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New York Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Stock up or down? Analyzing the offseason of every 2024 College Football Playoff team
Like every program, the 12 teams that reached the College Football Playoff last season have made it through the early signing period, what remains of the February national signing day, two transfer portal windows and 15 spring practices. Unlike every other program, those 12 teams are trying to maintain their precious spots at or near the top of the sport. Now that we've reached the point where we can realistically assess what teams will look like in the fall, it's a good time to analyze the offseasons of the 2024 CFP participants and determine whether their stock is up or down for 2025. Advertisement Staying: WR Jeremiah Smith, WR Carnell Tate, OL Carson Hinzman, LB Sonny Styles, S Caleb Downs Coming: RB CJ Donaldson (West Virginia), TE Max Klare (Purdue), DL Beau Atkinson (North Carolina) and the No. 4 recruiting class in the country Going: QB Will Howard, RB TreVeyon Henderson, RB Quinshon Judkins, WR Emeka Egbuka, OL Donovan Jackson, OL Josh Simmons, DL Jack Sawyer, DL JT Tuimoloau, LB Cody Simon, CB Denzel Burke Verdict: Down Make no mistake: The Buckeyes are likely a Playoff team in 2025, but for this exercise, they are a victim of their success. Ohio State lost 14 players to the NFL Draft and must replace both coordinators — offensive coordinator Chip Kelly (Las Vegas Raiders) and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles (Penn State). One of the replacements, DC Matt Patricia, was a curious hire. The Buckeyes are also breaking in a first-time starting quarterback, either Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz. They do, however, return arguably the two best players in the sport in Smith and Downs. The Buckeyes will still be very good and will feature one of the best rosters in the country, but it's almost impossible not to expect a step back after losing so many players and coaches. Staying: RB Jeremiyah Love, RB Jadarian Price, WR Jaden Greathouse, OL Charles Jagusah, OL Anthonie Knapp, LB Jaiden Ausberry, LB Drayk Bowen, S Adon Shuler, CB Christian Gray Coming: WR Malachi Fields (Virginia), WR Will Pauling (Wisconsin), S Jalen Stroman (Virginia Tech) and the No. 12 recruiting class Going: QB Riley Leonard, WR Beaux Collins, TE Mitchell Evans, OL Pat Coogan (Indiana), OL Sam Pendleton (Tennessee), OL Rocco Spindler (Nebraska), DL Rylie Mills, LB Jack Kiser, S Xavier Watts, CB Benjamin Morrison Verdict: Down Much like Ohio State, Notre Dame figures to take a small step back but could still reach the Playoff. Advertisement The offensive line should be elite and will be the heartbeat of the team, even though it lost some depth through the portal. The line will pave the way for the great backfield tandem of Love, who might be the best running back in the country, and Price. Notre Dame has to replace Leonard with an inexperienced quarterback, likely CJ Carr, so that is a question mark. We'll see if the receivers added in the portal can give the passing game a boost. The defense lost serious talent and experience in the back end with the departures of Kiser, Watts and Morrison. The unit will also have a new coordinator, as Chris Ash replaced Al Golden (Cincinnati Bengals). The Irish will be fine. But the schedule is a little tougher, and that, combined with some new faces at key spots, may lead to a slight regression. Staying: QB Drew Allar, RB Kaytron Allen, RB Nicholas Singleton, OL Nick Dawkins, OL Olaivavega Ioane, DL Dani Dennis-Sutton, DL Zane Durant, LB Tony Rojas, S Zakee Wheatley Coming: WR Kyron Hudson (USC), WR Trebor Pena (Syracuse), WR Devonte Ross (Troy), LB Amare Campbell (North Carolina) and the No. 15 recruiting class Going: TE Tyler Warren, LB Abdul Carter Verdict: Up It does feel like the loss of Carter and Warren, impactful players who were first-round picks, is being understated, but Penn State returns a bunch of talent from a team that nearly made the national championship game. Retaining Allar, Allen and Singleton was significant. Tom Allen was a good defensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions, but they upgraded with the addition of Knowles, who inherits a strong group. For all that Penn State brings back, its ceiling will ultimately be determined by the receiver additions — Pena, Ross and Hudson. Penn State's receivers weren't difference-makers in the passing game last season, and that was a huge factor in the Orange Bowl, when no wideout caught a pass in the loss to Notre Dame. Can one of those three emerge as a dependable option in Penn State's toughest games? Staying: QB Arch Manning, RB CJ Baxter, RB Tre Wisner, WR DeAndre Moore Jr., WR Ryan Wingo, DL Trey Moore, DL Colin Simmons, LB Anthony Hill Jr., LB Liona Lefau, DB Michael Taaffe Coming: WR Emmett Mosley (Stanford), TE Jack Endries (Cal), DL Maraad Watson (Syracuse), K Mason Shipley and the No. 1 recruiting class Advertisement Going: QB Quinn Ewers, RB Jaydon Blue, WR Matthew Golden, TE Gunnar Helm, OL Kelvin Banks, DL Alfred Collins, S Andrew Mukuba, CB Jahdae Barron Verdict: Up Yes, Texas had 11 players drafted, but Steve Sarkisian's rebuild probably hasn't received enough credit. The Longhorns have had 23 players drafted over the past two years. They had 22 players drafted in the previous eight years combined. Texas' roster is elite, and the Horns are winning at a high clip again — a Big 12 title in 2023, an SEC Championship Game appearance in 2024 and back-to-back trips to the CFP semis. There are questions, though. Young receivers have to take steps forward, and the offensive line will undergo a makeover after losing four starters. It's assumed Manning will be one of the best quarterbacks in college football, but he still has to prove that on the field as a first-time starter. Still, this is probably the best collection of talent in the SEC. Impact players return on defense (Hill, Simmons and Moore), and the coaching staff has continuity. There aren't a ton of reasons to doubt the Longhorns. Staying: QB Sam Leavitt, WR Jordyn Tyson, DL Clayton Smith, LB Keyshaun Elliot, S Xavion Alford, S Myles Rowser Coming: RB Kanye Udoh (Army), WR Jalen Moss (Fresno State), K Jesus Gomez (Eastern Michigan) Going: RB Cam Skattebo, LB Caleb McCullough, DB Shamari Simmons Verdict: Up It'll be tough to repeat as champions in a wide-open Big 12, but Arizona State has retained enough from last year's team and filled its holes sufficiently to have a real shot in coach Kenny Dillingham's third season. Skattebo was the unquestioned heart and soul of the team and is a major loss. Udoh, a 1,000-yard rusher at Army in 2024, will be called on to fill that void. Kyson Brown will have a role there as well. Advertisement Leavitt displayed real progress during the second half of the season and seems capable of shouldering more of the load. Having Tyson will help, but other receivers will need to step up. The defense, which was top 40 nationally in scoring (37th) and yards per play allowed (40th), is experienced and well-coached by DC Brian Ward. Special teams are often overlooked, but the Sun Devils had unreliable field goal kickers last season, which makes the addition of Gomez, who hit 20 of 25 attempts in 2024, significant. Staying: QB Maddux Madsen, WR Latrell Caples, OL Kage Casey, DL Braxton Fely, DL Jayden Virgin, LB Marco Notarainni, S Ty Benefield, S Zion Washington Coming: RB Malik Sherrod (Fresno State), S Derek Ganter Jr. (Eastern Washington), CB Jaden Mickey (Cal) Going: RB Ashton Jeanty, OL Ben Dooley, DL Ahmed Hassanein, LB Andrew Simpson (North Carolina) Verdict: Down Jeanty was one of the best players in college football and one of the best running backs in the sport's recent history. He was the driving force behind everything the Broncos did, and it's difficult to believe Boise State will be better offensively without him. Sherrod is likely to take over at running back. Madsen will be asked to do more, but he's losing his top two pass catchers. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter retired after the season and was replaced by tight ends coach Nate Potter. The good news is that four of the five offensive linemen who started in the Fiesta Bowl will be back. Boise State returns Virgin and Fely along the defensive front, so it should remain solid there. Pass defense is where the Broncos have to improve after they allowed 49 passes of 20-plus yards in 2024. Mickey and Ganter could be two key additions to the secondary. It's difficult for Group of 5 schools to maintain their rosters, but Boise State weathered the attrition storm pretty well. Simpson was one of the few notable transfers. But without Jeanty, it's hard to see the Broncos hitting the same heights. Advertisement Staying: QB Gunner Stockton, RB Nate Frazier, WR Dillon Bell, LB CJ Allen, LB Raylen Wilson, DB KJ Bolden Coming: RB Josh McCray (Illinois), WR Zachariah Branch (USC), WR Noah Thomas (Texas A&M), LB Elo Modozie (Army) and the No. 2 recruiting class Going: RB Trevor Etienne, WR Dominic Lovett, WR Arian Smith, OL Tate Ratledge, DL Mykel Williams, LB Jalon Walker, S Malaki Starks Verdict: Down The Bulldogs lost 13 players to the draft and have real questions, starting at quarterback with Stockton, who displayed encouraging signs but has started only one game. The offensive line lost three starters to the NFL. The program added potential playmakers at receiver but still lacks a true, proven No. 1 threat. The running game must improve after finishing 84th nationally in yards per carry (4.06 yards), a significant drop-off from top-15 finishes in the previous three seasons. Coach Kirby Smart has built a juggernaut, so Georgia won't lack for talent. Allen is a stud at linebacker, but it's challenging to replace three first-round talents such as Williams, Walker and Starks on defense even if blue-chip prospects are waiting in the wings. The Bulldogs will still occupy space near the top of the sport, but they're not an obvious national title favorite like in recent years. Staying: RB Noah Whittington, WR Traeshon Holden, WR Evan Stewart, DL Matayo Uiagalelei, LB Bryce Boettcher, CB Jahlil Florence Coming: RB Makhi Hughes (Tulane), OL Alex Harkey (Texas State), OL Emmanuel Pregnon (USC), OL Isaiah World (Nevada), DL Bear Alexander (USC), S Dillon Thieneman (Purdue) and the No. 5 recruiting class Going: QB Dillon Gabriel, RB Jordan James, WR Tez Johnson, TE Terrance Ferguson, OL Josh Conerly, DL Jordan Burch, DL Jamaree Caldwell, DL Derrick Harmon Advertisement Verdict: Down Coach Dan Lanning has built Oregon to the point where it'll have a top-five (or top-10 at worst) roster every season. The Ducks just had 10 players drafted. One thing Oregon lacks this year, though, is certainty at quarterback. Either Dante Moore or Austin Novosad will win the starting job, but both are relatively inexperienced (though Moore started five games at UCLA in 2023). The Ducks brought in three solid offensive line transfers, but it's a position group that requires chemistry and might need time to jell. The skill positions should be strong with Hughes at running back and an experienced receiver group that will add five-star freshman Dakorien Moore. The Ducks have recruited well along the defensive line and still have Uiagalelei, but they lost three high-end talents to the NFL. Alexander has potential but hasn't put it together yet in college. Thieneman was a great transfer pickup and will bolster a secondary that lost quite a bit. It'll be a surprise if Oregon doesn't contend for a Playoff spot, but whether the Ducks match the highs of last year is another question. Staying: QB Cade Klubnik, WR T.J. Moore, WR Bryant Wesco Jr., WR Antonio Williams, DL T.J. Parker, DL Peter Woods, LB Sammy Brown, LB Wade Woodaz, CB Avieon Terrell Coming: DL Will Heldt (Purdue) and the No. 26 recruiting class Going: LB Barrett Carter, RB Phil Mafah Verdict: Up This should be coach Dabo Swinney's best team since Trevor Lawrence's final season in 2020. Two areas stand out. One is the passing game led by Klubnik, who is entering his third season as the starter, and a deep, talented receiver group. The other is the defensive line, where Parker and Woods have first-round potential and the addition of Heldt gives the Tigers another playmaker. With Parker and Woods on the line, Brown at linebacker and Terrell at corner, Clemson has high-upside talent at every level of the defense. Advertisement Clemson didn't play up to that talent level last season, ranking 51st nationally in scoring defense (23.4 ppg) and 64th in yards per play allowed (5.55). Swinney fired defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and replaced him with Allen from Penn State. This team has the ingredients for a deep Playoff run. Staying: WR Omar Cooper Jr., WR Elijah Sarratt, OL Carter Smith, DL Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D'Angelo Ponds Coming: QB Fernando Mendoza (Cal), RB Lee Beebe Jr. (UAB), RB Roman Hemby (Maryland), WR Makai Jackson (Appalachian State), OL Pat Coogan (Notre Dame), DL Hosea Wheeler (Western Kentucky), DL Kellan Wyatt (Maryland), S Devan Boykin (NC State), CB Amariyun Knighten (Northern Illinois) Going: QB Kurtis Rourke, DL CJ West, CB Jamier Johnson (UCLA) Verdict: Down Indiana made some strong portal additions, headlined by Mendoza, who possesses more talent than Rourke and could be an upgrade at quarterback. He'll have solid targets to throw to as well. Both sides of the line of scrimmage were obvious areas of emphasis. Coogan and Wheeler are offensive line additions who produced at their previous stops. Kamara (15 tackles for loss, 10 sacks), Fisher and Ponds give Indiana first-team All-Big Ten players at the front, middle and back end of the defense. This year's schedule is more difficult, with games versus Illinois at home and at Iowa, Oregon and Penn State. So while there are reasons to feel good about the state of Indiana's roster, has this program reached the point where it can navigate those games and still make the Playoff? Staying: QB Kevin Jennings, WR Jordan Hudson, TE RJ Maryland, OL Logan Parr, OL PJ Williams, DL Isaiah Smith, S Ahmaad Moses, S Isaiah Nwokobia Coming: QB Tyler Van Dyke (Wisconsin), RB T.J. Harden (UCLA), WR Yamir Knight (James Madison), DL Jeffrey M'Ba (Purdue), DL Aakil Washington (South Alabama), Advertisement Going: RB LJ Johnson (Cal), RB Brashard Smith, WR Roderick Daniels Jr., WR Keyshawn Smith, DL Elijah Roberts, DL Jared Harrison-Hunte, DL Jahfari Harvey, LB Kobe Wilson Verdict: Down SMU has to replace its top two receivers, top two running backs and some significant contributors from the front seven. Jennings is the clear starter at quarterback, so it's a plus to have that settled. Van Dyke should be a fine insurance policy. Who will step up and produce around the quarterback is the question. The offensive line does return a good amount of experience. Safety should be a strength on defense, but the front lost its top three producers in tackles for loss and sacks. The Mustangs targeted the position in the portal, so we'll see what sort of impact those additions make. SMU also had a pretty advantageous schedule last season but has to play both Clemson and Miami in 2025. There are also games against Louisville and Syracuse and nonconference matchups with Baylor and TCU that won't be easy. That combination of roster questions and a more difficult schedule could create some challenges in the Mustangs' quest to return to the CFP. Staying: WR Chris Brazzell II, DL Bryson Eason, DL Joshua Josephs, LB Arion Carter, LB Jeremiah Telander, CB Jermod McCoy Coming: QB Joey Aguilar (UCLA), OL Sam Pendleton (Notre Dame), OL Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona) and the No. 11 recruiting class Going: QB Nico Iamaleava (UCLA), RB Dylan Sampson, WR Bru McCoy, WR Dont'e Thornton, DL Omarr Norman-Lott, DL James Pearce Jr. Verdict: Down The Iamaleava drama grabbed all the headlines this spring, but the biggest loss is Sampson, the star running back and reigning SEC offensive player of the year, who is off to the NFL. Coach Josh Heupel is known for his explosive offenses, but the unit struggled in SEC play and in the Playoff loss to Ohio State. Now the Volunteers have to replace their starting QB, leading rusher, top three wideouts and four starters on the offensive line. Advertisement Aguilar is a solid addition at quarterback given the circumstances, but we'll see if he can beat out Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the starting job. The defense carried the team last year and returns six of its top eight tacklers. Pearce and Norman-Lott are significant contributors who must be replaced up front. It might be asking too much for the Vols to lean on the defense like they did last year, and that will put pressure on the offense to improve significantly. (Top photo of Christian Gray and Jeremiah Smith: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN downgrades Ohio State football in Top 25
ESPN downgrades Ohio State football in Top 25 ESPN has released its post-spring "way too early" Top 25, and Ohio State took quite a tumble. The Buckeyes were No. 1 in the outlet's initial "way too early" Top 25, which is a pretty easy thing to do given the Buckeyes had just won the College Football Playoff. It's a bit hard to understand exactly what changed for ESPN and author Mark Schlabach between his first ratings and now. In his intro, he describes the Buckeyes as having "lost a boatload of players to the NFL draft, along with both of its coordinators." And while it's true that both Jim Knowles and Chip Kelly left after the initial article, is that enough to explain the huge drop? It's also certainly true that the Buckeyes lost a veritable "boatload" of players to the NFL Draft. But, with the exception of Quinshon Judkins, we knew all of those players would be leaving back on January 20th, too. And while every Buckeye fan loves Judkins and what he did for the team last year, he alone isn't the difference between being No. 1 and No. 5. I have nothing against anyone thinking Penn State belongs at No. 1 for 2025 at this point. The team looks stacked across the board and will be very tough for anyone to beat. I can't wait to see the Nittany Lions visit Columbus on November 1st. But the change for Ohio State from No. 1 all the way to No. 5 doesn't make much sense. The defensive line is a question mark, yes, but it's not a huge issue and not something we didn't know about. Maybe the real answer all along is that ESPN put the Buckeyes at No. 1 back in January as a knee-jerk reaction to winning the National Championship Game, not as an actual outlook for next year. The current "drop" being a correction rather than Schlabach actually changing his mind makes a lot more sense.
Fox Sports
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
DC Jim Knowles says move to Penn State happened because Ohio State didn't offer extension
The college football coaching carousel took an unusual turn this offseason when Jim Knowles departed defending champion Ohio State for Penn State in a lateral move to become the Nittany Lions' coordinator. Knowles knows that his move was out of the ordinary as well. However, in a recent interview with ESPN, the new Penn State coordinator explained that his decision to leave Ohio State was born out of the program's lack of a desire to get an extension with him done before its national championship game win. "I did not want to put anyone, including myself, in a position to have to deal with it immediately following the national championship game," Knowles told ESPN. "And that's the way it happened." Knowles admitted that he "would not have explored or considered other options" had Ohio State offered him an extension prior to its title victory over Notre Dame, but things became "awkward" in the aftermath of the win as he still didn't have a deal in place. "Season's over, everything coming to a head again quickly," Knowles said. "Ohio State hasn't come forward with a deal, and it's like, OK, if I'm going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call." Knowles called Penn State head coach James Franklin about the program's defensive coordinator vacancy early in the morning two days after Ohio State's championship win, according to ESPN. Not long after, Penn State and Knowles agreed to a deal that would make him the highest-paid defensive coordinator in the nation with a $3.1 million salary. The deal also reportedly includes bonus money that could eclipse $1 million if the Nittany Lions win a national championship. While the 65-year-old Knowles is a Pennsylvania native, the move was still widely considered to be a surprise in January. Knowles had helped Ohio State's defense rank first in the nation in yards (254.6 per game) and points allowed (12.9 per game) in 2024. The Buckeyes were also top-three in both categories in 2023 as Knowles oversaw a unit that continued to get better after he was hired in 2022. Now, Knowles, who has had previous stops with Oklahoma State and Duke as their defensive coordinator, will oversee a Penn State defense that might be just as good as the Ohio State unit he coached in 2024. Even though star linebacker Abdul Carter is no longer in Happy Valley, the Nittany Lions' defense is full of standouts. Dani Dennis-Sutton could replicate Carter's production along the edge after he had 8.5 sacks in 2024. Defensive tackle Zane Durant, third-team All-Big Ten cornerback A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley (96 total tackles in 2024) all return from Penn State's seventh-ranked defense last season. That returning talent, along with the hiring of Knowles, led FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt to rank Penn State as his No. 1 team in the nation following spring practices. But Klatt is also high on Ohio State, too. He ranked the Buckeyes third after they replaced Knowles with Matt Patricia at defensive coordinator. Penn State and Ohio State will meet in Columbus on Nov. 1, where the Nittany Lions will look to end the Buckeyes' eight-game winning streak against them. 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. recommended Get more from College Football Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penn State DC Jim Knowles says he'd have stayed at Ohio State if he was offered a contract earlier
Knowles is the highest-paid assistant in the country after leaving the Buckeyes following their national title Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he'd still be with the Buckeyes if the school offered him a contract extension earlier. Knowles became the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football after the 2024 season when he moved to Penn State. The Pennsylvania native told ESPN that he 'would not have explored or considered other options' if a contract extension happened before the national title game. However, as Knowles didn't have an extension following the Buckeyes' title game win over Notre Dame, he reached out to Penn State just days after the victory. From ESPN: "I did not want to put anyone, including myself, in a position to have to deal with it immediately following the national championship game," he said. "And that's the way it happened." It created a situation, he said, that eventually turned "awkward." "Season's over, everything coming to a head again quickly," Knowles said. "Ohio State hasn't come forward with a deal, and it's like, 'OK, if I'm going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call.'" Penn State had a vacancy at defensive coordinator following the departure of Tom Allen to Clemson. Allen, the former Indiana head coach, took the same position with the Tigers so he and his wife could live closer to their two daughters. That allowed Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, to have the chance to come back to his home state. He's set to make more than $3 million in 2025 as Penn State looks to topple the Buckeyes for the first time since 2016. That's the only victory the Nittany Lions have over Ohio State in James Franklin's tenure. Penn State won the Big Ten title in 2024, but lost 20-13 to Ohio State in November as the Buckeyes won their eighth straight game over the Nittany Lions. With Knowles in State College, Ohio State will attempt to defend its national title with two new coordinators. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also left in the offseason to become the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator. Assistant Brian Hartline was promoted to replace Kelly while the Buckeyes hired former New England Patriots assistant and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia to run the defense.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penn State DC Jim Knowles says he'd have stayed at Ohio State if he was offered a contract earlier
Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he'd still be with the Buckeyes if the school offered him a contract extension earlier. Knowles became the highest-paid defensive coordinator in college football after the 2024 season when he moved to Penn State. The Pennsylvania native told ESPN that he 'would not have explored or considered other options' if a contract extension happened before the national title game. However, as Knowles didn't have an extension following the Buckeyes' title game win over Notre Dame, he reached out to Penn State just days after the victory. Advertisement From ESPN: "I did not want to put anyone, including myself, in a position to have to deal with it immediately following the national championship game," he said. "And that's the way it happened." It created a situation, he said, that eventually turned "awkward." "Season's over, everything coming to a head again quickly," Knowles said. "Ohio State hasn't come forward with a deal, and it's like, 'OK, if I'm going to act on this or at least explore it, I have got to make the call.'" Penn State had a vacancy at defensive coordinator following the departure of Tom Allen to Clemson. Allen, the former Indiana head coach, took the same position with the Tigers so he and his wife could live closer to their two daughters. That allowed Knowles, a Pennsylvania native, to have the chance to come back to his home state. He's set to make more than $3 million in 2025 as Penn State looks to topple the Buckeyes for the first time since 2016. That's the only victory the Nittany Lions have over Ohio State in James Franklin's tenure. Penn State won the Big Ten title in 2024, but lost 20-13 to Ohio State in November as the Buckeyes won their eighth straight game over the Nittany Lions. With Knowles in State College, Ohio State will attempt to defend its national title with two new coordinators. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly also left in the offseason to become the Las Vegas Raiders' offensive coordinator. Assistant Brian Hartline was promoted to replace Kelly while the Buckeyes hired former New England Patriots assistant and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia to run the defense.
