Way too early Top 25 rankings for the 2025 college football season

Five years ago, this was a fairly simple exercise: Rank Alabama either No. 1 or 2, then drop Ohio State, Clemson or Georgia immediately before or after. Look like a genius 365 days later.

But these days, it takes the GDP of a small country to keep a roster intact in college football. Ohio State spent the money to do it in 2024. Penn State is trying to do it in 2025.

The Nittany Lions, who very nearly reached this year’s national championship game, are my early No. 1 for next season. I’m skeptical they can actually pull it off, but on paper, James Franklin’s team deserves that status given how many players are returning.

That’s in contrast to other top-ranked teams such as Ohio State (losing most of its lineup), Notre Dame (losing the middle of its defense) and Texas — which does have Arch Manning but will need to figure out who will protect him.

1. Penn State (13-3 in 2024)

Key returnees: QB Drew Allar, RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, DT Zane Durant, S Zakee Wheatley

Key transfers: WRs Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy), G TJ Shanahan (Texas A&M)

Franklin’s inability to beat elite foes is well-documented, but he’ll really have no excuses in 2025. Nearly all of Penn State’s best NFL prospects return, most notably Allar and 1,000-yard rushers Singleton and Allen. Though defensive coordinator Tom Allen departed for Clemson, the unit he left behind is loaded. That’s good because Oregon comes to Happy Valley on Sept. 27, and Penn State plays at Ohio State on Nov. 1.

2. Texas (13-3)

Key returnees: RBs Quintrevion Wisner and CJ Baxter, WR Ryan Wingo, edge Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., S Michael Taaffe

Key transfers: DTs Cole Brevard (Purdue) and Travis Shaw (North Carolina), LB Brad Spence (Arkansas)

As the Manning era begins in Austin, we’re about to find out whether Steve Sarkisian’s program has reached auto-reload status, because Texas has to replace four offensive linemen and its top three pass catchers. But Texas’ 23-5 run in the past two seasons was built on defense, and its 2025 unit should be stacked again up front, led by pass rushers Simmons, Hill and Trey Moore (22.5 combined sacks last season).

3. Notre Dame (14-2)

Key returnees: RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Jaden Greathouse, LB Jaylen Sneed, CBs Christian Gray and Leonard Moore, S Adon Shuler

Key transfers: WRs Malachi Fields (Virginia) and Will Pauling (Wisconsin), DB DeVonta Smith (Alabama)

The Irish shouldn’t fall far, with either Steve Angeli or touted redshirt freshman CJ Carr taking over at quarterback for Riley Leonard. The defense loses a bunch of key veterans, but first- and second-year players such as Moore, Shuler, defensive end Bryce Young and linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are poised to take over. The schedule is not light: Notre Dame opens at Miami, hosts Texas A&M the following week and visits Arkansas before the end of September.

4. LSU (9-4)

Key returnees: QB Garrett Nussmeier, RB Caden Durham, WR Aaron Anderson, TE Trey’dez Green, LBs Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins

Key transfers: WR Nic Anderson (Oklahoma), WR/KR Barion Brown (Kentucky), edges Jack Pyburn (Florida) and Patrick Payton (Florida State)

Heading into a crucial Year 4 for Brian Kelly, LSU emptied the bank — its portal class is ranked No. 1 in the country by 247Sports — to dramatically upgrade its pass rush and reload at receiver. Its offense should be one of the nation’s best if Nussmeier keeps progressing. Weeks will be a Butkus Award contender. Kelly, who is 0-3 in season openers at LSU, gets another tough one, this time at Clemson.

5. Clemson (10-4)

Key returnees: QB Cade Klubnik, WRs Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco Jr., DE T.J. Parker, LBs Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz

Key transfers: Edge Will Heldt (Purdue)

This is the most optimistic I’ve been about Dabo Swinney’s team in several years. He upgraded considerably at DC by landing Allen from Penn State. Klubnik found his groove at the end of the season, throwing a combined seven TDs against one pick in the ACC Championship Game win over SMU and first-round CFP loss to Texas. It helps that he finally has receivers such as Wesco and T.J. Moore, who can stretch the field. The Tigers have a biggie in Week 1 when LSU comes to town.

6. Ohio State (14-2)

Key returnees: WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, OL Carson Hinzman, LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, S Caleb Downs

Key transfers: RB CJ Donaldson (West Virginia), OTs Ethan Onianwa (Rice) and Phillip Daniels (Minnesota)

Ohio State has not won fewer than 11 games in a full season since 2011, so this ranking will seem low. But after going all in with a senior-heavy team this year, coach Ryan Day may return only seven starters. Five-star redshirt freshman Julian Sayin takes his turn as QB1, and it helps knowing he has Smith and Tate. On defense, a lot of young players will be thrown into the fire in the season-opener against Texas.

7. Georgia (11-3)

Key returnees: QB Gunner Stockton, RB Nate Frazier, WR Dillon Bell, CB Daylen Everette, LB CJ Allen, S KJ Bolden

Key transfers: WRs Zachariah Branch (USC) and Noah Thomas (Texas A&M), S Jaden Harris (Miami)

On the one hand, the defending SEC champions lose a ton of star power on defense and will have to retool their O-line. On the other, their murderous schedule from 2024 flips, with Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas all journeying to Athens. Stockton, who took over for Carson Beck in the SEC title game, should benefit from an upgraded receiving corps plus the return of tight ends Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie.

8. Oregon (13-1)

Key returnees: WR Evan Stewart, edges Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, LBs Bryce Boettcher and Devon Jackson

Key transfers: RB Makhi Hughes (Tulane), G Emmanuel Pregnon (USC), CB Theran Johnson (Northwestern), S Dillon Thieneman (Purdue)

Did Oregon miss its window? Not if Dan Lanning keeps hitting in the portal. He picked up his likely 2025 quarterback, UCLA’s Dante Moore, a year ago, though Moore is not as proven as Bo Nix and Dillon Gabriel were when they arrived in Eugene. Oregon landed a potential superstar in Tulane’s Hughes, who has run for 2,779 yards in two seasons. But the Ducks defense needs to recover after struggling in the Big Ten title game and imploding in the Rose Bowl.

9. Arizona State (11-3)

Key returnees: QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson, TE Chamon Metayer, DT C.J. Fite, LB Keyshaun Elliott, S Xavion Alford

Key transfers: RB Kanye Udoh (Army), WR Jalen Moss (Fresno State), CB Kyndrich Breedlove (Purdue)

There’s no reason ASU can’t contend for another Big 12 championship. While it loses all-everything running back Cam Skattebo, it brings back nearly everyone else and landed 1,117-yard rusher Udoh from Army. Eight starters return from a defense that allowed 19.2 points per game during its six-game winning streak to end the regular season and held its own against Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss.

10. BYU (11-2)

Key returnees: QB Jake Retzlaff, RB LJ Martin, WR Chase Roberts, LBs Isaiah Glasker and Harrison Taggart, K Will Ferrin

Key transfers: TE Carsen Ryan (Utah), DT Keanu Tanuvasa (Utah), DL Anisi Purcell (Southern Utah)

BYU spent most of the season in CFP contention, and there’s no reason the Cougars can’t break through and win the Big 12 in 2025. The conference schedule is challenging, with trips to Colorado, Iowa State and Texas Tech. BYU will enjoy continuity on offense, beginning with Retzlaff — who became a cult hero in his first season in Provo — whereas the defense loses much of its leadership. Special teams could be a strength.

11. Florida (8-5)

Key returnees: QB DJ Lagway, RB Jadan Baugh, WR Eugene Wilson III, edge Tyreak Sapp, DL Caleb Banks, S Bryce Thornton

Key transfers: WR J.Michael Sturdivant (UCLA), edge Kofi Asare (UMass)

After spending two-thirds of the season on the hot seat, Billy Napier rewrote the narrative of his program with consecutive upsets of LSU and Ole Miss and finished the year on a four-game winning streak. Lagway, the former five-star recruit, emerged as one of the most talented QBs in the country. And the defense held each of its last four opponents to fewer than 17 points. Next season, the Gators play at LSU and at Miami in September.

12. Illinois (10-3)

Key returnees: QB Luke Altmyer, five O-line starters, OLB Gabe Jacas, CB Xavier Scott, S Matthew Bailey

Key transfers: WR Hudson Clement (West Virginia), DL James Thompson Jr. (Wisconsin), LB Leon Lowery Jr. (Wisconsin)

With several of the top Big Ten teams in flux, the Illini could be a dark-horse pick to reach Indianapolis. They’re coming off a surprise 10-win season and will have 18 starters back from their Citrus Bowl win over South Carolina. The schedule is manageable, with games at Duke and Indiana early on. Perhaps Illinois can get to 6-0 heading into an Oct. 11 home date with Ohio State.

13. Tennessee (10-3)

Key returnees: QB Nico Iamaleava, RB DeSean Bishop, LBs Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, CB Jermod McCoy, NB Boo Carter

Key transfers: G Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona), WR Amari Jefferson (Alabama)

Tennessee’s season ended with a dud against Ohio State in the first round of the CFP, but Josh Heupel fielded a top-five defense (in yards per play allowed) that returns six of its top eight tacklers. The Vols could feature the nation’s top secondary, provided McCoy, an All-American, returns on time from an ACL injury. The offense will remain a concern until Iamaleava shows he can live up to his $8 million hype. David Sanders Jr., the No. 1 high school offensive tackle, may need to start from Day 1.

14. Alabama (9-4)

Key returnees: WRs Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, C Parker Brailsford, DT Tim Keenan III, LB Deontae Lawson, CB Domani Jackson

Key transfers: WR Isaiah Horton (Miami), G Kam Dewberry (Texas A&M), LB Nikhai Hill-Green (Colorado)

No coach in the country faces more pressure than Kalen DeBoer after bombing his debut season in Tuscaloosa. His first task will be grooming Jalen Milroe’s successor, with fourth-year junior Ty Simpson the top contender. The good news is that most of the players who could have turned pro opted to return, especially on a defense that finished tied for 10th nationally in yards per play allowed. But depth on both sides took a hit in the portal, with nearly 25 departures.

15. Miami (10-3)

Key returnees: RBs Mark Fletcher Jr., and Jordan Lyle, OT Francis Mauigoa, DEs Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr., CB OJ Frederique

Key transfers: QB Carson Beck (Georgia), WR CJ Daniels (LSU), CB Charles Brantley (Michigan State), S Zechariah Poyser (Jacksonville State)

Mario Cristobal’s third season saw the Canes reach 10 wins for just the second time in 20 years, but a shaky defense kept them from reaching the CFP. Cristobal has tried to address it by loading up on defensive backs in the portal — several of whom have starting experience. But now the offense is in reset mode after losing Cam Ward and all his top receivers. Miami has a lot riding on Beck, who will miss spring ball while recovering from injury.

16. South Carolina (9-4)

Key returnees: QB LaNorris Sellers, WR Nyck Harbor, LT Josiah Thompson, DEs Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr., S Jalon Kilgore

Key transfers: RB Rahsul Faison (Utah State), OL Boaz Stanley (Troy), edge Jaylen Brown (Missouri)

South Carolina was one of the hottest teams in the country over the second half of the season, with Sellers emerging as a potential 2025 Heisman candidate. But Shane Beamer now has to replace Nagurski Award winner Kyle Kennard, first-team All-American Nick Emmanwori and several other defensive standouts. The Gamecocks will need several portal pickups to hit big in order to break through and reach the Playoff.

17. Texas A&M (8-5)

Key returnees: QB Marcel Reed, RB Le’Veon Moss, five O-line starters, LB Taurean York, CB Tyreek Chappell, S Marcus Ratcliffe

Key transfers: WRs Kevin Concepcion (NC State) and Mario Craver (Mississippi State), edge T.J. Searcy (Florida), CB Julian Humphrey (Georgia)

Despite the Aggies ending the season on a three-game losing streak, Mike Elko’s first year provided signs of optimism. Reed, a dual-threat QB, became the face of the offense, which is adding some playmakers at receiver, and the Aggies produced a physical rushing attack. Elko’s challenge will be on the other side of the ball, where all of the standouts up front are gone. Four of A&M’s 13 transfer adds so far are D-linemen.

18. Michigan (8-5)

Key returnees: G Giovanni El-Hadi, edges Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, LB Ernest Hausmann, DB Zeke Berry

Key transfers: QB Mikey Keene (Fresno State), RB Justice Haynes (Alabama), DT Damon Payne (Alabama)

The Wolverines are on the upswing after finishing the season with wins over Ohio State and Alabama. The big question: Will five-star freshman Bryce Underwood immediately become QB1? He’ll have to beat out Keene, a three-year FBS starter. Haynes joins redshirt freshman Jordan Marshall, who showed promise with his 100-yard bowl game, in a talented backfield. But the defensive front could take a step back post-Mason Graham/Kenneth Grant.

19. Baylor (8-5)

Key returnees: QB Sawyer Robertson, RB Bryson Washington, WR Josh Cameron, four O-line starters, LB Keaton Thomas, P Palmer Williams

Key transfers: WR Kobe Prentice (Alabama), LB Travion Barnes (FIU), S Devin Turner (Northwestern)

From the depths of a 2-4 start, Baylor won six straight to close the regular season before falling 44-31 to LSU in the Texas Bowl. The Bears offense exploded over the last two months, led by Robertson, who threw for 445 yards in the bowl game, and many of the key pieces will be back. But the defense, which ranked 10th in the Big 12 in yards per play in conference games, will need to improve if Baylor hopes to make a run at a Playoff berth.

20. Indiana (11-2)

Key returnees: WRs Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper Jr., LT Carter Smith, DL Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, DB D’Angelo Ponds

Key transfers: QB Fernando Mendoza (Cal), RB Roman Hemby (Maryland), CB Ryland Gandy (Pitt)

It turns out that the only teams to beat the Hoosiers in 2024 were the two that reached the national championship game. Still, there will be understandable skepticism about whether Indiana can run it back. Its Big Ten schedule will be tougher, with trips to Oregon and Penn State. Curt Cignetti is banking on Cal transfer Mendoza, a two-year starter and dual threat, to succeed Kurtis Rourke, as well as his star-studded defense, which allowed 15.6 points per game in 2024.

21. Boise State (12-2)

Key returnees: QB Maddux Madsen, LT Kage Casey, WR Latrell Caples, TE Matt Lauter, edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan, S Ty Benefield

Key transfers: RB Malik Sherrod (Fresno State), edge Malakai Williams (Idaho)

Spencer Danielson’s program is too strong to plummet post-Ashton Jeanty. The Broncos will be on the shortlist again for a CFP automatic berth. Madsen played a key role in Boise’s Fiesta Bowl run in his first season as a starter. Freshman running back Sire Gaines gained 154 total yards in his college debut against Georgia Southern but suffered a season-ending injury in the third game.

22. Louisville (9-4)

Key returnees: RBs Isaac Brown and Duke Watson, WRs Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell, LBs TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark

Key transfers: QB Miller Moss (USC), OT Mahamane Moussa (Purdue), edge Clev Lubin (Coastal Carolina), LB Darius Thomas (Western Kentucky)

Jeff Brohm has won 19 games in his first two seasons by relying heavily on the portal. So far he’s brought in 20 transfers for next season. Moss lost his job at USC last season after struggling with turnovers, but Cardinals fans surely remember him throwing six TDs against their team in the 2023 Holiday Bowl. Brohm’s teams always have offensive playmakers, but he has a lot to replace on defense, especially up front.

23. Kansas State (9-4)

Key returnees: QB Avery Johnson, RB Dylan Edwards, WR Jayce Brown, TE Garrett Oakley, LB Austin Romaine, S VJ Payne

Key transfers: DE Jayshawn Ross (Alabama), LB Gabe Powers (Ohio State), S Gunner Maldonado (Arizona)

K-State’s 44-41 bowl win over Rutgers saw Edwards step in for NFL-bound DJ Giddens and race to 196 yards on 18 carries. He and Johnson, who threw for 2,712 yards and ran for 605 last season, could be hard for defenses to stop. But Chris Klieman needs to upgrade his defense to get the Wildcats back in Big 12 title contention. Maldonado, who has 177 career tackles and 10 forced turnovers, should be a valuable addition.

24. Navy (10-3)

Key returnees: QB Blake Horvath, FB Alex Tecza, SB Eli Heidenreich, G Ben Purvis, DT Landon Robinson, LB Luke Pirris

Key transfers: n/a

Army got more attention during the regular season, but Navy beat its rival and then knocked off Oklahoma in its bowl game to finish with 10 wins. Horvath (1,353 yards passing, 1,246 rushing yards, 30 combined TDs) is the guy who makes the whole thing go, so the Midshipmen should be strong on offense again. They do lose quite a bit on defense. Their conference schedule is light save for a trip to Memphis.

25. Oklahoma (6-7)

Key returnees: RB Jovantae Barnes, WR Deion Burks, DE R Mason Thomas, DTs Damonic Williams and Jayden Jackson, S Robert Spears-Jennings

Key transfers: QB John Mateer (Washington State), LB/S Kendal Daniels (Oklahoma State), DE Marvin Jones Jr. (Florida State)

Brent Venables is feeling the heat after suffering his second losing season in three years, but he’s bringing in one of the most coveted QBs in the portal in Mateer as well as Mateer’s offensive coordinator at Washington State, Ben Arbuckle. OU can make a big jump if those two deliver because last season’s defense was the Sooners’ best statistically since 2009 and brings back the majority of its lineup while adding high-impact guys like Daniels and Jones.

Just missed: SMU, Iowa State, Auburn, Missouri, Iowa

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Tim Warner, Isaiah Vazquez, Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)