By Mark Pszonak
As we get closer to the 2025 season, it is time to take a look at the top returning FBS statistical leaders for passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, total tackles, sacks and interceptions:
Passing Yards
1. QB Garrett Nussmeier (LSU): 4,052
2. QB Josh Hoover (TCU): 3,949
3. QB Chandler Morris (Virginia): 3,774
4. QB Cade Klubnik (Clemson): 3,639
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5. QB Rocco Becht (Iowa State): 3,505
Thoughts: From this group, you can easily say that Hoover continues to slide under-the-radar. He still needs to cut down on his interceptions, but overall, he gives TCU an experienced weapon that few other schools have. Also, it will be interesting to see how Morris does during his return to the P4 level after transferring from North Texas but beginning his career at Oklahoma and then TCU.
Rushing Yards
1. RB Makhi Hughes (Oregon): 1,401
2. RB Ahmad Hardy (Missouri): 1,351
3. QB Blake Horvath (Navy): 1,246
4. RB Isaac Brown (Louisville): 1,173
5. QB Devon Dampier (Utah): 1,166
Thoughts: Three of the five players are transfers, while two of the five are quarterbacks. Hughes (Tulane), Hardy (Louisiana-Monroe) and Dampier (New Mexico) all make the jump from G5 to P4, so will there be growing pains?
Receiving Yards
1. Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State): 1,315
2. Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech): 1,172
3. Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State): 1,101
4. Corey Rucker (Arkansas State): 1,053
5. Devonte Ross (Penn State): 1,043
Thoughts: Everyone knew that Smith had a monster true freshman season, but when you see these stats it stands out even more. Rivers (FIU) and Ross (Troy) will be making the leap to P4 competition, while Rucker surprised some with a return to Arkansas State after spurning both the NFL and the portal.
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Total Tackles
1. Red Murdock (Buffalo): 156
2. Travion Barnes (Baylor): 129
3. Isaac Smith (Mississippi State): 127
Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech): 127
4. Whit Weeks (LSU): 125
Thoughts: Surprisingly, Barnes (FIU) is the only player who transferred during the off-season. Rodriguez is a veteran who will be tasked with leading the Texas Tech defense, while Smith and Weeks are both stars in the making.
Sacks
1. Eric O’Neill (Rutgers): 13.0
2. Trey White (San Diego State): 12.5
3. T.J. Parker (Clemson): 11.0
4. Jimmori Robinson (West Virginia): 10.5
Suntarine Perkins (Ole Miss)
Matayo Uiagalelei (Oregon)
Thoughts: O’Neill has dominated at the FCS (LIU) and G5 (James Madison) levels, so can he do it in the Big Ten? White pulled a major surprise by returning to San Diego State, but Robinson (UTSA) decided to make the leap to the P4 level. As for Parker, Perkins and Uiagalelei, all posses All-American level talents.
Interceptions
1. A.J. Haulcy (LSU): 5
Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina)
Josh Moten (Southern Miss)
Koi Perich (Minnesota)
Thoughts: Haulcy (Houston) has been very productive, but will that continue after a transfer to the SEC? Moten followed his coach, Charles Huff, from Marshall to Southern Miss, Kilgore is one of the reasons that expectations are so high at South Carolina, while Perich will hope to improve on an extremely impressive true freshman season.
