By Patrick Weider
Back in January, I wrote a way too early top 25 list of teams. Now, after spring ball ended, we are revisiting it and doing another top 25. The teams’ ranking from January are in parentheses.
“Arch Manning isn’t coming out til 2028, don’t bother watching his tape first”
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) May 2, 2025
Okay but look at this throw pic.twitter.com/Eu4MwYM8Sh
No. 1 Texas (1)
Just like in January, I am keeping Texas as the top team. They return a good core led by running backs CJ Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner and Jerrick Gibson, and they have the anticipated starting debut of quarterback Arch Manning. They also added several good transfers in the spring transfer window, especially Maraad Watson, a defensive tackle from Syracuse. Texas is the team to beat for this year’s national championship.
Jeremiah Smith has dealt with public attention for a long time, but there's a different level of fame that comes with being the best player in college football.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) May 2, 2025
The Ohio State receiver is managing with that while keeping his focus on improving on the field.… pic.twitter.com/j189J9ZdVu
No. 2 Ohio State (2)
Ohio State is in the same spot as they were in January. Ohio State rarely takes a step back and brings back a talented core of players, including wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. They will have a new quarterback in either Lincoln Keinholz or Julian Sayin. Ohio State might not win back-to-back titles, but I still think they will be a good team this season.
Big Game James Franklin can’t even get through a Penn State Spring Game without getting into it with a random fan pic.twitter.com/RiOQDxwPFr
— College Football Watcher (@CFBWatcher) April 27, 2025
More Sports News
No. 3 Penn State (4)
Penn State moves up one spot from the fourth spot in January. They return a good core in Drew Allar at quarterback, and Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen at running back. I moved them up one spot because they signed wide receiver Trebor Pena from Syracuse. A must-needed position for the Nittany Lions. This might be James Franklin’s best shot at having a great year.
No. 4 Notre Dame (5)
I moved Notre Dame up one spot because CJ Carr won the starting quarterback job, and he has a chance to be a great quarterback. Notre Dame returns a good core, especially running back Jeremiyah Love. Marcus Freeman has earned the right to rank his team this high.
No. 5 Oregon (3)
I moved Oregon back two spots because Penn State and Notre Dame look like better teams. Dan Lanning is still a good coach, but they lost a ton from last year’s team. Former five-star quarterback Dante Moore takes over for Dillon Gabriel. I still expect Oregon to be in the mix for the Big Ten title next year.
No. 6 Georgia (6)
Kirby Smart is the best coach in college football, but will be breaking in a new quarterback in Gunner Stockton next season. Georgia always reloads under Smart, and I expect them to be good again next year.
South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers is dripping with NFL tools:
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) May 1, 2025
+Massive arm
+creative outside of structure
+rare speed
+flashes on touch throws over the middle
+plus accuracy to every level of the field
+more refined pocket thrower than he gets credit for
+unbelievably… pic.twitter.com/YRIJlj1N4s
No. 7 South Carolina (7)
South Carolina brings back a talented group of players, including quarterback LaNorris Sanders. Head coach Shane Beamer has done a good job recruiting, and I expect next year to be his best team at South Carolina.
No. 8 Illinois (8)
Brett Bielema built a solid program at Illinois and they won 10 games last year. They bring back 16 starters from last year’s team, led by quarterback Luke Altmeyer. I expect they will be in the running for a Big Ten Championship game next year.
The 2026 NFL Draft QB Class has a chance to be an all time Class:
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 24, 2025
– Arch Manning
– Drew Allar
– LaNorris Sellers
– Garrett Nussmeier
– Cade Klubnik
– Sam Leavitt
– Dante Moore
– Carson Beck pic.twitter.com/ilEPfqu8Jz
No. 9 LSU (10)
I moved LSU up one spot. I think they are a sneaky national championship contender. They bring back talented quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. They also signed 15 starters in the winter transfer portal period, including wide receiver Barion Brown from Kentucky. LSU should be a good team this season.
No. 10 Clemson (9)
This could be head coach Dabo Sweeney’s best team since he won the 2018 National Championship. They bring back quarterback Cade Klubnik along with wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco. I also expect their defense to be good with the former Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen joining the Tigers.
DJ Lagway officially throwing a football.
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) April 28, 2025
Gator Nation can rest easy now. pic.twitter.com/qzVViDQ9EY
No. 11 Florida (11)
Florida had a good year last year under head coach Billy Napier when they finished the season strong by winning eight games. They are also bringing back 13 starters from last year’s team, including quarterback DJ Lagway. I expect them to be a team on the rise this year.
“There is a legitimate chance that this is the guy holding up the Heisman at the end of the year.”
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) April 9, 2025
— @AriWasserman on Oklahoma QB John Mateer pic.twitter.com/b84ZXO1ULP
No. 12 Oklahoma (Not Ranked)
I am a believer in Oklahoma. First, head coach Brent Venables fired his offensive coaching staff and replaced them with Ben Arbuckle, one of the best young offensive coordinators in college football, from Washington State. Oklahoma also brought in Washington State’s starting quarterback John Mateer in the portal. They also landed several other key portal players, including recently picking up California’s Jaydn Ott. Oklahoma is poised to have a bounce-back season.
No. 13 Miami (17)
Miami moved up the ranking because they have done well recruiting and hitting the transfer portal at a high level. They have added 16 players through the portal. The top portal addition has been quarterback Carson Beck, but several good wide receivers like Tony Johnson from Cincinnati have also joined the Hurricanes. Miami should be one of the better teams in the ACC.
No. 14 BYU (14)
I kept BYU where they were in January. Under Kalani Sitake they won 11 games last year. They are returning all five offensive linemen and quarterback Jake Retzlaff. They should be one of the top teams in the Big 12.
No. 15 Alabama (15)
How far the mighty have fallen. I left Alabama at 15 after they struggled last year and went 9-4. I am not sure how good they will be next in Kalen Deboer’s second season. They do have some talent, including wide receiver Ryan Williams, but they have a huge hole at quarterback with Jalen Milroe off to the NFL.
Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin on Jaxson Dart & Malik Nabers:
— Anthony Rivardo (@Anthony_Rivardo) April 29, 2025
“I think he’ll work so hard from Day 1 with him, and he’ll fly to wherever he is in the offseason to work with him and get down their throws and timing and everything. They’ll be an amazing pair for a long time to come." pic.twitter.com/8bX3fwLtKm
No. 16 Ole Miss (Not Ranked)
Ole Miss has been a good program under Lane Kiffin. They have won 11 and 10 games in the last two years. Kiffin lost a ton of good players off last year’s team, but has done a good job reloading when he signed 26 players in the transfer portal in the offseason. I expect Ole Miss should continue to be a good program.
No. 17 Missouri (Not Ranked)
Missouri is another good program in the SEC. Head coach Eli Drinkwitz has won 11 and 10 games the last two years. They also loaded up in the transfer portal by signing 21 players. I expect they will still be a good to decent team in the SEC.
No. 18 Texas A&M (16)
I think that Mike Elko had a successful season for Texas A&M, winning eight games and building the groundwork for future success. They were in several games and could have won a few more to get nine or 10 wins. They found their quarterback in Marcel Reed, who flashed some good skills. Plus, they have all five offensive linemen starters coming back. Texas A&M could be a team on the rise.
No. 19 Arizona State (13)
Kenny Dillingham had a great second season for Arizona State when they won 11 games last year. They lose talented running back Cam Skattebo but return 16 starters total, including quarterback Sam Leavitt. Arizona State should be in the mix for the Big 12 again.
No. 20 Indiana (19)
Under Curt Cignetti Indiana won 11 games in his first year and made it to the College Football Playoff, where they got beat by Notre Dame. They lose a ton of starters, including quarterback Kurtis Rourke. They added some good players in the transfer portal, including quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transferred from California. I’d be surprised if they won 11 games, but falling back to eight to 10 wins would be a successful season.
No. 21 Louisville (21)
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm is one of the best offensive minds in college football. Under Brohm the Cardinals have won 19 games the last two years. Louisville gained several transfers during the portal, including former USC quarterback Miller Moss. I expect Louisville will be one of the best teams in the ACC.
No. 22 Tennessee (12)
To be honest, I have no clue where to put Tennessee. They lost Nico Iamaleava and do not have a clear option at quarterback next year. Josh Heupel has done a nice job of making Tennessee relevant again, but can he keep it going when he lost his starting quarterback so late. Time will tell.
No. 23 Iowa State (Not Ranked)
Iowa State won 11 games last year and return a good core with 14 starters coming back including quarterback Rocco Becht. Head coach Matt Campbell has constantly shown he is one of the best coaches in the country and I expect they be in the race for the Big 12.
Bryce Underwood ↗️ Andrew Marsh 👀
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) May 2, 2025
This QB-WR duo was a force in the @UMichFootball Spring Game 💪#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/4QKis73sE5
No. 24 Michigan (18)
Michigan ended there season by beating Ohio State and Alabama to finish there season 8-5 under first-year head coach Sherrone Moore. I am not sure what to expect from Michigan next year as offensively they seem to be struggling to gain traction as a program. Five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood is expected to start and is talented, so they could have an upgrade at the position from last year. Michigan might struggle again on offense and have there defense carry them.
No. 25 Kansas State (22)
Under Chris Klieman Kansas State has been a good program. They have won 10, nine and nine games the last three years. I think they be in the mix again for the Big 12 with quarterback Avery Johnson coming back.
