Ranking the top 25 college football teams: Who's biggest winner after the spring portal window?

New York Times

21-05-2025

I all but flipped a coin back in January when choosing between Penn State and Texas for No. 1. Then Steve Sarkisian's team became arguably the biggest winner in the spring portal window and made the decision easier this time.
Familiar faces: QB Arch Manning, RB Quintrevion Wisner, WR Ryan Wingo, edge Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., S Michael Taaffe
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Notable spring additions: WR Emmett Mosley V (Stanford), TE Jack Endries (Cal), DT Maraad Watson (Syracuse), K Mason Shipley (Texas State)
Despite losing 12 draft picks, Texas looks like the closest thing to a complete team. Everyone knows about Manning, but the 'Horns should again be teeming with skill talent and strong in the trenches. Mosley and Endries become immediate targets for Manning, while Watson (6-foot-3, 313 pounds), a true freshman starter, Purdue transfer Cole Brevard and North Carolina transfer Travis Shaw fill a need at defensive tackle.
Familiar faces: QB Drew Allar, RBs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen, DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, DT Zane Durant, S Zakee Wheatley
Notable spring additions: WR Trebor Pena (Syracuse), LB Amare Campbell (UNC)
Penn State most closely fits the 2023 Michigan/2024 Ohio State 'everybody's staying' mold, but last year's College Football Playoff semifinalist still had one glaring deficiency: wide receiver. Coach James Franklin hopes he's addressed that with a trio of transfers: USC's Kyron Hudson, Troy's Devonte Ross and Pena, a breakout star on last season's 10-win Syracuse team (84 catches for 941 yards). Campbell was highly productive with 76 tackles and 10 1/2 TFLs in 2024.
Familiar faces: QB Cade Klubnik, WR Antonio Williams, DEs T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, LB Sammy Brown, CB Avieon Terrell
Notable spring additions: None
I was already high on Clemson, and then two things happened. 1. Coach Dabo Swinney finally got some transfers, and one of them, former Southeast Missouri State receiver Tristan Smith, stole the show at the Tigers' spring game with five catches for 137 yards. 2. Early 2026 mock drafts emerged, and every guy listed above (save for second-year player Brown) was a projected first-rounder. Clemson should have its best team in five years.
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Familiar faces: WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, LBs Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese, CB Davison Igbinosun, S Caleb Downs
Notable spring additions: DE Beau Atkinson (North Carolina)
My first 2025 top 25 was published the morning after the Buckeyes' national championship win, at which point it was hard to overlook how many key players they were losing. (As it turned out, 14 draft picks.) But coach Ryan Day still has a lot of veterans, and now he's added Atkinson (7 1/2 sacks last season), who could start opposite returnee Kenyatta Jackson. But it all comes down to how expected QB1 Julian Sayin performs.
Familiar faces: RB Jeremiyah Love, WR Jaden Greathouse, LBs Drayk Bowen and Jaylen Sneed, CB Leonard Moore, S Adon Shuler
Notable spring additions: None
Coach Marcus Freeman's QB competition seemingly resolved itself in the spring as redshirt freshman CJ Carr seized control of the race, prompting veteran Steve Angeli to portal his way to Syracuse. Love is a Heisman contender, TE Eli Raridon is poised for a breakout and former Virginia WR Malachi Fields arrives this summer.
Familiar faces: QB Garrett Nussmeier, RB Caden Durham, WR Aaron Anderson, LBs Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins Jr.
Notable spring additions: DT Bernard Gooden (USF), S A.J. Haulcy (Houston)
I'm still high on LSU despite the two-spot drop. Coach Brian Kelly added to what was already the nation's No. 1 transfer class with Gooden, who had 10 TFLs last season, and first-team All-Big 12 safety Haulcy. WR Nic Anderson from Oklahoma is a big get. Reports out of spring indicated that the Tigers' D-line will be a strength, thanks to Florida transfer Jack Pyburn and Nebraska transfer Jimari Butler.
Familiar faces: QB Gunner Stockton, RB Nate Frazier, TE Oscar Delp, LB CJ Allen, CB Daylen Everette
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Notable spring additions: RB Josh McCray (Illinois), LB Elo Modozie (Army)
I was mildly surprised to see Georgia's Vegas win total is only 9.5. If there's concern, it may be either that Stockton is still relatively unproven or that the D-line is not up to previous standards. Stockton should have plenty of guys to throw to with the additions of USC's Zachariah Branch and Texas A&M's Noah Thomas. McCray (609 yards, 10 TDs in 2024) should be a nice complement to Frazier, and Modozie (6 1/2 sacks) should make an impact.
Familiar faces: RB Noah Whittington, WR Evan Stewart, pass-rushers Matayo Uiagalelei and Teitum Tuioti, MLB Bryce Boettcher
Notable spring additions: None
Oregon's prospects depend heavily on former five-star QB Dante Moore, once a freshman starter for UCLA. He went 12-of-20 for 140 yards in the spring game. RB Makhi Hughes (2,779 yards in two seasons) is poised to take the Big Ten by storm. Transfer LT Isaiah World (Nevada) and G Emmanuel Pregnon (USC) should be immediate starters. Dan Lanning has no shortage of pass rushers with Uiagalelei, Tuioti and LB Blake Purchase.
Familiar faces: QB Carson Beck (Georgia), RB Mark Fletcher Jr., OT Francis Mauigoa, DE Rueben Bain Jr., LB Wesley Bissainthe
Notable spring additions: WR/KR Keelan Marion (BYU), RB CharMar Brown (North Dakota State), LBs Mohamed Toure (Rutgers) and Kamal Bonner (NC State), CB Keionte Scott (Auburn/Houston), K Bert Auburn (Texas)
No one was more active in the spring portal window than coach Mario Cristobal, who added a potential breakout star in Brown (1,181 yards, 15 TDs), the Jerry Rice Award winner for best FCS freshman; an All-American kick returner in Marion; and a proven seventh-year senior (!) in Toure (93 tackles, 10 TFLs in 2023), who missed 2024. Freshman WR Malachi Toney had a great spring game. Beck has been cleared for summer workouts.
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Familiar faces: WRs Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, DT Tim Keenan III, LB Deontae Lawson, CB Domani Jackson
Notable spring additions: TE Brody Dalton (Troy)
It's notable that no Alabama players hit the portal after spring practices, indicating coach Kalen DeBoer is pleased with his roster. Fourth-year junior QB Ty Simpson seized control of the starting job this spring. He has plenty of options to throw to among Williams, Bernard and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton. This should be another top-10 defense, with Colorado LB Nikhai Hill-Green filling one of the few holes.
Familiar faces: QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson, TE Chamon Metayer, DT C.J. Fite, S Xavion Alford
Notable spring additions: Edge Joshua Shanklin (juco)
Coach Kenny Dillingham mostly recruited for depth in the spring because he has so much coming back from last year's Big 12 title team (with the notable exception of star RB Cam Skattebo). He previously nabbed Army RB Kanye Udoh (1,110 yards) to join promising returnee Kyson Brown. Fresno State WR Jalen Moss (48 catches, 563 yards) looks like a solid complement to Tyson. ASU's concern is generating a better pass rush.
Familiar faces: QB DJ Lagway, RB Jadan Baugh, C Jake Slaughter, DE Tyreak Sapp, DT Caleb Banks
Notable spring additions: None
Billy Napier only took five transfers between the winter and spring windows and expects major contributions from his freshman class. Early enrollee WR Dallas Wilson set a Florida spring game record with 10 catches for 195 yards. While the talented Lagway is the biggest reason for so much optimism around the Gators, they'll also be strong in the trenches. Slaughter, OT Austin Barber, Sapp and Banks are all garnering early first-round NFL Draft buzz.
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Familiar faces: QB Jake Retzlaff, RB LJ Martin, WR Chase Roberts, LB Isaiah Glasker, K Will Ferrin
Notable spring additions: WR Tiger Bachmeier (Stanford), DT Justin Kirkland (Oklahoma State)
Notable spring defections: WR/KR Keelan Marion (All-American kick returner), LB Harrison Taggart (69 tackles in 2024)
Several key pieces from BYU's 11-win season last year return, most notably the dual-threat QB Retzlaff. But it hurt to lose Taggart, the Cougars' second-leading tackler last season, and Marion, a spring practice standout at receiver. Two Utah transfers, TE Carsen Ryan and DT Keanu Tanuvasa, are expected to start. BYU has a lot of proven veterans on defense, like Glasker and S Tanner Wall.
Familiar faces: RB Jovantae Barnes, WR Deion Burks, DE R Mason Thomas, S Robert Spears-Jennings, LB Kip Jennings
Notable spring additions: RB Jaydn Ott (Cal), G Jake Maikkula (Stanford)
Notable spring defection: RB Gavin Sawchuk (744 yards in 2023)
I didn't realize in January how much Oklahoma would transform its offense. Washington State QB John Mateer, one of the most coveted QBs this offseason, reunited with his former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Then coach Brent Venables got Ott, who ran for 2,212 yards and 20 TDs the past two seasons. Top receiver Burks is back after missing most of last season. Florida State's Marvin Jones Jr. adds to an already talented defense.
Familiar faces: QB Marcel Reed, RB Le'Veon Moss, DE Cashius Howell, LB Taurean York, S Dalton Brooks
Notable spring additions: None
Reed is the face of A&M's offense now. Coach Mike Elko spent the winter cycle upgrading his receivers and D-line, which showed in the spring game. Mississippi State's Mario Craver and NC State's Kevin Concepcion both made big plays. DEs T.J. Searcy (Florida) and Dayon Hayes (Colorado) and DT Tyler Onyedim (Iowa State) should be starters or rotation guys, as well as freshman Marco Jones, who had five sacks in the spring game.
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Familiar faces: QB Luke Altmyer, LT J.C. Davis, OLB Gabe Jacas, S Matthew Bailey, DB Xavier Scott
Notable spring additions: DL Carter Hewitt (Northern Iowa)
Notable spring defection: RB Josh McCray (609 yards, 10 TDs in 2024)
I went a bit overboard on the Illini in January, before they lost top returning rusher McCray to Georgia. But there's still a lot to like coming off a 10-win season. Unsurprisingly, coach Bret Bielema's team is built up front, with four O-linemen who earned All-Big Ten honors in 2024. Former Wisconsin DL James Thompson Jr. helps fill a need, as does former West Virginia WR Hudson Clement (51 catches, 741 yards).
Familiar faces: QB LaNorris Sellers, WR Nyck Harbor, DEs Dylan Stewart and Bryan Thomas Jr., DB Jalon Kilgore
Notable spring additions: DE Demon Clowney (Ole Miss)
Notable spring defection: OL Jakai Moore (28 career starts, injured in 2024)
Sellers should be one of the stars of the sport after a breakout redshirt freshman season (2,534 yards passing, 674 yards rushing). Freshman WR Malik Clark could become one of his targets. The Gamecocks lost a lot from last year's dominant D-line. Coach Shane Beamer got help on the interior with Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M) and Troy Pikes (Georgia Southern). NC State's Brandon Cisse will help in the secondary.
Familiar faces: WRs Elijah Starrett and Omar Cooper Jr., LB Aiden Fisher, OLB Mikail Kamara, CB D'Angelo Ponds
Notable spring additions: WR Jonathan Brady (Cal; 98 career receptions for 1,317 yards), edge Kellan Wyatt (Maryland; 80 career tackles, 8 1/2 sacks), DE Stephen Daley (Kent State; 51 tackles, 9 TFLs in 2024)
Coach Curt Cignetti used the portal in the winter to reload on offense, landing Cal QB Fernando Mendoza (19 career starts), Maryland RB Roman Hamby (2,276 career rushing yards), Tennessee TE Holden Staes and three potential starters on the O-line, most notably Notre Dame's Pat Coogan. In the spring, he added two proven pass rushers in Wyatt and Daly. Indiana plays a tougher Big Ten schedule in 2025.
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Familiar faces: QB Behren Morton, WR Caleb Douglas, LBs Jacob Rodriguez and Ben Roberts, S Maurion Horn
Notable spring additions: WR Micah Hudson (Texas A&M), C Cash Cleveland (Colorado), DE David Bailey (Stanford)
Notable spring defection: Edge Joseph Adedire (14 career starts)
Texas Tech reportedly spent more than $10 million on its winter portal class, and that was before a seven-figure deal for Bailey, who had 14 1/2 sacks in three seasons. He and Georgia Tech's Romello Height give coach Joey McGuire two big-time ends, joined by disruptive DTs Lee Hunter (UCF) and Skyler Gill-Howard (NIU). Other impact guys include USC RB Quinten Joyner and Miami (Ohio) WR Reggie Virgil.
Familiar faces: Edges Derrick Moore and TJ Guy, LB Ernest Hausmann, CB Zeke Berry, S Rod Moore
Notable spring additions: RBs CJ Hester (UMass) and John Volker (Princeton), P Luke Bauer (Missouri)
All signs point to five-star freshman QB Bryce Underwood assuming the reins come Week 1. Coach Sherrone Moore needs new skill players to emerge. Alabama RB Justice Haynes is one proven guy, as is Indiana WR Donaven McCulley (48 catches for 644 yards in 2023). Michigan's defense should again be a strength, with experience across the board. Arkansas' TJ Metcalf should be a factor in the secondary.
Familiar faces: QB Sawyer Robertson, RB Bryson Washington, WR/KR Josh Cameron, TE Michael Trigg, LB Keaton Thomas
Notable spring additions: WR Louis Brown IV (San Diego State; 38 catches for 620 yards in 2024), CB Caldra Williford (Tennessee Tech; 88 tackles over two seasons)
Baylor has the chance to field one of the nation's most dangerous offenses, led by Robertson, Washington and four returning O-line starters. Coach Dave Aranda added several capable receivers, including Alabama's Kobe Prentice. The defense has questions, though; Aranda will count on Oregon LB Emar'rion Winston, FIU LB Travion Barnes (129 tackles in 2024) and Northwestern S Devin Turner (130 career tackles).
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Familiar faces: QB Maddux Madsen, WR Latrell Caples, TE Matt Lauter, Edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan, S Ty Benefield
Notable spring additions: Edge Sterling Lane II (Arizona), S Derek Ganter Jr. (Eastern Washington)
Notable spring defections: LB Andrew Simpson (25 career starts), P James Ferguson-Reynolds (three-year starter)
Boise, which returns its QB1 and four offensive line starters, will be the Group of 5 front-runner again. While there's no replacing Ashton Jeanty, Fresno State RB Malik Sherrod (172 carries, 966 yards in 2023) was the star of spring and will be joined by promising redshirt freshman Sire Gaines. Boise lost several big names on defense from last year's Playoff team and saw its D-line thinned by portal exits.
Familiar faces: RBs Isaac Brown, WRs Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell, LBs TJ Quinn and Stanquan Clark
Notable spring additions: WRs Dacari Collins (NC State) and TreyShun Hurry (San Jose State), S Joseph Jefferson (Purdue)
Notable spring defection: G Austin Collins (14 starts over two seasons)
Jeff Brohm has the makings of another potent offense with USC QB Miller Moss, who played well in the spring game, two solid running backs and the return of Lacy, a 1,316-yard receiver in 2023 who was injured last season. Brohm stocked up on receiver depth in the spring. Three transfers could start on the O-line. Louisville needs to get much better in pass coverage. Southern CB Rodney Johnson should help.
Familiar faces: WR Cam Coleman, DE Keldric Faulk, LB Demarcus Riddick, CB Kayin Lee, S Sylvester Smith
Notable spring additions: DE James Ash (Florida A&M), LB Caleb Wheatland (Maryland)
I predict Auburn will be one of the most improved teams in the country. Despite going 6-7, it fielded a top-20 defense last year with many young players, nearly all of whom return. Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold should fare better now that he'll have a bunch of stud receivers, led by freshman standout Coleman and Georgia Tech's Eric Singleton Jr. (1,468 yards in two seasons). Some running backs will need to step up.
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Familiar faces: QB Avery Johnson, RB Dylan Edwards, WR Jayce Brown, LB Austin Romaine, S VJ Payne
Notable spring additions: RB Antonio Johnson Jr. (Southeastern Louisiana), OLs JB Nelson (Penn State) and Terrence Enos Jr. (Pittsburgh)
New OC Matt Wells has several proven playmakers in Johnson, Edwards and Brown and TE Garrett Oakley, and K-State added another potential impact receiver in Purdue's Jaron Tibbs. Head coach Chris Klieman addressed several needs on the offensive line by bringing in Ohio State T George Fitzpatrick, Nelson and Enos Jr. Standout Arizona safety Gunner Maldonado (175 career tackles) was a big get.
Dropped out: No. 13 Tennessee, No. 24 Navy
Just missed: SMU, Iowa, Iowa State, Missouri, Ole Miss
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Kevin C. Cox, Tim Warner, Carmen Mandato, Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)