By Patrick Weider
The CFB National Championship game ended with an Ohio State win, their first title since 2014, but it is not too early to look ahead and see who the top teams in next year’s College Football season will be. Now, it is still early as we could still have major coaching news (Nick Saban retired last year in January) and major transfers in the next portal that opens in the spring. Below is the Way Too Early top 25 teams.
1) Texas
Let the hype begin around Arch Manning as he enters next season as the starting quarterback for Texas. Manning sat for two years and is now ready to take the center state for Texas. Also returning are several key starters, including running backs C.J. Baxter, Quintrevion Wisner, and Jerrick Gibson. Plus, wide receiver Ryan Wingo. On defense, several key defenders, such as defensive back Malik Muhammad, are coming back. I expect Texas to be the favorite to win the SEC and to be in the mix again for the National Title race.
Arch Manning is the total package at QB 🤘🏽🐂
pic.twitter.com/xHoqYu1TVF— Chuy Vasquez (@loslonghorns) January 20, 2025
2) Ohio State
Ohio State is the most recession-proof team in College Football, as they never take a step back as a program. Now they will be losing most of their defense and several key players on offense, but they still bring back two of the best players in College Football in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Add several key transfers for the Buckeyes like TE Max Klare (Purdue) and HB CJ Donaldson (West Virginia), and I expect they be in the mix for a Big Ten Title and as a playoff team.
Jeremiah Smith:
“My mindset is to go out there on Monday and just dominate the person that’s in front of me. Do what I’ve been doing. They play a lot of man so I’m just ready for the challenge.” pic.twitter.com/bOS0ABUOuE
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) January 18, 2025
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3) Oregon
Oregon is another team under Dan Lanning that should get the benefit of the doubt. They have recruited extremely well and have gone into the portal and got key additions when they needed it. Losing Dillon Gabriel will be a blow, but they return several key players. Talented former 5-Star quarterback Dante Moore will take over at quarterback for the Ducks. They also return star wide receiver Evan Stewart. The Ducks are poised to be one of the top teams again.
4) Penn State
Penn State returns several key players including quarterback Drew Allar and running backs Nicolas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Penn State needs to address the wide receiver position in the off-season, but the rest of the roster is excellent. Penn State should be in a prime position to be one of the top teams in the Big Ten.
HOLD UP WAIT A MINUTE, YOU THOUGHT THEY WERE FINISHED?
Both Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton are BACK for the 2025 season. HUGE news for the Nittany Lions. pic.twitter.com/g9KfkLh9a8
— Penn State Nittany Lions | Happy Valley Insider (@PennStateRivals) January 13, 2025
5) Notre Dame
Notre Dame lost the National Championship to Ohio State but still has a very bright future. Head coach Marcus Freeman is doing a good job building a legit national championship program. They return their top running back Jeremiyah Love but will have to break in a new quarterback, likely Steve Angeli. I expect they will be in the mix again for the College Football playoffs next year.
6) Georgia
Georgia was up and down this past season as the offense struggled to find any consistency. Former quarterback Carson Beck is off to Miami in the transfer portal, so Gunner Stockton is projected to be the starting quarterback. Georgia’s defense always seems to be one of the best in the country, the key for Georgia next year is the offense improves next season.
7) South Carolina
This might be high for South Carolina, but I believe in the hype surrounding this team. South Carolina has quarterback LaNorris Sellers returning after he had a good year and Head Coach Shane Beamer has done a good job recruiting for the Gamecocks. I expect South Carolina will improve and be in the mix for an SEC Title next year.
8) Illinois
Illinois had a very quiet season this year even though they won 10 games. Returning for the Illini is quarterback Luke Altmeyer and all five offensive linemen. Bret Bielema‘s squad could be in the mix for a Big Ten Championship next year.
https://twitter.com/IlliniFootball/status/1880062482263470274
9) Clemson
I have been down on Head Coach Dabo Sweeney and Clemson for several years as Clemson has struggled to adapt to NIL and the transfer portal. This off-season we have seen slight change with Clemson taking a few transfers. Plus, quarterback Cade Klubnik is coming back along with wide receivers Antonio Williams and Bryant Wesco. I also expect they be better on defense with former Penn State Defensive Coordinator Tom Allen taking over that position.
10) LSU
LSU had an up-and-down year and finished 9-4. They got quarterback Garrett Nussmeier back for another season and have loaded up in the transfer portal so far, currently with the top overall class. This seems like a make-or-break-it season for Brian Kelly, in that he needs to make an SEC Title game run.
11) Florida
Florida had a resurgence this season when they finished season 8-5 after a rough start to the season. They return a ton of players on both sides of the ball, most importantly talented quarterback DJ Lagway. Florida could be on the cusp of a breakout season next year.
EA had DJ Lagway making exact plays like this in CFB 25 and they were absolutely lore accurate 😭 pic.twitter.com/vrsbl166ix
— Florida Gators 🐊🔥 (@gatorsszn) January 18, 2025
12) Tennessee
Tennessee is like Florida as they return a good core, but they did make the CFB Playoffs before they got beat by Ohio State in the 1st round. Returning star quarterback Nico Iamaleava is a good start for the Volunteers. They should be a consistent top team next year and could be in the mix for the SEC Title.
13) Arizona State
Arizona State had an incredible run last year winning 11 games and almost knocking off Texas in the College Football Playoffs. They return a good core led by quarterback Sam Leavitt. I expect they be in the mix for the Big 12 title again next year.
14) BYU
BYU had one of the most underrated seasons this past year winning 11 games. They bring back talented quarterback Jake Retzlaff and several key defenders off the defense. BYU should be in the mix for the Big 12 title again next season.
15) Alabama
Alabama finished a very disappointing 9-4 in Kalen DeBoer‘s 1st season as Alabama’s coach. Next year DeBoer better make the College Football Playoff, or he could get on the hot seat. I am not sure what to expect from this team, but they return several good players including wide receiver Ryan Williams but have a massive hole at quarterback since Jalen Milroe left to go to the NFL.
16) Texas A&M
In Mike Elko‘s 1st season at the helm of Texas A&M, they finished a modest 8-5 but were in several key games and they could have easily won 10 games last year. I expect they will be an improved team led by quarterback Marcel Reed and all five offensive linemen coming back.
17) Miami
Miami took a step this season by winning 10 games and almost making the College Football playoffs. They then went in the portal and quarterback Carson Beck from Georgia to replace Cam Ward who is off to the NFL. I expect the ACC Title will be between Clemson and Miami.
18) Michigan
Michigan improved greatly down the stretch beating Ohio State to finish the regular season and beating Alabama in a bowl game. They went into the portal and picked up a quarterback former Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene and brought in a 5-star quarterback Bryce Underwood. I expect they be an improved team next year.
— Bryce Jay Underwood (@BryceUnderwoo16) November 22, 2024
19) Indiana
Under 1st-year head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana had a breakout season, winning 11 games and making the College Football playoff. They largely were built through the Transfer Portal as Indiana loaded up on players with college experience. On defense 10 of the 11 starters were from the portal. They also had quarterback Kurtis Rourke who transferred in from Ohio. Indiana went back into the portal to get former California quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Cignetti did well, but can he maintain success going into season two? Time will tell.
20) SMU
SMU had a good season in their 1st season in the ACC. They went 11-1 during the regular season but lost to Clemson in the ACC Championship game on a game-winning field goal. Still, that was enough to qualify for the College Football Playoff, where they were beaten by Penn State. It was a tough loss to end the season, but SMU enjoyed success at a higher level. Like Indiana, the question is can they maintain success going forward under head coach Rhett Lashlee? I think they will be a solid to a good program, but a step back could happen this season.
Not bad for the new kid.#PonyUp pic.twitter.com/4koLPB4hd2
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) January 17, 2025
21) Louisville
Under Jeff Brohm, Louisville has won 19 games in the last two years. They have been a consistent program under him. The Cardinals picked up a good quarterback in the transfer portal former USC quarterback Miller Moss, the third portal starter in a row. Brohm should have Louisville in the mix in the ACC again.
22) Kansas State
Kansas State has been a pillar of consistency in the Big 12 since Chris Kleiman arrived. In the last three years, they have won 10, nine, and nine games. I expect they will be in the mix again for the Big 12 title. They return talented quarterback Avery Johnson, who should take a jump after an up-and-down first year as a starter.
23) Iowa State
Iowa State had a remarkable season, winning 11 games this year for the first time in school history. Matt Campbell is one of the best coaches in College Football as he has consistently done more with fewer resources. They return quarterback Rocco Becht who constantly made plays for his team when they needed them but will have to replace weapons in the passing game.
24) Boise State
Boise State had a great year, winning 12 games and making the College Football Playoffs. Now they will lose superstar running back Ashton Jeanty, but they still bring back the bulk of their team, including quarterback Maddux Madsen. They should be the favorite to win the Mountain West next season.
25) Navy
Navy had an outstanding season, winning 10 games, including beating Army and Oklahoma in a bowl game. They bring back talented quarterback Blake Horvath and Navy should be in contention for an AAC Title next season.
