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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
College Football's 10 Biggest Winners in 2025 Spring Transfer Portal
College football's spring transfer portal window for the 2025 season was active. Counting the first window in December, over 3,000 players entered their name into the transfer portal. As teams look to solidify their roster or improve their playoff hopes, the spring window produced several clear winners among teams. SEC heavyweights in Georgia, Texas, and LSU continued to build rosters capable of winning a national title, while Texas Tech's offseason spending spree has coach Joey McGuire's team in the mix to win the Big 12. Although the spring typically lacks the big names that enter in the fall, this year's cycle saw a handful of stars on the move. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA in the spring's biggest move, with Joey Aguilar departing the Bruins' roster to replace him in Knoxville. Defensive end David Bailey left Stanford for Texas Tech in a high-profile defensive transfer, and LSU landed an impact safety in Houston's A.J. Haulcy. Advertisement Which teams were the biggest winners in the spring transfer portal window for the 2025 college football season? Athlon Sports breaks down the 10 biggest winners: College Football's Biggest Winners in the Spring Transfer Portal Window Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Georgia The Bulldogs addressed their biggest needs in the first window by landing receivers Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) and Zachariah Branch (USC). Additionally, with depth in the secondary a concern, coach Kirby Smart added three potential contributors for '25. Although Smart filled the team's needs, it didn't stop Georgia from shopping in the portal this spring. Running back Josh McCray (Illinois) will help spell starter Nate Frazier, while offensive lineman Waltclaire Flynn Jr. (UCF) and defensive tackle Josh Horton (Miami) add depth in the trenches. Advertisement Army edge rusher Elo Modozie was one of the spring's most intriguing transfers. The Florida native emerged as a dynamic pass rusher for the Black Knights with 6.5 sacks in '24. How Modozie's talent translates to the SEC is a key fall storyline to watch. Miami Coach Mario Cristobal filled the team's biggest 2025 need by landing Georgia's Carson Beck to replace Cam Ward at quarterback in the first portal window. The Hurricanes continued to reinforce the team around Beck this spring by landing two veteran receivers in Tony Johnson (Cincinnati) and Keelan Marion (BYU). Both players add experience and depth to a young receiving corps. North Dakota State transfer CharMar Brown won the Jerry Rice Award as the most outstanding freshman at the FCS level last season, bringing another talented option to a deep backfield. Upgrading a defense that allowed 30.8 points a game in ACC play started earlier this offseason with the arrival of new coordinator Corey Hetherman from Minnesota, along with a couple of portal additions up front and in the secondary in the first window. That effort continued this spring with safety Jakobe Thomas (Tennessee) and cornerback Keionte Scott (Houston) joining the mix. Linebacker Kamal Bonner (56 tackles) is a key addition to the second level after a standout freshman season at NC State. Advertisement Texas kicker Bert Auburn (16 of 25 on field goals in '24) also filled a major need with Andres Borregales off to the NFL. Texas Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Lysaker-Imagn Images The Longhorns had two clear needs in both transfer portal windows this offseason: Add weapons for quarterback Arch Manning and bolster the defensive front. After landing three linemen (Hero Kanu, Travis Shaw and Cole Brevard) in the first window, coach Steve Sarkisian added more beef to the interior by landing Lavon Johnson (Maryland) and Maraad Watson (Syracuse) this spring. California transfer tight end Jack Endries (56 catches for 623 yards) and receiver Emmett Mosley V (48 catches for 525 yards) committed this spring to fortify the weapons around Manning. Endries filled a major need with the departure of Gunnar Helm to the NFL. Advertisement Sarkisian also upgraded at kicker with Texas State's Mason Shipley (15 of 19 on field goals in '24). Penn State Quality, not quantity, was the theme of Penn State's transfer haul this offseason. The Nittany Lions added only two transfers this spring in receiver Trebor Pena (Syracuse) and linebacker Amare Campbell (North Carolina). However, both players filled key needs for a Penn State team capable of contending for a national championship in '25. Pena is the third transfer receiver to join coach James Franklin's team this offseason. After picking up Kyron Hudson (USC) and Devonte Ross (Troy) in the first window, Pena was the biggest get for quarterback Drew Allar following a second-team All-ACC season at Syracuse last year. In 13 appearances in '24, Pena caught 84 passes for 941 yards and nine scores. Advertisement Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca are a solid returning duo at linebacker but more depth was needed. Campbell should push for a starting job after recording 76 tackles and 6.5 sacks in a breakout season with the Tar Heels last year. LSU After landing one of the nation's top transfer hauls in the first window, the Bayou Bengals didn't have a ton of glaring needs this spring. However, coach Brian Kelly still looked for opportunities to upgrade the roster. LSU accomplished that goal with the commitments of Houston safety A.J. Haulcy and South Florida defensive lineman Bernard Gooden. Haulcy picked off five passes for the Cougars last season and is another key addition in a much-improved secondary. Gooden (10 TFL with the Bulls in '24) addressed the Tigers' biggest question mark exiting spring practice - depth at defensive tackle. Texas Tech Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire© Michael C. Johnson-Imagn Images The Red Raiders landed arguably college football's best transfer class in the first window and only added to it this spring. Advertisement Edge rusher David Bailey (eight tackles for a loss in '24) arrives from Stanford as the program's lone defensive addition this spring. But with Bailey, Romello Height (Georgia Tech), Anthony Holmes (Houston), Skyler Gill-Howard (Northern Illinois), and Lee Hunter (UCF) arriving from the portal, Texas Tech's defensive front should be among the most improved in the nation. And on offense, receiver Micah Hudson is back after deciding to transfer (and later depart) Texas A&M after his freshman season in Lubbock in '24. Incarnate Word transfer Roy Alexander adds another weapon to the receiving corps after catching 100 passes at the FCS level in '24. Improving a struggling offensive line was a priority this offseason. After landing three key contributors in the first window, McGuire added another potential starter on the interior in Colorado's Cash Cleveland. Oklahoma After a second losing record in three years, the pressure is building on coach Brent Venables. That urgency translated into an active transfer haul for the Sooners, starting with quarterback John Mateer (Washington State) and help for the receiving corps and offensive line in the first window. Advertisement However, the Sooners weren't finished after landing the standout class in the fall. Venables added a dynamic running back in Jaydn Ott (California) to team with Mateer in a revamped backfield. Injuries hampered Ott in '24, but he was considered one of college football's top running backs after rushing for 1,315 yards in '23. Kicker Tate Sandell (UTSA) is a key pickup with Zach Schmit (9 of 11 in field goals last year) out of eligibility. Venables added more talent and depth to the receiving corps with McNeese State transfer Jer'Michael Carter, while offensive lineman Jake Maikkula (Stanford) should push for a starting job on the interior. Ole Miss Ole Miss head coach Lane Blake-Imagn Images 'The Portal King' Lane Kiffin was at it again in college football's second transfer window. After landing over 20 transfers in the fall, the Rebels added seven more this spring. Advertisement Troy's Damien Taylor (1,010 yards in 2024) is a key addition to a depleted running back room. Quarterbacks Trinidad Chambliss (Ferris State) and Maealiuaki Smith (Oklahoma State) provide needed depth behind starter Austin Simmons. Also, Maryland transfer offensive lineman Terez Davis can push for a spot on the two-deep. With only one defensive back (Chris Graves) returning who played more than 100 snaps last season, adding talent and depth to the secondary has been a priority all offseason. Kiffin added three more options here, including standout safety Wydett Williams from UL Monroe and cornerback Ricky Fletcher from South Alabama. Oklahoma State Coach Mike Gundy has dramatically reshaped Oklahoma State's roster after last year's disappointing 3-9 season. The Cowboys tallied over 20 additions in the first window and could end up with 40 transfers by the time all of the spring movement ends. Advertisement A defense that allowed 35.6 points a game last season has help on the way from six spring additions, including impact players in lineman De'Marion Thomas (Vanderbilt) and ends Wendell Gregory (South Carolina) and Taje McCoy (Colorado). Georgia State transfer running back Freddie Brock headlined nine spring additions on offense. Linemen Bob Schick (Virginia Tech) and Markell Samuel (Appalachian State) are key pickups with the Cowboys losing all five starters from last year's unit. UCLA The Bruins desperately needed an offensive reset this spring after averaging only 18.4 points a game last season. Coach Deshaun Foster accomplished part of that goal in December by hiring Tino Sunseri from Indiana to call plays, with the second piece coming in the spring. After a high-profile split with Tennessee, quarterback Nico Iamaleava's transfer to Westwood gives the Bruins one of the Big Ten's most-talented signal-callers. Advertisement Just adding Iamaleava would be enough to land UCLA on this list, but Foster also landed a potential starter at running back in Jaivian Thomas (California) and help for the secondary (Jamier Johnson, Indiana and Rodrick Pleasant, Oregon) and defensive line (Kechaun Bennett, Michigan and Anthony Jones, Michigan State). Related: How the Michael Vick Experience Is Taking Shape at Norfolk State Related: College Football Top 136 Team Rankings for 2025 Related: College Football's Best Players in the 2025 Spring Transfer Portal
USA Today
7 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Where Oregon ranks in odds to win the title
Where Oregon ranks in odds to win the title The college football landscape is evolving rapidly as the sport undergoes multiple seismic changes simultaneously. Name, image and likeness licensing, the transfer portal and new player eligibility rules make the sport increasingly more complex to understand. ESPN created the Football Power Index (FPI) to try to quantify the changes and make them understandable for the average fan. The site ranked teams using a number of categories such as their odds to make the playoffs, records for the season and even national championship odds. The site listed 20 teams, but here are the 15 with a real chance to win the title: No. 15 – Michigan Wolverines FPI Rank: 14.6 Projected Wins: 8.4 Championship %: 1% Michigan's quarterback situation will make it tough to win a national championship, but there is always a chance when you sport one of the best defenses in the country. No. 14 - Auburn Tigers FPI Rank: 14.8 Projected Wins: 7.5 Championship %: 1.1% The Tigers have a long way to go to reach contender status, but ESPN gives them long-shot odds of winning the title. No. 13 - Ole Miss Rebels FPI Rank: 15.9 Projected Wins: 8.3 Championship %: 1.5% Ole Miss can certainly hang with the heavy hitters, given they beat the Georgia Bulldogs last year. If the Rebels can refrain from playing down to opponents, a deep playoff run is on the table. No. 12 - LSU Tigers FPI Rank: 17.1 Projected Wins: 7.9 Championship %: 1.8% ESPN doesn't expect LSU to have the best chance, but it has a consensus top-10 pick, quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who makes a national championship a possibility. FPI Rank: 17.9 Projected Wins: 8.1 Championship %: 2.1% The Aggies had a chance to make the College Football Playoffs before dropping the final three games of last season. If they can finish strongly this year, there is a real possibility they can compete for the title. No. 10 - Tennessee Volunteers FPI Rank: 17.4 Projected Wins: 8.7 Championship %: 2.3% After a sudden and controversial exit by Nico Iamaleava, the Volunteers are scrambling to put a plan in place for the quarterback position. That inevitably will spark a regression this year. No. 9 - Notre Dame Fighting Irish FPI Rank: 18.1 Projected Wins: 9.3 Championship %: 2.4% ESPN projects last season's national championship runner-up to have a massive slide because there still is no solid plan at quarterback despite an elite defense. No. 8 - Miami Hurricanes FPI Rank: 17.5 Projected Wins: 9.7 Championship %: 3.2% Last year's starting quarterback, Cam Ward, was the first pick in the NFL draft, so there could be some natural slippage in Miami with a lower caliber player under center. No. 7 - Clemson Tigers FPI Rank: 17.3 Projected Wins: 9.7 Championship %: 3.8% Once considered a college football juggernaut, Dabo Swinney attempts to lead Clemson to its first College Football Playoff since 2020. No. 6 - Oregon Ducks FPI Rank: 20.5 Projected Wins: 10 Championship %: 4.8% Coach Dan Lanning brought his team all the way to the Rose Bowl last year, but extreme roster turnover will make it difficult for Oregon to reach those heights again. No. 5 - Penn State Nittany Lions FPI Rank: 21.5 Projected Wins: 10.2 Championship %: 7.6% After an impressive first year under a new offensive coordinator, the Penn State offense is primed to take another step to complement its championship level defense. No. 4 - Alabama Crimson Tide FPI Rank: 24.2 Projected Wins: 9.6 Championship %: 10.4% A team with an NFL pipeline as strong as Alabama is always replenishing its stockpile of talent, and ESPN projects this year to be no different. No. 3 - Ohio State Buckeyes FPI Rank: 23.8 Projected Wins: 10.4 Championship %: 11.6% The Buckeyes have the third-best championship odds and would likely be higher had they not lost their starting quarterback to the NFL. No. 2 - Georgia Bulldogs FPI Rank: 26.6 Projected Wins: 10.1 Championship %: 17.5% Georgia consistently has an elite defense as well as one of the best coaches of the era. That stamps them as perennial contenders. No. 1 - Texas Longhorns FPI Rank: 28.5 Projected Wins: 10.4 Championship %: 22.2% Texas has one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, Arch Manning, to go along with a loaded roster, so it is no surprise the Longhorns have the best championship odds. 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.
USA Today
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Re-ranking all 18 Big Ten football helmets from worst to first
Re-ranking all 18 Big Ten football helmets from worst to first The depths of the college football offseason are upon us. While the class of 2026 recruiting cycle is picking up steam, June marks the midway point between spring practice and fall training camp. Teams were in action on the practice field just six weeks ago. That period led to tangible updates for the upcoming season, as seen in our updated Big Ten power rankings. Six weeks from now, teams will be preparing for fall camp with the season fast approaching. Since we've already ranked every team in the Big Ten for 2025, ranked every quarterback (including recent UCLA transfer Nico Iamaleava), and both ranked and re-ranked every conference schedule, it's time for a non-football look at the conference. We will do that through an updated power ranking of the Big Ten's 18 helmets. We initially compiled this ranking last offseason, before the four former Pac-12 powers officially took the field as Big Ten members. Here is an updated ranking, now entering year two of the expanded conference. 18. Rutgers Scarlet Knights Rutgers' helmets lack much flavor or creative design. While the 'R' is simple, in a good way, it isn't correlated with much on-field success since Rutgers became a Big Ten member. There aren't any truly 'bad' helmets in the conference. This one just doesn't stand out from the pack. 17. Illinois Fighting Illini Illinois' place on this list may be more due to the color scheme than the helmet design itself. Like Rutgers, it includes a mostly nondescript letter, contrasting with the 'Illini Orange' background. A blue helmet with an orange 'I' would look better. As an aside, Illinois is downgraded for the kits it unveiled for its 2024 game against Michigan. Helmets included, these should not be worn again. 16. Minnesota Golden Gophers While Minnesota's maroon and gold color scheme works well, its helmet contains far too much flash. The best helmets are both subtle and elaborate, not just an oversized 'M' in a shiny font. 15. Purdue Boilermakers Purdue's gold and black color scheme works well, although the helmet doesn't have much else going for it. The 'P' would work better without the middle space filled in with gold. The helmet also receives a minor downgrade after the team's 1-11 record last season. 14. Washington Huskies Washington's helmet has a lot of flash. But like with Minnesota, that flash isn't always necessary. While its 'W' emblem lacks character, at least it isn't as large as Minnesota's 'M.' This is far from a bad helmet. The Big Ten has too many good and great ones for this to reach the top 10. Get more (Washington) news, analysis and opinions on Huskies Wire 13. Nebraska Cornhuskers Nebraska's helmet is a classic and represents one of college football's blue-blood programs (of the 1990s). But our criteria must be applied consistently throughout the conference. Just a normal-font 'N' on a white background isn't very creative. Get more (Nebraska) news, analysis and opinions on Cornhuskers Wire 12. Northwestern Wildcats Northwestern's purple 'N' contrasts well with the black background. The helmet receives a bump due to the letter's font. More work was put into its design than many logos ranked lower on this list. 11. Maryland Terrapins Maryland did well to return to its classic 'Terps' helmet from the design with the state flag on the crown. While the old flag helmet checks the interesting box, it's a bit too complex to be an every-week look. This simple design, especially the white lettering on a red base, is a good match for the program's uniforms. 10. Indiana Hoosiers While Indiana's helmet isn't traditionally correlated with winning, it deserves props for its design. The first major plus is the red and white color scheme, which is both simple and effective. The 'I-U' logo is also unique, besting most helmets that only contain the first letter of the team's name. 9. Penn State Nittany Lions Penn State's helmets are a classic. The program's rich history influences this ranking, as a program like Rutgers or Illinois would likely rank last on this list if it deployed a blank helmet. Get more (Penn State) news, analysis and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire 8. Wisconsin Badgers As much as I'd like to rank Wisconsin within the top five, our criteria must be applied evenly. The No. 8 ranking is due to the 'motion W' having more life than most letter-only helmets in this ranking. Wisconsin's red and white color scheme is also a classic. This helmet ranks well, but it can't compete with the more complex logos. 7. Oregon Ducks Oregon's helmet is tough to rank. The program deployed as many as seven helmets during the 2024 season. Some of those rank near the top of this list, while a few would rank near the bottom. Oregon gets points for each of their helmets' aesthetics, but doesn't crack the top tier due to the lack of a go-to design. Most designs are also a bit too flashy when compared to the Big Ten's best Get more (Oregon) news, analysis and opinions on Ducks Wire 6. USC Trojans USC's Trojan logo is the reason for this strong ranking. The logo is unique and looks way better than just a simple letter would. The helmets of USC NFL draft prospects at the Senior Bowl stick out, which is a complement to the design and color scheme. Get more (USC) news, analysis and opinions on Trojans Wire 5. Michigan State Spartans The same blurb for USC can be translated to Michigan State's helmet. The Spartans rank better due to their green and white color scheme -- one that allows the logo to pop. Get more (Michigan State) news, analysis and opinions on Spartans Wire 4. UCLA Bruins UCLA's classic blue and gold color scheme perfectly displays the script lettering. These are one of the more underrated helmets in the conference and the entire sport. The word's underline is a differentiating factor. Get more (UCLA) news, analysis and opinions on UCLA Wire 3. Iowa Hawkeyes Iowa's helmets are a classic. The gold and black color scheme is unmatched, perfectly accenting a Hawkeye logo that is both simple and complex. Iowa's place in the top three shouldn't change moving forward. Get more (Iowa) news, analysis and opinions on Hawkeyes Wire 2. Ohio State Buckeyes Not much has to be written about Ohio State's helmet. The Buckeye stickers are a unique touch that adds life to the silver background. The team's success also helps this ranking. Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire 1. Michigan Wolverines Michigan claims the No. 1 spot for the second year in a row. The wolverine claw is a simple touch, but it adds significant life to the design. The helmet's color scheme also helps. Michigan's uniform-helmet combination is simple and consistent, but is one of the best in the sport. Get more (Michigan) news, analysis and opinions on Wolverines Wire Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Game times announced for first 3 Tennessee football games of 2025 season
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Kickoff times have been announced for the first three University of Tennessee football games of the 2025 season. Here's when and where to watch. The first game of the season against Syracuse will be taking place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on August 30. The Aflac Kickoff Game is scheduled to begin at noon and will be aired on 6 News. Could the University of Tennessee leave the SEC? Lawyer explains new state law The following weekend, Tennessee will be facing ETSU at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville at 3:30 p.m. on September 6. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ Then, on September 13, Tennessee will be taking on Georgia at Neyland Stadium. The game will be aired on 6 News at 3:30 p.m. The Tennessee-Georgia game will kick off the Vols SEC season with the earliest meeting between the two teams since September of 1995. VFL Bru McCoy medically retires from football With the start of the season getting closer, there are still some questions Vol fans are waiting to find answers to. Specifically, it is unclear who Tennessee's go-to quarterback will be, after Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA after missing the spring Orange and White game. There are currently two options on the team's roster: redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshmen George MacIntyre. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Disturbing Nico Iamaleava Details Emerge After Tennessee Fallout
In what has been a rare occurrence in college athletics with NIL and the transfer portal, a college football team recently decided not to be held hostage by a player. The Tennessee Volunteers recently let former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava walk after it was reported he was looking for his NIL payment to be raised from around $2.5 million to $4 million. Iamaleava quickly became the top player in the transfer portal, but what was expected to be a massive list of suitors essentially turned into just UCLA being in the mix. Advertisement While him going to UCLA isn't a done deal as of Thursday morning, according to On3, more details from his time in Knoxville have surfaced, and they are not pretty. Jon Reed of Fox Sports Knoxville revealed on a recent episode of "That SEC Podcast" that Iamaleava refused to partake in interviews, make appearances at NIL-sponsored events and would have his father verbally accost those who associated with events so he could get out of them. Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8).Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images "Some of these businesses that are helping fund this are like 'Hey, we need you to come do some appearances. We need you to come sign some autographs, spend some time with some up at a football camp,'" Reed said. "And everything behind the scenes says he had zero interest in that. Advertisement "Here's what I was told," Reed said. "It was always 'hey, he would come to a place, if we asked him to do something, he would immediately call his dad would cuss us out and say that he doesn't have to do any of that. Nico goes home." Reed also expressed that he doesn't think the Iamaleava family was prepared for Nico to be the face of a program, and all that comes with it. In his lone year as the starter, Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. Until the pen is put to paper with UCLA, fans may have to be on the lookout for more unexpected happenings in this saga. Related: 'College GameDay' Sends Parting Message To Lee Corso After Retirement
