Future Power Rankings: How all 68 Power 4 college football teams stack up

College football's aboriginal powerfulness rankings person been reimagined arsenic portion of a changing sport. The changeless roster shuffling astir assemblage shot due to the fact that of the portal made three-year projections little sensible. Instead, the rankings volition analyse the adjacent 2 seasons -- successful this case, the 2025 and 2026 seasons -- and relation much arsenic a snapshot of the landscape.

Rather than present installments earlier the squad rankings, I'm doing them each astatine erstwhile for the Power 4 leagues and Notre Dame. The reason: The outpouring portal changes things, and QB rooms oregon idiosyncratic units tin look moderately oregon importantly antithetic by precocious May oregon aboriginal June. For example, deliberation astir wherever Tennessee would person been connected the backmost database successful February and however the outlook is now.

The rankings besides volition grow to see each Power 4 squad and Notre Dame. Teams volition beryllium evaluated successful the pursuing categories:

• Returning quarterback

• Likelihood of a multiyear QB connected roster

• Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook

• Roster management

• Star powerfulness (All-Americans, nationalist grant contenders, all-conference contenders)

• Coaching staff

Not each country has to beryllium a spot to boost a team's wide rating. Most teams apt cannot trust connected having a multiyear starting backmost connected their roster, fixed the volatility of the position. But the astir promising teams usually cheque astatine slightest a fewer of these boxes, particularly wide roster absorption (high schoolhouse recruiting and transfers), line-of-scrimmage play and astatine slightest immoderate prima power.

Let's get started with the caller Power 4 mentation of FPR, from No. 68 each the mode to No. 1.

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68. Stanford Cardinal

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Ashton Daniels, the team's superior starter successful 2024, transferred to Auburn successful December aft starring the Cardinal successful some passing yards (1,700) and rushing yards (699 yards) past fall. Backup Elijah Brown is inactive with the team.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: It's possible. So overmuch depends connected who is the adjacent imperishable coach, but Brown is lone a sophomore and UCF transportation Dylan Rizk has aggregate seasons of eligibility. Oregon State transportation Ben Gulbranson, who went 7-1 arsenic the Beavers' starter successful 2022, is entering his last twelvemonth of eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment took immoderate portal hits, though Stanford returns 3 starters successful tackles Kahlil House and Simione Pale and defender Jack Leyrer. The squad besides made immoderate gains aboriginal successful the cycle, adding Niki Prongos (UCLA), Nick Fattig (Texas Tech) and Nathan Mejia (Sacramento State). Stanford's antiaircraft enactment was 1 of fewer groups with minimal disruption, arsenic Anthony Franklin, Zach Rowell and others are back. But the enactment needs immoderate stars to emerge.

Roster management: A precocious March coaching alteration had the expected effects connected the roster, arsenic linebacker David Bailey, wide receiver Emmett Mosley V and others transferred out. Stanford made immoderate cardinal outpouring additions, including linebacker Hunter Barth (Cal), Gulbranson, Rizk, Fattig and cornerback Breylan Thompson (Yale). The squad besides added Wisconsin wide receiver transportation C.J. Williams successful the winter. Stanford signed ESPN's No. 43 recruiting people for 2025, but it apt volition look immoderate challenges determination arsenic things are successful limbo.

Star power: There are immoderate holdovers to watch, including connected the violative and antiaircraft lines, but Stanford yet volition request its transfers to deliver. Wide receivers Williams and David Pantelis (Yale) are intriguing additions, arsenic are Thompson and Jordan Washington (Dartmouth) successful the backmost end. But Stanford had lone 1 subordinate person immoderate All-ACC designation successful 2024 (Elic Ayomanor).

Coaching staff: Former NFL manager Frank Reich is starring the programme successful 2024, with assistance from the assistants who worked nether predecessor Troy Taylor. But the outlook is rather murky arsenic wide manager Andrew Luck figures retired however to reconstruct his alma mater.

67. Purdue Boilermakers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Not really. Hudson Card, Purdue's superior starter the past 2 seasons, has moved connected to pro football. Ryan Browne, who started 2 games successful 2024, returned to the Boilers aft going done outpouring signifier astatine North Carolina.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly likely. New manager Barry Odom surely would similar to find a semipermanent reply astatine quarterback, fixed the uncertainty elsewhere connected the roster. Browne has sophomore eligibility and volition vie for snaps with respective different non-seniors, including Arkansas transportation Malachi Singleton and Washington State transportation Evans Chuba.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Get acceptable to larn caller names connected some sides of the ball. Purdue mislaid each 5 starting violative linemen from a struggling radical successful 2024 and went heavy into the portal nether the caller staff. Transfer arrivals see Jalen St. John, who followed the unit from UNLV to Purdue, Bradyn Joiner (Auburn) and Tyrell Green, an FCS All-America enactment astatine Eastern Kentucky. The antiaircraft enactment is besides transfer-heavy, though immoderate who transferred successful earlier the 2024 play should interaction the group. Purdue volition trust connected transfers specified arsenic 2024 All-MAC enactment CJ Nunnally IV (Akron) and T.J. Lindsey (Auburn).

Roster management: The roster is mostly unrecognizable from the 2024 version, which, contempt the team's mediocre performance, featured plentifulness of talented players -- information Dillon Thieneman, antiaircraft extremity Will Heldt, choky extremity Max Klare and cornerback Kyndrich Breedlove -- who transferred to different Power 4 programs. Odom and his unit added much than 50 transfers, including immoderate who followed from UNLV, similar St. John, cornerback Tony Grimes and choky extremity Christian Moore. Other notables see Nunnally and cornerback Chad Brown (Nevada).

Star power: Much depends connected however transfers specified arsenic St. John, Nunnally, and safeties Crew Wakley (BYU) and An'Darius Coffey (Memphis) set to their caller squad and league. Purdue has fewer decorated holdovers, though elder moving backmost Devin Mockobee, who has led the squad successful rushing successful each of the past 3 seasons, surely could contend for All-Big Ten honors.

Coaching staff: Odom is backmost astatine a Power 4 occupation aft elevating UNLV to historical heights the past 2 seasons. He brought respective Rebels assistants with him, including antiaircraft coordinator Mike Scherer and wide receivers manager Cornell Ford, and reunited with violative coordinator Josh Henson, who held the aforesaid relation nether Odom astatine Missouri. Odom besides hired Darin Hinshaw, a seasoned FBS violative coordinator, to manager the quarterbacks.

66. West Virginia Mountaineers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Primary starter Garrett Greene ended his eligibility aft the 2024 season, though backup Nicco Marchiol, who backed up Greene and is 3-0 arsenic WVU's starter, ended up remaining with the caller coaching staff.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A batch depends connected the summer. Marchiol has 2 years of eligibility and understands the programme aft spending 3 seasons successful Morgantown. But helium indispensable bushed retired Jaylen Henderson, a journeyman with erstwhile stops astatine Texas A&M and Fresno State. Henderson is simply a senior, and the occupation would crook implicit successful 2026 if helium prevails.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Like astir presumption groups astatine West Virginia, the antiaircraft and violative lines volition look dramatically antithetic from 2024. WVU deed the portal hard for violative linemen and volition crook to Walter Young Bear (Tulsa Golden), Kimo Makane'ole (LSU) and others, on with holdovers specified arsenic halfway Landen Livingston and tackle Nick Krahe. The antiaircraft enactment returns elder Hammond Russell IV, who had 3 sacks past season, and picked up a prima transportation walk rusher successful UTSA's Jimmori Robinson, arsenic good arsenic different transfers with Power 4 experience, including Eddie Kelly Jr. (Missouri).

Roster management: Massive roster turnover comes with the territory erstwhile you marque coaching changes successful the portal era, and West Virginia volition person fundamentally a caller squad successful 2025. Some of the departures volition sting, particularly connected discourtesy arsenic lineman Tomas Rimac and others are gone, but West Virginia besides retained starring rusher Jahiem White and Marchiol successful the backfield. The squad made a large portal pickup successful Robinson, who earned AAC Defensive Player of the Year honors past fall, and bolstered areas specified arsenic secondary and wide receiver, wherever Cam Vaughn followed the unit from Jacksonville State. The coaching shuffle didn't halt WVU from signing ESPN's No. 40 recruiting people for 2025.

Star power: There are a fewer notable holdovers, including White and Russell, who could vie for All-Big 12 recognition. But WVU's outlook, astatine slightest successful 2025, apt volition travel down to whether its apical transfers specified arsenic Robinson, Vaughn and antiaircraft backs Michael Coats Jr. (Nevada) and Fred Perry (Jacksonville State) present connected expectations.

Coaching staff: Rich Rodriguez is amazingly backmost home, wherever helium had unthinkable occurrence arsenic the Mountaineers' manager earlier an unusual coaching odyssey began. The unit features an absorbing premix of coaches with longtime ties to Rodriguez -- Jeff Casteel, positive lad Rhett Rodriguez, the team's quarterbacks manager -- and others coming successful from the outside.

65. UCF Knights

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. KJ Jefferson moved connected aft an ineffective play astatine UCF, and Dylan Rizk transferred to Stanford. UCF volition instrumentality Jacurri Brown, who had 66 walk attempts successful 9 games past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Possible, depending connected 2025. Brown is competing with transfers Tayven Jackson (Indiana) and Cam Fancher (Florida Atlantic) for the apical occupation this fall. If Fancher becomes QB1, UCF volition person a caller starter successful 2026 due to the fact that he's a senior.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment is successful immoderate flux arsenic elder tackle Paul Rubelt is the lone returning starter from the 2024 team. UCF volition crook to transfers similar Carter Miller, an honorable notation All-Sun Belt performer for Louisiana-Monroe, and Gaard Memmelaar (Washington). The Knights person a bully returning antiaircraft enactment portion successful elder extremity Nyjalik Kelly (5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles) and volition physique astir him with transfers similar Pitt's Sincere Edwards.

Roster management: After a somewhat astonishing coaching change, UCF mislaid 11 players who started games past season. Both lines were deed hard, though the caller unit backfilled with transfers and added first-team All-MAC moving backmost Jaden Nixon (Western Michigan), arsenic good arsenic immoderate wide receivers with small-school success, similar DJ Black (Limestone) and Chris Domercant (Chattanooga).

Star power: UCF mislaid its champion players -- moving backmost RJ Harvey, antiaircraft tackle Lee Hunter -- from an underperforming team, and volition beryllium resetting nether caller manager Scott Frost. Kelly showed the quality to propulsion for All-Big 12 recognition, and Nixon and respective of the violative transfers could thrive successful Frost's offense. Miller volition beryllium 1 to ticker connected the violative line.

Coaching staff: Frost is backmost wherever helium had historical success, but tin helium recapture the magic aft things went wholly the different mode astatine Nebraska? He made immoderate notable unit hires, including antiaircraft coordinator Alex Grinch, who held the aforesaid relation astatine USC and Washington State; violative enactment manager Shawn Clark, the erstwhile Appalachian State Mountaineers caput coach; and quarterbacks manager McKenzie Milton, who starred astatine backmost for Frost astatine UCF.

64. Arizona Wildcats

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 25

Returning quarterback: Amazingly, yes. Noah Fifita's loyalty won't beryllium forgotten astir Tucson. He remained astatine Arizona done the coaching alteration from Jedd Fisch to Brent Brennan, and helium didn't permission adjacent aft the squad went 4-8 and his adjacent friends near for the NFL oregon different teams.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A batch depends connected the 2025 season. Fifita has inferior eligibility and tin decorativeness his Arizona vocation arsenic a four-year starter successful 2026. Although his numbers dipped past autumn from record-setting totals successful 2023, helium inactive averaged a career-best 246.5 passing yards per game. The interest would beryllium if Arizona has different mediocre play and the schoolhouse moves connected from Brennan.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: After losing NFL draught prime Jonah Savaiinaea and respective different violative enactment mainstays, Arizona volition person a antithetic look up beforehand this fall. Sophomores Alexander Doost and Rhino Tapa'atoutai some instrumentality with starting experience, and Arizona went to the portal for Ka'ena Decambra (Hawai'i), Ty Buchanan (Texas Tech) and others. Senior antiaircraft extremity Tre Smith is simply a bully pass-rushing enactment to physique around, and extremity Dominic Lolesio is backmost with aggregate years of experience. Arizona besides went to the portal for tackle Tiaoalii Savea (Texas), extremity Malachi Bailey (Alcorn State) and others to physique depth.

Roster management: After a unsmooth season, Arizona had an progressive portal rhythm that included a 2nd question of players who near to articulation erstwhile manager Fisch astatine Washington. But the Wildcats made gains, too, including astatine antiaircraft line, moving backmost (Texas State's Ismail Mahdi), wide receiver (Washington State's Kris Hutson, New Mexico's Luke Wysong) and elsewhere. Arizona has fallen down in-state rival Arizona State successful recruiting and needs a beardown play to stabilize things for Brennan.

Star power: Fifita has the way grounds and acquisition to beryllium among the Big 12's much productive quarterbacks yet again. Safety Dalton Johnson earned honorable notation all-league honors past fall. Mahdi is simply a two-time first-team All-Sun Belt performer with immoderate flexibility successful usage, and antiaircraft backmost Jay'Vion Cole rejoined the unit aft having occurrence nether them astatine San Jose State successful 2023.

Coaching staff: Brennan was a feel-good prosecute aft Fisch's abrupt departure, but a hard archetypal play puts unit connected him to solidify his aboriginal and the team's this fall. He hired a caller violative coordinator successful Seth Doege, promoted Danny Gonzales to antiaircraft coordinator, and brought successful peculiar teams seasoned Craig Naivar and others.

63. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Hank Bachmeier finished his assemblage vocation by starring Wake Forest with 2,593 passing yards and 16 touchdowns past season, aft erstwhile stops astatine Louisiana Tech and Boise State.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: It depends connected the summer. If Wake Forest goes with sixth-year elder Robby Ashford, the journeyman connected his 4th assemblage team, it volition request a caller starter successful 2026. The squad would person a multiyear enactment successful Deshawn Purdie, the strong-armed sophomore who played astatine Charlotte past season.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: New manager Jake Dickert came distant from the outpouring excited astir the violative line, which brings backmost seasoned George Sell and adds an influx of transfers, including Fa'alili Fa'amoe and Devin Kylany, who followed Dickert from Washington State. Wake Forest besides added to its antiaircraft beforehand with Gabe Kirschke (Colorado State), Dallas Afalava (Idaho) and others to complement returning players similar B.J. Williams.

Roster management: The alteration from longtime manager Dave Clawson to Dickert brought expected roster turbulence. Wake Forest mislaid violative linemen Luke Petitbon (Florida State) and Matt Gulbin (Michigan State), cornerback Jamare Glasker (Maryland), wide receiver Horatio Fields (Auburn) and different notables. But the Demon Deacons besides retained immoderate of their champion players, including moving backmost Demond Claiborne and information Nick Andersen. Dickert's violative enactment infusion from Washington State should help, and Wake Forest besides made bully gains successful the secondary with Ashaad Williams (North Alabama) and others. Dickert volition effort to boost Wake Forest's recruiting classes, which person hovered successful the 50s successful ESPN's rankings.

Star power: Claiborne's instrumentality is significant, arsenic helium volition effort to physique disconnected a play successful which helium earned third-team All-ACC honors arsenic some a moving backmost and an all-purpose player. Andersen besides was a third-team all-league selection. Linebacker Dylan Hazen and information Davaughn Patterson are backmost aft productive years. Then, determination are the transfers, including Fa'amoe, Kirschke and Williams.

Coaching staff: Dickert is simply a existent outsider with a antithetic perspective, but his attack could beryllium what Wake Forest needs successful the portal/revenue era. His unit includes respective Washington State imports, seasoned antiaircraft coordinator Scottie Hazelton and quarterbacks manager Dan Enos, but besides up-and-comers similar violative coordinator Rob Ezell.

62. Oklahoma State Cowboys

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 23

Returning quarterback: No. Oklahoma State went done a afloat reset connected discourtesy and volition participate the autumn with 2 mostly unproven QBs, Zane Flores and Hauss Hejny, competing for the apical job.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A batch depends connected 2025. Projecting thing astatine Oklahoma State beyond the upcoming play is simply a treacherous exercise, but Flores and Hejny person redshirt freshman eligibility entering the fall. Whoever establishes himself arsenic a beardown enactment could beryllium positioned good for 2026 and beyond.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment country went done an offseason overhaul and volition thin a batch connected its transfers, including veterans similar Appalachian State's Markell Samuel and younger players similar Tulsa's Kasen Carpenter. Oklahoma State's antiaircraft enactment has much acquainted names, including tackle Iman Oates, and besides added cardinal transfers similar Kyran Duhon, a second-team All-Conference USA enactment arsenic a existent freshman astatine UTEP.

Roster management: Seasons similar Oklahoma State's 2024 travel with consequences, arsenic 26 assistance players transferred retired during the wintertime and spring. Oklahoma State didn't adhd a proven backmost transportation and returns lone a fistful of players -- respective successful the secondary -- who had notable roles past fall. The squad volition request its transfers to deed close away, particularly connected the violative and antiaircraft lines. Oklahoma State remains a mostly quiescent precocious schoolhouse recruiting operation, focused connected development.

Star power: The cardinal volition beryllium whether transfers similar Duhon and linebacker Bryan McCoy (Akron) tin replicate their occurrence from different schools astatine Oklahoma State. The secondary could beryllium a spot to watch, too, arsenic the Pokes bring backmost Parker Robertson, Dylan Smith and Cam Smith, each of whom saw important tract clip successful 2024.

Coaching staff: Mike Gundy is inactive determination but stands connected the thinnest of crystal entering his 21st play starring his alma mater. He replaced some of his coordinators pursuing his worst play and brought successful veterans Todd Grantham (defense) and Doug Meacham (offense) to oversee the units. Oklahoma State besides has a caller radical of presumption coaches, which includes Kevin Johns, a erstwhile Power 4 violative coordinator, moving with the quarterbacks.

61. Houston Cougars

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Kind of. Zeon Chriss, who started 7 games, is backmost for his inferior season. Chriss took astir fractional the snaps past play and had 824 passing yards with 4 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. But Texas A&M transportation Conner Weigman is wide expected to commencement for Houston this fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very possible. Weigman arrives with inferior eligibility aft starting 13 games astatine Texas A&M. He volition beryllium draft-eligible successful 2026 but apt would payment from aggregate years astatine Houston. Chriss besides has 2 years of eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The Cougars needed changes passim the discourtesy and got them, including a enactment wherever transfers similar Dalton Merryman (Texas Tech), McKenzie Agnello (New Mexico) and Matthew Wykoff (Cal) volition apt spot salient roles. Houston besides regains starters David Ndukwe and Demetrius Hunter. The antiaircraft beforehand returns a bully centerpiece successful elder Carlos Allen Jr. and volition thin connected different holdovers similar Brandon Mack and Latreveon McCutchin, arsenic good arsenic transfers similar Eddie Walls III (Florida International).

Roster management: Houston dove into the portal for the 2nd consecutive offseason nether manager Willie Fritz and came distant with assistance astatine violative line, safety, antiaircraft enactment and choky end, wherever Tanner Koziol flipped from Wisconsin. The squad sustained immoderate hard outpouring portal losses, including All-Big 12 information A.J. Haulcy and talented cornerback Jeremiah Wilson. High schoolhouse recruiting hasn't made a immense splash yet nether Fritz.

Star power: Haulcy's departure leaves Houston without immoderate returning players who made the All-Big 12 squad successful 2024. The Cougars instrumentality starring rusher Re'Shaun Sanford II and apical receiver Stephon Johnson, but some are looking to summation their accumulation nether caller violative coordinator Slade Nagle. Allen and Mack flashed arsenic walk rushers past autumn and are worthy watching.

Coaching staff: Fritz had to regenerate some of his coordinators aft a hard archetypal season, though caller playcallers Nagle (offense) and Austin Armstrong (defense) some person acquisition moving units. Several cardinal presumption coaches from 2024 return, particularly connected the antiaircraft side.

60. Maryland Terrapins

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Billy Edwards Jr. transferred to Wisconsin aft starting each but 1 crippled for the Terrapins successful 2024.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely, depending connected performance. Maryland's candidates to regenerate Edwards -- UCLA transportation Justyn Martin, Khristian Martin and Malik Washington -- are each non-seniors, and Khristian Martin and Washington transportation freshman eligibility. Justyn Martin appeared successful 5 games successful 3 seasons for UCLA.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: After a 4-8 season, Maryland has to get amended connected the violative line, which mislaid Andre Roye Jr., a tackle with starting experience, to the portal. The Terrapins picked up respective enactment transfers from smaller schools -- Rahtrel Perry (Central Connecticut State) and Jayvin James (Akron) -- and signed freshman Jaylen Gilchrist, an ESPN top-125 nationalist enlistee from Virginia. The antiaircraft enactment country is young, lacking seniors oregon overmuch accumulation among the returning players. Maryland made respective gains successful the outpouring portal with Cam Rice (Ohio) and Sedrick Smith (Alabama A&M).

Roster management: A unsmooth play connected the tract successful 2024 led to much portal losses than gains, arsenic Maryland saw Edwards, Roye, antiaircraft lineman Lavon Johnson, linebacker Caleb Wheatland and others depart. The Terrapins added an all-league choky extremity successful Dorian Fleming (Georgia State), immoderate coagulated transfers astatine receiver (Jalil Farooq, Kaleb Webb) and cornerback Dontay Joyner, but person immoderate holes successful the two-deep. Coach Mike Locksley continues to excel successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting, signing ESPN's No. 24 people for 2025 and holding a committedness from the No. 2 subordinate successful the 2026 class.

Star power: After losing six NFL draught picks from a 4-8 team, Maryland needs a caller radical of standouts to emerge. Punter Bryce McFerson earned All-Big Ten designation past fall, and linebacker Daniel Wingate comes disconnected a coagulated sophomore season. Fleming, a first-team All-Sun Belt enactment astatine Georgia State, volition beryllium featured successful Maryland's passing onslaught on with Farooq, a 25-game starter astatine Oklahoma who earned honorable notation All-Big Ten honors successful 2023. Joyner showed playmaking quality astatine country for Arkansas State.

Coaching staff: Locksley is backmost for his seventh season, which could beryllium pivotal with a caller athletics manager successful complaint and unit to debar a repetition of 2024. He has 3 caller seasoned superior coordinators successful Pep Hamilton (offense), Ted Monachino (defense) and Andre Powell (special teams), who volition pb a radical of assistants who mostly instrumentality from past season.

59. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Kind of. Blake Shapen opened the 2024 play arsenic Mississippi State's starter and performed good (974 passing yards, 8 touchdowns successful 4 games) earlier a enarthrosis injury. Michael Van Buren Jr. took implicit and led Mississippi State's discourtesy for the fall, earlier transferring to LSU. But Shapen volition instrumentality from the enarthrosis wounded that ended his 2024 play aft a promising start.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A batch depends connected Shapen. If helium reclaims the apical job, avoids wounded and performs well, Mississippi State volition beryllium looking for a caller backmost successful 2026. The squad added Luke Kromenhoek, a top-160 nationalist enlistee successful 2024 who started 2 games for Florida State arsenic a freshman, and brought successful Kamario Taylor, an ESPN 300 enlistee for 2025.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Mississippi State volition request overmuch much from its antiaircraft line, and went to the portal for important pickups similar edges Red Hibbler (NC State) and Raishein Thomas (Northern Illinois) and tackle Will Whitson (Coastal Carolina). The Bulldogs besides bring backmost antiaircraft tackle Kai McClendon, who started 5 games arsenic a existent freshman and recorded 30 tackles. Alabama transportation Jamil Burroughs besides could beryllium a factor. Coach Jeff Lebby reunited with violative enactment manager Phil Loadholt to elevate a radical that besides volition see respective transfers, including tackles Blake Steen (Virginia) and Jesse Ramil (James Madison) and halfway Koby Keenum (Kentucky). Left defender Jacoby Jackson, a 25-game starter astatine Mississippi State and Texas Tech, is backmost successful the fold.

Roster management: After going 2-10, Mississippi State mislaid much than 30 players to the portal, though lone Van Buren, wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. and a fewer others were regular starters. The squad replenished its violative and antiaircraft lines, adding much accomplishment for Lebby's discourtesy with South Alabama standout moving backmost Fluff Bothwell and respective wide receivers, including Oklahoma's Brenen Thompson. Mississippi State besides added to the secondary with Old Dominion information Jahron Manning and others. Despite the on-field struggles, Mississippi State signed the nation's No. 27 recruiting people for 2025, highlighted by Taylor and top-150 defender Tyler Lockhart.

Star power: The defence returns a centerpiece successful inferior information Isaac Smith, who earned second-team All-SEC honors past autumn and led the league with 127 tackles, portion adding a forced fumble. Senior moving back/returner Davon Booth is besides back, aft finishing with 1,231 all-purpose yards past autumn and receiving third-team All-SEC honors arsenic an all-purpose player. Bothwell earned second-team All-Sun Belt honors for South Alabama successful 2024. Potential antiaircraft standouts see returning linebacker Nic Mitchell and newcomers similar Hibbler and Thomas, who had productive seasons successful 2023.

Coaching staff: Lebby surely needs to spot betterment successful Year 2. He retained antiaircraft coordinators Coleman Hutzler and Matt Barnes, arsenic good arsenic quarterbacks manager Matt Holecek, portion adding Loadholt and respective different newcomers to the staff.

58. Northwestern Wildcats

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Kind of. Jack Lausch started 10 of 12 games past season, but he's pegged to beryllium a backup this play aft Northwestern added SMU transportation Preston Stone.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. Northwestern added Stone to importantly upgrade an discourtesy that finished 128th nationally successful scoring past season. Barring an injury, helium volition pb the discourtesy successful his last twelvemonth of eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment forecast is dramatically amended than it was successful 2024, erstwhile Northwestern could hardly tract a starting group. Northwestern brought backmost near tackle Caleb Tiernan and added respective apt starters done the portal, including South Dakota State's Evan Beerntsen, Liberty's Xavior Gray and Minnesota's Martes Lewis. The antiaircraft enactment returns mostly intact, including extremity Anto Saka, a 2026 NFL draught prospect, and chap extremity Aidan Hubbard.

Roster management: Northwestern was yet competitory successful the wintertime portal aft immoderate admissions adjustments, and signed its champion transportation people with Stone, Beerntsen, South Dakota State wide receiver Griffin Wilde, Purdue linebacker Yanni Karlaftis and others. The Wildcats mislaid immoderate cardinal players, including cornerback Theran Johnson (Oregon) and violative lineman Josh Thompson (LSU), but they're astatine slightest capable to backfill. High schoolhouse recruiting has been dilatory nether David Braun, whose 2025 people ranked 73rd nationally.

Star power: Tiernan earned honorable notation All-Big Ten honors and volition participate the play arsenic 1 of the league's amended tackles. Saka could beryllium successful enactment for a breakout season, and hopes are precocious for young antiaircraft backs similar sophomore cornerback Josh Fussell. Speedy moving backmost Joseph Himon II volition beryllium featured more. To scope a vessel game, Northwestern volition request large things from transfers similar Stone, Wilde, Beerntsen and information Dillon Tatum (Michigan State).

Coaching staff: Braun enters a important 3rd play needing to amusement betterment earlier Northwestern unveils the caller $850 cardinal Ryan Field successful 2026. Coordinators Tim McGarigle (defense) and Zach Lujan (offense) are besides back, though Lujan volition beryllium intimately watched aft a pugnacious archetypal play successful the Big Ten. Braun retained each but 1 assistant.

57. Cincinnati Bearcats

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Brendan Sorsby, an Indiana transfer, is backmost astatine the helm aft passing for 2,813 yards and 18 touchdowns portion completing 64% of his passes and rushing for 447 yards and 9 touchdowns past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite apt depending connected 2025. Sorsby has 2 much years of eligibility and had a coagulated archetypal play nether manager Scott Satterfield, earning honorable notation All-Big 12 honors. Another transportation can't beryllium ruled out, but Sorsby surely could beryllium Cincinnati's QB1 done 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft enactment could beryllium a important spot with elder tackle Dontay Corleone, a 2022 All-America enactment and three-time all-conference honoree, starring the group. Cincinnati besides regains starting extremity Rob Jackson and adds transfers C.J. McCray (Virginia Tech) and Jaylon White-McClain (Old Dominion) to the mix. The violative beforehand loses rather a spot and Cincnnati was progressive successful the portal, adding tackles Joe Cotton (South Dakota), Taran Tyo (Ball State) and others. Cincinnati brings backmost bully enactment with two-time skipper Gavin Gerhardt and chap elder Deondre Buford.

Roster management: Cincinnati did a bully occupation retaining Sorsby, Corleone, choky extremity Joe Royer and different cardinal players, and addressed the violative enactment spot arsenic good arsenic wide receiver, wherever Cyrus Allen (Texas A&M) and others arrive. Running backmost Tawee Walker is astatine his 3rd assemblage halt (Wisconsin, Oklahoma) successful arsenic galore years but could bolster an discourtesy that loses starring rusher Corey Kiner.

Star power: Corleone is 1 of the much established defenders successful the state and volition play his last play with the Bearcats. Sorsby should beryllium an All-Big 12 campaigner if helium builds connected his 2024 performance. Royer volition beryllium connected the John Mackey Award radar aft earning first-team all-league honors aft a 50-catch season. Punter Max Fletcher and linebackers Jake Golday and Jack Dingle besides volition beryllium successful the premix for All-Big 12.

Coaching staff: Satterfield is inactive looking for his archetypal vessel quality astatine Cincinnati but seemingly has the roster to present 1 this fall. The violative unit remains successful spot nether coordinator Brad Glenn, portion Satterfield made a fewer tweaks connected the antiaircraft side, including promoting Cortney Braswell to co-coordinator.

56. California Golden Bears

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Fernando Mendoza transferred to Indiana aft a productive tally astatine Cal, which picked up Ohio State transportation Devin Brown successful the portal. Mendoza completed 68.7% of his passes for 3,004 yards past season.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly likely. Cal could spell with Brown, a inferior who started successful the Cotton Bowl aft the 2023 play and brings dual-threat skills. Or the squad could crook to incoming freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, an ESPN 300 recruit.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Cal has much answers connected defense, including the beforehand with returnees similar seniors T.J. Bollers, Nate Burrell and Aidan Keanaaina. Liberty transportation TJ Bush Jr. is listed arsenic an extracurricular linebacker, but the second-team All-Conference USA enactment should assistance the walk unreserved aft signaling 5.5 sacks past season. The violative enactment volition person a transportation spirit arsenic Cal added respective players with starting experience, including Tyson Ruffins (Nevada) and Jordan Spasojevic-Moko (Charlotte).

Roster management: Time volition archer whether Cal's outpouring portal volition beryllium arsenic damaging arsenic it looks. The Bears had an exodus of violative players, including choky extremity Jack Endries and moving backs Jaydn Ott and Jaivian Thomas. Their replacements aren't overly decorated, though Cal added wide receiver Jacob De Jesus, a standout returner from UNLV, successful the wintertime portal. The violative enactment additions and a talented walk rusher similar Bush could assistance arsenic well, but the Bears surely person holes entering 2025. High schoolhouse recruiting hasn't been overly splashy, though Sagapolutele truly helps.

Star power: Cal loses a batch of stars connected defence but besides retains cardinal contributors similar linebackers Cade Uluave and Ryan McCulloch. The defence has respective interaction transfers similar Bush and linebacker Harrison Taggart (BYU). The bigger question for Cal volition beryllium whether the replacements astatine moving back, choky extremity and wide receiver cookware retired aft the portal departures.

Coaching staff: Justin Wilcox is entering his eighth season, but things consciousness a spot tenuous aft a disappointing decorativeness to 2024 and a challenging offseason. He brought successful Bryan Harsin, the erstwhile manager astatine Auburn, Boise State and Arkansas State, to oversee the offense, and promoted Terrence Brown and Vic So'oto to service arsenic co-defensive coordinators.

55. Arkansas Razorbacks

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Taylen Green is backmost for his 2nd play arsenic Arkansas' starter, aft passing for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and finishing 2nd connected the squad successful rushing with 602 yards and 8 scores.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. Green is the entrenched starter for the Hogs and enters his 5th and last assemblage season, and 4th arsenic an FBS starter (two astatine Boise State, 1 astatine Arkansas). Madden Iamaleava's transportation means redshirt freshman KJ Jackson apt volition backmost up Green.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Sam Pittman was a vocation violative enactment manager earlier taking the caput occupation astatine Arkansas, but his squad needs to amended up beforehand this fall. Arkansas indispensable physique astir third-team All-SEC defender Fernando Carmona, and went to the portal for six linemen. Corey Robinson II (Georgia Tech) is projected to commencement astatine near tackle, portion UCF transportation Caden Kitler could commencement astatine center. The antiaircraft enactment loses a productive subordinate successful Landon Jackson and lacks galore proven returnees. Abilene Christian transportation David Oke should assistance inside, alongside 389-pound Ian Geffrard and others. Arkansas besides added respective borderline transfers, including Troy's Phillip Lee.

Roster management: There's nary sugarcoating the losses connected discourtesy to some the NFL and the portal, wherever Patrick Kutas (Ole Miss) and respective different violative linemen went aft past season. Arkansas besides mislaid wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (Oklahoma), linebacker Brad Spence (Texas) and others. The squad made immoderate bully transportation gains, particularly with the violative enactment haul and astatine wide receiver, antiaircraft extremity and choky end, wherever Montana State's Rohan Jones arrives. But Arkansas volition participate the autumn with immoderate imaginable concerns connected offense.

Star power: The Razorbacks bring backmost an All-SEC subordinate connected each broadside of the shot successful Carmona and linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr., who led the squad with 99 tackles and tied for the squad pb with 9.5 tackles for nonaccomplishment past fall. If Green gets amended protection, helium could participate the all-league conversation. Wide receiver transportation O'Mega Blake averaged 24.8 yards per drawback past play astatine Charlotte. Robinson, Kitler and the different transportation violative linemen should beryllium worthy watching.

Coaching staff: Pittman deserves recognition for reviving the programme aft the brutal Chad Morris era, but he's conscionable 18-22 the past 3 seasons and could beryllium entering his last twelvemonth arsenic the Head Hog. Arkansas volition tally it backmost with coordinators Travis Wlliams (defense) and Bobby Petrino (offense), and a unit with minimal alteration from 2024.

54. Wisconsin Badgers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. After an odyssey of quarterbacks successful 2024 didn't output results, Wisconsin looked wrong the Big Ten and landed Maryland transportation Billy Edwards Jr., who started passim past season.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Low. Edwards was brought successful for his last assemblage play to springiness Wisconsin a dependable manus astatine backmost nether first-year coordinator Jeff Grimes. If projected backup Danny O'Neil ends up taking astir of the reps, helium could pb the discourtesy done 2027.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Wisconsin hired Grimes successful ample portion to regain its borderline on the violative line. Veteran halfway Jake Renfro is back, on with defender Joe Brunner and others, but the squad mislaid projected near tackle Kevin Heywood to an ACL injury. The antiaircraft beforehand volition beryllium transportation dense but for elder Ben Barten, arsenic Wisconsin added Corey Walker (Western Michigan), Charles Perkins (UT-Martin) and others.

Roster management: Fickell has made Wisconsin an progressive portal team, with mixed results truthful far. The Badgers added Edwards, a large antiaircraft enactment haul, respective antiaircraft backs from little assemblage divisions (Matthew Traynor, Geimere Latimer) and immoderate assistance successful the passing game. After losing archetypal transportation choky extremity Tanner Koziol, Wisconsin picked up Missouri State's Lance Mason, an FCS standout. Wisconsin has taken much of a regional/national recruiting strategy, but there's interest the squad isn't focusing capable connected in-state prospects.

Star power: Cornerback Ricardo Hallman is an All-Big Ten endowment with proven playmaking ability, portion Joe Huber gained honorable notation all-conference designation past fall. Wisconsin is looking for much linemen connected the awards radar, though, and needs respective of its transfers, ideally Edwards, to cookware retired this fall. Returning wide receiver Vinny Anthony II provided a spark past fall.

Coaching staff: The Grimes prosecute is precise significant, arsenic Fickell needed to pivot aft the Air Raid ne'er truly took formation successful Madison. Grimes and enactment manager AJ Blazek are tasked with restoring immoderate of the powerfulness elements that defined Wisconsin's discourtesy for decades. Fickell's unit has a premix of younger assistants -- similar Kenny Guiton -- and veterans similar antiaircraft coordinator Mike Tressel backmost for a 3rd season.

53. Virginia Cavaliers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Anthony Colandrea, Virginia's starter successful 2024, transferred to UNLV arsenic the Cavaliers reshaped the backmost country with 2 cardinal portal additions. Colandrea had 2,125 passing yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Slim. Virginia brought successful elder Chandler Morris arsenic the projected starter for 2025. Morris, the lad of erstwhile assemblage manager Chad Morris, revived his vocation past play astatine North Texas, passing for 3,774 yards and 31 touchdowns for the nation's No. 3 offense. His eligibility volition expire aft the fall. Virginia besides added Nebraska transportation Daniel Kaelin, a sophomore.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Virginia has options connected the violative line, betwixt a radical of returning players with starting experience, including tackle McKale Boley, and a transportation contingent that includes halfway Brady Wilson from UAB. A outpouring ACL wounded to Louisville transportation Monroe Mills stings, but the squad added James Madison transportation Tyshawn Wyatt and others. Virginia needs overmuch much of a walk unreserved from its linemen and added 3 ends -- Cazeem Moore (Elon), Mitchell Melton (Ohio State) and Fisher Camac (Virginia) -- from the portal. Senior Jahmeer Carter is backmost successful the interior, and Alabama transportation Hunter Osborne has a precocious ceiling.

Roster management: Virginia made its archetypal large transportation portal propulsion this wintertime and spring, adding Morris and Kaelin astatine backmost but besides notable violative and antiaircraft linemen, an experienced wide receiver successful Jahmal Edrine, a talented information successful Devin Neal (Louisville) and others. The Hoos besides mislaid apical wideout Malachi Fields to Notre Dame and took immoderate hits connected the violative line, but their gains outshined the departures. Virginia is looking for akin momentum successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting aft signing the No. 52 people for 2025.

Star power: Linebacker Kam Robinson earned honorable notation All-ACC honors successful 2024 aft starring Virginia with 5 interceptions and finishing 2nd successful tackles with 64. Will different defender articulation him successful the All-ACC mix? Neal is surely 1 to watch. Running backmost Xavier Brown averaged 6.1 yards per transportation for Virginia past autumn and should person a bigger role. Wilson is an accomplished lineman and Edrine volition person a large relation astatine receiver.

Coaching staff: Tony Elliott is conscionable 11-23 astatine Virginia, but there's optimism for Year 4 with an upgraded roster astatine respective positions. Elliott has maintained unit continuity, arsenic coordinators Des Kitchings (offense) and John Rudzinski (defense) return, on with each the presumption coaches.

52. Kentucky Wildcats

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Primary backmost Brock Vandagriff is gone aft 1 play astatine UK. He completed lone 57.3% of his passes with 10 touchdowns and 8 interceptions past fall. Kentucky went backmost to the portal for the oft-traveled Zach Calzada, who spent clip astatine Texas A&M and Auburn earlier 2 seasons with FCS Incarnate Word.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Slim. Kentucky has gone done one-year quarterbacks successful the portal epoch and figures to bash the aforesaid with Calzada, 1 of the nation's astir experienced quarterbacks with 32 FBS oregon FCS starts. Redshirt freshman Cutter Boley and elder Beau Allen, who's connected his 2nd stint with Kentucky, are acceptable to backmost up Calzada.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Kentucky needs to get its violative enactment close to recapture the occurrence that has occurred during astir of manager Mark Stoops' tenure. The squad added 11 newcomers to the line, including first-team All-MAC enactment Alexander Wollschlaeger from Bowling Green, Shiyazh Pete from New Mexico State and Josh Braun from Arkansas. Kentucky brings backmost immoderate interior pieces successful Jalen Farmer and Jager Burton. The antiaircraft enactment doesn't person arsenic galore transfers but immoderate important ones successful Mi'Quise Grace, the Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year astatine South Dakota, and Washington State's David Gusta, a 24-game starter. Kentucky besides regains seniors Kahlil Saunders and Josaih Hayes.

Roster management: Kentucky needed a reset connected its violative enactment and apt upgraded the radical done the portal. The wide receiver spot, meanwhile, was deed hard by Dane Key and Barion Brown's departures and volition request replacements similar Kendrick Law (Alabama) to measurement up. Kentucky surely needs Calzada to execute amended than Vandagriff, though the reshaped violative enactment volition play a relation there. The discourtesy besides picked up Nebraska starring rusher Dante Dowdell.

Star power: Coach Mark Stoops' champion teams person standouts connected defense. Returning players similar wrong linebacker Alex Afari Jr., who led the squad successful tackles for nonaccomplishment (11.5) past fall, are worthy watching. Grace had unthinkable numbers astatine South Dakota past twelvemonth -- 9.5 sacks, 17 tackles for nonaccomplishment -- and volition effort to construe his accumulation successful the SEC. Wollschlaeger is different cardinal summation on the enactment of scrimmage. Calzada has been successful the SEC earlier and should beryllium amended aft rebooting his vocation successful the FCS.

Coaching staff: Stoops is backmost for Year 13, and portion his wide illustration stands out, determination are immoderate concerns astir whether things person go stale since the 10-win play of 2021. He suffered a large nonaccomplishment with Vince Marrow, whose recruiting unreality landed him a seven-figure wage astatine Kentucky, near for in-state rival Louisville to go wide manager. Veteran antiaircraft coordinator Brad White is back, arsenic is violative coordinator Bush Hamdan, contempt the unit's struggles past fall. The presumption coaches from 2024 are besides mostly back.

51. Michigan State Spartans

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Aidan Chiles, who followed manager Jonathan Smith from Oregon State to MSU, volition participate his 2nd play arsenic the Spartans' starter.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely. Chiles carries inferior eligibility and has large familiarity with Smith, violative coordinator Brian Lindgren and the staff. His backups are each young players. Chiles could person a breakout play and determination on, but fewer would beryllium amazed if he's starring the MSU discourtesy successful 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Michigan State's lone 2025 NFL draught prime came from the violative enactment successful Luke Newman, and the beforehand volition person a antithetic look this fall. The Spartans went to the portal for coveted tackle Conner Moore (Montana State), elder guard/center Matt Gulbin (Wake Forest) and others. Other than Gulbin, MSU doesn't person galore seniors successful the rotation. The Spartans instrumentality immoderate rotational antiaircraft linemen and added 2 three-star antiaircraft enactment recruits successful the 2025 people and tackle Grady Kelly (Florida State) and extremity Isaac Smith (Texas Tech) from the transportation portal.

Roster management: Michigan State's roster has been reasonably fluid nether Smith, with transfers going successful and out, but the squad retained wide receiver Nick Marsh, 1 of its apical young playmakers, and respective different cardinal holdovers. The squad has made immoderate portal gains, particularly astatine spots similar wide receiver, violative enactment and antiaircraft back. Smith has been reasonably quiescent successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting, though the squad has a committedness from ESPN 300 imaginable Kayd Coffman for the 2026 class.

Star power: Michigan State mislaid All-Big Ten subordinate Newman to the draught and interceptions person Charles Brantley to the portal (Miami). Marsh and seasoned choky extremity Jack Velling person all-conference potential, and Chiles is simply a talented backmost seeking much consistency. MSU volition beryllium banking connected large accumulation from transfers similar Moore and wide receivers Chrishon McCray and Omari Kelly.

Coaching staff: Smith enters his 2nd play with minimal changes connected the staff, arsenic coordinators Lindgren and Joe Rossi are some back. Jon Boyer, who had worked nether Smith astatine Oregon State, joined the unit arsenic quarterbacks coach, and MSU hired James Adams from Wake Forest to enactment with the safeties. But the main taxable of continuity remains.

50. Kansas Jayhawks

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Jalon Daniels is inactive successful Lawrence, aft making it done a play without a large wounded setback but not generating the wide results helium wanted. Daniels enters his sixth and last assemblage play with 6,751 passing yards and 1,043 rushing yards, accounting for 64 touchdowns (45 pass, 19 rush).

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Daniels volition get each accidental to pb Kansas' discourtesy successful his last assemblage season. Third-year sophomore Cole Ballard has played a spot and seemingly could instrumentality implicit successful 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Kansas should consciousness bully astir its antiaircraft beforehand with extremity Dean Miller, who led the squad with six sacks past fall. The Jayhawks besides instrumentality coagulated interior pieces successful Caleb Taylor, D.J. Withers and Tommy Dunn Jr. The violative enactment has a premix of seasoned returning starters (center Bryce Foster and defender Kobe Baynes), a imaginable rising prima successful sophomore tackle Calvin Clements and respective newcomers oregon players entering bigger spotlights. Kansas besides picked up respective absorbing transfers, including North Texas' Tyler Mercer and Tulsa's Jack Tanner.

Roster management: Kansas mislaid a batch of cardinal contributors to graduation but mostly kept the players it wanted for a imaginable bounceback play successful 2025. The squad besides added from the portal astatine respective positions, including linebacker (Joseph Sipp Jr., Bangally Kamara, Trey Lathan), wide receiver, violative line, moving backmost and antiaircraft back. Kansas volition request a bully deed complaint connected its transfers to interruption done this fall. Kansas' precocious schoolhouse recruiting is disconnected to a beardown commencement for 2026 with ESPN 300 information J.J. Dunnigan and others.

Star power: When healthy, Daniels inactive tin beryllium 1 of the nation's astir electrical dual-threat quarterbacks. He volition beryllium throwing to a antithetic radical of receivers, but Kansas likes what it added from the portal with Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (Alabama), Cam Pickett (Ball State) and others. Miller decidedly volition beryllium connected the All-Big-12 radar, arsenic good arsenic immoderate of the returning violative lineman. Running backmost transportation Leshon Williams earned honorable notation All-Big Ten honors portion starring Iowa successful rushing successful 2023.

Coaching staff: Coach Lance Leipold volition enactment alongside his 3rd violative coordinator successful arsenic galore seasons but a acquainted look successful Jim Zebrowski, promoted from co-coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Veteran coordinator Matt Lubick joined the unit arsenic co-OC, and Leipold promoted D.K. McDonald to antiaircraft coordinator aft Brian Borland retired.

49. UCLA Bruins

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked.

Returning quarterback: No. Ethan Garbers wrapped up his UCLA vocation successful 2024 and signed with the Carolina Panthers arsenic an undrafted escaped agent.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Possible but can't number connected it. Tennessee transportation Nico Iamaleava has 3 years near of eligibility, but helium volition beryllium NFL draught eligible successful 2026 and could look to kickstart his nonrecreational career. He besides could transportation again.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment volition beryllium a fluid radical and 1 to ticker entering this season, arsenic elder tackle Garrett DiGiorgio is the lone constant. UCLA added respective Power 4 transfers, including Courtland Ford (Kentucky). The antiaircraft enactment volition besides person a antithetic look with Jay Toia disconnected to the NFL, though veterans similar Siale Taupaki and Devin Aupiu are back.

Roster management: The outpouring portal changed UCLA's outlook arsenic Iamaleava, a top-25 enlistee successful 2023, is simply a imaginable game-changer for manager DeShaun Foster's program. UCLA besides added moving backmost transportation Jaivian Thomas from Cal, and perchance solidified its aboriginal QB outlook with Iamelava's younger brother, Madden, a top-150 Class of 2025 recruit. The Bruins besides loaded up successful the secondary with Power 4 transfers and added astatine receiver with Cal's Mikey Matthews.

Star power: Iamaleava's ceiling is incredibly high, though helium volition beryllium adjusting to a batch of things successful a abbreviated play of time. Other transfers could beryllium All-Big Ten candidates, including Thomas, who had a beardown decorativeness astatine Cal past fall, and antiaircraft backs similar Andre Jordan Jr. (Oregon State) and Benjamin Perry (Louisville). DiGiorgio volition beryllium 1 of the Big Ten's astir experienced violative linemen.

Coaching staff: After retaining Chip Kelly's assistants successful Year 1, Foster overhauled the unit successful the offseason. He hired Tino Sunseri from Indiana arsenic violative coordinator and brought successful assistants with UCLA/West Coast ties similar Demetrice Martin, Burl Toler III, Jethro Franklin and A.J. Steward. Defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe was 1 of the lone holdovers from 2024.

48. Vanderbilt Commodores

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Diego Pavia is backmost to electrify the SEC and assemblage shot for 1 much year, aft receiving a waiver to play an other play since helium started successful inferior college. Pavia was astatine the halfway of Vanderbilt's large moments successful 2024, passing for 2,293 yards and 20 touchdowns, and starring the squad successful rushing with 801 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Extremely unlikely. Vanderbilt has built its discourtesy astir Pavia, the catalyst some arsenic a passer and arsenic a rusher. Pavia volition determination connected aft the 2025 play and Vanderbilt could spell with seasoned reserve Drew Dickey oregon a subordinate with much crippled acquisition done the portal.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Pavia is backmost but volition play down a different-looking violative enactment successful 2025. Senior tackle Chase Mitchell, entering his 3rd FBS play arsenic a starter, the lone returning mainstay, arsenic Vanderbilt added Jordan White (Liberty), Isaia Glass (Oklahoma State), Bryce Henderson (South Dakota) and others from the portal. The antiaircraft enactment has less pressing questions, astatine slightest with the archetypal group, contempt De'Marion Thomas' transportation to Oklahoma State. Vanderbilt returns a productive borderline successful elder Miles Capers (3 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 3 forced fumbles successful 2024), different experienced options similar Yilanan Ouattara and Zaylin Wood, and a promising young subordinate successful sophomore tackle Glenn Seabrooks III. Texas transportation Aaron Bryant should assistance but the Commodores are inactive looking for much wide depth.

Roster management: Retaining Pavia for a 2nd play is huge, arsenic Vanderbilt tries to physique connected its archetypal vessel quality since 2018. The Commodores besides retained All-SEC choky extremity Eli Stowers, cornerback Martel Hight, an All-SEC punt returner, and a productive linebacker radical of juniors Bryan Longwell and Randon Fontenette, and seniors Langston Patterson and Nick Rinaldi. The squad suffered notable portal losses astatine violative enactment and safety, but thing that should sidetrack the progress. Vanderbilt's violative enactment additions should help, and the squad besides brought successful promising young defenders similar information CJ Heard (Florida Atlantic). The team's precocious schoolhouse recruiting dipped successful 2025, but a beardown play should assistance boost the 2026 class.

Star power: Pavia earned AP second-team All-SEC honors and volition beryllium connected the radar for league and perchance nationalist honors arsenic a must-see performer. He volition erstwhile again beryllium throwing to Stowers, a first-team All-SEC enactment who led Vandy with 49 receptions for 638 yards past fall. Hight averaged 14.7 yards connected punt returns and tied for the squad pb with 2 interceptions. The linebackers task arsenic 1 of the SEC's champion groups, arsenic the apical tacklers instrumentality on with Rinaldi, who had a team-high six sacks past fall. Vanderbilt's returning players astatine each 3 levels of the defence springiness manager Clark Lea his champion unit, which should bespeak successful all-conference choices.

Coaching staff: Lea has a accidental to physique immoderate consistency astatine his alma mater and reflected the attack successful a unit that won't alteration overmuch but for definite responsibilities. Secondary manager Steve Gregory volition tally the defense, a relation Lea took connected successful 2024, portion linebackers manager Nick Lezynski has been promoted to co-defensive coordinator. Tim Beck volition proceed to oversee the violative unit and enactment with Pavia, whom helium coached astatine New Mexico State.

47. Boston College Eagles

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Grayson James emerged arsenic Boston College's starter during the 2nd fractional of the play and is backmost aft passing for 1,202 yards and six touchdowns, portion adding 3 rushing scores.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: It depends connected the preseason. James is entering his last assemblage season, and Boston College volition request a caller QB successful 2026 if helium retains the job. But the squad besides brought successful Alabama transportation Dylan Lonergan, a erstwhile top-40 enlistee with sophomore eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: BC's champion teams thrive connected the violative line, but the radical is entering a modulation twelvemonth aft losing 3 starters to the NFL. Left tackle Jude Bowry has a precocious ceiling and Logan Taylor is 1 of the ACC's astir experienced linemen. The Eagles indispensable physique astir them with different holdovers and transfers similar Princeton's Tommy Matheson. BC's antiaircraft enactment besides took a deed with record-setting walk rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku headed to the draft. The radical has respective returnees, though, including seniors Quintayvious Hutchins and Owen Stoudmire. The walk unreserved volition beryllium an country to ticker aft a large spike successful 2024.

Roster management: Coach Bill O'Brien doesn't privation to beryllium a measurement transportation program, and portion Boston College mislaid a fewer players, it prioritized retention and adding to people areas similar the violative and antiaircraft lines, wherever respective small-college walk rushers articulation the roster. Lonergan besides could beryllium important for the program's future. O'Brien's in-state and determination recruiting absorption is showing up, arsenic Boston College's 2026 people ranks No. 22 nationally.

Star power: Another twelvemonth nether O'Brien could boost the discourtesy and players similar James, starring wide receiver Lewis Bond (67 catches, 689 receiving yards successful 2024) and choky extremity Jeremiah Franklin. Taylor has earned honorable notation All-ACC honors successful each of the past 2 offseasons. Hutchins volition beryllium much of a featured walk rusher aft signaling 3.5 sacks and 8 backmost hurries past season.

Coaching staff: O'Brien took the BC occupation precise precocious and volition payment from a afloat offseason arsenic helium builds connected a 7-win debut. The unit returns mostly intact with superior coordinators Tim Lewis (defense) and Will Lawing (offense) some coming back.

46. Virginia Tech Hokies

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Kyron Drones is backmost for his elder play aft a somewhat disappointing 2024 run successful which helium finished with 1,562 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions successful 9 games.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. The Hokies are acceptable to thrust with Drones 1 last time, hoping for the dual-threat brilliance helium displayed astatine times successful 2023. Veteran backup Pop Watson besides returns with sophomore eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: New violative enactment manager Matt Moore brought respective transfers with him from West Virginia, astir notably Tomas Rimac, an honorable notation All-Big 12 enactment past fall. The Hokies besides picked up Auburn reserve Jaden Muskrat successful the outpouring portal to assistance with depth, arsenic lone a fewer linemen with starting acquisition return. Defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam Jr. started six games past play and is back, and Virginia Tech added respective seasoned transfers astir him, including FCS standout Arias Nash (Mercer) and James Djonkam (Eastern Michigan), who moved from linebacker to borderline this spring.

Roster management: After a play that fell abbreviated of expectations, Virginia Tech not amazingly mislaid respective cardinal players, particularly successful the violative enactment country and the secondary. The Hokies retained Drones, though, arsenic good arsenic productive linebacker tandem Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson. Rimac volition instantly assistance up front, on with respective younger violative linemen from West Virginia. Bowling Green transportation Terion Stewart volition assistance capable the accumulation from losing Bhayshul Tuten. Djonkam and Nash are among the interaction transfers connected defense. Virginia Tech's past 2 recruiting classes person hovered astir No. 40 nationally.

Star power: Drones is susceptible of contending for all-league honors with amended wellness and performance. He'll person immoderate assistance connected discourtesy with transfers specified arsenic Rimac and Stewart, a first-team All-MAC enactment successful 2024. Keller and Woodson are proven players who tin pb the defence done 2026, portion kicker John Love, an honorable notation All-ACC enactment aft connecting connected 16 of 18 tract extremity attempts, is besides back. Djonkam is different subordinate to ticker aft a productive play astatine Eastern Michigan.

Coaching staff: Brent Pry is 16-21 astatine Virginia Tech and indispensable present amended results this autumn to unafraid his future. He has 2 caller coordinators successful Philip Montgomery, the erstwhile Tulsa coach, who volition oversee the offense, and antiaircraft coordinator Sam Siefkes, who came from the NFL. Pry retained his presumption coaches from 2024.

45. Pittsburgh Panthers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Alabama transportation Eli Holstein led Pitt with 2,228 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions past season. Nate Yarnell besides played importantly and transferred out, but Holstein is backmost with the Panthers.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Holstein volition beryllium a redshirt sophomore successful 2025, erstwhile again moving nether violative coordinator Kade Bell, who improved the portion substantially past fall. Another transportation is ever possible, but Holstein is successful enactment to pb the discourtesy for a while.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Pitt needs the violative enactment to amended aft a disappointing show successful 2024. The squad volition look to seasoned holdovers similar tackle Ryan Baer, but besides respective transfers, including Kendall Stanley (Charlotte) and Keith Gouveia (Richmond). The antiaircraft enactment has less contiguous questions, arsenic talented walk rusher Jimmy Scott (six sacks successful 2024) is backmost for astatine slightest 1 much year, on with tackles Sean FitzSimmons, Nick James and others. Transfers Blaine Spires (Utah State) and Jaeden Moore (Oregon) should assistance up front.

Roster management: The Panthers mislaid much numbers successful the portal than they gained and volition miss respective departing defenders. But they besides got assistance for cardinal areas, particularly some lines but besides wide receiver and successful the secondary. Pitt retained 1 of the ACC's amended violative backfields successful Holstein and moving backmost Desmond Reid, a first-team all-league selection. Standout linebacker Kyle Louis and others are besides backmost for 2025. Pitt's recruiting classes person hovered successful the mid-40s nationally, but manager Pat Narduzzi has a bully oculus for talent.

Star power: Reid astir reached 1,000 rushing yards successful 2024 and volition instrumentality arsenic 1 of the ACC's apical moving backs and punt returners. Louis, who had 4 interceptions and 7 sacks from the linebacker spot, is simply a definite Butkus Award campaigner and could contend for adjacent more. Fellow linebacker Rasheem Biles besides comes disconnected an All-ACC season. The cardinal volition beryllium whether Pitt's enactment transfers deed close away, particularly players specified arsenic Stanley and Spires.

Coaching staff: Narduzzi is entering his 11th play and has stableness connected his unit with Bell and longtime antiaircraft coordinator Randy Bates backmost for 2025. The cardinal for 2026 mightiness beryllium keeping Bell, a young, on-the-rise playcaller who capitalized connected his accidental past season.

44. North Carolina Tar Heels

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Not really. Jacolby Criswell started the bulk of games for UNC past autumn but transferred to East Tennessee State successful January. North Carolina brought successful South Alabama transportation Gio Lopez arsenic its apt 2025 starter. But Max Johnson, the erstwhile Texas A&M and LSU backmost who started the 2024 opener for UNC earlier sustaining a breached leg, is inactive with the Heels, hoping for 1 last opportunity.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Fairly likely. Predicting thing astatine North Carolina beyond 2025 is tricky, but Lopez has 3 seasons of eligibility remaining aft signaling 2,559 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, and 465 rushing yards and 7 scores past twelvemonth astatine South Alabama. UNC besides landed Bryce Baker, ESPN's No. 5 dual-threat backmost successful the 2025 class.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Like galore groups astatine North Carolina, the antiaircraft enactment volition trust mostly connected transfers this fall. The squad picked up a bully subordinate successful UConn's Pryce Yates, arsenic good arsenic respective Power 4 players with potential, including Arizona's Isaiah Johnson. UNC besides was progressive successful the portal for violative linemen, adding Troy's Daniel King and others successful the winter, and Jacksonville State's Will O'Steen successful the spring. But the quality connected the O-line is the instrumentality of Heels starters Trevyon Green, Austin Blaske and Aidan Banfield. Blaske and Banfield initially entered the portal aft UNC made its coaching alteration but past opted to stay.

Roster management: The roster has been reshaped respective times since manager Bill Belichick arrived, including successful the outpouring erstwhile cardinal defenders Beau Atkinson (Ohio State) and Amare Campbell (Penn State) near for the Big Ten. UNC made gains with players specified arsenic Lopez, King, Boise State linebacker Andrew Simpson and respective defenders who moved with antiaircraft coordinator Steve Belichick from Washington, including cornerback Thaddeus Dixon and Khmori House. The squad besides retained cardinal linemen successful Blaske and Banfield, and wide receiver Kobe Paysour. Bill Belichick landed Baker and others to finalize the 2025 class, and 2026 recruiting is disconnected to a precise beardown commencement with the No. 13 class.

Star power: UNC mislaid its All-ACC players from 2024 and volition beryllium leaning connected its transfers and a fewer holdovers to populate that database successful aboriginal seasons. Lopez volition beryllium successful the spotlight, and Simpson comes successful with All-Mountain West honors from Boise State. Dixon earned honorable notation All-Big Ten honors astatine Washington and should contend for akin designation astatine UNC. The cardinal volition beryllium whether a caller unit tin get much retired of holdovers specified arsenic Green, Paysour and moving backmost Davion Gause.

Coaching staff: Belichick's accomplishment is dissimilar immoderate successful caller assemblage shot past and makes predicting the adjacent fewer seasons adjacent to impossible. His recruiting gains are encouraging, though, and North Carolina has a reasonably favorable 2025 docket that should assistance with specified a reshaped roster. The unit includes 2 of Belichick's sons, erstwhile UConn manager Bob Diaco, respective seasoned assistants and 1 holdover, erstwhile Cleveland Browns manager Freddie Kitchens.

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Why Belichick calls UNC the NFL's 33rd team

Bill Belichick tells 'SportsCenter' helium approaches UNC with a pro mindset to hole players some connected and disconnected the field.

43. Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Athan Kaliakmanis volition participate his 2nd play arsenic Rutgers' starter aft starting for a twelvemonth and a fractional astatine Minnesota. He was the lone Big Ten subordinate to marque each walk effort for his squad successful 2024 and finished with 2,696 passing yards and 18 touchdowns.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Kaliakmanis is Rutgers' established starter, has a agelong past with violative coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca and volition beryllium retired of eligibility aft 2025. The team's different quarterbacks transportation sophomore oregon freshman eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment projects arsenic a wide spot for Rutgers this fall, arsenic agelong arsenic it tin regenerate All-Big Ten near tackle Hollin Pierce. Veterans specified arsenic Gus Zilinskas and Kwabena Asamoah are back, and Rutgers regains Bryan Felter, a 2023 honorable notation All-Big Ten enactment who missed the 2nd fractional of past play with injury. Rutgers' antiaircraft enactment volition beryllium little reliant connected returnees, though extremity Jordan Walker and others volition origin in. The cardinal determination volition beryllium transfers, particularly prized pickups specified arsenic Eric O'Neill, who had 13 sacks for James Madison past season.

Roster management: Rutgers had its roster acceptable up for a large 2024 play and indispensable regenerate 3 NFL draught picks and different cardinal players. The squad mislaid immoderate acquainted names connected defence successful the portal but besides made cardinal gains, including O'Neill, Ohio Edge Bradley Weaver, Marshall CB Jacobie Henderson and respective contributors successful the passing game, including North Texas wide receiver DT Sheffield. Rutgers' precocious schoolhouse recruiting has improved, including ESPN's No. 28 people for 2025 and a 2026 people that presently ranks 19th nationally.

Star power: The violative enactment is an country to ticker arsenic Zilinskas, Asamoah and Felter each person earned All-Big Ten designation successful their careers. Junior wide receiver Ian Strong is besides worthy watching aft a five-touchdown season. But if Rutgers improves its wins total, transfers specified arsenic O'Neill, Weaver and others volition beryllium making an contiguous interaction and contending for all-league honors and perchance more.

Coaching staff: Coach Greg Schiano sets the code for each things astatine Rutgers and understands however to navigate the environment. He retained Ciarrocca and the violative staff, but the antiaircraft broadside volition person a caller look with Robb Smith -- opening his 3rd stint arsenic a Rutgers antiaircraft coordinator -- and Zach Sparber taking implicit arsenic co-DCs.

42. NC State Wolfpack

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. NC State's 2024 play fell abbreviated of expectations, but CJ Bailey's emergence astatine backmost was a large agleam spot. He completed astir 65% of his passes with 17 touchdowns, portion adding 5 rushing scores.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very high. Bailey is simply a existent sophomore and volition beryllium the centerpiece of NC State's offense. He'll erstwhile again beryllium coached by Kurt Roper, who was elevated to violative coordinator. Although a transportation tin ne'er beryllium ruled out, NC State is all-in connected Bailey.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Both groups suffer All-ACC performers, and Davin Vann's departure surely volition beryllium felt connected the antiaircraft front. The bully quality is NC State retains Travali Price, who had 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for nonaccomplishment successful 2024, and seasoned interior lineman Brandon Cleveland. Utah State transportation Cian Slone, a second-team All-Mountain West enactment past fall, joins the group. NC State returns 1 of the ACC's astir experienced linemen successful defender Anthony Carter Jr. (26 vocation starts), arsenic good arsenic tackle Jacarrius Peak. Transfers Teague Andersen (Utah State) and Jalen Grant (Purdue) should beryllium contiguous contributors.

Roster management: NC State took immoderate hits successful the portal, particularly successful the secondary with Bishop Fitzgerald (USC), Tamarcus Cooley (LSU) and Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) moving on. The squad didn't adhd a ton of transfers but addressed antiaircraft needs astatine linebacker -- Slone, Tra Thomas (Temple Owls), Kenny Soares Jr. (Northwestern), AJ Richardson (Norfolk State) -- and successful the backmost end. Anderson and Grant should assistance offset immoderate of the O-line losses. After signing the No. 27 recruiting people successful 2024, NC State dipped to No. 43 this year.

Star power: NC State thinks Bailey tin beryllium 1 of the ACC's apical quarterbacks, arsenic helium has size, accuracy and the quality to determination around. Senior linebacker Sean Brown earned honorable notation All-ACC honors past season, erstwhile helium led the squad successful tackles (96) and backmost hurries (13). Price is different returnee to ticker connected defense, and NC State is bullish connected apical moving backmost Hollywood Smothers. The cardinal volition beryllium whether immoderate transfers participate the All-ACC mix.

Coaching staff: Doeren is entering his 13th play astatine NC State and has lone 1 losing regular play since his debut successful 2013. But this autumn feels important aft the squad backslid successful 2024, and Doeren has caller coordinators successful Roper and D.J. Eliot (defense), who worked unneurotic astatine Colorado successful 2018. The unit is filled with seasoned presumption coaches, including Joker Phillips and Garett Tujague.

41. Syracuse Orange

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Kyle McCord is NFL-bound aft starring the FBS with 4,779 passing yards during his lone play with the Orange. McCord had each but 3 walk attempts for Syracuse successful 2024.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Syracuse finds itself successful an absorbing spot aft naming LSU transportation Rickie Collins its starter this spring, but past adding Notre Dame QB Steve Angeli successful the portal. Both Collins and Angeli person aggregate years of eligibility left. The cardinal is who volition look arsenic the starter.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The caller backmost volition beryllium playing down a mostly revamped line, arsenic Syracuse loses rather a spot of acquisition up front. Mark Petry volition person a cardinal relation arsenic helium moves from defender to center, and the squad besides volition thin connected returnees Da'Metrius Weatherspoon and Trevion Mack astatine the tackle spots, arsenic good arsenic South Carolina transportation Kam Pringle and Louisville transportation Austin Collins. Syracuse added antiaircraft enactment transfers Chris Thomas Jr. (Marshall), Dion Wilson Jr. (New Mexico State) and David Reese (Cal) to enactment immoderate holdovers entering bigger roles.

Roster management: The squad saw All-ACC wide receiver Trebor Pena, antiaircraft lineman Maraad Watson and respective others transportation to Power 4 programs but added much than it lost. Coach Fran Brown bolstered the backmost country with Collins and Angeli, portion adding to some lines with immoderate experienced players from large programs. Brown has not amazingly improved Syracuse's precocious schoolhouse recruiting successful the Northeast, and the 2026 people ranks No. 8 nationally, highlighted by ESPN 300 antiaircraft extremity Kamron Wilson.

Star power: Syracuse was represented precise good connected the 2024 All-ACC teams, but each of those players person moved connected to pro shot oregon different assemblage teams. Nixon's discourtesy provides opportunities for stardom, whether that's for Collins oregon Angeli, a caller wide receiver oregon respective of the returning linemen (Petry) and transfers (Pringle). The information spot is different spot to ticker arsenic veterans Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant are some backmost aft productive seasons.

Coaching staff: Brown exceeded each outer expectations successful his archetypal season, bringing a antithetic spirit and doctrine to a programme that needed a jolt. He retained superior coordinators Jeff Nixon (offense) and Elijah Robinson (defense) contempt immoderate extracurricular interest, portion adding a caller peculiar teams coordinator successful Ricky Brumfield.

40. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Max Brosmer has moved connected aft his 1 play arsenic Minnesota's QB1, and backup Drake Lindsey is successful enactment to beryllium the team's starter aft 5 walk attempts successful 3 games past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Rather than spell to the portal for different QB filler, Minnesota groomed Lindsey for this moment. If helium performs arsenic expected, Lindsey should pb Minnesota's discourtesy done astatine slightest the 2026 season.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment is successful an absorbing spot arsenic Aireontae Ersery and others determination connected to the NFL and the portal. Minnesota volition beryllium transfer-heavy up beforehand different than Greg Johnson and Ashton Beers and needs amended wide results with an unproven quarterback. Anthony Smith is simply a imaginable high-level walk rusher, and Deven Eastern brings accumulation to the interior line, but Minnesota volition request its transfers to deliver.

Roster management: Minnesota deed the portal hard connected offense, adding linemen specified arsenic Kentucky's Dylan Ray and UCF's Marcellus Marshall, and wide receivers specified arsenic Javon Tracy (Miami of Ohio) and Logan Loya (UCLA). The Gophers were much selective connected defence but added cornerback Jaylen Bowden from North Carolina Central. Minnesota has a accordant but unflashy recruiting approach.

Star power: Cornerback Koi Perich earned first-team All-Big Ten honors successful 2024 and apt volition person a relation connected offense. Running backmost Darius Taylor is an effectual rusher erstwhile healthy, and Smith could beryllium primed for a breakout play astatine antiaircraft end. Minnesota's occurrence ever hinges connected its enactment play, and the violative enactment transfers are worthy tracking.

Coaching staff: P.J. Fleck enters his ninth play astatine Minnesota and keeps a accordant approach, adjacent erstwhile losing notable assistants. The Gophers person continuity connected their violative unit with Greg Harbaugh Jr. and Matt Simon backmost arsenic coordinators, and question the aforesaid connected defence aft promoting Danny Collins, a longtime Fleck assistant, to coordinator.

39. Florida State Seminoles

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 9

Returning quarterback: Somewhat. Primary starter DJ Uiagalelei missed the 2nd fractional of the play with injury, which required Brock Glenn to marque 5 starts. But Glenn apt volition beryllium slotted down Tommy Castellanos, the Boston College transportation who started 20 games for the Eagles.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Unlikely. Castellanos, a dual menace who initially started assemblage astatine UCF to play for existent Florida State violative coordinator Gus Malzahn, should get the archetypal accidental successful his last twelvemonth of eligibility. In 2023, helium became the archetypal Boston College subordinate to eclipse 2,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards. If FSU turns distant from Castellanos, it has Glenn and a fewer different non-senior options.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The Seminoles' antiaircraft beforehand has a centerpiece successful Darrell Jackson Jr., an honorable notation All-ACC enactment with NFL potential. Nebraska transportation James Williams volition beryllium an contiguous contributor, portion tackle Daniel Lyons should spot an accrued role. The violative enactment needs greater stableness aft a turbulent 2024, and volition crook to seasoned transfers specified arsenic Luke Petitbon (Wake Forest), Adrian Medley (UCF) and Micah Pettus (Ole Miss).

Roster management: Florida State has pillaged the transportation portal successful some bully times and bad, and volition request its newcomers to technologist a turnaround aft a 2-10 disaster. Castellanos could supply the assistance Uiagalelei didn't, and volition beryllium throwing to transportation wide receivers Duce Robinson (USC) and Squirrel White (Tennessee). FSU added respective interaction transfers connected defense, including Williams and cornerback Jeremiah Wilson (Houston). The squad besides mislaid respective notable antiaircraft linemen and others to the portal. High schoolhouse recruiting has lagged nether manager Mike Norvell, arsenic FSU's 2025 people finished conscionable extracurricular the apical 25. The 2026 people ranks 25th.

Star power: Among returning players, Jackson jumps retired arsenic an All-ACC campaigner on with 2024 starring tackler Shyheim Brown and a fewer others. But the existent imaginable comes with FSU's transportation haul, namely players specified arsenic Williams, Wilson, Robinson, Petitbon and White. The Seminoles volition request to deed large connected respective newcomers aft having lone 3 nonspecialists person All-ACC designation successful 2024.

Coaching staff: Norvell went from ACC Coach of the Year successful 2023 to a historical nosedive past fall. He reshaped his unit with Malzahn and antiaircraft coordinator Tony White, who near Nebraska for a risk-reward accidental successful Tallahassee. FSU besides gets caller coaches for some lines, arsenic Terrance Knighton (defensive line) came with White from Nebraska and Herb Hand (offensive line) joined Malzahn from UCF.

38. TCU Horned Frogs

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Josh Hoover is backmost for his 2nd afloat play arsenic TCU's starter aft taking a important measurement past fall, finishing with a team-record 3,949 yards and 27 touchdowns connected 66.5% completions. Despite involvement from different programs, Hoover is acceptable to pb the Frogs again.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: On track. Hoover volition beryllium a elder successful 2026 and could decorativeness his TCU vocation arsenic a four-year starter. TCU volition bash each it tin to clasp him, aft Tennessee made a propulsion erstwhile Nico Iamaleava transferred out.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft beforehand projects good with the Deal brothers, Devean and Markis, returning aft combining for 15 tackles for nonaccomplishment successful 2024. Markis Deal has 3 years of eligibility left, arsenic does Zachary Chapman, who recorded 3 sacks past fall. Washington State transportation Ansel Din-Mbuh could solidify the interior for aggregate seasons. TCU's violative enactment has a fewer much questions, particularly aft James Brockermeyer transferred, but gets seasoned Coltin Deery for different year. Cade Bennett, an All-Mountain West enactment astatine San Diego State who missed each of 2024 with injury, is back.

Roster management: TCU took a fewer hits successful the portal, including Brockermeyer and backup backmost Hauss Hejny, but kept Hoover and its halfway unneurotic to acceptable up a perchance large play successful 2025. The Frogs made portal gains successful the secondary with Elijah Jackson (Washington) and Kylin Jackson (LSU), arsenic good arsenic astatine wide receiver with Jordan Dwyer (Idaho) and Joseph Manjack IV (Houston).

Star power: Hoover deserves much determination and nationalist buzz aft astir reaching the 4,000-yard passing people successful 2024. He's among a talented returning radical of returning starters successful the Big 12. Two-time skipper Bud Clark earned second-team All-Big 12 honors successful 2024 and could beryllium a nationalist awards campaigner this fall. Deal had 5.5 sacks successful his archetypal play with TCU and should beryllium connected the All-Big 12 radar, successful summation to linebacker Namdi Obiazor. Transfers Dwyer, Elijah Jackson and Din-Mbuh are worthy watching.

Coaching staff: A coagulated decorativeness to 2024 helped the programme get backmost connected way for Sonny Dykes, who volition participate his 5th play arsenic TCU's coach. Dykes has stableness astatine coordinator with playcallers Andy Avalos (defense) and Kendal Briles (offense) some back. There are rather a fewer caller presumption coaches for 2025, including veterans Brian Norwood (safeties) and Randy Clements (offensive line).

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Mel Kiper Jr.'s apical players to ticker for the 2026 NFL draft

Mel Kiper Jr. breaks down his apical prospects to ticker for the 2026 NFL draft, including Penn State backmost Drew Allar,

37. Auburn Tigers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Payton Thorne's two-year tally arsenic Auburn's starter came to end, arsenic helium had improved numbers past autumn with 2,713 passing yards and 21 touchdowns connected 62.8% completions.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely. Auburn hopes a 2nd accidental to commencement volition click for Jackson Arnold, whose highly anticipated debut astatine Oklahoma ne'er truly got connected track. Arnold, the nation's No. 3 enlistee successful 2023, could solidify Auburn astatine the presumption done astatine slightest 2026. The squad besides has immoderate security with Stanford transportation Ashton Daniels, a elder this fall.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Auburn allowed 27 sacks past play and wants to enactment up its extortion for Arnold with players specified arsenic transfers Xavier Chaplin (Virginia Tech) and Mason Murphy (USC). The tackle extent looks beardown with elder Izavion Miller besides back. Auburn returns a coagulated interior radical with guards Dillon Wade and Jeremiah Wright, and halfway Connor Lew. Keldric Faulk, the team's sacks person successful 2024 with seven, returns to pb a antiaircraft enactment radical that looks coagulated wrong with elder Quientrail Jamison-Travis and sophomore Malik Blocton.

Roster management: Auburn gained much than it mislaid successful the portal, arsenic astir of the team's departures were reserves astatine positions similar antiaircraft backmost and quarterback. Offensive lineman Percy Lewis was a starter, but the Tigers added Chaplin and Murphy. Arnold is evidently the biggest pickup, arsenic Auburn could beryllium the second-chance accidental helium needs. The squad got him immoderate assistance with wide receivers Eric Singleton Jr. (Georgia Tech) and Horatio Fields (Wake Forest). The defence added to its depth, too, with All-MAC cornerback Raion Strader (Miami) and others. Freeze is showing his recruiting clout with consecutive top-10 classes and a 2026 radical that ranks successful the apical 25.

Star power: Auburn doesn't instrumentality immoderate All-SEC players but could person respective successful 2025, particularly with a loaded wide receiver group, arsenic Singleton and Fields articulation talented sophomores Cam Coleman and Malcolm Simmons. Chaplin earned honorable notation All-ACC honors astatine Virginia Tech, and Strader was among the MAC's apical antiaircraft backs. Faulk should beryllium 1 of the SEC's apical walk rushers this fall, and different returning linemen specified arsenic Wright and Wade could summation all-league recognition.

Coaching staff: Freeze understands the SEC amended than astir and recognizes that a winning grounds is needed, astatine minimum, successful Year 3 with an upgraded roster. Auburn retained violative and antiaircraft coordinators Derrick Nix and DJ Durkin but has a caller peculiar teams main successful Chad Lunsford, the erstwhile Georgia Southern coach.

36. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Dylan Raiola returns for his 2nd play arsenic Nebraska's starter aft passing for 2,819 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions arsenic a existent freshman. Raiola was the No. 11 wide enlistee successful the 2024 class.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Strong. Raiola has to play 2 much assemblage seasons, truthful the lone mode Nebraska doesn't get him backmost for a 3rd season, barring a catastrophic injury, is if helium transfers aft the 2025 season. He'll beryllium erstwhile again moving with coordinator Dana Holgorsen, appointed to the relation successful November.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Nebraska surely has options astatine violative line, a bully happening astatine a presumption radical wherever injuries are common. Justin Evans is simply a gathering artifact for the radical and, on with Gunnar Gottula and others, tin play done 2026. Nebraska besides picked up seasoned transfers Rocco Spindler (Notre Dame) and Elijah Pritchett (Alabama). The antiaircraft beforehand has immoderate contiguous question marks arsenic Riley Van Poppel, Elijah Jeudy and others determination into bigger roles.

Roster management: The Huskers addressed respective needs successful the portal, namely astatine wide receiver with Kentucky's Dane Key and Cal's Nyziah Hunter, but besides on some lines with Spindler, Pritchett, borderline rusher Dasan McCullough (Oklahoma) and Williams Nwaneri, a apical enlistee from the authorities who returns aft redshirting for Missouri. Nebraska besides mislaid immoderate contributors successful the portal. Coach Matt Rhule has signed back-to-back top-25 recruiting classes.

Star power: Raiola is surely susceptible of All-Big Ten play and perchance much successful his 2nd season. Key has all-conference imaginable aft a beardown vocation astatine Kentucky. Returning antiaircraft backs are besides connected the radar, including information DeShon Singleton and cornerback Ceyair Wright. Nebraska besides is hoping to deed connected different transfers, including McCullough, Hunter and others.

Coaching staff: Rhule helped extremity Nebraska's historical vessel drought successful 2024. The adjacent signifier volition beryllium genuinely contending successful the Big Ten and perchance for a CFP berth. Rhule has Holgorsen successful spot to instrumentality arsenic OC, but aft losing talented antiaircraft coordinator Tony White to Florida State, Nebraska promoted John Butler to the playcalling role. The Huskers person immense acquisition connected their antiaircraft staff, arsenic longtime Rhule DC Phil Snow moves into a much progressive relation arsenic subordinate caput coach.

35. Colorado Buffaloes

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Shedeur Sanders produced a record-setting two-year tally astatine Colorado, had his fig retired and past became a fifth-round NFL draught prime to the Cleveland Browns.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Fairly likely. Liberty transportation Kaidon Salter, who led the Flames to an undefeated regular play and a Fiesta Bowl quality successful 2023, enters his last twelvemonth of eligibility. But Colorado could astatine immoderate constituent crook to decorated incoming freshman Julian "Ju Ju" Lewis, pegged arsenic the team's backmost of the future.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft enactment was a agleam spot for overmuch of past season, particularly a walk unreserved that produced 37 sacks and 52 backmost hurries. Colorado indispensable regenerate B.J. Green and others but returns ends Arden Walker and Samuel Okunlola, who combined for 7.5 sacks and 13 hurries. Veteran tackle Amari McNeill is besides back, and Colorado added transfers specified arsenic Jehiem Oatis (Alabama). Colorado's violative enactment remains an country to ticker and erstwhile again volition beryllium transfer-heavy with Xavier Hill (Memphis), Zarian McGill (Louisiana Tech), Zy Crisler (Illinois) and others. The radical returns an anchor successful talented sophomore tackle Jordan Seaton, arsenic good arsenic defender Tyler Brown.

Roster management: Colorado not amazingly was progressive successful the portal, adding Salter arsenic a imaginable one-year reply astatine quarterback, and addressing some lines of scrimmage, the secondary and linebacker. The squad besides sustained immoderate perchance important portal losses astatine violative line, cornerback and moving back. Colorado signed ESPN's No. 34 people for 2025.

Star power: The Buffs mislaid much than astir teams with Shedeur Sanders, Heisman Trophy victor Travis Hunter and others departing. Who's left? Seaton is back, Walker and Okunlola are some All-Big 12 candidates connected the line, and Salter was Conference USA's MVP and a Maxwell Award finalist successful 2023. Hill earned first-team All-AAC honors past autumn aft being a second-team enactment successful 2023. Alejandro Mata is backmost arsenic 1 of the nation's much experienced kickers.

Coaching staff: Deion Sanders is backmost for Year 3, though the play represents Phase 2 of his tenure with his sons, Hunter and different notables leaving Boulder. He retained some of his coordinators, Pat Shurmur and on-the-rise DC Robert Livingston, and added different Pro Football Hall of Famer to the unit successful moving backs manager Marshall Faulk.

34. Duke Blue Devils

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Maalik Murphy acceptable records successful his lone play arsenic Duke's starter, but the squad moved connected from him and pursued Tulane's Darian Mensah, 1 of the apical quarterbacks successful the wintertime portal.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Extremely likely. Duke made a large concern successful Mensah, successful portion due to the fact that helium has 3 years of eligibility left. Mensah completed astir 66% of his passes for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns past season, and his mobility makes him a bully acceptable for Jonathan Brewer's offense.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Duke's antiaircraft beforehand projects arsenic a strength, arsenic apical walk rusher Wesley Williams (7.5 sacks, 9 backmost hurries) is backmost alongside chap extremity Vincent Anthony Jr. and tackle Aaron Hall. The Blue Devils besides added Dartmouth transportation Josiah Green for the interior. The violative enactment that volition support Mensah returns 4 starters, including second-team All-ACC information Brian Parker II and seasoned defender Justin Pickett. Duke had a fewer injuries during outpouring shot but should person a talented and heavy radical successful the fall.

Roster management: Duke seems to beryllium successful a precise bully spot nether manager Manny Diaz. The Mensah concern and quality to clasp standout players specified arsenic All-ACC antiaircraft backs Chandler Rivers and Terry Moore sends a connection that Duke is present to compete. Duke gained much than it mislaid successful the portal, addressing a request astatine wide receiver and picking up cardinal players for the antiaircraft backmost seven, including Caleb Weaver, a first-team All-Conference USA enactment for Sam Houston. Diaz's antiaircraft recruiting clout showed up successful a 2025 people ranked 35th nationally.

Star power: Mensah generated astir of the offseason buzz and surely could go an all-league subordinate with his caller team. But Duke has different standouts, namely Rivers, a nationalist awards candidate, on with Moore, Parker, Hall, linebacker Tre Freeman and others. The Blue Devils' defence should erstwhile again beryllium 1 of the ACC's best, and if the discourtesy clicks with Mensah, look out. Running backmost Jaquez Moore is worthy monitoring arsenic helium returns from injury.

Coaching staff: Duke's momentum tin beryllium seen with Diaz and a unit that returns astir wholly intact from a 9-4 team. Coordinators Brewer and Jonathan Patke are settled into their roles, and Diaz has retained respective promising young presumption coaches excited astir the program's direction.

33. Washington Huskies

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 17

Returning quarterback: Kind of. Will Rogers started astir of the 2024 play for Washington, but manager Jedd Fisch wisely pivoted to freshman Demond Williams Jr. down the stretch. After an awesome finish, Williams volition participate the autumn arsenic Washington's wide QB1.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Williams has 3 years of eligibility near and has positioned himself to pb the Huskies' discourtesy done 2026, if not longer.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: After a modulation twelvemonth successful 2024, Washington needs some groups to stabilize a bit. The violative enactment returns immoderate acquisition with tackle Drew Azzopardi, halfway Landen Hatchett and others, and brings backmost Geirean Hatchett aft a twelvemonth astatine Oklahoma. Washington volition person a new-look antiaircraft beforehand nether coordinator Ryan Walters, which includes transfers Anterio Thompson (Western Michigan) and Simote Pepa (Utah).

Roster management: A 2nd question of transfers followed manager Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, including seasoned defenders successful cornerback Tacario Davis and linebacker Jacob Manu. Defense was decidedly Washington's portal absorption this twelvemonth with information Alex McLaughlin (Northern Arizona) and others. Fisch signed ESPN's No. 17 recruiting people for 2025 and the 2026 people ranks 24th.

Star power: Williams has high-level imaginable and volition beryllium joined by All-Big Ten candidates successful moving backmost Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston. Washington doesn't instrumentality immoderate bona fide stars connected defense, but respective of the transfers should beryllium worthy watching, including Davis and Manu.

Coaching staff: Fisch tin genuinely settee successful aft a chaotic archetypal play and has mostly bully stableness connected the violative staff, wherever Jimmie Dougherty slides successful astatine violative coordinator pursuing Brennan Carroll's departure. The contiguous intrigue volition beryllium connected defence arsenic Walters, aft a little and rocky tenure arsenic Purdue's coach, takes implicit arsenic the playcaller.

32. Baylor Bears

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Sawyer Robertson shined successful his archetypal afloat play arsenic Baylor's starter, passing for 3,071 yards with 28 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, and added 230 rushing yards and 4 rushing scores

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. Robertson is the focal constituent for Baylor's discourtesy successful his last assemblage season, and for bully crushed aft his beardown decorativeness to 2024. If Robertson goes down with injury, Baylor could extremity up with a multiyear backmost successful Walker White, the Auburn transfer.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Offensive enactment should beryllium a spot for the Bears with 4 returning starters, including defender Omar Aigbedion, who earned honorable notation All-Big 12 recognition. Senior Sidney Fugar, a transportation from South Carolina aft the 2023 season, moved from near defender to near tackle past autumn and brings acquisition and versatility. The antiaircraft enactment brings backmost immoderate acquisition successful Jackie Marshall, an honorable notation All-Big 12 performer, and chap elder Cooper Lanz, who has played some extremity and tackle. Baylor added immoderate bulk wrong with Texas A&M transportation Samu Taumanupepe, who weighs 380 pounds.

Roster management: After a bounce-back play successful 2024, Baylor had a coagulated offseason, retaining its apical violative weapons, including Robertson, All-Big 12 wide receiver Josh Cameron and Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year Bryson Washington astatine moving back. The Bears made immoderate astute transportation additions with wide receiver Kobe Prentice (Alabama), antiaircraft backmost Devin Turner (Northwestern), linebacker Travion Barnes (Florida International) and others. High schoolhouse recruiting is connected a steadier way aft a dip, and Baylor's 2026 people projects well.

Star power: Baylor won't beryllium capable to fell entering the 2025 season, particularly connected discourtesy with Robertson, Cameron, Washington and choky extremity Michael Trigg each backmost successful the fold. Washington should beryllium a prima determination done 2026, too. Marshall is among the antiaircraft headliners, on with linebacker Keaton Thomas and information Devyn Bobby. Several incoming transfers could contend for all-league honors.

Coaching staff: Coach Dave Aranda made it done a blistery spot play with the programme seemingly connected overmuch stronger footing. He volition erstwhile again grip antiaircraft playcalling, portion violative coordinator Jake Spavital is backmost for a 2nd season. Aranda made immoderate adjustments to the antiaircraft unit and hired cornerbacks manager Paul Gonzales, who spent the past 13 seasons with rival TCU.

31. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Haynes King is backmost for his 3rd play arsenic the Yellow Jackets' starter, aft making melodramatic improvements successful his accuracy and lowering his interceptions full past fall. King completed 72.9% of his passes for 2,114 yards and had lone 2 interceptions connected 269 attempts.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Georgia Tech is gathering its discourtesy astir King, who enters his sixth and last season. The squad has a batch of assurance successful backup Aaron Philo, a redshirt freshman, but apt would marque a alteration lone if a large wounded occurs.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Brent Key is simply a erstwhile Georgia Tech violative lineman who coached the O-line earlier taking implicit the program, which helium has built mostly around, you guessed it, the violative front. The Yellow Jackets instrumentality 1 of the nation's champion defender tandems successful Keylan Rutledge, a 2024 first-team All-ACC selection, and chap elder Joe Fusile. Ethan Mackenny started 8 games astatine near tackle arsenic a existent freshman and is simply a multiyear contributor for Key. The antiaircraft enactment volition initially beryllium much transportation dense with Brayden Manley (Mercer) and erstwhile Yellow Jacket Akelo Stone (Ole Miss), though returning elder tackle Jordan van den Berg should pb the group.

Roster management: Georgia Tech mislaid standout receiver Eric Singleton Jr., extracurricular linebacker Romello Height and respective contributors to the portal, but it retained King, moving backmost Justice Haynes, wide receiver Malik Rutherford and others from a squad that showed it tin vie with anyone. The squad besides supplemented some lines done the portal and filled Singleton's spot with Florida Atlantic's Eric Rivers, a first-team All-Conference USA selection. Key's recruiting prowess showed with the No. 19 people for 2025, a leap from No. 34 successful 2024.

Star power: Georgia Tech returns arguably the ACC's champion violative backfield tandem successful King and Haynes, and has respective linemen -- Rutledge, van den Berg -- who received all-league designation past fall. Rutherford and linebacker Kyle Efford besides earned All-ACC recognition. Rivers is an interaction subordinate astatine wide receiver, and respective of the transportation linemen, including Manley and Stone, person all-league potential.

Coaching staff: Key has shown helium tin triumph the large games astatine his alma mater. Now helium needs to triumph much of them, particularly with accrued entree to the CFP. Georgia Tech brings backmost Buster Faulkner, 1 of the nation's much originative violative playcallers. The squad volition person a caller antiaircraft coordinator successful Blake Gideon, who is successful the relation for the archetypal time.

30. Utah Utes

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 14

Returning quarterback: No. After 2 precise hard seasons astatine quarterback, impacted by Cam Rising's injuries, Utah is moving guardant with Devon Dampier, a dynamic dual menace who earned first-team All-Mountain West honors astatine New Mexico successful 2024.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Utah brought successful Dampier and violative coordinator Jason Beck arsenic a bundle deal, with the extremity of Dampier starring Utah's discourtesy done the 2026 season. He made 13 starts astatine New Mexico and led the Mountain West successful full discourtesy with 3,934 yards.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft enactment is traditionally a spot but has immoderate holes to capable aft Junior Tafuna moved connected to the NFL, and Keanu Tanuvasa transferred to rival BYU. Logan Fano is backmost astatine antiaircraft extremity aft a decent 2024 season. Tackles Aliki Vimahi and Dallas Vakalahi some person started games and Vakalahi has lone sophomore eligibility. Utah is hoping respective transfers tin capable retired the depth. Utah's violative enactment returns each 5 starters and could beryllium among the nation's best. The squad retained tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, and has a seasoned interior group.

Roster management: Utah had a important portal exodus with 30 assistance players transferring out, but the squad retained Spencer Fano, a first-team All-Big-12 selection, and Lomu, arsenic some could person near for different Power 4 programs. Although the Utes discourtesy has turned implicit significantly, it needed to aft the past 2 seasons. Dampier is simply a large get astatine quarterback, on with moving backs Wayshawn Parker (Washington State) and NaQuari Rogers (New Mexico), and wide receiver Ryan Davis (New Mexico) and respective others. Utah signed ESPN's No. 33 recruiting people for 2025, a bully occupation from 2024 (No. 50).

Star power: Dampier led the Mountain West successful yards per transportation past autumn (7.52), successful summation to finishing 2nd successful passing. He's a imaginable plug-and-play superstar. Utah's different violative transfers astatine moving backmost and wide receiver are besides worthy watching, but the existent prima powerfulness imaginable is astatine the enactment of scrimmage. Spencer Fano is an established star, and others similar Lomu and Logan Fano could contend for All-Big-12 honors. Linebacker Lander Barton, Utah's starring tackler successful 2024, has started games successful each of the past 3 seasons, and nickel Smith Snowden has shown playmaking ability.

Coaching staff: Kyle Whittingham said helium wouldn't manager past 65 but reached the milestone successful November. A stronger 2025 play could accelerate the coaching modulation to longtime antiaircraft coordinator Morgan Scalley. Utah needed a reset connected discourtesy and gets it with Beck, who has Power 4 coordinator acquisition from Syracuse and besides worked astatine Virginia and BYU.

29. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Behren Morton was Texas Tech's superior starter passim the 2024 season, aft earning 12 combined starts successful 2022 and 2023, erstwhile helium earned honorable notation All-Big-12 honors. He enters his last play ranked successful Texas Tech's apical 10 successful respective large categories, including touchdown passes (49) and passing yards (6,209).

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Slim, pending health. Morton volition beryllium Texas Tech's QB1 successful 2025 earlier moving on. But he's coming disconnected of country to his throwing shoulder, which caused him to miss clip successful 2023. If determination are further problems, Texas Tech volition crook to talented backup Will Hammond, conscionable a redshirt freshman.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Texas Tech's pedal-down offseason drew nationalist interest, but the biggest gains were made on the lines, particularly the antiaircraft beforehand with transfers Lee Hunter (UCF), David Bailey (Stanford), Romello Height (Georgia Tech) and others. The D-line volition beryllium transfer-reliant but besides returns Terrell Tilmon, who was 2nd connected the squad with 3.5 sacks past fall. Texas Tech's interior violative enactment returns experienced players similar defender Davion Carter. The radical apt volition crook to transfers Howard Sampson (North Carolina) and Hunter Zambrano (Illinois State).

Roster management: Texas Tech finished No. 2 successful our nationalist offseason rankings database aft ace booster Cody Campbell fueled a portal push that produced 1 of the astir talented rosters successful squad history. The Red Raiders made upgrades to some lines and brought backmost wide receiver Micah Hudson aft a little detour to Texas A&M. Texas Tech had immoderate portal losses, too, but came retired acold ahead. The team's 2025 recruiting people placed conscionable extracurricular ESPN's apical 50.

Star power: Morton has been businesslike and effectual erstwhile steadfast and should beryllium successful contention for All-Big-12 honors, astatine the precise least. Several incoming antiaircraft transfers get with accolades -- including Hunter, Bailey and choky extremity Terrance Carter (Louisiana) -- portion others could emergence into astatine slightest all-league contention. Hudson had lone 8 receptions past twelvemonth but is simply a erstwhile Top 25 nationalist recruit.

Coaching staff: After 3 coagulated seasons, manager Joey McGuire has what helium needs to instrumentality the adjacent step. In summation to the roster gains, Texas Tech added 2 coveted coordinators successful Mack Leftwich (offense) and Shiel Wood (defense). The squad besides retained wide manager James Blanchard aft Notre Dame made a push.

28. Texas A&M Aggies

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Marcel Reed is backmost for his 2nd play arsenic Texas A&M's apical QB aft passing for 1,864 yards and 15 touchdowns past season, portion adding 543 rushing yards and 7 scores. He volition look for much ratio and explosiveness successful the propulsion game.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Reed is lone a redshirt sophomore and projects arsenic a backmost who volition request respective assemblage seasons for development. Texas A&M added UAB transportation Jacob Zeno, a seventh-year subordinate who started his vocation astatine Baylor and has 17 vocation starts. Redshirt freshman Miles O'Neill rounds retired the depth.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: If Texas A&M takes a measurement nether second-year manager Mike Elko, the violative enactment apt volition pb the charge. The Aggies instrumentality each 5 starters, including third-team All-SEC near tackle Trey Zuhn III and elder defender Ar'maj Reed-Adams, who has 28 vocation starts betwixt A&M and Kansas. The group's extent besides stands retired arsenic Mark Nabou Jr., who entered 2024 arsenic the starting halfway but sustained a season-ending wounded successful the opener, is besides back. Texas A&M had 3 antiaircraft linemen selected among the apical 62 picks of the NFL draft, and features a somewhat new-look radical with transfers T.J. Searcy (Florida), Dayon Hayes (Colorado) and Tyler Onyedim (Iowa State) joining holdovers similar extremity Cashius Howell and tackle Albert Regis.

Roster management: The Aggies successfully held onto cardinal players and, successful the lawsuit of the violative line, an full presumption radical from 2024. Reed volition stock a backfield with some Le'Veon Moss and Rueben Owens, who returns aft missing each of past play with a ft injury. Texas A&M besides retained starring tackler Taurean York, Howell, cornerback Will Lee III and others from a defence that indispensable improve. The squad had an absorbing offseason astatine wide receiver, arsenic Kyron Hudson didn't cookware retired and Noah Thomas transferred, but Texas A&M added NC State standout KC Concepcion and others. The Aggies besides made gains astatine the borderline and cornerback spot, adding Washington's Jordan Shaw. Elko signed ESPN's No. 9 recruiting people for 2025, highlighted by respective standout linemen, and the 2026 people ranks No. 6.

Star power: Texas A&M returns 3 All-SEC players from 2024 successful Moss (second team), Lee (second team) and Zuhn (third team). They each could enactment their mode into nationalist information this fall. Moss had 10 rushing touchdowns earlier a genu injury, but has responded well. The cardinal volition be: Who other steps up? Concepcion was the ACC Rookie of the Year successful 2023 and gives Reed an explosive menace connected the perimeter. York led Texas A&M successful some tackles and tackles for nonaccomplishment past season, and should beryllium among the league's apical linebackers. Safety Marcus Ratcliffe showed his playmaking quality with 3 interceptions past fall. Texas A&M besides should get much linemen into All-SEC contention, whether they're holdovers connected discourtesy oregon transfers connected defense.

Coaching staff: Despite a mediocre decorativeness to 2024, Elko did immoderate bully things successful Year 1 and not amazingly volition tally it backmost with coordinators Jay Bateman (defense) and Collin Klein (offense), and astir of his presumption coaches. The squad added Lyle Hemphill, a seasoned antiaircraft adjunct who served arsenic James Madison's coordinator successful 2024, arsenic subordinate caput manager for defense.

27. Oklahoma Sooners

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 16

Returning quarterback: No. Oklahoma's discourtesy needed a reset aft 2024, erstwhile Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. took the bulk of snaps. Arnold is disconnected to Auburn, and portion Hawkins is back, Oklahoma landed the biggest backmost transportation prize of the rhythm successful Washington State's John Mateer.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Oklahoma volition physique astir Mateer, a dual-threat dynamo who thrived nether caller Sooners violative coordinator Ben Arbuckle past autumn astatine WSU. Hawkins is conscionable a sophomore with immoderate acquisition from past play (120 walk attempts).

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Oklahoma's defence wasn't the occupation past play and the enactment projects to beryllium among the nation's champion this fall. The squad returns an A-list walk rusher successful R Mason Thomas, who had 9 sacks, 11 backmost hurries and 2 forced fumbles portion earning second-team All-SEC honors. OU is loaded astatine antiaircraft tackle with the instrumentality of Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, Jayden Jackson and David Stone, the erstwhile top-10 enlistee who concisely entered the portal this outpouring earlier returning. Florida State transportation Marvin Jones Jr. volition instrumentality immoderate of the attraction distant from Thomas. Despite a down twelvemonth connected the violative line, OU resisted a dense portal propulsion and volition tally it backmost with elder halfway Troy Everett and respective sophomores with starting acquisition (Heath Ozaeta, Logan Howland). The radical needs amended luck connected the wellness front.

Roster management: If manager Brent Venables puts Oklahoma backmost successful contention for league titles and CFP appearances, galore volition constituent to the past offseason. Oklahoma had important portal pickups similar Mateer, Jones, Cal moving backmost Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma State linebacker Kendal Daniels and a radical of wide receivers that includes JaVonnie Gibson, an FCS All-America enactment astatine Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Sooners besides retained apical defenders similar Thomas, Halton, linebacker Kip Lewis and a promising young secondary that includes brothers Peyton Bowen and Eli Bowen. Venables inactive signed a top-20 recruiting people for 2025 contempt past year's struggles, aft bringing successful the No. 8 people for 2024.

Star power: Mateer arrives successful Norman with monolithic expectations, but helium besides has the accomplishment acceptable to electrify Oklahoma's discourtesy and summation league and nationalist recognition. If definite players astir him enactment healthy, similar Ott and wide receiver Deion Burks, Oklahoma should person aggregate candidates for the All-SEC teams. Thomas was a playmaking instrumentality successful 2024 and volition beryllium connected the radar for nationalist awards. Halton had 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and a information from the tackle spot successful 2024 and besides belongs successful this group. Daniels is simply a erstwhile Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and led Oklahoma State successful tackles for nonaccomplishment (11) and sacks (5.5) past fall.

Coaching staff: Venables enters a pivotal 4th twelvemonth but has momentum from an offseason that not lone included a bully transportation haul, but Arbuckle and others are joining the staff. Oklahoma hired Senior Bowl enforcement manager Jim Nagy arsenic wide manager and Kevin Wilson, the erstwhile Indiana and Tulsa manager who served arsenic OU's violative coordinator nether Bob Stoops, arsenic an analyst.

26. USC Trojans

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 11

Returning quarterback: Yes. Miller Moss started astir of the 2024 play for USC but was benched down the agelong arsenic Jayden Maiava got the last 4 starts.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Somewhat likely. Maiava enters his 4th twelvemonth but has 2 years of eligibility left. He started passim 2023 astatine UNLV and helped the Rebels scope the Mountain West title game. Maiava seemingly would payment from 2 afloat seasons with manager Lincoln Riley, but a breakout 2025 play could alteration things.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Riley has emphasized enactment play much successful the past year, arsenic USC added wide to clasp up amended successful the Big Ten. The Trojans instrumentality an absorbing non-senior halfway successful Devan Thompkins, Braylan Shelby and Kameryn Fountain, and adhd Kentucky transportation Keeshawn Silver. USC's violative enactment besides brings backmost non-seniors with experience, similar tackle Elijah Paige and defender Alani Noa, but volition request transfers J'onre Reed (Syracuse) and DJ Wingfield (Purdue) to perform.

Roster management: Riley wants to go little transfer-reliant aft excessively galore boom-or-bust outcomes during his archetypal 3 seasons. He beefed up USC's unit section and the effect is simply a 2026 recruiting people presently ranked No. 1 nationally. The incoming transportation people isn't arsenic decorated but should assistance successful areas similar violative and antiaircraft line, secondary and moving back.

Star power: There's not galore no-doubt nationalist stars entering the season, but USC could get determination with wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, Paige connected the violative enactment and returning defenders similar information Kamari Ramsey and linebacker Eric Gentry. The transfers could surely origin successful here, including astatine moving back, wherever Waymond Jordan and Eli Sanders arrive.

Coaching staff: Riley needs a existent breakthrough successful Year 4, but USC yet has the infrastructure to physique amended and much unchangeable rosters for the future. Coordinator D'Anton Lynn leads an awesome antiaircraft unit that returns from 2024, and Riley's power remains connected the violative side, arsenic helium bumped Luke Huard to coordinator aft Josh Henson departed.

25. BYU Cougars

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Jake Retzlaff is acceptable to instrumentality aft starting for BYU's 11-win squad past fall, though his presumption could alteration depending connected the civil suit filed against him by a pistillate alleging helium raped and strangled her successful 2023.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Possible. Retzlaff has inferior eligibility and could pb the Cougars discourtesy done 2026. His ineligible concern mightiness alteration things, though, and reserves McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet some person FBS starting experience.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: BYU is successful the unsocial presumption of losing violative enactment acquisition but inactive retaining immoderate with seniors Weylin Lapuaho, Bruce Mitchell and Isaiah Jatta. Lapuaho earned honorable notation All-Big-12 honors. The Cougars besides added transfers Andrew Gentry (Michigan) and Kyle Sfarcioc (Southern Utah). BYU's antiaircraft enactment has immoderate turnover for 2025, though elder extremity Logan Lutui is back, and Utah transportation Keanu Tanuvasa is simply a large summation inside. The Cougars volition request to physique immoderate extent astatine tackle for 2025 and 2026.

Roster management: The squad mislaid a fewer cardinal players to the portal, particularly successful the spring, but addressed the antiaircraft enactment with additions similar Tanuvasa, Tausili Akana (Texas) and Justin Kirkland (Oklahoma State). BYU besides picked up the Bachmeier brothers, backmost Bear and wide receiver Tiger, who should assistance with depth. High schoolhouse recruiting has fluctuated a bit, but BYU inactive does good successful its authorities and successful Texas, and the 2026 people presently ranks No. 20.

Star power: BYU mislaid a batch to the draught and volition request to regenerate standouts successful the antiaircraft backmost seven. Linebacker Jack Kelly returns aft earning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors successful 2024. BYU brings backmost starring receiver Chase Roberts, and starring rusher LJ Martin is besides backmost with 2 years of eligibility left. Lapuaho could look arsenic 1 of the league's amended violative linemen, and kicker Will Ferrin was a first-team all-league enactment successful 2024.

Coaching staff: Kalani Sitake has bully stableness connected the unit arsenic helium enters his 10th play overseeing the squad astatine his alma mater. Primary coordinators Jay Hill (defense) and Aaron Roderick (offense) are some back, and the unit had minimal changes coming disconnected of an 11-2 season.

24. Louisville Cardinals

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 21

Returning quarterback: No. Tyler Shough was an NFL second-round draught prime aft a palmy play nether manager Jeff Brohm. Louisville erstwhile again went to the portal for his apt replacement successful Miller Moss (USC).

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. Moss, who had a grounds Holiday Bowl show against Louisville successful 2023 and opened the 2024 play arsenic USC's starter, is entering his last twelvemonth of eligibility. Louisville volition spell with him barring injury. Junior Brady Allen and redshirt freshman Deuce Adams are competing to backmost him up.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Louisville took immoderate hits connected the violative enactment with the transfers of Monroe Mills (Virginia) and Austin Collins (Syracuse), but veterans Pete Nygra and Rasheed Miller are some backmost astatine halfway and tackle, respectively. The cardinal volition beryllium whether transfers similar Jordan Church (Florida Atlantic) and Mahamane Moussa (Purdue) tin enactment up spots. The antiaircraft beforehand loses apical walk rusher Ashton Gillotte, but brings backmost tackles Jordan Guerad and Rene Konga, and has precocious hopes for extremity Micah Carter. Rutgers transportation Wesley Bailey started 25 games from 2022 to 2023 and should person a cardinal role.

Roster management: Louisville's roster has been reasonably fluid nether Brohm, who erstwhile again took a transportation quarterback, arsenic good arsenic bolstered groups similar wide receiver and antiaircraft back. There were immoderate cardinal losses astatine violative line, but the squad retained prima moving backmost Isaac Brown and backup Duke Watson, and added immoderate imaginable interaction transfers connected defence similar extracurricular linebacker Clev Lubin, who had 9.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles for Coastal Carolina past season.

Star power: Brown earned second-team All-ACC honors successful 2024 and volition beryllium 1 of the nation's apical sophomores this fall. Wide receivers Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy, a first-team All-Sun Belt enactment astatine South Alabama who played successful lone 5 games for Louisville past fall, are some all-league candidates. The cardinal volition beryllium who steps up connected defence aft immoderate cardinal departures. Linebacker Stanquan Clark has been productive, and transfers similar Bailey, Lubin and information JoJo Evans (Florida International) are worthy watching.

Coaching staff: Brohm is entrenched astatine his alma mater and his hometown, boasting a 19-8 grounds (12-4 successful ACC play). He returns superior coordinators Brian Brohm (offense) and Mark Hagen and Ron English (defense), and elevated erstwhile Louisville large and Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch to wide receivers manager from a enactment role. Brohm besides scored a large in-state coup, swiping ace recruiter Vince Marrow from rival Kentucky to go Louisville's caller wide manager.

23. Iowa Hawkeyes

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 18

Returning quarterback: No. Cade McNamara moved connected aft 2 disappointing seasons, and Brendan Sullivan transferred to Tulane aft starting 3 games past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Iowa brought successful South Dakota State transportation Mark Gronowski to elevate the offense, and Gronowski picked Iowa to boost his NFL illustration successful his last assemblage season.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: After respective turbulent seasons, Iowa's violative enactment stabilized successful 2024 and erstwhile again looks similar 1 of the team's signature presumption groups. Veterans Logan Jones, Gennings Dunker and Beau Stephens are each backmost for 2025, and the radical has juniors and sophomores acceptable to measurement up, portion besides adding Division II standout Bryce George. Seniors Aaron Graves and Ethan Hurkett pb a antiaircraft enactment that looks coagulated successful immoderate spots and has a fewer questions arsenic well.

Roster management: Iowa volition ne'er beryllium a measurement portal squad with Kirk Ferentz arsenic coach, but it has go much assertive successful taking transportation quarterbacks similar Gronowski and Hank Brown (Auburn). Iowa besides added respective antiaircraft linemen and wide receiver Sam Phillips from Chattanooga. The Hawkeyes don't popular successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting rankings but proceed to find bully developmental prospects wrong the authorities and region.

Star power: Gronowski's title acquisition and quality gives him a accidental to go 1 of the Big Ten's amended quarterbacks this fall. Iowa brings backmost All-Big Ten violative linemen successful Jones and Dunker, and Graves, and Hurkett, and different defenders similar information Xavier Nwankpa should contend for league honors.

Coaching staff: Kirk Ferentz turns 70 successful August but continues pushing guardant arsenic the nation's longest-tenured coach. After the violative unit shakeup successful 2023, the squad returned coordinator Tim Lester and astir of the staff. Veteran assistants similar Phil Parker, LeVar Woods and Seth Wallace are each back, too.

22. Missouri Tigers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 20

Returning quarterback: No. Brady Cook's tally of 39 starts for Missouri is over, arsenic helium capped his vocation with 10,222 yards of full offense. Cook had 2,535 passing yards past fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: It depends connected preseason camp. Beau Pribula transferred from Penn State earlier the team's CFP tally and landed astatine Missouri, wherever helium volition effort to commencement successful his last assemblage play aft backing up Drew Allar. If Sam Horn beats retired Pribula for the apical job, helium could commencement done the 2026 play arsenic helium has inferior eligibility.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft beforehand brings backmost a bully instauration successful seniors extremity Zion Young and interior players Chris McClellan and Sterling Webb. Missouri is doubling down connected its existing antiaircraft tackle depth, though the squad added Georgia transportation Damon Wilson II, who had 2 sacks past fall, to the edge. The squad went heavier into the portal for violative linemen, including seventh-year tackle Keagen Trost (Wake Forest), West Virginia tackle Johnny Williams IV and others. Missouri brings backmost a bully interior instauration with inferior defender Cayden Green and elder halfway Connor Tollison.

Roster management: Missouri mislaid 2 apical 40 NFL draught picks from the discourtesy (tackle Armand Membou, wide receiver Luther Burden III) and Cook, arsenic good arsenic productive defenders similar extremity Johnny Walker Jr. But astir of the team's portal departures were younger players similar Williams Nwaneri, a erstwhile Top 25 nationalist recruit. Missouri added Pribula and immoderate assistance astir him with wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (Mississippi State) and moving backmost Ahmad Hardy (Louisiana-Monroe). Safety Jalen Catalon joins his 4th assemblage squad aft a bully tally astatine UNLV, and the beforehand 7 should payment from Wilson, linebacker Josiah Trotter (West Virginia) and others. Missouri signed Top 25 recruiting classes successful 2024 and 2025.

Star power: A caller radical of standouts indispensable look aft the NFL departures, but Missouri has a bully seasoned core, particularly connected defence with information Daylan Carnell, linebacker Triston Newson and linemen similar Tollison, Young and Green, ESPN's No. 55 enlistee successful the 2023 class. Transfers similar Coleman and Hardy, a first-team All-Sun Belt selection, should assistance close away, and Catalon is simply a erstwhile All-America enactment astatine Arkansas who earned first-team All-Mountain West honors past autumn astatine UNLV.

Coaching staff: After 21 wins the past 2 seasons, manager Eliah Drinkwitz has Missouri connected a promising path. He retained coordinators Kirby Moore (offense) and Corey Batoon (defense) from past year, and had minimal changes connected the unit arsenic the squad tried to reload.

21. Kansas State Wildcats

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 19

Returning quarterback: Yes. Avery Johnson is backmost for his 2nd twelvemonth arsenic the starter, aft mounting a squad grounds with 25 touchdown passes successful 2024 and helping the discourtesy acceptable records for yards per play (6.57) and yards per unreserved (6.1). Johnson was connected Tennessee's radar arsenic a imaginable Nico Iamaleava replacement, but helium remained astatine K-State.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely. Johnson is simply a inferior and tin header the Kansas State discourtesy again successful 2026. He has country to turn arsenic a passer, particularly from an ratio standpoint, and volition beryllium moving this autumn with coordinator Matt Wells, who coached the quarterbacks past fall.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Protecting Johnson is paramount, and Kansas State has a bully instauration connected the interior with halfway Sam Hecht, a second-team All-Big-12 enactment successful 2024, and defender Taylor Poitier. The squad besides added respective Power 4 transfers, including tackle George Fitzpatrick from Ohio State. K-State's antiaircraft enactment lacks a superstar similar Brendan Mott, but extent should beryllium a spot with sophomore Chiddi Obiazor, elder Cody Stufflebean and respective large and seasoned tackles coming back.

Roster management: Kansas State kept Johnson, who was pursued by different programs contempt a mixed results play successful 2024. The squad mislaid a chunk of players to the portal successful December and respective much successful the spring, but besides made immoderate gains astatine each 3 levels connected defense, including South Alabama cornerback Amarion Fortenberry, arsenic good arsenic violative line, wide receiver and elsewhere. Coach Chris Klieman pulled successful a beardown 2025 recruiting people featuring ESPN 300 choky extremity Linkon Cure.

Star power: Johnson tin beryllium a Big 12 and nationalist awards candidate, particularly if helium displays amended accuracy arsenic a passer. Tight extremity Garrett Oakley is backmost for astatine slightest different play aft earning second-team All-Big-12 honors successful 2024. Junior Austin Romaine besides was a second-team all-league enactment aft starring Kansas State successful tackles, and linemen similar Hecht and Obiazor should beryllium successful contention for honors.

Coaching staff: Klieman is simply a exemplary of consistency and volition participate his seventh twelvemonth astatine K-State, having won 8 games oregon much successful each but one. He mislaid longtime adjunct Conor Riley to the NFL but replaced him with Wells, a erstwhile Big 12 caput manager who worked with Johnson. Riley had coached the violative line, but Brian Lepak slid implicit from choky ends to enactment with the group.

20. Indiana Hoosiers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: No. Kurtis Rourke earned second-team All-Big Ten honors successful his lone play with IU, and helped the Hoosiers to a team-record 11 wins and a CFP appearance. He was a seventh-round NFL draught prime by the San Francisco 49ers.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: It depends connected 2025. Cal transportation Fernando Mendoza arrives astatine Indiana with 2 years of eligibility near and 19 vocation starts. But if helium builds connected his 2024 numbers with an adjacent amended team, helium could presumption himself good adjacent amid a much crowded 2026 NFL draught people for quarterbacks. Mendoza, whose younger member besides plays QB for IU, besides could look to play done 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Indiana's violative enactment got exposed successful the biggest games past season, and volition person a mostly antithetic look with a premix of returnees (Carter Smith, Bray Lynch, Drew Evans) and notable transfers (Pat Coogan, Kahlil Benson, Zen Michalski). The antiaircraft beforehand returns All-Big Ten extremity Mikail Kamara but besides volition trust connected seasoned transfers similar Hosea Wheeler (Western Kentucky).

Roster management: The Hoosiers thrived successful the portal for the 2nd consecutive play but this clip didn't person the payment of raiding their caller coach's erstwhile team. Indiana took immoderate large swings and landed Mendoza, Coogan, moving backmost Roman Hemby, antiaircraft backs Devan Boykin and Louis Moore, and others from Power 4 programs. Indiana's precocious schoolhouse recruiting is little decorated, but the programme has been precise competitory with transfers.

Star power: Indiana mislaid lone 2 NFL draught picks from a playoff squad but returns plentifulness of established standouts, particularly connected defense. The Hoosiers regain All-Big Ten players successful Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, a third-team All-Big Ten enactment successful 2024, is besides back. Mendoza and respective transfers should beryllium successful the premix for awards.

Coaching staff: Reigning Big Ten Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti is backmost aft a transformative archetypal play successful Bloomington. He retained his apical coordinators Bryant Haines (defense) and Mike Shanahan, spot manager Derek Owings and others, and mislaid lone 1 on-field assistant. If Indiana continues to invest, it should stay a top-half Big Ten program.

19. Iowa State Cyclones

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Rocco Becht is backmost for his 3rd play arsenic Iowa State's starter, aft earning honorable notation All-Big 12 honors successful 2024. He finished successful the apical 20 nationally for some passing yards (3,505) and passing touchdowns (25).

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely. Becht redshirted successful 2022 and volition beryllium eligible for a last play successful 2026. Although helium could ever determination on, helium doesn't task arsenic a surefire NFL imaginable and apt volition beryllium backmost with manager Matt Campbell and the Cyclones.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment has acquisition and versatility coming back, arsenic tackles James Neal and Tyler Miller person started games, arsenic good arsenic respective interior players. Some person non-senior eligibility, including Brendan Black and Trevor Buhr, and ISU added Big Ten transfers successful Austin Barrett (Indiana) and Derek Jensen (Wisconsin). ISU's antiaircraft enactment has much contiguous questions extracurricular of elder tackle Domonique Orange. Junior Ikenna Ezeogu and sophomore Zaimir Hawk volition beryllium successful bigger roles, and ISU added to its borderline presumption with transfers Vontroy Malone (Tulsa) and Tamatoa McDonough (Yale).

Roster management: Iowa State mislaid 10 transfers successful the wintertime play and respective much successful the spring, including linebacker Jack Sadowsky V, who had starting experience. But the squad kept astir of its cardinal contributors and made immoderate important portal additions, including astatine wide receiver with Chase Sowell (East Carolina) and Xavier Townsend (UCF), antiaircraft extremity and the secondary with cornerback Tre Bell (Lindenwood) and others. Iowa State is an unapologetically developmental programme and doesn't purpose for overmuch sizzle successful precocious schoolhouse recruiting.

Star power: Becht surely should beryllium successful the premix for All-Big 12 honors and perchance nationalist ones. Although helium loses his apical receivers to the NFL, helium regains talented choky ends Gabe Burkle and Benjamin Brahmer. Orange and kicker Kyle Konrardy earned honorable notation all-league honors successful 2024, and respective of the returning violative linemen person all-league potential.

Coaching staff: Campbell is backmost for his 10th play successful Ames and has bully continuity connected his unit with longtime antiaircraft coordinator Jon Heacock and Taylor Mouser, who enters his 2nd play arsenic OC. Running backs manager Jake Landry is the lone important summation to the on-field staff.

18. South Carolina Gamecocks

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. LaNorris Sellers is backmost aft a breakout play erstwhile helium passed for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 674 yards and 7 scores. He earned third-team All-SEC honors.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Everything hinges connected Sellers' development. Sellers is conscionable a redshirt sophomore and has the size and skills to play successful the NFL. But he's not determination yet and indispensable importantly chopped down connected turnovers to solidify himself arsenic a apical prospect. If Sellers departs successful 2026, South Carolina could crook to Ohio State transportation Air Noland, the No. 52 wide enlistee successful the 2024 class.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: South Carolina mislaid a batch connected the antiaircraft beforehand with Kyle Kennard, the Nagurski Trophy victor and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, moving connected on with Tonka Hemingway and T.J. Sanders. The radical has a multiyear centerpiece successful Dylan Stewart, who had 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for nonaccomplishment and 3 forced fumbles arsenic a freshman. South Carolina has immoderate returnees and transportation options astatine tackle but volition request aggregate players to instrumentality connected bigger roles, including talented elder Nick Barrett and perchance inferior assemblage transportation Zavion Hardy. The Gamecocks besides indispensable physique astir Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr. astatine end. The violative enactment returns promising non-seniors astatine tackle successful Josiah Thompson and Cason Henry. South Carolina's interior enactment volition look different, arsenic transfers similar Boaz Stanley (Troy) and Nick Sharpe (Wake Forest) get a look alongside returnee Trovon Baugh.

Roster management: The Gamecocks knew they would beryllium losing a batch to the NFL from a top-20 team. Their extremity was keeping their apical non-seniors, which they did -- Sellers, Stewart, cornerbacks Jalon Kilgore and Judge Collier, and young receivers Mazeo Bennett Jr. and Nyck Harbor are each back. South Carolina mislaid immoderate assistance players to the portal but not galore cardinal contributors. The squad besides added much-needed transfers astatine antiaircraft tackle, interior violative enactment and added a imaginable starter successful the secondary successful NC State cornerback Brandon Cisse. Utah State moving backmost Rahsul Faison, an All-Mountain West selection, could beryllium a large addition, but he's inactive waiting connected an NCAA waiver. South Carolina signed top-20 classes successful each of the past 2 years, which should assistance offset immoderate upcoming losses.

Star power: South Carolina has a nationalist awards campaigner connected each broadside of the shot successful Sellers and Stewart. The question is: Who joins them? Kilgore had a team-high 5 interceptions past play and volition beryllium 1 to ticker connected defense, on with Collier, DQ Smith and Thomas. South Carolina volition look for much from its returning receivers, namely Bennett and Harbor, and Faison should beryllium connected the All-SEC radar, if cleared.

Coaching staff: Coach Shane Beamer rebounded from a pugnacious 2023 play to triumph 9 games and astir scope the CFP past season. He present indispensable amusement helium tin reload and prolong aft truthful galore NFL departures. South Carolina elevated erstwhile Alabama manager Mike Shula arsenic violative coordinator aft Dowell Loggains near for Appalachian State. Defensive coordinator Clayton White is backmost for his 5th season, and the remainder of the unit is intact.

17. Illinois Fighting Illini

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Luke Altmyer is backmost for his 3rd play arsenic Illinois' superior starter, contempt generating involvement from Tennessee arsenic a transportation candidate.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. Altmyer is entrenched arsenic Illinois' QB1 for his last assemblage play aft earning honorable notation All-Big Ten honors. He enters 2025 arsenic 1 of the nation's astir experienced signal-callers, and perchance a nationalist awards candidate. Illinois has immoderate security with transportation Ethan Hampton, but he, too, volition depart successful 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Coach Bret Bielema's champion Wisconsin teams had A-list violative lines, and Illinois volition person its champion of Bielema's tenure. The Illini retained tackle J.C. Davis, a third-team All-Big Ten selection, arsenic good arsenic chap seniors Josh Kreutz, Josh Gesky and Melvin Priestly. Illinois volition person important turnover successful 2026 but the enactment looks precise solid. The antiaircraft enactment has an other look with galore transfers successful contiguous roles, including James Thompson Jr. and Curt Neal, some from Wisconsin.

Roster management: After a 10-win season, Illinois has acceptable itself up good for aboriginal success. The team's quality to clasp Altmyer, Davis, prima extracurricular linebacker Gabe Jacas and others bodes good for the future. Illinois added astatine wide receiver, its superior presumption of need, with Hudson Clement (West Virginia) and Justin Bowick (Ball State), and besides astatine antiaircraft line. Running backmost Josh McCray was the lone large portal loss. Illinois' in-state recruiting has been connected the rise, arsenic the squad landed Nasir Rankin, a top-175 nationalist imaginable from Chicago for the 2026 class.

Star power: The Illini person plentifulness for 2025, including Jacas, a nationalist awards campaigner and a headache for opposing offenses. All-Big Ten information Xavier Scott is besides back, on with Davis and Altmyer. Illinois has different defenders to watch, including information Miles Scott and linebacker Dylan Rosiek. The lone interest is however overmuch the roster volition crook implicit for 2026.

Coaching staff: Bielema is the manager Illinois has waited decades for. He understands however to triumph successful the Big Ten and tin set to existent roster challenges. Armed with a six-year declaration extension, Bielema retained his unit from 2024, including superior coordinators Barry Lunney Jr. (offense) and Aaron Henry (defense).

16. Ole Miss Rebels

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 15

Returning quarterback: No. Jaxson Dart was the No. 25 wide enactment successful the NFL draught aft finishing his Ole Miss vocation with whopping totals for passing yards (10,617), full violative yards (12,115) and touchdown passes (72). Ole Miss volition walk the QB torch this fall.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Coach Lane Kiffin has been processing sophomore Austin Simmons to beryllium Dart's apt successor. He should pb the discourtesy for aggregate seasons, but Kiffin besides got immoderate security successful Trinidad Chambliss, who helped Ferris State to a Division II nationalist title, arsenic good arsenic Oklahoma State transportation Maealiuaki Smith. Redshirt freshman AJ Maddox besides returns.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The antiaircraft beforehand volition look mostly antithetic aft losing NFL first-round draught prime Walter Nolen III, ends Princely Umanmielen and Jared Ivey, and tackle JJ Pegues to the pros. Ole Miss does bring backmost a promising radical with elder tackle Zxavian Harris and promising sophomores Kam Franklin and Jamarious Brown. The squad besides addressed the pass-rushing departures with transfers Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska) and Da'Shawn Womack (LSU). Ole Miss' violative enactment apt volition beryllium fluid until the season, aft injuries cropped up this spring. Tackles Diego Pounds and Jayden Williams instrumentality with starting experience, and Ole Miss added a imaginable plug-and-play transportation successful Patrick Kutas (Arkansas), arsenic good arsenic promising younger linemen specified arsenic Delano Townsend (UAB).

Roster management: Ole Miss had 1 of its astir talented rosters successful decades past autumn and won 10 games but fell abbreviated of the CFP. Kiffin has had bully occurrence successful the portal and continued during this rhythm to load up connected antiaircraft backs, borderline rushers, violative linemen similar Kutas and a radical of receivers headlined by De'Zhaun Stribling (Oklahoma State) and Harrison Wallace III (Penn State). They articulation apical returning wideout, inferior Cayden Lee, among respective cardinal holdovers -- inferior linebacker Suntarine Perkins, Harris, choky extremity Dae'Quan Wright -- from 2024. The Rebels took a fewer portal hits successful the secondary but astir of their outgoing transfers were reserves. Ole Miss has relied little connected precocious schoolhouse players, but signed ESPN's No. 16 people for 2025.

Star power: Perkins earned third-team All-SEC honors past autumn aft starring the squad successful tackles for nonaccomplishment (14) and tying for the apical spot successful sacks (10.5). Wide receiver volition beryllium a spot to ticker arsenic Lee, Stribling and Wallace each vie for catches and postseason recognition. Ole Miss added second-team All-Sun Belt moving backmost Damien Taylor, and immoderate of the incoming linemen -- Umanmielen, Kutas, Williams -- could beryllium successful the All-SEC mix. Running backmost Logan Diggs besides could beryllium worthy watching arsenic helium comes backmost from an ACL injury.

Coaching staff: Kiffin and his unit look an absorbing roster reset aft losing truthful galore top-level talents. The coaches volition bash truthful without dealing with overmuch change, arsenic coordinators Pete Golding (defense) and Charlie Weis Jr. (offense) are back, alongside astir of the presumption coaches. Kiffin has done a bully occupation of keeping assistants amid a palmy agelong connected the field.

15. Florida Gators

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Top 10 nationalist enlistee DJ Lagway emerged arsenic Florida's starter past season, and displayed awesome deep-ball accuracy, finishing with 1,915 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He didn't propulsion this outpouring due to the fact that of a enarthrosis wounded but should beryllium acceptable for preseason camp.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Extremely likely. Florida rightfully is riding with Lagway and the lone question entering 2025 concerns his shoulder/elbow health. The squad added immoderate seasoned security down him with Louisville transportation Harrison Bailey.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Both groups task well, particularly an violative enactment that returns 4 starters, including All-America halfway Jake Slaughter and defender Damieon George Jr. The Gators excelled successful some walk extortion and tally blocking, and promising sophomore Bryce Lovett is pegged to instrumentality implicit astatine close tackle. Florida brings backmost 1 of the SEC's apical antiaircraft enactment tandems successful elder tackle Caleb Banks and elder extremity Tyreak Sapp, who led the squad successful some sacks (7) and tackles for nonaccomplishment (13). Jamari Lyons is backmost from a breached ankle, and borderline George Gumbs Jr. had 5 sacks past fall.

Roster management: A tiny fig of incoming transfers (seven) underscores however pleased Florida is with its returning group. The Gators retained respective players who could person gone to the NFL, particularly linemen Slaughter, Banks and Sapp. They besides brought backmost 1 of the nation's apical young violative backfields successful Lagway and moving backmost Jadan Baugh. Florida added seasoned transportation wide receiver J.Michael Sturdivant (UCLA) and respective extent pieces successful the secondary and antiaircraft front. The Gators signed consecutive No. 10 recruiting classes.

Star power: Coach Billy Napier has his champion roster entering Year 4, headlined by an established prima successful Slaughter, experienced antiaircraft linemen successful Banks and Sapp, and a radical of breathtaking non-seniors, including Lagway, Baugh and information Bryce Thornton. Sturdivant led Cal successful receiving successful 2022 and earned honorable notation All-Pac-12 honors. Both of Florida's lines could beryllium well-represented connected the All-SEC teams.

Coaching staff: Napier is successful a overmuch stronger presumption aft a beardown decorativeness to 2024. He brought successful Vinnie Sunseri to regenerate Austin Armstrong astatine antiaircraft coordinator and enactment alongside seasoned Ron Roberts. Russ Callaway is backmost to pb the violative unit and enactment with Lagway.

14. SMU Mustangs

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 22

Returning quarterback: Yes. Kevin Jennings surely wasn't astatine his champion successful his astir caller show -- throwing 3 interceptions against Penn State successful a CFP first-round crippled -- but helium inactive helped the Mustangs to the ACC rubric crippled and the playoff successful their archetypal play arsenic an ACC member. Jennings enactment up fantabulous wide numbers successful his archetypal play arsenic the starter, passing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns, and adding 5 rushing scores.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. Jennings volition beryllium a redshirt inferior this autumn and is acceptable up to pb SMU done the 2026 season. SMU has bully continuity astir him with violative coordinator Casey Woods and quarterbacks manager D'Eriq King.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: SMU's antiaircraft enactment gets overlooked astatine times with each the attraction connected the offense, but manager Rhett Lashlee and his unit person built precise bully fronts. Despite immoderate cardinal departures, the Mustangs bring backmost elder ends Cameron Robertson and Isaiah Smith, who combined for 14 sacks and 19 tackles for nonaccomplishment successful 2024. The squad besides addressed the interior with Purdue transportation Jeffrey M'Ba and besides picked up immoderate depth. SMU's violative enactment returns tackle PJ Williams and defender Logan Parr, who some earned third-team All-ACC honors past fall, and tackle Savion Byrd. Transfer Addison Nichols started passim 2024 for Arkansas.

Roster management: Lashlee and his unit proceed to bash a bully occupation here, retaining a fig of All-ACC players portion being targeted with portal additions and helping positions similar antiaircraft tackle and the interior violative line. The wide fig of defenders leaving could interaction 2025 but SMU has others acceptable for bigger roles. SMU mislaid backmost enlistee Keelon Russell to Alabama but inactive signed ESPN's No. 30 people for 2025.

Star power: After a CFP breakthrough, SMU returns respective standouts connected some sides of the ball. Jennings has a large accidental to rebound aft a unsmooth postseason, and volition person immoderate extortion up beforehand with Williams, Parr and Byrd, arsenic good arsenic a proven people successful choky extremity RJ Maryland. The defence retains immoderate sizzle, arsenic first-team All-ACC enactment Isaiah Nwokobia and Ahmaad Moses signifier a bully tandem astatine safety. Defensive ends Robertson and Smith should contend for all-league honors.

Coaching staff: Lashlee has taken SMU to the adjacent level and brings backmost his unit contempt caput coaching involvement successful coordinators Woods and Scott Symons (defense). The lone uncertainty is whether Lashlee, who volition undoubtedly beryllium targeted by SEC teams with vacancies, remains successful Dallas oregon tries to marque a determination successful 2026.

13. Michigan Wolverines

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 5

Returning quarterback: No (thankfully?). Michigan needed a reset astatine backmost aft a dreadful passing season, and volition crook to No. 1 wide enlistee Bryce Underwood oregon Fresno State transportation Mikey Keene this season.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Extremely. The Wolverines person gone each successful with Underwood, their archetypal mega precocious schoolhouse signing of the NIL era. Unless things spell precise wrong, Underwood volition beryllium starring Michigan's discourtesy done the 2026 play and beyond.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Line play propelled Michigan's tally to 3 consecutive Big Ten titles and the 2023 nationalist championship, but some groups person been deed by NFL exits. The antiaircraft enactment should beryllium coagulated this autumn if tackle transfers Tre Williams (Clemson) and Damon Payne Jr. (Alabama) cookware out. The violative enactment enters a important play with less-established players, and young tackles similar Andrew Sprague and Evan Link indispensable support developing.

Roster management: Coach Sherrone Moore is starting to flex immoderate recruiting muscle, arsenic Michigan finished with ESPN's No. 7 people for 2025, boosted by Underwood. Michigan has been astute and selective successful the portal, and its additions on some lines and astatine moving backmost with Alabama transportation Justice Haynes volition interaction the upcoming season.

Star power: There are monolithic expectations astir Underwood, and his improvement the adjacent 2 seasons volition signifier Michigan's wide outlook. The Wolverines instrumentality 1 of the nation's champion kickers successful Dominic Zvada, and defenders similar extremity Derrick Moore and cornerback Zeke Berry should contend for All-Big Ten honors.

Coaching staff: Moore has settled successful aft overmuch of the unit followed predecessor Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers. He volition beryllium judged mostly connected the occurrence of violative coordinator Chip Lindsey, who had nary erstwhile ties to Moore oregon Michigan. The squad retained antiaircraft coordinator Wink Martindale for a 2nd season.

12. Arizona State Sun Devils

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: Not ranked

Returning quarterback: Yes. Redshirt sophomore Sam Leavitt is backmost aft helping Arizona State to a Big 12 rubric and a CFP appearance. The Big 12 Freshman and Newcomer of the Year acceptable an ASU freshman grounds with 3,328 yards of full offense.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Hinges connected the upcoming season. Leavitt has 3 years of eligibility near but besides tin determination to the NFL aft the 2025 season. Coach Kenny Dillingham thinks helium volition beryllium a coveted pro prospect, arsenic helium showed accuracy, ratio and the quality to propulsion the heavy ball.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: The violative enactment returns bully acquisition and extent contempt losing first-team All-Big 12 halfway Leif Fautanu. Four seniors with starting acquisition -- tackles Josh Atkins and Max Iheanachor, defender Kyle Scott and guard/center Ben Coleman are each back. ASU besides added Texas State transportation Jimeto Obigbo arsenic an reply astatine guard. The antiaircraft beforehand drew beardown reviews this outpouring down a seasoned halfway -- seniors Clayton Smith, Prince Dorbah, Justin Wodtly and Jacob Kongaika, and inferior C.J. Fite. ASU has been fantabulous against the tally but looks for much pass-rushing production.

Roster management: Dillingham has taken a refreshing attack toward the portal, making immoderate bully additions -- particularly successful the secondary -- with Kyndrich Breedlove (Purdue), Adrian Wilson (Washington State) and others, arsenic good arsenic astatine moving backmost with Army's Kanye Udoh. The Sun Devils are disconnected to a promising commencement successful 2026 recruiting with ESPN's No. 9 class.

Star power: Arizona State has plentifulness coming disconnected of the CFP team. Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson are some All-America benignant candidates. Senior choky extremity Chamon Metayer earned All-Big-12 designation successful 2024, arsenic did information Xavion Alford connected the antiaircraft side. Several linemen should beryllium successful the all-league premix this year, including Smith astatine antiaircraft extremity and Coleman, who shifts to center.

Coaching staff: Dillingham has made ASU a desirable destination for some players and coaches. ASU returns some superior coordinators from the Big 12 title team, including OC Marcus Arroyo, a Broyles Award finalist successful 2024. The unit has a bully premix of younker and experience, connected apical of a large sanction similar wide receivers manager Hines Ward, a four-time Pro Bowl receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Kenny Dillingham: ASU facing a antithetic benignant of adversity this year

Arizona State caput manager Kenny Dillingham explains the differences his squad is facing this play aft coming disconnected a Big 12 rubric past season.

11. Miami Hurricanes

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 24

Returning quarterback: No. Cam Ward had record-setting numbers successful his lone play astatine the U, earlier becoming the No. 1 prime successful April's NFL draft. Miami made arguably an adjacent bigger transportation portal splash successful landing Carson Beck, a multiyear starter astatine Georgia.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very slim. Beck, who entered the 2024 play arsenic 1 of the apical NFL prospects astatine quarterback, volition beryllium playing his sixth and last assemblage season. Miami volition springiness him the reins earlier changing QBs again successful 2026. Backup Emory Williams, who started doubly successful 2023 and performed good successful Miami's outpouring game, is simply a redshirt sophomore.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Coach Mario Cristobal doubled down connected emphasizing enactment play this offseason, and hopes a premix of experienced returnees and transfers produces the close formula. Defensive ends Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. anchor the beforehand aft combining for 9 sacks past season. Bain has precocious NFL draught imaginable entering his inferior season. Junior Ahmad Moten is backmost to antheral 1 of the interior spots. Cristobal volition physique the violative enactment astir inferior tackle Francis Mauigoa and transportation halfway James Brockermeyer, an honorable notation All-Big 12 enactment astatine TCU. The O-line depth, not surprisingly, is strong.

Roster management: If championships were awarded for portal prowess and recruiting, Cristobal would person a fewer astatine Miami. He's relentless with some transfers and precocious schoolhouse recruits, and has upgraded the programme successful some areas. Miami's transportation haul includes Beck, a beardown harvest of antiaircraft backs that includes Charles Brantley (Michigan State) and Xavier Lucas (Wisconsin), Brockermeyer and a new-look wide receiver radical that includes CJ Daniels (LSU). Miami mislaid a fewer contributors but gained more. Cristobal has signed consecutive top-15 recruiting classes, and the 2026 radical ranks 15th.

Star power: Miami isn't lacking present with Beck, a two-year starter astatine Georgia, arsenic good arsenic returnees specified arsenic Mauigoa, Bain and Mesidor connected the violative line, and moving backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle. Several of the non-QB transfers should beryllium successful the mix, too, including Brantley, Lucas, Brockermeyer and Daniels.

Coaching staff: After falling conscionable shy of the CFP successful 2024, Miami has nary excuses arsenic it enters its 4th play nether Cristobal. Shannon Dawson is backmost aft coordinating the nation's apical discourtesy past season, and Cristobal made a astute prosecute with caller antiaircraft coordinator Corey Hetherman from Minnesota. Hetherman volition oversee a unit with 3 caller presumption coaches.

10. Alabama Crimson Tide

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 4

Returning quarterback: No. Jalen Milroe is disconnected to the NFL aft 2 seasons arsenic Alabama's starter. He had 2,884 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, and led the Tide successful rushing with 726 yards and 20 scores.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Very likely. All 3 players competing for the apical occupation -- redshirt inferior Ty Simpson, redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and incoming freshman Keelon Russell -- person aggregate seasons of eligibility left. Simpson had 25 walk attempts successful six games past fall.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Alabama surely volition miss NFL first-round draught prime Tyler Booker connected its violative line, but a bully halfway of starters returns, including second-team All-SEC tackle Kadyn Proctor, halfway Parker Brailsford and defender Jaeden Roberts. The squad tin physique astir them with Texas A&M transportation Kam Dewberry and others, but the wide outlook is bully done 2026. Alabama lacked a ascendant walk rusher past play but returns a coagulated interior tandem successful elder Tim Keenan III and inferior James Smith. LT Overton is backmost astatine extremity aft a team-high 9 backmost hurries. Florida transportation Kelby Collins volition beryllium a factor.

Roster management: The Tide took much extent hits with portal losses but kept their mainstay players astatine astir positions, including wide receiver Ryan Williams, Proctor, linebacker Deontae Lawson and antiaircraft backs Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown and Keon Sabb. Alabama didn't adhd a ton of transfers but addressed extent connected some lines and connected the perimeter with wide receiver Isaiah Horton (Miami) and choky extremity Brody Dalton (Troy). Coach Kalen DeBoer's archetypal afloat recruiting people ranked No. 4 nationally, including Russell, a five-star player, and 14 different ESPN 300 prospects. The 2026 class, though, is disconnected to a slower start.

Star power: There's a crushed Williams is 1 of the cover players for EA Sports College Football 26. He should beryllium successful contention for nationalist honors, on with Proctor, Lawson and perchance others. The 325-pound Keenan could beryllium poised for a large twelvemonth astatine antiaircraft tackle, and Alabama's retention successful the secondary could nutrient much All-SEC-type players. Jam Miller should beryllium Alabama's featured moving backmost aft rushing for 668 yards past fall.

Coaching staff: DeBoer should person much of an imprint connected the roster and programme successful Year 2, but indispensable present a CFP appearance, astatine minimum. He reunited with violative coordinator Ryan Grubb, his OC astatine Washington and Fresno State, and retained the remainder of his on-field staff.

9. Tennessee Volunteers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 13

Returning quarterback: Surprisingly, no. Nico Iamaleava's stunning departure astatine the extremity of outpouring signifier dramatically altered Tennessee's plans astatine QB. Iamaleava was lone a sophomore and conceivably could person led the discourtesy done astatine slightest 2026. Instead, Tennessee had to scramble for a replacement successful the outpouring portal.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. After making runs astatine respective established Power 4 quarterbacks, Tennessee added Joey Aguilar successful what was fundamentally a QB swap with UCLA. Aguilar went done the outpouring with the Bruins aft transferring from Appalachian State, wherever helium had 2 3,000-yard passing seasons. He's a senior, truthful Tennessee volition request a caller starter successful 2026, perchance redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger oregon incoming freshman George MacIntyre, an ESPN 300 recruit.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Tennessee not lone volition person a caller backmost but a mostly caller violative enactment blocking for him. Cooper Mays and respective different interior enactment mainstays are gone arsenic the Vols physique astir tackle Lance Heard with transfers Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame) and Wendell Moe (Arizona). Other returnees volition instrumentality connected bigger roles on with the summation of decorated incoming freshman tackle David Sanders Jr., ESPN's No. 7 wide recruit. There are less questions connected the antiaircraft enactment contempt James Pearce Jr.'s exit to the NFL, arsenic Tennessee returns elder tackles Bryson Eason and Jaxson Moi, and elder borderline Joshua Josephs, who had a team-high 3 forced fumbles successful 2024. Dominic Bailey and Tyre West adhd extent to the extremity spot aft combining for 4 sacks past season.

Roster management: Iamaleava's departure was jarring and creates much uncertainty astir a Tennessee squad that reached the CFP past autumn but loses 4 players to the NFL draught and different cardinal contributors. The Vols didn't bash a ton successful the portal different than their violative enactment additions and grabbing moving backmost Star Thomas, a productive transportation from Duke. Tennessee mislaid a fig of antiaircraft contributors to different Power 4 programs, arsenic good arsenic Squirrel White and respective different wide receivers. Colorado transportation Colton Hood is simply a bully pickup for the secondary. The Vols retained standout cornerback Jermod McCoy, linebacker and apical tackler Arion Carter and others connected defense, and productive choky extremity Miles Kitselman and respective cardinal wideouts. Tennessee is recruiting good with top-15 classes successful 2024 and 2025, and ranks No. 18 for its 2026 class.

Star power: McCoy earned second-team All-SEC honors past play aft sharing the squad pb with 4 interceptions, portion adding a forced fumble. Carter, Josephs and different returning defenders should beryllium all-conference contenders. Coach Josh Heupel's discourtesy creates opportunities for stardom, which should assistance Aguilar, Thomas, the returning receivers and different moving backs similar sophomores DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis. Moe was a second-team All-Pac 12 enactment for Arizona successful 2023.

Coaching staff: After starring Tennessee to its archetypal playoff appearance, Heupel has exceeded astir extracurricular expectations with a 37-15 grounds successful Knoxville. He brings backmost superior coordinators Tim Banks (defense) and Joey Halzle (offense), portion making a fewer changes to the radical of presumption coaches.

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1:33

Why Finebaum says Georgia, Tennessee QB situations are not fine

Paul Finebaum breaks down the backmost situations for Georgia, Texas and Tennessee up of the assemblage shot season.

8. LSU Tigers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 8

Returning quarterback: Yes. Garrett Nussmeier waited his crook to commencement and capitalized successful 2024, finishing 5th nationally successful passing yards (4,052) and rising into the apical 10 crossed respective LSU vocation passing class charts. He's 10-4 arsenic LSU's starter with 2 vessel MVP awards.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Extremely unlikely. Nussmeier is backmost for his 5th and last play and volition beryllium a apical Heisman Trophy campaigner and NFL draught prospect. He ranks ninth successful LSU past with 5,772 passing yards contempt starting lone 1 afloat season. LSU added sophomore Michael Van Buren Jr., who became Mississippi State's superior starter past fall, arsenic a backup.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: LSU mislaid players connected some lines to the NFL, including violative tackle Will Campbell, the No. 4 selection. The antiaircraft beforehand projects arsenic 1 of the team's stronger groups, arsenic LSU added cardinal transfers Patrick Payton (Florida State), Jack Pyburn (Florida), Jimari Butler (Nebraska) and others. Payton has 15 vocation sacks. The Tigers besides person respective promising sophomores, including Dominick McKinley, who had 3 sacks past fall. Sophomore DJ Chester is the lone returning starter connected the violative line, which added notable transfers successful halfway Braelin Moore (Virginia Tech) and defender Josh Thompson (Northwestern). Coach Brian Kelly likes the extent of a radical without galore seniors.

Roster management: The Tigers had collected respective bully transfers successful the portal epoch but hadn't made an all-out propulsion similar what happened successful the wintertime and spring. LSU made cardinal gains astatine wide receiver with Barion Brown (Kentucky) and Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), some lines, the choky extremity country with Bauer Sharp (Oklahoma) and the secondary with cornerback Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech) and others. The Tigers besides retained Nussmeier, standout linebacker Whit Weeks and apical receiver Aaron Anderson, didn't suffer galore mainstays and brought successful the nation's No. 8 recruiting class, which includes imaginable aboriginal contributors similar cornerback D.J. Pickett and moving backmost Harlem Berry. The 2026 people presently ranks 11th nationally.

Star power: Nussmeier volition beryllium connected each the nationalist grant lists arsenic helium tries to physique connected a 4,000-yard passing play and instrumentality LSU backmost to the CFP. LSU's discourtesy besides could enactment players similar Brown, Nic Anderson, Aaron Anderson, Sharp and apical rusher Caden Durham connected the All-SEC radar. The Tigers bring backmost Weeks, a first-team All-SEC subordinate who volition beryllium successful the nationalist awards conversation, arsenic good arsenic all-conference instrumentality specializer Zavion Thomas. Delane earned third-team All-ACC honors past fall, and respective of LSU's transportation linemen -- Thompson, Moore, Payton -- should contend for those lists.

Coaching staff: Kelly is inactive seeking his archetypal CFP quality astatine LSU, wherever his 3 predecessors -- Ed Orgeron, Les Miles and Nick Saban -- had already won nationalist titles by this constituent successful their tenures. (Orgeron was interim manager successful 2016.) He has bully unit continuity with coordinators Blake Baker (defense) and Joe Sloan (offense), and added erstwhile Florida State violative coordinator Alex Atkins arsenic choky ends coach.

7. Clemson Tigers

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 12

Returning quarterback: Yes. Cade Klubnik is backmost for his 3rd and last play arsenic Clemson's starter, aft taking a important measurement successful 2024. He accounted for 43 touchdowns and finished with 3,639 passing yards and 4,102 yards of full offense.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Highly unlikely. The 2025 play belongs to Klubnik, who volition permission Clemson arsenic 1 of its astir accomplished quarterbacks. Barring a large injury, Klubnik volition pb the Tigers earlier moving onto the NFL. Backup Christopher Vizzina is simply a redshirt sophomore.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Clemson's champion teams person fantabulous antiaircraft lines, and the 2025 mentation projects precise well. All-America candidates T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are back, and some are projected arsenic apical picks for the 2026 NFL draft. Clemson yet dipped its toed into the transportation portal and added Purdue antiaircraft extremity Will Heldt, who had 5 sacks and 10 tackles for nonaccomplishment past fall. Veteran tackle DeMonte Capehart is besides back. The violative enactment returns 4 starters, including 3 -- halfway Ryan Linthicum, tackle Tristan Leigh and defender Walker Parks -- who received honorable notation All-ACC honors.

Roster management: The large alteration is manager Dabo Swinney's willingness to adhd a fewer portal pieces. Heldt joins an already talented antiaircraft line, and Missouri State's Tristan Smith provides a large framework (6-foot-5, 205 pounds) for the receiving corps. Clemson had a comparatively tiny fig of outgoing transfers, though antiaircraft tackle Tre Williams could beryllium missed.

Star power: Clemson is loaded connected some sides of the shot and astatine positions wherever it historically thrives, similar antiaircraft enactment and wide receiver. Parker and Woods are nationalist awards candidates, on with Klubnik and wide receiver Antonio Williams, a first-team All-ACC enactment past year. Cornerback Avieon Terrell was a second-team all-league selection, and respective violative linemen should summation consideration, including Linthicum, Parks and Leigh.

Coaching staff: After a astonishing ACC rubric and a not astonishing aboriginal CFP exit, Swinney has a squad poised for a nationalist rubric push. He made a indispensable antiaircraft coordinator alteration to boost a regressing portion and hired Tom Allen, the erstwhile Indiana manager who helped Penn State to the CFP semifinal arsenic coordinator successful 2024.

6. Penn State Nittany Lions

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 10

Returning quarterback: Yes. Drew Allar returns for his 3rd play arsenic Penn State's starter aft earning honorable notation All-Big Ten honors and finishing arsenic a Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Not happening. Barring injury, Allar volition play his last assemblage play and past go 1 of the apical picks successful the 2026 NFL draft.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Penn State's emergence to go a nationalist contender not amazingly has coincided with betterment and stableness on the violative enactment nether manager Phil Trautwein. Seniors Drew Shelton and Nick Dawkins should transportation the radical successful 2026, and respective non-seniors similar inferior defender Olaivavega Ioane are successful the fold. PSU indispensable regenerate All-America extremity Abdul Carter but has different prima walk rusher successful Dani Dennis-Sutton, and veterans similar tackle Zane Durant.

Roster management: Penn State had a reasonably airy portal twelvemonth but for astatine its astir pressing presumption of need: wide receiver, wherever it added All-ACC enactment Trebor Pena (Syracuse), arsenic good arsenic Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC). The squad did a large occupation retaining its apical stars, including Allar, Dennis-Sutton and moving backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. After hovering astir the apical 10-15 successful recruiting classes, Penn State is disconnected to a beardown commencement for 2026 with the No. 4 class.

Star power: There is plentifulness for 2025 arsenic Allar, Singleton, Allen and Dennis-Sutton volition beryllium connected the nationalist radar. Pena could beryllium among the Big Ten's apical receivers and respective others are worthy watching, including Ioane, antiaircraft backs A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley and linebackers Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca.

Coaching staff: James Franklin reached his 2nd Big Ten rubric crippled and secured his archetypal 2 CFP victories successful 2024, but the "Big Game James" statement inactive volition travel him, particularly successful a 2025 play packed with pressure. He retained talented violative coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and overmuch of the staff, and made a large splash by hiring antiaircraft coordinator Jim Knowles distant from Ohio State.

5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 7

Returning quarterback: No. Riley Leonard helped Notre Dame to its archetypal 3 CFP wins and a nationalist rubric crippled quality successful his lone twelvemonth with the Irish. He was a sixth-round NFL draught prime by Indianapolis.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB connected roster: Definite potential. Notre Dame volition spell with redshirt freshman CJ Carr oregon third-year sophomore Kenny Minchey arsenic its starter successful 2025. Carr, ESPN's No. 36 wide enlistee successful the 2024 class, has been labeled Notre Dame's backmost of the aboriginal and could participate that relation this fall.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Notre Dame's extent on some lines showed up repeatedly successful 2024 aft a drawstring of large injuries. The upshot is an violative enactment that, contempt nary seniors arsenic projected starters, should beryllium 1 of the nation's astir talented groups. Notre Dame could person a remarkably akin O-line the adjacent 2 seasons with tackle Anthonie Knapp and guard/tackle Charles Jagusah carrying sophomore eligibility. The antiaircraft enactment indispensable regenerate much successful the abbreviated word but regains edges Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore from wounded and returns Joshua Burnham, Gabriel Rubio and others.

Roster management: Coach Marcus Freeman has accelerated Notre Dame's recruiting efforts, arsenic the team's 2026 recruiting people presently sits astatine No. 3 successful ESPN's nationalist rankings. The Irish aren't a measurement transportation program, but they addressed a wide request astatine wide receiver with Malachi Fields (Virginia) and Will Pauling (Wisconsin). Notre Dame besides enhanced its extent successful the secondary with cornerback DeVonta Smith (Alabama) and information Jalen Stroman (Virginia Tech). The Irish did a bully occupation retaining arguably the nation's champion moving backmost country and its talented young violative linemen.

Star power: The squad has a bona fide Heisman Trophy campaigner successful moving backmost Jeremiyah Love, whose electrical velocity and added bulk apt volition summation his usage. Several violative linemen should beryllium successful the premix for nationalist awards, arsenic volition defenders similar linebacker Drayk Bowen, cornerback Leonard Moore and information Adon Shuler.

Coaching staff: After immoderate unsightly losses, Freeman's tally to the nationalist rubric crippled established him arsenic 1 of the sport's apical young coaches. An violative unit led by coordinator Mike Denbrock is loaded with experience. New antiaircraft coordinator Chris Ash fills large shoes successful replacing Al Golden, the Broyles Award winner.

4. Oregon Ducks

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 6

Returning quarterback: No. For the 2nd consecutive year, Oregon indispensable regenerate a record-setting backmost successful Dillon Gabriel, an NFL third-round draught prime of Cleveland.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A definite possibility. Dante Moore volition beryllium entering his 3rd assemblage play and 2nd astatine Oregon aft transferring successful from UCLA. Moore, ESPN's No. 2 wide enlistee successful 2023, started 5 games for UCLA but hardly played past autumn and mightiness payment from 2 afloat seasons arsenic a assemblage starter.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Coach Dan Lanning has been masterful successful gathering up Oregon's enactment play, but some groups volition beryllium tested aft caller NFL draught losses. The antiaircraft extremity spot looks beardown with juniors Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti some back, but determination are immoderate contiguous questions inside. Oregon's violative enactment volition beryllium transfer-heavy successful the abbreviated word with Isaiah World (Nevada), Alex Harkey (Texas State) and Emmanuel Pregnon (USC) arriving.

Roster management: Lanning has been everything Oregon asked for and much successful the unit space. Oregon is consistently contending for apical recruits and transfers, adding respective for 2025 astatine violative line, moving backmost Makhi Hughes (Tulane) and antiaircraft backs Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) and Theran Johnson (Northwestern). Oregon signed top-eight recruiting classes successful the past 3 seasons. In the 2025 class, the Ducks signed five-star receiver Dakorien Moore, who could marque an immediate interaction this fall.

Star power: Despite losing a team-record 10 players to the NFL draft, Oregon retained imaginable nationalist grant candidates similar Uiagalelei and linebacker Bryce Boettcher portion adding interaction transfers similar Hughes, World, Thieneman and Johnson. Moore surely has the quality to go Oregon's adjacent interaction quarterback. Another apical player, receiver Evan Stewart, would apt person been a large sanction successful the 2025 season, but helium suffered a genu wounded successful aboriginal June that could bounds his availability this season.

Coaching staff: Lanning has made Oregon a spot wherever some players and coaches privation to stay. He retained his coordinators and mislaid lone 1 adjunct to the NFL from the Big Ten title team. Oregon's unit is filled with younger coaches who thrive successful recruiting.

3. Georgia Bulldogs

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 1

Returning quarterback: Kind of. Carson Beck was Georgia's superior starter the past 2 seasons, but his elbow wounded successful the SEC title crippled enactment the spotlight connected Gunner Stockton, who finished that contention and started the CFP quarterfinal against Notre Dame. Now, Stockton is backmost arsenic a redshirt junior.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: A batch depends connected this fall. Georgia opted not to adhd a proven transportation pursuing Beck's departure, and volition spell with Stockton, the No. 110 wide enlistee successful 2022, who has waited his turn. If helium pans out, helium could play done 2026. Georgia besides has redshirt freshman Ryan Puglisi and different younger quarterbacks, but could spell transportation hunting.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Both lines suffer players to the NFL draft, including antiaircraft extremity Mykel Williams, the No. 11 pick. Georgia returns Christen Miller, who started 10 games connected the antiaircraft line, on with Gabe Harris Jr. and Jordan Hall, who was constricted by injuries past fall. The violative enactment brings backmost lone 1 starter successful Earnest Greene III, who enters his 3rd twelvemonth with the apical group, but needs part-time starters Micah Morris and Drew Bobo to instrumentality connected bigger roles, and different extent pieces to develop.

Roster management: Georgia's determination not to adhd a transportation backmost volition beryllium scrutinized if Stockton struggles, but the squad brought successful endowment astatine different violative accomplishment spots, including wide receivers Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M), and moving backmost Josh McCray, who led 10-win Illinois successful rushing past fall. The squad added to its extent connected defence and retained astir of its champion players different than Beck, a astonishment portal entry. Georgia signed ESPN's top-ranked recruiting people successful 2024 and No. 2 people this year.

Star power: Georgia loses astir of its All-SEC players different than cornerback Daylen Everette and punter Brett Thorson, some third-team selections. Miller should beryllium successful the premix for all-league honors, but determination aren't galore evident candidates on the lines. Running backmost Nate Frazier volition beryllium successful much of a featured relation aft a coagulated freshman season. Branch has high-level imaginable arsenic a receiver and a instrumentality man, and Thomas led Texas A&M successful receiving past fall. Georgia besides has much acquisition successful the secondary with information KJ Bolden and others coming back.

Coaching staff: Smart won his 3rd SEC rubric past autumn but is looking for his archetypal CFP triumph since claiming the 2nd of consecutive nationalist titles successful 2023. Despite speculation astir violative coordinator Mike Bobo, determination was nary alteration determination and astir of the unit returns, including antiaircraft coordinator Glenn Schumann, a campaigner for North Carolina's coaching vacancy.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 2

Returning quarterback: No. Will Howard helped Ohio State to a nationalist rubric successful his lone play arsenic a Buckeye, and past was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers successful the sixth circular of the NFL draft.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Quite likely. Ohio State has the smallest and slightest experienced backmost country of manager Ryan Day's tenure, chiefly due to the fact that Julian Sayin is successful enactment to instrumentality over. Sayin, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Alabama aft Nick Saban retired, was ESPN's No. 9 enlistee successful the 2024 class. He indispensable bushed retired inferior Lincoln Kienholz but could pb the discourtesy astatine slightest done 2026.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Both lines volition look antithetic aft losing 3 first-round NFL draught picks -- Donovan Jackson, Tyleik Williams and Josh Simmons -- and 3 others successful the apical 150 selections. New violative enactment manager Tyler Bowen indispensable physique astir juniors Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery, arsenic good arsenic respective transfers. Veteran D-line manager Larry Johnson needs the adjacent question of unreserved men, including ends Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Caden Curry, to descent successful for those gone to the league.

Roster management: Ohio State addressed some lines successful the portal, starting successful the wintertime with violative tackles Ethan Onianwa (Rice) and Phillip Daniels (Minnesota), and past adding walk rusher Beau Atkinson from North Carolina. Tight extremity Max Klare (Purdue) could beryllium a monolithic summation to the passing game. The Buckeyes had top-5 recruiting classes successful 2024 and 2025, and their 2026 people ranks No. 3.

Star power: Despite losing a record-tying 14 players to the NFL draft, Ohio State mightiness person the nation's champion wide subordinate successful wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who volition besides play successful 2026, and possibly the champion defender successful Caleb Downs. Linebacker Sonny Styles projects arsenic 1 of the nation's apical linebackers, and transfers similar Klare connected discourtesy and Atkinson connected defence should marque a large impact.

Coaching staff: Day is simply a caller antheral aft winning his archetypal nationalist title, which validates truthful overmuch of his success. He oversees 1 of the apical unit operations successful the sport, though determination are immoderate renewed questions astir his coordinator spots, with Brian Hartline returning arsenic the superior OC and longtime NFL manager Matt Patricia coming successful to tally the defense.

1. Texas Longhorns

Previous aboriginal powerfulness ranking: 3

Returning quarterback: No. Quinn Ewers was Texas' superior starter for the past 3 seasons and became a seventh-round NFL draught prime by Miami Dolphins.

Likelihood of a multiyear QB: Wouldn't regularisation it out. Arch Manning yet becomes QB1 for the Longhorns, and helium could presumption himself arsenic a apical NFL draught enactment successful 2026. But Manning is successful a unsocial concern due to the fact that of his inheritance and the wealth helium has already earned successful college. He doesn't request to unreserved disconnected to statesman his pro vocation and could payment from a 2nd play arsenic the starter nether manager Steve Sarkisian.

Offensive line/defensive enactment outlook: Sarkisian got the Texas occupation mostly due to the fact that of his estimation with playcalling and quarterbacks, but his top gains person travel up front, particularly elevating an underperforming violative line. The situation volition beryllium replacing six linemen (three offense, 3 defense) selected successful the NFL draft. Senior defender DJ Campbell is the lone violative enactment starter returning, and Texas volition request tackle Trevor Goosby and others to measurement up. There are a fewer much certainties connected the antiaircraft beforehand with Colin Simmons and Ethan Burke some back, but the interior volition person immoderate questions.

Roster management: Sarkisian has backed up the recruiting expectations, signing ESPN's top-rated 2025 people aft bringing successful the No. 5 people successful 2024. Texas was selective successful the portal and made rather perchance its biggest splash successful the outpouring with choky extremity Jack Endries from Cal. The antiaircraft tackle spot has been deed hard by the past 2 NFL drafts, and Texas supplemented with transfers Cole Brevard (Purdue), Travis Shaw (North Carolina) and Hero Kanu (Ohio State).

Star power: Manning volition beryllium the most-watched subordinate successful the athletics entering the autumn and seemingly has the endowment to go a nationalist awards candidate. Simmons and linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. volition beryllium connected the radar for apical antiaircraft honors, and information Michael Taaffe, sophomore wide receiver Ryan Wingo and others are worthy watching.

Coaching staff: Sarkisian's maturation arsenic a caput manager has been connected afloat show the past fewer seasons, arsenic helium led Texas to CFP appearances successful antithetic conferences. He's astatine an A-list occupation and apt isn't going anywhere, and helium has done a bully occupation establishing and maintaining a seasoned unit that includes coordinators Kyle Flood (offense), Pete Kwiatkowski (defense) and Jeff Banks (special teams).