While the Buckeyes lose a ton of talent to the NFL Draft, they also return two of the country's best players in WR Jeremiah Smith and S Caleb Downs.
Notre Dame made it all the way to the National Championship Game because of its dominant run game and elite defense. Both remain intact entering next season.
After making the semifinals in back-to-back years, Texas has the opportunity to win it all next season, especially with Arch Manning at the helm.
Penn State returns most of their key players from last year’s squad, including QB Drew Allar and RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.
Dan Lanning added two players in Purdue safety Dillon Thieneman and Tulane RB Makhi Hughes, who are among the best in the nation. The Ducks also brought back many players poised for breakout seasons like TE Kenyon Sadiq, EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei and WR Evan Stewart.
Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have finished ninth or better in the final CFP ranking in eight straight years and were top-five in each of the last four.
Boise State returns a loaded LB room, led by Andrew Simpson and Marco Notarainni. The Broncos also brought back QB Maddux Madsen, who had a very solid year under center.
Returning to the Sun Devils in 2025 is the nation’s best QB-WR connection in Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson.
The Vols have many stars returning on that side of the ball, such as CB Jermod McCoy, EDGE, Joshua Josephs, and QB Nico Iamaleava, who is a top-10 returning passer in the nation.
The Hoosiers once again attacked the transfer portal this offseason, with 10 of their 22 projected starters transferring in.
If the Mustangs are going to make it back to the playoff, it’ll likely be on the back of redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Jennings.
Clemson won its eighth ACC title of the last decade this past season and is the clear-cut favorite to do so again. A big reason is the return of Cade Klubnik, a three-headed WR corps, and arguably the best defense in the country.
