Latest news with #Schlabach
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson Climbs to No. 2 in ESPN's Post-Spring Top 25, Trails Only Penn State
The Tigers are roaring back into the national spotlight. Fresh off an ACC title and a return to the College Football Playoff, Clemson is surging in the latest ESPN preseason rankings. Senior writer Mark Schlabach released his updated Way-Too-Early Top 25 following spring ball and transfer portal movement — and Clemson now sits at No. 2 in the nation, trailing only Penn State. Advertisement That's a significant jump from January, when the Tigers were ranked No. 7 in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 season. Now, as the 2025 campaign approaches, the national buzz is back — and louder than ever. Dabo Swinney, Clemson Tigers Football 'There's no reason Clemson shouldn't be in the thick of the national title race,' Schlabach wrote — and he has the receipts to back it up. At the center of it all? Quarterback Cade Klubnik, entering his third year as a starter and coming off a breakout 2024 in which he accounted for 43 total touchdowns. He returns behind a seasoned offensive line and will be throwing to one of the deepest wide receiver corps in the nation, led by Antonio Williams. Advertisement The only lingering question is at running back. With Phil Mafah off to the NFL and Jay Haynes recovering from a torn ACL, Clemson may turn to a committee approach — featuring converted wideout Adam Randall and freshman standouts David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson, the latter of whom was ranked as ESPN's No. 3 RB in the Class of 2025. Defensively, the Tigers are looking for a major leap — and they may have found the key by hiring Tom Allen as defensive coordinator. The former Indiana head coach and recent Penn State assistant is tasked with fixing a run defense that ranked next-to-last in the ACC in 2024. Schlabach points to former Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt, who logged five sacks last season, as a valuable addition to an already elite defensive line that includes future NFL Draft picks Peter Woods and T.J. Parker. Clemson opens the 2025 season in Death Valley against No. 6 LSU, a game that could immediately set the tone for a title run. The Tigers will also face ranked opponents in SMU (No. 15) and Louisville (No. 22) later in the season, with archrival South Carolina (No. 13) looming in the regular-season finale. Other notable rankings: Texas checks in at No. 3 Advertisement Georgia at No. 4 Ohio State rounds out the top five Former Clemson DC Brent Venables' Oklahoma is No. 25 With preseason rankings also placing Clemson at No. 5 (USA Today) and No. 4 (CBS Sports), consensus is building: Dabo Swinney has the firepower to chase another national championship. And with a top-tier quarterback, depth across the board, and a schedule that offers plenty of chances to prove it, the Tigers are no longer sneaking up on anyone. They're right back in the hunt — and according to ESPN, just one step away from the top.
USA Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Where does Oklahoma Football land in ESPN's post-spring top 25?
Where does Oklahoma Football land in ESPN's post-spring top 25? The Oklahoma Sooners don't have the highest expectations nationally in 2025. After a very disappointing season that saw OU go 6-7 in 2024, there isn't much hope nationally that the Sooners could make the College Football Playoff. That has plenty to do with the fact that Oklahoma plays the nation's toughest schedule in 2025. However, with some of Oklahoma's personnel moves and the aggressive nature of general manager Jim Nagy and head coach Brent Venables in the transfer portal, there are the beginnings of some more optimism around the team this year. That includes ESPN, where staff writer Mark Schlabach released his post-spring Top 25 rankings for 2025. The Sooners were not previously in the top 25, but they just made the cut this time around. Schlabach has Oklahoma as the No. 25 team in the country, noting that they were quite busy in the portal. "The Sooners didn't have much to cheer about in their first season in the SEC, finishing 6-7 for the second time in three years," Schlabach said. "Coach Brent Venables needs a bounce-back season in a big way, and he has transformed his offense to try to make it happen. John Mateer threw for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while rushing for 826 and 15 scores. Jaydn Ott was one of the top runners in the FBS with 1,305 yards in 2023, but he limped through an injury-plagued season last year." Schlabach wasn't done complimenting OU's roster but lamented the difficulty of the Sooners' schedule in 2025. In the always brutal SEC, Schlabach has Oklahoma as the league's ninth-best team right now. "Javonnie Gibson, an FCS All-American in 2024, broke his right leg during spring practice, but Venables says he is hopeful he'll be back before the start of the season," Schlabach said. "The Sooners were pretty sound on defense last season, and R Mason Thomas, Damonic Williams and Jayden Jackson are an imposing front. The secondary should be good again with Robert Spears-Jennings and both Bowens (Peyton and Eli) returning. With home games against Michigan, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, and LSU, and road games against Texas (in Dallas), South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama, Oklahoma will have to be much better to be a surprise." OU's schedule is quickly becoming one of the great caveats when it comes to previewing the 2025 team. The Sooners will likely be better than they were a year ago, but the schedule is even more difficult than it was in 2024. How much Oklahoma improves in the span of one year will determine so much about the state of the program moving forward. Here's a look at the rest of ESPN's top 25 and how it compared to Joel Klatt's top 25 released earlier in the week. 1. Penn State Nittany Lions Joel Klatt's Top 25: 1 2. Clemson Tigers Joel Klatt's Top 25: 5 3. Texas Longhorns Joel Klatt's Top 25: 2 4. Georgia Bulldogs Joel Klatt's Top 25: 8 5. Ohio State Buckeyes Joel Klatt's Top 25: 3 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Joel Klatt's Top 25: 6 8. Oregon Ducks Joel Klatt's Top 25: 4 9. Alabama Crimson Tide Joel Klatt's Top 25: 9 10. BYU Cougars Joel Klatt's Top 25: 14 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 10 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 15 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 11 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 17 15. SMU Mustangs Joel Klatt's Top 25: UNRANKED 16. Texas Tech Red Raiders Joel Klatt's Top 25: UNRANKED 17. Indiana Hoosiers Joel Klatt's Top 25: 21 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 16 Joel Klatt's Top 25: 13 20. Michigan Wolverines Joel Klatt's Top 25: 12 21. Miami Hurricanes Joel Klatt's Top 25: 18 22. Louisville Cardinals Joel Klatt's Top 25: UNRANKED 23. Texas A&M Aggies Joel Klatt's Top 25: 19 24. Ole Miss Rebels Joel Klatt's Top 25: 20 25. Oklahoma Sooners Joel Klatt's Top 25: 25 Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @Aaron_Gelvin.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Only one team stands between Clemson and the No. 1 spot in ESPN's post-spring Top 25
Only one team stands between Clemson and the No. 1 spot in ESPN's post-spring Top 25 Clemson got a major boost in ESPN's post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25 — checking in at No. 2 behind only Penn State. That's a five-spot jump for the Tigers, who were ranked No. 7 in ESPN's first edition back in January. The updated rankings reflect changes across the country following spring practices and transfer portal moves, and Clemson's 2025 outlook is trending up. 'Much like Penn State, Clemson's offense is stacked with a talented quarterback, deep receiver corps and an experienced offensive line coming back,' ESPN's Mark Schlabach wrote. Running back remains the biggest concern after the departure of Phil Mafah to the NFL and Jay Haynes' ACL injury in the ACC title game. Schlabach mentioned that converted wide receiver Adam Randall could get carries along with freshmen David Eziomume and Gideon Davidson, the latter ranked No. 3 among 2025 RBs by ESPN. On defense, Dabo Swinney made a key hire by bringing in Tom Allen from Penn State. Clemson struggled against the run last year, but Allen's aggressive 4-2-5 scheme is expected to raise the unit's ceiling. 'Heldt, who had five sacks at Purdue last season, is another important player on the best defensive line in the FBS,' Schlabach added. Clemson opens the 2025 season at home against No. 6 LSU, setting up a top-10 showdown right out of the gate. SMU (No. 15), Miami (No. 21), and Louisville (No. 22) also represent the ACC in the rankings. Clemson hosts SMU and travels to Louisville but avoids Miami during the regular season. South Carolina came in at No. 13, while former Clemson DC Brent Venables and Oklahoma round out the list at No. 25. The Tigers have now been ranked No. 5 by USA Today and No. 4 by CBS Sports, adding to the growing buzz that Clemson could be a serious CFP contender again in 2025. Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame football is highly ranked in ESPN's post-spring top-25
Notre Dame football is highly ranked in ESPN's post-spring top-25 Since spring football across the country has now ended, ESPN's Mark Schlabach decided it was a good time to update his top-25 college football teams for 2025, and thinks very highly of Notre Dame. The Irish checked in as his No. 7 team nationally, as Schlabach noted the biggest spring development was the departure of quarterback Steve Angeli to Syracuse. We all know that the competition is now between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, whoever wins the competition would be making their first collegiate start in the season opener on the road against Miami. He brings up a few other question marks that the Irish might have this fall, with multiple offensive lineman transferring out, along with new defensive coordinator Chris Ash replacing Al Golden who left for the NFL. Unfortunately, Notre Dame took a bit of a hit in his rankings, as they were previously No. 4 heading into the spring. Clemson, LSU and Schlabach's new No. 1 team Penn State each jumped over the Irish. It's interesting that they fell down a few spots, as many of the departures weren't seen as major ones by the coaching staff. While perception does matter in college football, as long as Notre Dame wins the games they're supposed to, they'll be in the mix for another berth into the College Football Playoff.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Georgia rises in ESPN's updated college football rankings
Georgia rises in ESPN's updated college football rankings ESPN ranks the Georgia Bulldogs higher in their post-spring college football top 25 rankings than they did following the 2024 college football season. Georgia notably made several key moves in the transfer portal during the spring to strengthen their roster. The Bulldogs looked good in their spring game and did not lose any major contributors via the spring transfer portal. Georgia checks in as the No. 4 team in Mark Schlabach's post-spring top 25, which is one spot higher than Georgia was in the winter version of the rankings. Georgia is ranked behind No. 3 Texas, No. 2 Clemson and No. 1 Penn State. The defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes round out the top five at No. 5. Schlabach likes what Georgia has done to improve its wide receiver room. The Bulldogs added Texas A&M transfer Noah Thomas and USC transfer Zachariah Branch via the winter transfer portal. "Georgia's receiver corps, which was a problem area in 2024, might actually be a strength in 2025," said Schlabach. Georgia's receivers will try to help out projected starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, who helped Georgia win the SEC championship and played well in Georgia's Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame. One of Georgia's top spring transfers is bruising Illinois running back Josh McCray. "McCray led the Illini with 609 rushing yards and 10 scores last season; his physical running style will complement (Nate) Frazier," said Schlabach. Georgia's offense should be in a decent place for the 2025 season. However, the Dawgs have a lot of question marks on defense and in the trenches. Georgia lost four starting offensive linemen to the 2025 NFL draft and seven of their eight leading sack producers from last season. Schlabach outlines some new faces that could make an immediate impact for Georgia's defense. "Coach Kirby Smart made Modozie a priority in the spring portal window after the Bulldogs lost NFL first-round picks Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams. Modozie had 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the (Army) Black Knights in 2024. Freshman Elijah Griffin, the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, made a great impression in spring practice and should contribute immediately," noted Schlabach. Georgia's 2025 schedule is a little more manageable, so we may have to wait a while to see how good this UGA team is. The Dawgs don't have a true test until Week 3 at Tennessee.
