Luke Combs Pens the Theme Song for SEC Football, ‘South On Ya’

A new season of SEC football kicks off September 2, and when it does, Luke Combs will be leading the charge. The country hit maker’s new song, “South On Ya,” has been chosen as the SEC network’s 2021 college football anthem, set to pump fans up during commercials, pre-game shows and more.

Featuring all the chest-thumping aggression of gridiron and lyrics that celebrate the Southeast, Combs’ new track is a pure muscle-country bombshell, with pounding drums and a sound made to rock tailgates everywhere.

It will now serve as the new theme song for SEC Network’s traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation, as well as the soundtrack for SECN’s campaign surrounding its primetime football franchise, “SEC Saturday Night Presented by T-Mobile.” Meanwhile, Combs is also featured in Marty & McGee’s signature “It’s Sports. Only Southern-er.” ad campaign, with commercials for “Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper” running now on SEC Network. 

With excitement for a new season building, a new preview video features Combs’ “South On Ya” song, with footage highlighting each team in the SEC and the region’s unique traditions. As a huge college football fan himself, Combs says the partnership is a natural fit.

“Man, this is pretty special,” Combs says in an official statement. “In the beginning of my career, I spent a lot of my time playing my music all over towns within the SEC. The fact that one of my songs is now such a big part of the Network is really cool to me. It feels like a full circle moment, for sure. I am a huge fan of the SEC and am honored my song was chosen to be a part of it.” 

Michelle Barry, ESPN senior director of marketing, college networks, agrees. “This anthem and our primetime campaign truly celebrate the strength, pageantry and fandom of the SEC – the stadiums and electric environments, the conference’s football dominance and the place we call home,” she says. “This track and the ‘South On Ya’ expression are powerful, with an attitude and confidence that well represents SEC football.”

“There’s nothing quite like the intersection of sports and music, and Luke Combs and the SEC are definitely a winning combination,” adds Sony Music Nashville Senior Director Partnership Marketing, Nicole Marinake. “Luke’s songwriting captures the energy of fan bases everywhere and we’re thrilled to be working alongside our partners at ESPN and FishBait to bring this anthem to life.” 

“South On Ya” is out now, and Combs’ new country radio single is “Cold As You.” In other news, Combs was just honored with the ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award for his record-breaking rise to stardom, appearing at the star-studded 14th annual ACM Honors on August 25.