2025 Kent State Football Predictions: Golden Flashes Ranked 136th in RJ Young's Ultimate 136
Published
Aug. 10, 2025 9:04 p.m. ET
share
x
link
This isn't your average college football ranking.
My Ultimate 136 is a set of rankings that is fluid, but it's my job to look ahead and make a claim for all FBS teams based on what I know and why I know it. Here are the three pressing questions I started by asking when putting together this list:
Who do I think is good?
Why do I think they're good?
What are the chances they will finish above or below my expectations?
Here is a look at where Kent State lands in my Ultimate 136.
Kent State ranking: 136
Last year's ranking: 131
Top player: RB Jordan Nubin: Rushed for 578 yards and 3 touchdowns in the past two seasons at Minnesota.
[Kent State's 2025 schedule]
RJ's take: Rock bottom. That's where the Golden Flashes were to end the season, and they're starting over with interim coach Mark Carney after former head coach Kenni Burns was dismissed last April.
The goal for this group is simple: climb to No. 135 in these rankings.
[ Check out RJ Young's Ultimate 136 College Football Rankings here ]
Kent State Win Total Odds: Over 1.5 (-172) Under 1.5 (+170)
Have an issue with my rankings? Think your alma mater is too low, or your school's rival is too high? Get at me on X, @RJ_Young , and I'll select my favorite tweets and respond to them in a future article.
ADVERTISEMENT
RJ Young is a national college football writer and analyst for FOX Sports. Follow him at @RJ_Young.
FOLLOW
Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience
College Football
Kent State Golden Flashes
share
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
2025 Best NFL Cornerbacks: Pat Surtain, Derek Stingley Jr. Lead Rankings
The NFL preseason is nearing its end and the regular season is right around the corner, which means it's almost time to blare the FOX NFL theme song. Entering the 2025 season, the FOX Sports NFL Staff is ranking their top 10 players at select positions. Here are their top 10 cornerbacks. Eric D. Williams: One of the more underrated players nationally, Lenoir is special as a slot defender for the 49ers but can also lock up receivers on the perimeter. According to Next Gen Stats, Lenoir did not give up a touchdown pass and totaled two interceptions in 317 coverage snaps at slot defender in 2024, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 63.6 passer rating. Over the last three seasons, San Francisco has recorded 53 interceptions, tied for the league lead over that time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lenoir gives the 49ers an elite player at all three levels of their defense, joining linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa. Carmen Vitali: Johnson got paid by the Bears this offseason with a relatively team-friendly deal while he could be on the cusp of his best season yet. Under Dennis Allen's new scheme, Johnson will be able to prove his position as a true lockdown man corner, something he's been begging for for years. Johnson's reputation as one of the best corners in the league has come while primarily playing in more zone-heavy defenses and look at what he's been able to accomplish. This year should up his stock even more. Eric D. Williams: Seattle's versatile defensive back is one of the hardest-hitting defenders in the league at just 185 pounds. Witherspoon is as effective playing sticky coverage on receivers on the perimeter and wreaking havoc as a slot defender near the line of scrimmage. A two-time Pro Bowler in his first two seasons in the league, Witherspoon has totaled 26 pass breakups and four sacks during his time as a pro. However, just one interception in two seasons is a little concerning for someone with Witherspoon's playmaking ability. The ascension of Witherspoon as a top-tier player in the league should coincide with Mike Macdonald creating one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Pacific Northwest. Greg Auman: Ward's one of the few things to be excited about in Cleveland – three Pro Bowls in the last four years, led the NFL in passes defended last season. The Browns had the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2023 and took a major step back last season – if there's a gripe with Ward, it's that he's never had more than three interceptions in a season, and Cleveland's defense ranked last in the NFL in interception percentage last season, at 0.78 percent. If things are to turn around in 2025, it's more likely on the defensive side than with middling quarterbacks on offense. Greg Auman: Nickel corners don't get love the way their outside counterparts do, but Humphrey got first-team All-Pro honors last season as the best slot corner in the league. He had six interceptions as a key cog in Baltimore's elite defense, and that secondary is even more loaded with the additions of Jaire Alexander and Malaki Starks. With another season like last year, he'll be in the top 10 for career active interceptions, building on a resume that at age 29 includes four Pro Bowl nods in the last six seasons. Can that defense be what propels Lamar Jackson and Baltimore over the hump to a Super Bowl appearance? Henry McKenna: The secret is out. He has played just 20 NFL games. He has hidden away on an unimpressive Patriots defense for the last two years. And he has just three career interceptions. But if you know, you know. With rare size, speed and awareness, Gonzalez is one of the league's most dominant shut-down cornerbacks. He might have an even more dominant year in 2025, in part because his schedule features just three of our top 10 receivers. Henry McKenna: He was once the league's best slot cornerback before moving outside. And once there, he earned the title as one of the league's best cornerbacks. Period. That doesn't happen often. It's a testament to McDuffie's intelligence and athleticism. And let's not forget how complicated Steve Spagnuolo can make his defense for the top players with unique disguises that require immense discipline. Yup, McDuffie is a special and unique talent. Henry McKenna: For the last two years, Sauce was our No. 1 cornerback. And he fell in part because of the strong play from the other stars in the league — but also because of the systemic failure of the Jets. New York fired GM Joe Douglas and coach Robert Saleh. And interim coach Jeff Ulbrich couldn't hold up the defense in the same way. Gardner suffered ever-so slightly, which was just enough of a margin for three corners to unseat him in these rankings. Ben Arthur: It's not a coincidence that in 2024, his first 17-game season, Stingley was a first-team All-Pro selection. The superior talent has always been evident, dating back to his spectacular true freshman season at LSU in 2019. It's been his health that has come into question — he missed 14 games his first two NFL seasons (2022-23). Henry McKenna: To open the season, Surtain had DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Mike Evans from Weeks 1 to 3. They combined for seven catches for 75 yards. That is just plain nasty. There were some tough outings, including against the Cincinnati Bengals. But Surtain finished the season allowing just 40 catches on 55 targets for 396 yards for two touchdowns and four interceptions. That's about as dominant as a guy can be in today's pass-happy NFL. 2025-26 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aidan Hutchinson, Lions: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Micah Parsons, Cowboys: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)Myles Garrett, Browns: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)T.J. Watt, Steelers: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)Will Anderson Jr., Texans: +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)Jared Verse, Rams: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)Maxx Crosby, Raiders: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Nick Bosa, 49ers: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)Jalen Carter, Eagles: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Trey Hendrickson, Bengals: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) These rankings were compiled by: Ben Arthur (@benyarthur)Greg Auman (@gregauman)Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis)Eric D. Williams (@eric_d_williams)Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano)Carmen Vitali (@CarmieV) Check out all of our Daily Rankers. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Top 10 College Football Quarterbacks in 2025: Arch Manning, Cade Klubnik Lead List
Week 0 of college football is here, meaning we can officially debate teams' rosters. There are no more transfers to impact teams this season, depth charts are more settled and we can zero in on the most important position in sports — quarterback. There has been a lot of movement in the offseason with QBs heading to different schools, as well as some recruits coming into the fold for programs. Heck, some are growing through the program and are moving up the depth chart just from graduations in front of them. Whatever the reason, we can now officially rank QBs with a reasonable guess as to what they are walking into, team and conference-wise. FOX Sports Research ranked the top 10 quarterbacks ahead of the 2025 season. Let's take a look: Last season was something of a breakout campaign for Hoover, when he tossed 27 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Moreover, he nearly hit 4,000 yards, finishing just 51 short of that number. That yardage mark was seventh among all QBs last season and his 303.8 pass yards per game was sixth in the nation. The one concern is his ball control. He lost six fumbles a year ago. Overall, he had four games with multiple turnovers, something TCU can ill-afford if they want to compete in the Big 12. After putting up 24 passing touchdowns as a redshirt freshman with the Sun Devils, Leavitt is ready to jump to the next level. Although his 24 passing TDs don't wow you, he only had six interceptions and didn't lose any fumbles. If your QB can take care of the ball, you will always be in the game, but being in the game isn't going to cut it in 2025. If Arizona State is going to compete for another CFP berth, Leavitt will need to hit the 30 touchdown mark and keep his turnovers down. This is a bet on the potential of Lagway more than anything. Last season, he didn't even throw 200 passes over the whole season and completed less than 60 percent of them. That is not going to get it done in the SEC, but the physical tools are remarkable. The potential showed up in a big way in the games against Ole Miss and Florida State last season when he combined for 406 passing yards and four passing touchdowns. Carson Beck joins the list from a new school this year with his transfer to the ACC to join Miami. Beck seemed like a sure-fire first-round pick a year ago, but things didn't quite go as expected. Even saying that, though, he put up some solid numbers. He threw for nearly 3,500 yards to go with 28 passing touchdowns. That was a solid season, but his 12 interceptions and three fumbles lost were a big problem. If he can control his turnovers – something that should be easier in a weaker conference – then he could be among the nation's best. Seemingly a lock to enter the NFL Draft after last season, Allar stunned everyone with his choice to return in hopes of pursuing a national title (and maybe becoming the No. 1 pick in 2026). Either way, Penn State lucked out big time. Last season, against tough competition in the new-look Big Ten, he combined for 30 touchdowns and had just nine turnovers. The key is playing within himself. Last season, Penn State was 10-0 when he had at least one passing touchdown and one or fewer interceptions. Famous for getting an enormous offer to leave South Carolina, Sellers decided to stay with the Gamecocks for 2025. This season, it's fair to expect him to take a massive leap forward. In 2024, South Carolina went 5-1 when he had multiple touchdown passes, something he no doubt will need to build upon if they are going to compete in the brutal SEC. A big transfer into the SEC, Mateer put up big numbers for Washington State last season, tossing 29 touchdowns to go with 15 rushing touchdowns. A combined 44 touchdowns? To give that context, he was the only QB last season to have at least 25 passing touchdowns AND double-digit rushing touchdowns. That is a ridiculous number, but now he gets tested in the SEC with the Sooners. No doubt, one of the favorites for a Heisman bid is Garrett Nussmeier, who finished tied for 10th in the nation last season with 29 passing touchdowns and is playing in an offense that is very friendly to QBs. Moreover, he was one of just six quarterbacks in the country to post 4,000 or more passing yards, something he should have no problem doing again. His 12 interceptions are a concern, but if he can lower that to single digits, it could be a special year. Arch is perhaps the most talked-about college QB ever, with the amount of experience he has, but he has talent. There is no denying it. Coach Steve Sarkisian is the perfect coach to work with Manning, and we got a glimpse of his potential, most recently in the team's fifth game last year against Mississippi State, when he passed for 325 yards with two passing touchdowns and completed 84 percent of his passes. If he can build on that early, he could take the No. 1 spot. Speaking of gaudy numbers, Klubnik threw for 36 passing touchdowns and added seven rushing touchdowns to his numbers last season. That placed him third in the entire country in touchdowns responsible for, while also only throwing six interceptions. He took care of the ball and was still able to sling it all over. If he can match that or surpass that this year, Clemson has a great shot at a CFP berth, and an excellent chance at the Heisman. 2025 Heisman Trophy odds: Arch Manning, Texas: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)Cade Klubnik, Clemson: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Julian Sayin, Ohio State: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Drew Allar, Penn State: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)DJ Lagway, Florida: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)Dante Moore, Oregon: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)John Mateer (Oklahoma): +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Sam Leavitt (Arizona State): +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)Carson Beck, Miami:+3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Fox News
Top 10 College Football Running Backs in 2025: Jeremiyah Love Headlines List
As the college football season approaches, it's the time of year when fans and analysts alike break down the top players around the country. While quarterbacks reign supreme at any level of football, the running back position has been one with several superstars to emerge in the last decade. With so many incredible players at the position this year, FOX Sports Research ranked the top 10 running backs ahead of the 2025 season. Let's take a look: After redshirting in 2023, Washington had a stellar 2024 campaign. He rushed for 1,028 yards on 5.9 yards per carry. He added 217 receiving yards and a touchdown in the passing game as well, helping him earn Freshman All-American honors from multiple publications. Washington's play really took off at the end of the season, though. He rushed for at least 110 yards in each of Baylor's final four regular-season games and in five of its final six regular-season games. He scored 11 of his 12 touchdowns in that stretch. The 2024 season might have been disappointing for the Huskies, but it certainly wasn't for Coleman. Following head coach Jedd Fisch from Arizona to Washington, Coleman rushed for 1,053 yards on 5.5 yards per carry and 10 touchdowns. He was productive in ranked matchups against Michigan and Indiana, putting up 184 yards over those two games. He was named third-team All-Big Ten as a result. Reid made a seamless transition from the FCS to FBS in 2024, putting up better numbers at Pitt than he did in his last season at Western Carolina. The third-year running back rushed for 966 yards on 5.3 yards per carry and five touchdowns, adding an impressive 579 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in 2024 on top of those numbers. Reid's contributions didn't end on the offensive side of the ball, either. He recorded 159 punt return yards and a punt return touchdown, earning second-team All-American honors from multiple outlets as an all-purpose player. The Longhorns keep churning out quality running backs, with Wisner joining that lineage in 2024. He actually wasn't supposed to be Texas' starting running back entering the 2024 season, earning the job after CJ Baxter suffered a season-ending knee injury during fall camp. Wisner stepped up in Baxter's absence, recording 1,064 yards on 4.7 yards per carry to go with 311 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Baxter will be back in the mix for Texas in 2025, so it might be tough for Wisner to put up over 1,000 rushing yards again. But his talent was too good to leave him off the list. For the last couple of seasons, Luther Burden III brought the offensive spark for Missouri at wide receiver. This season, Hardy might be responsible for being the Tigers' offensive catalyst. He rushed for an impressive 1,351 yards on 5.7 yards per carry and 13 touchdowns at Louisiana-Monroe last season, winning Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Hardy was arguably the best running back in the transfer portal this offseason, with Missouri beating Ole Miss and Kentucky to land him. After finishing third in the ACC in rushing yards last season, Brown is the conference's leading returning rusher for 2025. In fact, he proved to be one of the ACC's best running backs as a freshman in 2024, rushing for 1,173 yards on an impressive 7.1 yards per carry and 11 touchdowns. He rushed for at least 5.5 yards per carry in each of Louisville's three games against ranked opponents last year, putting up 151 yards in its upset win over Clemson. That helped Brown win ACC Rookie of the Year and earn second-team All-Conference honors. Allen is the first of two Nittany Lions running backs who'll appear on the list. Returning for his senior season, Allen made incremental improvements in each of his first three years in Happy Valley. He started off as an 800-yard rusher as a freshman in 2022 before rushing for 1,108 yards on five yards per carry and five touchdowns last season, and that was as he split carries with another player on our list. After losing standout Jordan James to the NFL, Oregon was able to land a quality running back to replace him for the 2025 season. Hughes transferred to Eugene after two strong seasons at Tulane, where he rushed for over 2,700 yards. Last season, Hughes rushed for 1,401 yards on 5.3 yards per carry and 15 touchdowns to be named first-team All-AAC for the second straight year. The other half of Penn State's dynamic running back duo, Singleton is arguably the most complete running back in college football. His speed helped him rush for over 1,000 yards for the second time in his career in 2024, going for 1,099 yards on 6.4 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a receiver, Singleton had 41 receptions for 375 yards and five touchdowns. Even though Penn State has struggled in big games in recent years, Singleton has not. In the Nittany Lions' final four games of the 2024 season – the Big Ten Championship and three CFP games – he rushed for 376 yards and five touchdowns. Love was Notre Dame's offensive catalyst in its surprise run to the national championship game last season. He rushed for 1,125 yards on 6.9 yards per carry and 17 touchdowns, adding two receiving touchdowns as well. While his numbers in the postseason might not look great, Love was battling injury at the time. That didn't stop him from taking a run 98 yards to the house in Notre Dame's win over Indiana. Not only is Love our top-ranked running back heading into the 2025 season, but he's also one of FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt's top players entering the year. Klatt ranked Love as his sixth-best player in college football entering the year, saying that he "gives Notre Dame the ability to compete at the top end of the sport. "I don't think we've seen the best of Love yet," Klatt said. "He rushed for over 7.0 yards per carry [before the injury] and is a home run threat every time he touches the ball. Those types of running backs who can change the game with one touch are really special." 2025 Heisman Trophy odds: Arch Manning, Texas: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)Garrett Nussmeier, LSU: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)Cade Klubnik, Clemson: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Julian Sayin, Ohio State: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Drew Allar, Penn State: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)DJ Lagway, Florida: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)Dante Moore, Oregon: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)John Mateer (Oklahoma): +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)Sam Leavitt (Arizona State): +2800 (bet $10 to win $290 total)Carson Beck, Miami:+3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
