georgia’s No. 1 corner.
1) Ryan Williams, Alabama vs. Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Two studs battle it out on Oct. 18 as the Tennessee Volunteers head to Tuscaloosa for their annual foray against the Crimson Tide. Awaiting them will be one of the top receivers in the nation, Williams, who took collegiate sports by storm in 2024 as a freshman, ranking No. 28 in the country, averaging 18 yards per reception.
The Alabama receiver is expected to continue dominating the SEC and increasing numbers in 2025. Still, Jermod McCoy can potentially be his toughest test of the season. The Tennessee cornerback ranked second in the SEC with 13 passes defended, while his four interceptions were the joint most among underclassmen within the conference.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
