As the dust settles on the 2024 season, we can begin to look ahead to the upcoming 2025 campaign. Dark horses will emerge, preseason favorites will stumble, and a new champion will be crowned.
With spring practices yet to kick off and another transfer window on the horizon, depth charts will look vastly different. Nevertheless, our way-too-early college football Top 25 provides a glimpse into the programs best positioned to make a title run.
Way-Too-Early 2025 Season College Football Top 25
25) Washington Huskies
Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch and offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll know a thing or two about generating points, but their unit could reach new heights with QB Demond Williams Jr. set to be unleashed in 2025.
New defensive coordinator Ryan Walters flamed out as the head coach at Purdue, but he was viewed as one of the hottest rising assistants just a couple of years ago. If he and Williams meet or exceed expectations, the Big Ten could be in for a rude awakening.
24) Ole Miss Rebels
Lane Kiffin is one of the greatest offensive minds on the collegiate stage, but his scheme is only as good as the QB operating it. This year, that will be Austin Simmons, who walked away from baseball to focus solely on the gridiron in 2025.
The Ole Miss Rebels attacked the portal once again, bringing in potential starters all over the depth chart, including WR Harrison Wallace III, DB Kapena Gushiken, and DB Sage Ryan.
23) Oklahoma Sooners
When the Oklahoma Sooners landed the Washington State trifecta of OC Ben Arbuckle, QBs coach John Kuceyeski, and QB John Mateer, they instantly solidified their spot in the Top 25.
However, there’s little for Mateer to like in the pass-catching department, with WRs Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Andrel Anthony, Brenen Thompson, J.J. Hester, Jaquaize Pettaway, and TE Bauer Sharp leaving Norman.
At least head coach Brent Venables should be confident in the defensive side of the ball, which sports a solid blend of veterans and potential risers.
22) BYU Cougars
After stunning the Big 12 in 2024, the BYU Cougars will have a bullseye on their back in 2025. The majority of the starting lineup returns, with QB Jake Retzlaff and L.J. Martin leading the offense and LBs Jack Kelly, Harrison Taggart, and Isaiah Glasker manning the defense.
The Cougars won’t have to play Kansas State or Arizona State next season, making their path to the conference championship even simpler.
21) Kansas State Wildcats
QB Avery Johnson didn’t rise to the level many expected him to last season, but it was his first as a full-time starter.
OC Conor Riley is still at the controls, and HC Chris Kleiman knows a thing or two about maintaining success — North Dakota State won four FCS National Championships with him at the helm.
20) Iowa State Cyclones
The Chicago Bears interviewed Matt Campbell for their head coach position this offseason, which should tell you all you need to know about his standing on the college football stage.
He led the Iowa State Cyclones to their first-ever 11-win season in 2024, and it’s not hyperbole to say they can be even better in 2025.
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Of course, linear progression isn’t guaranteed, especially when dealing with collegiate athletes. But QB Rocco Becht and RB Carson Hansen remain in the backfield and behind one of the better offensive lines in the Big 12.
If the receiving talent can make up for the losses of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, and the defense maintains its position as a top-five unit in the conference, the Cyclones can tear through their schedule for a second year in a row.
19) Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dylan Raiola is a future first-round pick under center, and if Matt Rhule can build the roster around him, he could be a future No. 1 overall pick. Having a full offseason with OC Dana Holgorsen should provide the continuity needed for the offense to take a step forward.
The defense also has some work to do, with the NFL Draft and transfer portal depleting the depth chart. Regardless, if Raiola can consistently tap into his potential, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will be in every game they play.
18) Florida Gators
Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier is seemingly one more mediocre season away from being out of a job. Luckily, he has former five-star QB DJ Lagway to guide his final campaign.
If Lagway can hit the ground running as the unquestioned starter, and the defense maintains its end-of-the-season form, Florida could challenge for a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
17) Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes once again attacked the transfer portal for a new QB1, this time tabbing Carson Beck for the job. OC Shannon Dawson will do his best to turn back the clock on the former star passer, which won’t be easy coming off UCL surgery.
Protected by a star-studded offensive line, Beck will have the time he needs to push the ball downfield. The defense should also hold its own under new DC Corey Hetherman, who comes over from the Minnesota Gophers.
16) South Carolina Gamecocks
At 6’3″ and 240 pounds, LaNorris Sellers has all the tools — size, athleticism, and arm strength — to take the SEC by storm. He delivered back-to-back statement games to end the season, torching the Missouri Tigers for five TDs and racking up 166 rushing yards against the Clemson Tigers.
After flipping a switch midway through his first season as a starter, Sellers has solidified himself as one of the SEC’s premier playmakers, and he’ll need to be for the South Carolina Gamecocks to make a run at the CFP.
15) Utah Utes
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is one of the most respected leaders of men, and with the Cam Rising chapter finally closed, he can focus on the next era.
Whittingham brought in New Mexico Lobos OC Jason Beck and dual-threat QB Devon Dampier to revamp the offense, and we know the defense will be productive. The Utes underperformed in 2024 — expect them to overperform in 2025.
14) Illinois Fighting Illini
The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming off their first bowl win since 2011 and their first double-digit-win campaign (10) since 2001. The best part? Bret Bielema’s program returns 16 starters, including QB Luke Altmyer, OL J.C. Davis, LB Gabe Jacas, and DB Xavier Scott.
The experience-laden roster should keep the floor high, with their cohesion simultaneously raising the ceiling.
13) Arizona State Sun Devils
The Arizona State Sun Devils are +10000 to win the 2026 natty. Why? They just won the Big 12 outright and gave Texas everything they could handle in the quarterfinal.
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QB Sam Leavitt is back, Army stud Kanye Udoh was brought in to replace Cam Skattebo, and Kenny Dillingham is arguably the fastest-rising head coach in the country.
12) Michigan Wolverines
The Wolverines went 8-5 coming off their national championship win, and that was with a far-below-average QB room. With Fresno State’s Mikey Keene and five-star recruit Bryce Underwood taking over, Sherrone Moore’s program should return to prominence in the Big Ten.
Alabama transfer Justice Haynes joins Jordan Marshall in the backfield, and the defense should maintain its floor, even with DTs Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant off to the NFL.
11) Tennessee Volunteers
Josh Heupel and Nico Iamaleava tasted the postseason in 2024, but Ohio State made sure it wasn’t all that pleasant. The pressure is on to generate results in 2025, and Heupel believes in the squad he has, as he only added two players in the winter portal.
Sophomore WR Mike Matthews is officially back, and his usage could be what puts Iamaleava and the offense over the top next season.
10) SMU Mustangs
Kevin Jennings flashed as a first-time starter, leading the SMU Mustangs to a College Football Playoff bid. With invaluable experience under his belt and a full offseason to practice as the QB1, Rhett Lashlee’s squad should challenge for the ACC once again.
However, the Mustangs are in for a tough season, with Clemson, Miami, and Louisville all on the schedule. If they can escape that gauntlet with two wins, they’ll be on track for a conference title berth.
9) LSU Tigers
Brian Kelly desperately needs playoff success, especially after what Marcus Freeman has done at his former employer. Having QB Garrett Nussmeier and LB Harold Perkins Jr. back certainly makes that easier.
Although several players left via the transfer portal, Kelly earned commitments from multiple impact starters, such as WR Barion Brown, WR Nic Anderson, EDGE Jack Pyburn, CB Mansoor Delane, and EDGE Patrick Payton.
8) Alabama Crimson Tide
Is it possible that Jalen Milroe is a better pro than a college player, and Alabama improves without him? Yes. Kalen DeBeor had most of his success with traditional pocket passers, which Milroe is not.
Ty Simpson is a return to form under center and could usher in the next great Alabama season, especially with Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard on the outside. The Tide signed one of the best recruiting classes and has an impressive mix of rising talents and experienced veterans returning in 2025. A high tide is coming from Tuscaloosa.
7) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Marcus Freeman took the baton from Brian Kelly and turned the Notre Dame Fighting Irish into perennial national title contenders. NFL Draft declarations could zap some of the program’s depth heading into next year, but the youth movement is strong in South Bend.
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DBs Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, and Adon Shuler bouy the defense, and the offense will rely on star RB Jeremiyah Love churning behind a stout front five. QB will be the biggest question mark, but Freeman and Co. are confident in the players they have on the roster.
6) Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State’s offensive trio of Drew Allar, Nick Singleton, and Kaytron Allen are running it back. That’s the most experienced, productive, and talented backfield trio returning in 2025, but the depth chart around them is worrisome.
The pass-catching corps was abysmal behind TE Tyler Warren, who is leaving for the NFL Draft. And that’s not even counting the transfer departure of WR1 Harrison Wallace III. HC James Franklin is infamous for his record in big games, but he’ll have another shot at rewriting the narrative next season.
5) Georgia Bulldogs
Carson Beck’s regression and lack of weapons on the outside hurt the Bulldogs, and his injury in the SEC title game all but burned their chances of making the national championship for the third time in four years.
The QB depth chart, led by Gunner Stockton, is shaky at best, but Kirby Smart is one of the best collegiate head coaches at adapting to his situation, so expect the Dawgs to remain a factor in the CFP bracket.
4) Clemson Tigers
Dabo Swinney has finally begun to adapt to the new era of college football, signing transfer portals and hiring outside of the building.
With QB Cade Klubnik and his top three WRs back and Tom Allen calling a talented defense, the Tigers aren’t just the favorite to win the ACC — they are one of the favorites to hoist the national championship trophy.
3) Oregon Ducks
If Dante Moore lives up to the hype placed on his shoulders, the Oregon Ducks could finish the regular season as the No. 1 team once again. Of course, expectations usually supersede reality, but head coach Dan Lanning and OC Will Stein are one of the best pairings in the nation.
The Ducks currently have the No. 5 recruiting and No. 10 transfer rankings, according to 247Sports, which only raises the program’s floor entering the offseason.
2) Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes opened as 9.5-point favorites in the 2024-2025 CFP National Championship over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. If they win, there’s no reason they shouldn’t enter the offseason as the favorite to do so again.
Of course, statistically, it’s unlikely they’ll actually run the gauntlet in back-to-back seasons, as Georgia (2021, 2022) and Alabama (2011, 2012) are the only teams to do so in the 2000s.
Massive yearly roster turnover increases parody and reduces the odds of repeat champions, but the Buckeyes could actually have an upgrade at QB, with Julian Sayin the projected starter in 2025.
1) Texas Longhorns
Arch Manning. Need I say more?
The legacy QB is the early favorite to win the 2026 Heisman, and with Steve Sarkisian calling the offense and Pete Kwiatkowski spearheading a young and talented defense, the Longhorns should challenge for a spot in the natty all year.
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RB C.J. Baxter will be back healthy. WR Ryan Wingo is out to prove he’s the next future NFL pass catcher to come out of Austin. And the defense is loaded with stars, including EDGE Collin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., and CB Malik Muhammad.
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