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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Florida ranks on ESPN's Future Power Rankings
Where Florida ranks on ESPN's Future Power Rankings ESPN's Future Power Rankings used to look forward three years, assuming that most elite players remained at one school through their junior year. The transfer portal has changed the way college football programs view windows to win, and so the list is now a two-year "snapshot of the landscape." The Florida Gators check in at No. 15 after not being ranked in the previous update. ESPN college football reporter Adam Rittenberg uses six categories to determine his rankings: returning quarterback, likelihood of a multi-year quarterback on the roster, offensive and defensive line outlook, roster management, star power (including All-Americans, national award contenders, and all-conference contenders), and the coaching staff. Rittenberg adds that a team doesn't have to be strong in every category to warrant a high ranking, but most top-25 teams likely check multiple boxes. The future is bright for the Gators. Here's why. Returning QB/Likelihood of Multiyear QB DJ Lagway is the reason for much of the optimism aimed at Florida this offseason, and the former five-star being the unquestioned start coming into the 2025 campaign answers the first two questions Rittenberg asks. Lagway got a taste of SEC action as a starter once Graham Mertz went down, and the team never lost a game that he started and finished. He's the leader of the program for at least the next two seasons if he can stay healthy. "Top 10 national recruit DJ Lagway emerged as Florida's starter last season, and displayed impressive deep-ball accuracy, finishing with 1,915 passing yards and 12 touchdowns," Rittenberg wrote. "He didn't throw this spring because of a shoulder injury but should be ready for preseason camp." Offensive and Defensive Line Outlook Florida's good here, too. The Gators return four starters on the offensive line, including All-America center Jake Slaughter. Austin Barber is entering his third year as Florida's left tackle, Knijeah Harris took a big step forward at left guard last season and Damieon George Jr. decided to return for his senior year instead of going to the draft. The only position up front that's a question mark is right tackle, following Brendan Crenshaw-Dickson's graduation. "The Gators excelled in both pass protection and run blocking, and promising sophomore Bryce Lovett is pegged to take over at right tackle. Florida brings back one of the SEC's top defensive line tandems in senior tackle Caleb Banks and senior end Tyreak Sapp, who led the team in both sacks (7) and tackles for loss (13)." Beyond Banks and Sapp, Florida is getting Jamari Lyons back from a broken ankle that happened during the preseason. George Gumbs Jr. was one of the more productive edge rushers for Florida, too, and several young guys will get the chance to step up on defense. Roster Management/Star Power Lagway is the obvious star on offense, but there are plenty of guys on both sides of the ball looking to make an impact. The return of Eugene Wilson III is highly anticipated, and the running backs room was the talk of the spring game. Florida has a roster full of Billy Napier-recruited talent now, which means its time to produce. "A small number of incoming transfers (seven) underscores how pleased Florida is with its returning group. The Gators retained several players who could have gone to the NFL, especially linemen Slaughter, Banks and Sapp. They also brought back one of the nation's top young offensive backfields..." "... Napier has his best roster entering Year 4, headlined by an established star in Slaughter, experienced defensive linemen in Banks and Sapp, and a group of exciting non-seniors, including Lagway, (Jadan) Baugh and safety Bryce Thornton." Coaching Staff Napier's coaching decision might still come under fire from the fans, but his team produced results in the second half of the season and was one of the most injured programs in the SEC. With a healthier and more mature group, the success Florida saw at the end of the season should only continue. Yes, there were changes to the staff, but Florida still has its primary defensive coordinator in the fold and Napier runs the offense alongside Russ Callaway." "Napier is in a much stronger position after a strong finish to 2024. He brought in Vinnie Sunseri to replace Austin Armstrong at defensive coordinator and work alongside veteran Ron Roberts. Russ Callaway is back to lead the offensive staff and work with Lagway." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where every Big Ten team ranks in ESPN's Future Power Rankings ahead of 2025 season
Where every Big Ten team ranks in ESPN's Future Power Rankings ahead of 2025 season As the 2025 college football season approaches, several Top 25 polls and rankings of various types will be published in the coming months. But the overall health of a football program is also important, not just for the 2025 season. Some teams are built for success now and for the next few years. Some are set for just this year, and then who knows? And then some programs are floundering for this year, and their future is in question. ESPN has ranked each of the Power 4 teams in terms of how well they are set up for not only this season, but for 2026 as well. Having a returning quarterback seems to be a huge factor, as it should be. It's difficult to have a continuous revolving door at the QB1 spot. Although the Ducks have had tremendous success through the transfer portal with the quarterback position, Dan Lanning realizes that this plan is probably not sustainable. Dante Moore is set up for success for the next couple of seasons and the Ducks have worked hard on the recruiting trail to get prep quarterbacks, develop them and go that route. Not everyone is in Oregon's spot and has work to do. This is how each Big Ten team is ranked, according to ESPN, as to how well they are set for success for the present and near future. No. 18 — Purdue Boilermakers National Rank: 67 Purdue is under a major rebuild with new coach Dave Odom. They have new faces on both sides of the line and a new quarterback in Ryan Browne. Don't expect a lot from the Boilermakers in the next two or three seasons, at least. No. 17 — Maryland Terrapins National Rank: 60 Maryland lost a lot of last year's squad that went 4-8, so that could be a blessing in disguise. Quarterback Billy Edwards, Jr. bolted for Wisconsin, and the Terrapins don't have a clear favorite to take over, yet. It's going to take a bit to get their house in order, and playing in a great conference doesn't help that process. No. 16 — Northwestern Wildcats National Rank: 58 Northwestern is trending up some although the national ranking isn't great. They secured former SMU signal caller Preston Stone with hopes of revitalizing what was an anemic offense. The Wildcats should be better in 2025 and they hope that trend continues on an upward trajectory. Having their stadium reopen in 2026 will be a huge plus for the program. No. 15 — Wisconsin Badgers National Rank: 54 Adding Edwards from Maryland should help what was a bad offense from a year ago, but he's just there for a season. The Badgers program seems to be a bit stagnant at the moment, which shouldn't bode well for coach Luke Fickell being in Madison a lot longer. No. 14 — Michigan State Spartans National Rank: 51 The Spartans should be better in Year 2 under Jonathan Smith as they hope quarterback Aiden Chiles comes into his own in the next two seasons. Exactly how much he improves will determine the direction of the program going forward. No. 13 — UCLA Bruins National Rank: 49 The addition of quarterback Nico Iamaleava will improve the Bruins' offense a lot, but whether he returns for a second season in Pasadena remains to be seen. UCLA might be good for a bit, or they might just have a one-year surge before dropping down to mediocre status once again. No. 12 — Rutgers Scarlet Knights National Rank: 43 Rutgers is a program that has spurts of being good and then it dips. It's a rollercoaster, and for this year, the Scarlet Knights should be a decent team with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis. But after he leaves, Rutgers might experience yet another dip in success unless the transfer portal helps out, which is entirely possible. No. 11 — Minnesota Golden Gophers National Rank: 40 When Minnesota hired P.J. Fleck nine years ago, they probably expected more success. But they've been consistently good, just not great. They break in sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey, who should be the guy for a while. The Gophers expect to be on the rise in the coming years. No. 10 — Nebraska Cornhuskers National Rank: 36 The Cornhuskers seem to be heading in the right direction under coach Martt Rhule and he has his star quarterback in Dylan Raiola, who had a remarkable freshman season. Nebraska could easily see a resurgence of power in the coming seasons. No. 9 — Washington Huskies National Rank: 33 The Huskies should be pretty good over the next few seasons, assuming quarterback Demond Williams lives up to the hype. Washington has done well in recruiting under coach Jedd Fisch, but they aren't good enough to be a huge threat to the conference's elite teams. Yet. No. 8 — USC Trojans National Rank: 26 USC didn't hire Lincoln Riley to be a team just outside the Top 25. He was brought in to win national championships, something the Trojans aren't close to achieving yet. They are recruiting better, but patience is wearing thin in Los Angeles. No. 7 — Iowa Hawkeyes National Rank: 23 Iowa could go either way in the coming seasons, but they'll have to develop the talent they do have. South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski has come in, so the Hawkeye offense should be better. Unfortunately for them, it's possible Iowa could be one of those middle-of-the-road teams for a while. But having a national rank of 23 isn't bad. No. 6 — Indiana Hoosiers National Rank: 20 Indiana came out of nowhere last season and reached the College Football Playoff, and it's impossible to expect that kind of success again so quickly. But the exposure the Hoosiers received is invaluable. It might take them a couple of years to build it back up, but at least the days of Indiana being the doormats of the Big Ten are over. No. 5 — Illinois Fighting Illini National Rank: 17 Illinois could very well be the sleeper team of the Big Ten this season with quarterback Luke Altmyer behind center. They have a very good line on both sides of the ball, and coach Bret Beilma has this program on the rise. They might not be one of the elite teams in the conference, but they should be above everyone else in the Big Ten. No. 4 — Michigan Wolverines National Rank: 13 Michigan might be well on its way back to national prominence after a couple of "down" seasons. No. 1 overall recruit in quarterback Bryce Underwood is expected to be the next great Wolverine and should be there in the foreseeable future. A return to the playoffs is a definite possibility, not only this year, but for the coming seasons as well. No. 3 — Penn State Nittany Lions National Rank: 6 Penn State's window to win the national title is open right now. How long it stays open is the big question. Coach Jamees Franklin hasn't been able to maintain elite status. But they have quarterback Drew Allar for another season. The Nittany Lions need to take advantage right now. If not, who knows when their next chance will come? No. 2 — Oregon Ducks National Rank: 4 Oregon is ranked this high due to the amount of talent throughout the roster. It's not offensive-heavy or defensive-heavy. It's the balance that makes the Ducks so tough. Quarterback Dante Moore was one of the top recruits in the country for a reason, and after playing behind Dillon Gabriel for a season, Moore could very well show why he was so heavily recruited. No. 1 — Ohio State Buckeyes National Rank: 2 Despite losing their quarterback, Will Howard, and offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, to the NFL, the Buckeyes still have Jeremiah Smith at receiver for two more seasons. As long as he's healthy and have a formidable defense, Ohio State will still be nearly impossible to beat. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
SMU Lands Game-Changing 2026 Linebacker Izayah Young
SMU Lands Game-Changing 2026 Linebacker Izayah Young originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Sometimes, it takes just one moment to recognize where you belong. For Izayah Young, that moment came when he slipped on an SMU jersey during his official visit. 'The moment I put the uniform on, that's when I knew this is home,' the 2026 San Marcos (Texas) linebacker told On3 Sports after announcing his commitment Monday. And home is exactly what the Mustangs' defense may have just found in the 6-foot, 190-pound prospect who's primed to be a difference-maker in the ACC. Advertisement Young's recruitment was no small feat. He held offers from Baylor, Tennessee, Pitt, and several other Power 4 programs. Yet it was SMU's blend of opportunity, culture, and coaching vision that ultimately won him over during the Pony Express recruiting weekend. 'I had a great time there,' Young said after an earlier visit during spring practice. 'That's a team I definitely want to play for great coaches, great players, and amazing facilities.' He spent valuable 1-on-1 time with head coach Rhett Lashlee, who has been intent on building a defensively stout program to match SMU's explosive offense. But it was linebackers coach Maurice Crum, affectionately known as 'Coach Mo,' who sealed the deal. 'Coach Mo told me I'm a guy he wants on his team,' Young said. 'He wants to develop me into a monster.' Advertisement Young is currently ranked No. 672 nationally, the 53rd linebacker in the country, and No. 99 overall in Texas, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average across all major recruiting services. That puts him among the elite defensive prospects in the Lone Star State. More importantly, Young becomes the second linebacker to join SMU's 2026 class, alongside Markel Dabney out of Virginia. The Mustangs' 2026 recruiting class ranked in the Top 25 nationally even before Young's announcement, a promising sign as SMU gears up for life in the ACC. This isn't just a depth signing, it's a potential cornerstone for SMU's future defense. SMU is building something serious on the Hilltop. With major conference realignment on the horizon and a surge in recruiting momentum, landing a talent like Young doesn't just reflect smart evaluation, it sends a message: The Mustangs aren't backing down from anyone. Advertisement For fans hungry for grit and physicality, Young delivers exactly that. A hard-hitting, instinctual linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range, he's the type of player who thrives in a system designed to let playmakers roam. And now, he's coming to Dallas. Related: SMU Surges to No. 14 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings Related: SMU's Rhett Lashlee Admits the College Football Playoff Made an Error This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
BYU Cracks ESPN's Future Power Rankings Top 25
BYU Cracks ESPN's Future Power Rankings Top 25 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The roar in Provo just got louder. After years of fighting for respect in the national conversation, BYU football fans finally have something new to celebrate: a Top 25 spot in ESPN's Future Power Rankings, a forward-looking evaluation of college football programs across the next two seasons (2025 and 2026). For the first time ever, the Cougars cracked the list, coming in at No. 25. Advertisement It's not just a number. It's a signal. For a program that's been dismissed as an outsider during the Power Four era, ESPN's nod is a recognition of progress and potential. The rankings consider a mix of quarterback stability, line play, roster management, recruiting, star power and coaching. And for BYU, those boxes are finally being checked. The quarterback room is murky but promising. Jake Retzlaff, who led BYU to an 11-win season in 2024, is expected to return, although legal issues involving a civil lawsuit could cloud his future. Behind him, BYU has real options in McCae Hillstead and Treyson Bourguet, both of whom have FBS starting experience. BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff© Rob Gray-Imagn Images The trenches will look different in 2025, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Honorable mention All-Big 12 guard Weylin Lapuaho anchors a reshuffled offensive line that includes Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry and Southern Utah's Kyle Sfarcioc. On defense, Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa and returner Logan Lutui headline a unit that added much-needed bulk and power in the portal. Advertisement Despite losing some key players to the spring transfer window, the Cougars hit back in the portal. They added former Texas edge rusher Tausili Akana and Oklahoma State tackle Justin Kirkland. Linebacker Jack Kelly, the reigning Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, returns to lead a unit that's short on experience but long on potential. BYU also retained impact playmakers on offense. Chase Roberts, the team's leading receiver, and LJ Martin, who ran for over 1,000 yards in 2024, are both back. Add in first-team All-Big 12 kicker Will Ferrin and a top-20 ranked 2026 recruiting class, and the pipeline looks promising. Kalani Sitake enters his 10th season with his most complete staff yet. Coordinators Jay Hill and Aaron Roderick return after an 11-2 season that rewrote the expectations for BYU in the Big 12. And now, they've got the national validation to prove it. ESPN's Future Power Rankings aren't a prediction, they're a projection. But for BYU, this moment feels like a turning point. If the Cougars can navigate the quarterback uncertainty and keep developing depth in the trenches, they have a real chance to rise even higher. Advertisement Cougar Nation: this is your call to stay loud, stay loyal, and stay ready. The national spotlight is finally turning toward Provo. And this time, it's not going anywhere. Related: How BYU Plans to Distribute $20.5 Revenue Share After House Settlement Related: BYU's Price for Winning Comes at a Cost to Fans This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
SMU Surges to No. 14 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings
SMU Surges to No. 14 in ESPN's Future Power Rankings originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The days of SMU being a college football afterthought are over. Following a headline-grabbing 2024 season that saw the Mustangs storm into the ACC, make it to the conference title, and crash the College Football Playoff, ESPN's Future Power Rankings now place SMU at No. 14 nationally, a dramatic rise from their No. 22 spot just a year ago. Advertisement This ranking isn't just a pat on the back. It's a statement: SMU's resurgence is real, and its foundation is strong enough to last. At the center of SMU's ascension is redshirt junior Kevin Jennings, who returns for a possible two more seasons. While his CFP debut against Penn State was rocky, throwing three interceptions, his overall numbers paint a different picture: 3,245 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five rushing scores in 2024. ESPN cites the 'very likely' stability of Jennings at quarterback through 2026 as a major reason for the Mustangs' rise. With offensive coordinator Casey Woods and quarterbacks coach D'Eriq King returning, the continuity around Jennings is a rare asset in today's transfer-heavy landscape. Though SMU's offense grabs the headlines, their defensive line is quietly elite. Returning edge rushers Cameron Robertson and Isaiah Smith combined for 14 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in 2024, while Purdue transfer Jeffrey M'Ba brings SEC size and experience to the interior. Advertisement The offensive line is just as formidable. PJ Williams and Logan Parr, both third-team All-ACC selections, return alongside Savion Byrd, with Arkansas transfer Addison Nichols adding depth. Even with the loss of elite quarterback recruit Keelon Russell to Alabama, SMU reeled in ESPN's No. 30 recruiting class for 2025. Coach Rhett Lashlee's staff has balanced retention and portal additions better than most Power Four programs, reinforcing weak spots without overhauling the core. Defensively, All-ACC safety Isaiah Nwokobia and playmaker Ahmaad Moses lead a unit filled with future pros. ESPN noted that while SMU lost some defensive depth, they have 'others ready for bigger roles.' With ACC competition leveling up and College Football Playoff expansion rewarding depth and consistency, SMU is built to thrive. The only looming question: Can the Mustangs keep Lashlee long-term, as SEC programs circle? Southern Methodist Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee looks Miron-Imagn Images One thing is certain, SMU isn't just participating in the Power Four era. They're pushing to lead it. Advertisement Mustang fans, it's time to lean in. The next two seasons could define the modern identity of SMU football. Don't miss a moment, because for the first time in decades, the nation is watching Dallas. Related: Former NFL Kicker and SMU Great Unexpectedly Dies at 65 Related: SMU's Rhett Lashlee Admits the College Football Playoff Made an Error This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
