One game remains to be played in the 2024 season, but everyone outside of Ohio State and Notre Dame has turned the page to 2025. So, it’s time to start arguing about next season. Ari Wasserman and I each made our own top 25 and averaged them together (hence the also receiving votes category), but we’re open to suggestions.
Texas: The Arch Manning Dilemma
Andy Staples: Are we putting too much on Arch Manning when Texas will be losing four starting offensive linemen and several skill position playmakers? Maybe. But Steve Sarkisian has shown in his time in Austin that he understands how to build and replenish a roster. Under Sark, the Texas future NFL player factory has chugged back to life following a long dormant period. Time for that assembly line to keep humming.
Ohio State’s Bright Future
Ari Wasserman: The Buckeyes are losing a large portion of their roster to the NFL after this season. Staying, though, are arguably the two best players in the country in receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Even after a quarterback transition, Ohio State will be loaded.
Oregon’s Quarterback Transition
Andy: We’re going to find out if quarterback Dante Moore made the correct choice when he decided to transfer from UCLA to Oregon so he could learn behind Dillon Gabriel. We’re also going to see the results of recruiting classes that have ranked between No. 3 and No. 7 the past three cycles. Dan Lanning is still happy to plug a hole with a sought-after portal player. The left side of the offensive line may be aptly named Nevada transfer Isaiah World at tackle and Wyoming/USC transfer Emmanuel Pregnon at guard.
Penn State’s Strong Core
Ari: Say what you want about Drew Allar’s performance in the College Football Playoff semifinals, it’s still a huge deal for Penn State that he’s returning next season. The Nittany Lions are bringing back a large chunk of their roster, which also includes running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State will be talented and experienced next year.
Notre Dame’s Offensive Line Dominance
Andy: The Fighting Irish offensive line is going to be excellent, and that’s a great place to start. Anthony Knapp replaced injured Charles Jagusah at left tackle in 2024, and both should come into the 2025 season healthy. All of Notre Dame’s 2024 starters have eligibility remaining, and star 2024 recruit Guerby Lambert is waiting in the wings along with 2025 signee Will Black, who is On3’s No. 2 overall player in the class of 2025. Some stars depart on defense, but young players like cornerback Leonard Moore already look capable of becoming the next stars.
Georgia’s Rebuilding Efforts
Ari: Our first look at quarterback Gunner Stockton was an encouraging view of Georgia’s history, even if it came in a loss to Notre Dame. Georgia recruits monster classes and are returning offensive starters like running back Nate Frazier, receiver Dillon Bell, and tight end Oscar Delp. We know Georgia’s defense is going to be nasty, too.
Illinois: A Missed Opportunity
Andy: Bielema was right. We messed up by leaving Illinois off when we made our Way, Way, Way Too Early 2025 Top 10, but in our defense, we didn’t yet know how many key players planned to put off the NFL for a year to return to Champaign. With QB Luke Altmyer, offensive lineman J.C. Davis, DB Xavier Scott, and linebacker Gabe Jacas back, the Illini have an incredible veteran core leading the way.
South Carolina’s Exciting Future
Ari: Is there a more exciting quarterback in the sport headed into the offseason than LaNorris Sellers? South Carolina tasted success this year, but if Sellers is more dynamic next year — alongside important pieces like left tackle Josiah Thompson and defensive end Dylan Stewart — the Gamecocks will be very good again.
Florida’s Rising Star
Andy: There might be one QB as exciting as Sellers. Rising Gators sophomore D.J. Lagway finished second in the nation in yards per attempt last year and should improve his accuracy with a full offseason as QB1. Meanwhile, the offensive and defensive lines that finished the season mauling potential playoff contenders will return intact.
Clemson’s Comeback Potential
Ari: Clemson’s season was solid given it ended with a trip to the ACC Championship Game, but the Tigers haven’t been what we became accustomed to expecting from Dabo Swinney. That could be changing. The Tigers are bringing back quarterback Cade Klubnik, defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, receiver Bryant Wesco Jr., and linebacker Sammy Brown. Oh, and Swinney is using the portal now? Clemson may be on its way back.
Volunteers’ Defensive Challenges
Andy: The Volunteers lose a lot of talent from their defensive line, but they were absurdly deep. Joshua Josephs (nine tackles for loss in 2024) takes over for James Pearce Jr. at the LEO edge rusher position. Tackle Jaxson Moi was supposed to redshirt 2024, but the Vols couldn’t keep him off the field. As the Ohio State loss highlighted, QB Nico Iamaleava needs some dynamic targets to emerge. Can sophomore Mike Matthews be that guy?
Alabama’s Rebuilding Phase
Ari: Kalen DeBoer went 9-4 in his first year as Alabama’s coach. That isn’t good enough. That said, he brought in a ton of talent in the latest recruiting cycle. Alabama will have a quarterback battle between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and incoming five-star Keelon Russell, but it has important pieces back like receivers Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. The defense will be experienced, too, so Alabama should be in the mix.
LSU’s Defensive Reinforcements
Andy: Having QB Garrett Nussmeier back is huge, but just as important was a concerted effort to improve the talent on defense through the transfer portal. The additions of cornerback Mansoor Delane (Virginia Tech), safety Tamarcus Cooley (N.C. State), defensive tackle Sydir Mitchell (Texas), and edges Jimari Butler (Nebraska), Patrick Payton (Florida State), and Jack Pyburn (Florida) should give coordinator Blake Baker more options. Plus, Baker gets to work with five-star plus cornerback signee D.J. Pickett. Nussmeier gets to throw to transfers Nic Anderson (Oklahoma) and Barion Brown (Kentucky), who should allow the offense to stretch the field.
BYU’s Surprising Success
Ari: BYU came out of nowhere this season to get an 11-win season and contend for the Big 12 title. Next year, the Cougars may make the conference championship game, especially because they don’t play Kansas State or Arizona State next season. They return a large portion of their roster, including quarterback Jake Retzlaff, running back LJ Martin, and all of its linebackers from a defense that was very good against the run.
Arizona State’s New Direction
Andy: Cam Skattebo is gone, but QB Sam Leavitt is back. He’s joined by top receiver Jordyn Tyson, who missed the Big 12 title game and the Peach Bowl after breaking his collarbone. Defensive tackle C.J. Fite, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, and DB Xavion Alford are back as well to provide leadership on the other side of the ball. We also now get to see how Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham handles roster build mode instead of roster rebuild mode.
Oklahoma’s Injury Woes
Ari: There is no team that had more bad luck with injuries than Oklahoma in 2024, which unquestionably contributed to the Sooners’ down season. Oklahoma brought in new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and star transfer quarterback John Mateer from Washington State. The Sooners’ offensive line should be improved next year, and the quarterback will be a star.
Texas A&M’s Offensive Strategy
Andy: The Aggies enter the offseason knowing they’re building the offense around QB Marcel Reed, which should help. Transfers Kevin Concepcion (N.C. State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State) should create more explosive plays. Edge Cashius Howell showed in the bowl game that he’s ready to replace Shemar Stewart, but the Aggies probably need one of the transfers Samuel M’Pemba (Georgia) or T.J. Searcy (Florida) to hit as well.
Kansas State’s Future Prospects
Ari: There was a ton of hype around quarterback Avery Johnson coming into this year. Though he was good, there is another step he can take, which should happen next year as he returns to lead these Wildcats. Kansas State is losing key players on defense, but if it replenishes talent on both lines, it should be a Big 12 contender next year.
Also receiving votes: Texas Tech, Iowa State, Missouri, Duke, Washington.
As college football fans, we have so much to look forward to in the 2025 season. With exciting talent returning and new players stepping up, the landscape of college football is sure to evolve in thrilling ways. Who will rise to the occasion? Only time will tell!
