College Football Preseason Top 25

The college football season starts in less than two months. With that, here is the 2025 college football Preseason top 25.

25-21

25. Kansas State Wildcats

Chris Klieman has six offensive players and five defensive players returning this season. Avery Johnson is back at quarterback and running back Dylan Edwards creates one of the best backfields in the conference.The defense will have to take a step forward in 2025, but they have plenty of talent back, specifically up front.  

24. Missouri Tigers

Quarterback Beau Pribula and running back Ahmad Hardy both transferred in to help an offense that lost a lot from last season. The strength of Missouri will be on the defensive side of the ball, where they ranked 20th in points allowed last season, and retain seven starters from last season’s team. 

23. Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M has plenty of talent on the offensive line coming back. Marcel Reed needs to take a step forward at quarterback, but he will have good skill position players to work with, including running backs Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens to go with wide receiver KC Concepcion. Mike Elko should get better play out of a defense that returns most of its back seven. 

22. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Nebraska hit the transfer portal hard this offseason to help out quarterback Dylan Raiola. Dane Key is in at wide receiver after being in at Kentucky to help the offense, while Dasan McCullough will help get after the quarterback on defense. If Raiola imrpoves, the Cornhuskers can improve on their 6-6 regular season from a year ago. 

21. Iowa State Cyclones

Rocco Becht has had plenty of experience at quarterback over the last two seasons and should have a solid year even after losing some receivers to the NFL. The offensive line brings back four starters, while the defense could improve just by being healthier this year. A return to the Big 12 Championship Game could be in the cards for the Cyclones. 

20-16

20. Louisville Cardinals

Jeff Brohm got more out of Tyler Shough than anyone before and now gets to work with USC transfer Miller Moss at quarterback. Isaac Brown was a star at running back last season and there are a few solid wide receivers to utilize. Brohm will have the offense rolling and if the defense can be decent, they have a chance to compete in the ACC. 

19. Oklahoma Sooners

Quarterback John Mateer was a star at Washington State and now can use his playmaking ability for the Sooners. With running back Jaydn Ott coming from Cal and a talented wide receiver room led by returnee Deion Burks, the offense can be dynamic. R Mason Thomas leads the pass rush and Brent Venables should have the defense improving this season.

18. Michigan Wolverines

Michigan’s defense ranked 19th last season in points allowed and have several key players back, specifically at edge rusher and in the secondary. Bryce Underwood has plenty at potential at quarterback, but is still a freshman. If he can provide solid play, Michigan could push for a CFP spot. 

17. Miami Hurricanes

Rueben Bain Jr. had 7.5 sacks as a freshman, but struggled with injury last season. If he is healthy, the defense can be much better. Carson Beck enters at quarterback and will have a solid offensive line in front of him. New skill position players will need to step up, but talent is there. 

16. SMU Mustangs

Kevin Jennings is back at quarterback after leading the team to the CFP last season. SMU will have a good offensive line and tight end in RJ Maryland to help the offense. New faces enter the fold up front for the defense, but they do have some experience in the secondary to work with. 

15-11

15. Ole Miss Rebels

Austin Simmons was able to get some experience at quarterback last season and looked like he could have a future. Ole Miss hit the transfer portal hard again this offseason with notable names like Harrison Wallace and De’Zhaun Stribling coming in. The defense could struggle to rank second again in points allowed per game, but they do have a star linebacker in Suntarine Perkins, who had 10.5 sacks last season. 

14. Texas Tech Red Raiders

Texas Tech flexed their NIL money this offseason and could have a Big 12 Championship by the end of the season. Behren Morton returns at quarterback after passing for 3,335 yards and 27 touchdowns last season. They were good on offense last season, but really needed to fix the defense. Edge rusher David Bailey comes in from Stanford after having seven sacks last season and can really jumpstart the unit. 

13. South Carolina Gamecocks

Edge rusher Dylan Stewart is poised for a big year defensively, but the Gamecocks will also have to replace a few NFL players on their defense. While the defense may take a step back, the offense has real potential if quarterback LaNorris Sellers can improve his accuracy to make him even more of a dual-threat. With solid offensive linemen in front of him, Sellers will have the chance to develop this season.

12. Florida Gators

Billy Napier was able to get off of the hot seat last season by winning eight games against a tough schedule. A lot of the hype for the season surrounds quarterback DJ Lagway, who played well as a freshman. The Gators return 13 total starters and should have stars on both sides of the ball. Running back Jayden Baugh, wide receivers J. Michael Sturdivant, Eugene Wilson, Dallas Wilson, defensive tackle Caleb Banks and defensive end Tyreak Sapp all could be in store for big years too. 

11. Illinois Fighting Illinois

Illinois won 10 games last season and was able to retain a lot of its roster. Quarterback Luke Altmyer passed for 2,717 yards and 22 touchdowns and will have his entire offensive line back in front of him. Defensively, Gabe Jacas can help get after the quarterback, while the Fighting Illini have a lot of their secondary back, which could lead the team to finish in the top 25 in points allowed this season. 

10-6

10. Arizona State Sun Devils

Sam Leavitt looked like a seasoned pro at quarterback last season and will pair with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to have a great offense. Army-transfer Kanye Udoh will help with the loss of Cam Skattebo. With nine defensive starters back from last year’s CFP team, Arizona State should make a push for the Big 12 Championship again. 

9. Oregon Ducks

Dante Moore transferred in and sat behind Dillon Gabriel last season, Now, the former highly-touted recruit gets his chance to lead the offense with some talented players around him. Running back Makhi Hughes, wide receiver Dakorian Moore and left tackle Isaiah World all are notable players to help Moore’s growth. Defensively, Oregon has some notable players in edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei and safety Dillon Thieneman, who transfers in from Purdue. 

8. Alabama Crimson Tide

Last year may not have gone like Alabama would have liked, but they still have one of the most talented rosters in the sports. No matter who they start at quarterback, they will likely fit into Kalen DeBoer’s offense better. With Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard at wide receiver and Kaydn Proctor and Parker Brailsford on the offensive line, the Crimson Tide have two pairs of players at different levels helping the offense. Linebacker Deontae Lawson decided to return to school and will be joined by an experienced secondary. 

7. Georgia Bulldogs

Staying healthy will be key for Georgia after last season didn’t end the way they would’ve thought. The offensive line should be solid and the Bulldogs have upgrades at the skill positions, but a lot of their ceiling this season will depend on Gunnar Stockton’s play at quarterback. Defensively, Christen Miller can create an impact at nose tackle, while CJ Allen is one of the best linebackers in college. Cornerback Daylen Everette can improve to really make Georgia’s defense more feared. 

6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Charles Jagusah broke his arm this offseason, but Notre Dame’s offensive line should be among the best in the sport regardless. They have upgraded their receiver room, which will be useful to keep teams from stacking the box against Jeremiyah Love. Whoever wins the quarterback job, between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey will have plenty of help. A lot was lost up front on defense, but the secondary has plenty of talent and experience. 

5-1

5. LSU Tigers

LSU’s defense was a mess last season, but with a healthy Harold Perkins and transfers like edge rusher Patrick Payton and cornerback Mansoor Delane there is hope for improvement. The real area for potential is on offense with returning quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who is one of the Heisman favorites. While the offensive line needs to replace a lot, he has so many talented receivers to throw to and a gifted running back in Caden Durham. 

4. Clemson Tigers

There are stars everywhere for Clemson and competing for a national championship should be the expectation. Four starters come back on the offensive line and the wide receiver room should be the best it has been in years. Cade Klubnik really improved last year and one more step up and he could win the Heisman. Their defensive line has two stars in defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher TJ Parker. There is talent at every level of the defense with Aveion Terrell manning one of the corner spots as well. 

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

Breaking in a new quarterback isn’t easy, but Julian Sayin is talented and he’ll have a lot of good receivers to work with. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate are both going to have good seasons, but the wide receiver room also has depth. Safety Caleb Downs is one of the best players in the sport, but the defense has plenty of players who got their feet wet last year who can thrive in bigger roles this season. A repeat may not happen, but Ohio State should be near the top of college football again this season. 

2. Texas Longhorns

Texas has consistently improved over the last few seasons and now Arch Manning could take them over the top. He has several good running backs, a star receiver in Ryan Wingo and a solid tight end in Jack Endries to help him. The offensive line needs new faces to step up, but the defense should be one of the best in the country. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is all over the field and had 113 tackles last season. The pass rush should be solid, but the secondary has some real potential this season. 

1. Penn State Nittany Lions  

The Nittany Lions retained a lot of key players who could’ve gone pro. Quarterback Drew Allar improved last season and running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are going to lead a good rushing attack. The receiver room was upgraded with the additions of Kyron Hudson, Davonte Ross and Trebor Pena. The offensive line brings back most starters, while the defense has good playmakers at every level. Dani Dennis-Sutton can wreak havoc on the edge with Zane Durant being disruptive on the interior. AJ Harris is a good corner who will lead a solid secondary. 

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