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Spring football is in the books – and the transfer portal is closed.
That means it's time for Sporting News to update its Top 25 college football rankings for the 2025 season. Our top three remains the same as the Way-Too-Early Top 25 in January.
The biggest mover was Tennessee, which saw starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava unexpectedly transfer to UCLA. The Vols dropped from No. 12 to No. 18.
Texas – which is ready for the Arch Manning era – is No. 1. Ohio State – which features All-American candidates Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs — is No. 2. Georgia – led by new quarterback Gunner Stockton – is No. 3. Those three schools sent a combined total of 39 players to the 2025 NFL Draft, but we are trusting the ability to reload.
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Penn State and Notre Dame round out our top five.
The SEC has 10 teams in these rankings, followed by the Big Ten and Big 12 with five apiece. The ACC has four teams. Here is a closer look at our rankings.
The 12-team College Football Playoff enters its second season. Which teams from this list will make it? A closer look at our rankings:
2025 College Football Top 25 rankings
1. Texas (13-3 in 2024)
The Manning era is finally here, and the Longhorns have a strong supporting cast that includes running back Tre Wisner and receiver Ryan Wingo. The Longhorns do lose three offensive linemen to the 2025 NFL Draft – so tackles Trevor Goosby and Bryan Baker are on the spot. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. – who had 113 tackles and 17 tackles for loss, is back for the defense. Steve Sarkisian retained all his coordinators, and receiver Johntay Cook II – who transferred to Washington – was the only major portal loss. Road trips to Ohio State (Aug. 30) and Georgia (Nov. 15) will be the ultimate tests for a program that was 0-3 against those schools in 2024.
MORE: Will Arch Manning stay at Texas for two more seasons?
2. Ohio State (13-2 in 2024)
The pressure is off coach Ryan Day to win a national championship, and despite losing 14 players to the 2025 NFL Draft the same standard remains at Ohio State. Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz will take the quarterback battle into fall camp, and the winner gets to throw to sophomore receiver Jeremiah Smith and junior Carnell Tate. West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson and James Peoples are the new tag-team backfield, and the defense features Downs. New coordinators Brian Hartline and Matt Patricia, who was the Detroit Lions coach from 2018-20, are on board. Ohio State opens with Texas (Aug. 30) and has the marquee Big Ten games against Penn State (Nov. 1) and Michigan (Nov. 29).
BENDER: Meet Julian Sayin, the former 5-star aiming to be Buckeyes QB1
3. Georgia (11-3 in 2024)
Kirby Smart led Georgia to the SEC championship last season, and the standards have not changed. Stockton takes over at quarterback, and Nate Frazier – who had 671 yards and eight TDs last season – takes over at running back. Georgia brought in Texas A&M receiver Noah Thomas and USC playmaker Zachariah Branch, and Oscar Delp is a front-line tight end. The Bulldogs have to retool the offensive line. Linebacker CJ Allen will anchor a defense that added Miami safety Jaden Harris. The schedule is still stacked with Tennessee (Sept. 13) and Alabama (Sept. 27) early and Ole Miss (Oct. 18), Florida (Nov. 1) and Texas (Nov. 15) later, but only one of those games is on the road.
4. Penn State (13-3 in 2024)
It is an all-in year for Penn State coming off an appearance in the CFP semifinals under James Franklin. Drew Allar – a third-year starter – returns and will have a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. The Nittany Lions added Syracuse receiver Trebor Pena via the portal, too, which should help fill an area of need. Dani Dennis-Sutton and cornerback AJ Harris lead a new-look defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles, who left the Buckeyes. Can Penn State follow in Michigan and Ohio State's path to the program's first national title since 1986? Oregon (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Nov. 1) are the big tests on the regular-season schedule.
MORE: Drew Allar tops Big Ten QB rankings
5. Notre Dame (14-1 in 2024)
How will Notre Dame capitalize on the momentum from reaching the CFP championship game under Marcus Freeman? Chris Ash replaced defensive coordinator Al Golden, who took the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals. CJ Carr took the lead in the quarterback race, and Steve Angeli entered the transfer portal. Jeremiyah Love is a game-breaking running back who had 1,125 rushing yards and 17 TDs and Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse return at receiver with a room that added Virginia's Malachi Fields. The front seven features six upperclassmen, led by linebacker Drayk Bowen. The secondary is loaded with Adon Shulder, Christian Gray and Leonard Moore. The first three weeks feature two big games – at Miami (Aug. 30) and a home game against Texas A&M (Sept. 13).
6. Oregon (13-1 in 2024)
The Ducks won the Big Ten championship in their first year in the conference, and Dan Lanning continues to assemble a top-tier roster through recruiting and the portal. Oregon could have as many as seven first-year transfers in its starting lineup this season. UCLA transfer Dante Moore waited a year at quarterback, and Tulane running back Makhi Hughes rushed for 1,405 yards and 15 TDs. Receiver Evan Stewart and center Ipani Laloulu returned. Matayo Uiagalelei and Bryce Boettcher return on defense, and Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman is a top-shelf addition at safety. Oregon has road tests at Penn State (Sept. 27) and Iowa (Nov. 8) as the major hurdles on a friendlier Big Ten schedule.
7. Clemson (10-4 in 2024)
Dabo Swinney has the Tigers back on top. Clemson is the defending ACC champions – and the Tigers have five players on our top-50 Big Board for 2026. Quarterback Cade Klubnik and edge rusher TJ Parker – who had 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss – are first-round talents. Receiver Antonio Williams, defensive lineman Peter Woods and cornerback Avieon Terrell also are back, and linebacker Sammy Brown is part of that mix. Clemson added three players via the transfer portal – including Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt. New defensive Tom Allen should be a hit. The opener against LSU (Aug. 30) and finale against South Carolina (Nov. 29) book-end an ACC schedule that features SMU (Oct. 18) and a Friday night trip to Louisville (Nov. 14).
8. Alabama (9-4 in 2024)
Kalen DeBoer brought back offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who was instrumental in the success at Washington. Ty Simpson – a former five-star recruit – appears to have the lead in the quarterback race – and the receivers are going to be tough with Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and Miami transfer Isaiah Horton. Kadyn Proctor is a first-round NFL tackle, and Jam Miller leads an experienced backfield. LT Overton and Tim Keenan are potential first-rounders in Kane Wommack's defense, which also should be better in Year 2. Alabama has Florida State (Aug. 30) and Wisconsin (Sept. 13) in non-conference play before the usual SEC grinder – which starts at Georgia (Sept. 27).
9. LSU (9-4 in 2024)
The Tigers are looking for the break-through year with Brian Kelly, who is 29-11 the last three seasons. LSU was busy in the transfer portal – and the Tigers grabbed 11 four-star players. That included Florida State edge rusher Patrick Payton. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier returns after passing for 4,052 yards, 29 TDs and 12 interceptions last season, and his receiving corps features Aaron Anderson, Oklahoma transfer Nic Anderson and Kentucky transfer Barion Brown. Leading tackler Whit Weeks and Harold Perkins are back. It's a boom-or-bust year, and that starts with a road tip to Clemson (Aug. 30) before early tests against Florida (Sept. 13) and Ole Miss (Sept. 27).
10. Illinois (10-3 in 2024)
Illinois is the fourth-highest ranked Big Ten team, and Bret Bielema has one of the most-experienced teams in the conference coming back. Three-year starter Luke Altmyer ranked second among Big Ten quarterbacks with 22 TDs last season. Josh McCray rushed for 609 yards and 10 TDs last season, and West Virginia transfer receiver Hudson Clement is another productive target. Gabe Jacas – who had eight sacks – returned along with safety Matthew Bailey. USC (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Oct. 11) both come to Memorial Stadium this season. Are the Illini the Big Ten sleeper worth watching?
11. Florida (8-5 in 2024)
Florida coach Billy Napier is 19-19 through three seasons, but he built some program momentum behind quarterback DJ Lagway last season. Lagway won four straight starts to close the season, and he averaged 211 passing yards in those games. He'll need to take the next step. Sophomore Jadan Baugh and receiver Eugene Wilson III are back. Tyreak Sapp – who had seven sacks last season – also returns. The Gators added just five players in the portal, and UCLA receiver Michael J. Sturdivant could work into a starting role. Who makes the Gators' schedule? Florida plays LSU (Sept. 13) and Miami (Sept. 20) in back-to-back weeks early. Texas (Oct. 4), Texas A&M (Oct. 11), Georgia (Nov. 1), Ole Miss (Nov. 15) and Tennessee (Nov. 22) also are included.
12. Miami (10-3 in 2024)
Miami has increased its win total each season under Mario Cristobal, but they also are .500 in ACC play through the last three seasons. The most significant arrival is Carson Beck, a two-year starter at Georgia who transferred this offseason. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Jordan Lyle combined for 1,007 yards and 13 rushing TDs last season, and tackle Fransci Mauigoa could be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Reuben Bain Jr. and Wesley Bissainthe will need to take on more-pronounced roles for a defense that allowed 25.3 points per game in 2024. A high-profile opener against Notre Dame (Aug. 31) and Week 4 matchup against Florida (Sept. 20) precede a tough ACC schedule.
13. South Carolina (9-4 in 2024)
The Gamecocks are coming off a nine-win season under fifth-year coach Shane Beamer. The offseason hype is around quarterback LaNorris Sellers, who had 2,534 passing yards, 674 rushing yards and 25 total TDs. He is a next-level talent who is in the Heisman Trophy mix and part of an exciting young roster. Utah State transfer Rahsul Faison rushed for 1,109 yards and eight TDs Receiver Nyck Harbor is a freakish talent who averaged 14.5 yards per catch. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart has double-digit sack potential, and Jalon Kilgore had five interceptions. South Carolina does face a brutal schedule that opens with Virginia Tech (Aug. 31) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. A four-game stretch against LSU (Oct. 11), Oklahoma (Oct. 18), Alabama (Oct. 25) and Ole Miss (Nov. 1) will be the defining part of the season.
14. Arizona State (11-3 in 2024)
Arizona State went 3-9 in 2023 to 11-3 in 2024 – part of a remarkable turnaround under coach Kenny Dillingham. Sam Leavitt impressed with 2,885 yards, 24 TDs and six interceptions in his first season as a starter, and his favorite target Jordyn Tyson is back. Can Kyson Brown fill the void left by All-American running back Cam Skattebo? Linebacker Myles Rowser leads a defense that features seven seniors. Dillingham retained coordinators Marcus Arroyo and Brian Ward. That continuity will help against a schedule that features non-conference road trips at Mississippi State (Sept. 6) and Baylor (Sept. 20) before Big 12 road dates at Utah (Oct. 11) and Iowa State (Nov. 1).
MORE: Can Cam Skattebo play in the NFL? We'll find out
15. Ole Miss (10-3 in 2024)
Lane Kiffin is 44-18 in five seasons at Ole Miss – and that includes 10-plus wins three of the last four seasons. The "Portal King" brought in 28 incoming transfers this cycle. Austin Simmons is the new quarterback, and Penn State's Harrison Wallace III and Oklahoma State's De'Zhaun Stribling are among the new targets. Edge rusher Suntarine Perkins had 10.5 sacks last season, and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris is a potential first-round talent. Ole Miss has home games against LSU (Sept. 27), South Carolina (Nov. 1) and Florida (Nov. 15), and they have to visit Georgia (Oct. 18) this season. Is another 10-win season in the cards?
16. Michigan (8-5 in 2024)
The Bryce Underwood era at Michigan is here. The five-star freshman quarterback is projected to start for the Wolverines. He should improve a pass offense that ranked 130th in the FBS last season. Jordan Marshall and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes form a solid backfield, but the Wolverines need receivers to step up. Defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny, linebacker Jaishawn Barham and cornerback Jyaire Hill are breakout candidates in Wink Martindale's defense. Michigan can get back in the playoff conversation under second-year coach Sherrone Moore. September tests at Oklahoma (Sept. 6) and Nebraska (Sept. 20) will be telling. Michigan has not beat Ohio State in five straight seasons since a six-game winning streak from 1922-27.
17. BYU (11-2 in 2024)
BYU will be among the Big 12 favorites under Kalani Sitake with an offense that returns quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who had 2,947 yards, 20 TDs and 12 interceptions in 2024. Leading rusher LJ Martin and leading receiver Chase Roberts also are back, but the Cougars have to replace three starters on the offensive line.Top linebacker Isaiah Glasker – who had 70 tackles and 15 tackles for loss – is back. Linebacker Harrison Taggart, who had 69 tackles last season, is one of 27 BYU players who entered the transfer portal. An Alamo Bowl rematch against Colorado (Sept. 27) is a good early-season barometer for the Cougars.
18. Tennessee (10-3 in 2024)
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA, and UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar transferred to Tennessee. Will this swap pay off for the Vols and fifth-year coach Josh Heupel – who is 37-15 and coming off a CFP appearance? DeSean Bishop – who averaged 6.1 yards per carry last season – and Peyton Lewis form a solid backfield. Linebacker Arion Carter – who had 68 tackles in 2024 – and cornerback Jermod McCoy – who could be the first cornerback selected in the 2026 NFL Draft – lead a solid defense. Tennessee opens with Syracuse (Aug. 30) and has the usual rivalry matchups against Georgia (Sept. 13) and Alabama (Oct. 18) and Florida (Nov. 22).
MORE: What lessons can we learn from Nico Iamaleava saga?
19. SMU (11-3 in 2024)
SMU reached the ACC championship game and College Football Playoff in its first year in the conference - so Rhett Lashlee's challenge is to keep that momentum going. Quarterback Kevin Jennings – who totaled 3,245 passing yards, 325 rushing yards and 28 total TDs – is back with a supporting cast that includes Miami transfer running back Chris Johnson Jr., tight end RJ Maryland and four-star freshman receiver Daylon Singleton. East Carolina transfer linebacker Zakye Barker was a key addition on defense. SMU plays Baylor (Sept. 6) and TCU (Sept. 20) in non-conference play and a tough ACC schedule that includes Clemson (Oct. 18), Miami (Nov. 1) and Louisville (Nov. 22).
20. Texas A&M (8-5 in 2024)
The Aggies had a late-season slide in 2024, but second-year coach Mike Elko should be excited about 2025. Quarterback Marcel Reed and running backs Le'Veon Moss and Amari Daniels return in front of a veteran offense line bolstered by the return of tackle Trey Zuhn III. NC State transfer Kevin Concepcion had 16 TD catches for the Wolfpack the last two seasons. Edge rusher Dayon Hayes transferred from Colorado for a defense that returns leading tackler Taureon York. The three toughest games on the schedule are at Notre Dame (Sept. 13), LSU (Oct. 25) and Texas (Nov. 29).
21. Iowa State (11-3 in 2024)
Rocco Becht averaged 3,313 yards, 24 TDs and nine interceptions the last two seasons. He's a consistent decision-maker for coach Matt Campbell, and running backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama return. Iowa State did lose 1,000-yard receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, part of a class in which the Cyclones sent eight players to the NFL Draft. The defense allowed 22.9 points per game last season. The opener against Kansas State (Aug. 23) in Dublin, Ireland, is huge. The Cyclones beat the Wildcats 29-21 last season.
22. Kansas State (9-4 in 2024)
Kansas State won nine games each of the last two seasons under Chris Klieman. Second-year starter Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards from a dynamic backfield, and receiver Jayce Brown totaled 823 yards and five TDs. Purdue transfer Jaron Tibbs and Texas Tech transfer Jerand Bradley will add to that receiving room. Linebacker Austin Romaine returns after piling up 96 tackles and eight tackles for loss, and Arizona transfer safety Gunner Maldonado will be a good addition. The Wildcats did lose 25 players to the portal, so depth could be an issue. The Aug. 23 season-opener against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland is an interesting start to the Big 12 season.
23. Louisville (9-4 in 2024)
Jeff Brohm is 19-8 with the Cardinals the past two seasons, and he averaged nine wins per season between Louisville and Purdue the last four years. That is an impressive track record, and USC quarterback Miller Moss will be the key to this season. Aidan O'Connell and Tyler Shough developed into NFL quarterbacks under Brohm. Will Moss make the same evolution? The Cardinals picked up 26 players and lost 28 more via the portal – a high-volume rate that Brohm has made work the last two seasons. Sophomore running back Isaac Brown (1,173 yards, 11 TDs) averaged 7.1 yards per carry as a freshman, and Caullin Lacy returns after redshirting last season because of a collarbone injury. A pair of Friday night games at Miami (Oct. 17) and at home against Clemson (Nov. 14) precede the showing at SMU (Nov. 22).
24. Oklahoma (6-7 in 2024)
Are we over-valuing Oklahoma in their second year in the SEC? Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is 22-17 with two losing seasons heading into Year 4, and the roster was overhauled again this offseason. Washington State quarterback John Mateer and Cal running back Jadyn Ott are the reasons for optimism. That gives Oklahoma a dynamic backfield, and Mateer is paired with Ben Arbuckle, who was his offensive coordinator at Washington State last season. Michigan (Sept. 6) and Auburn (Sept. 20) – led by former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold – come to Norman in September.
25. Texas Tech (8-5 in 2024)
The Red Raiders could have as many as 10 transfers starting in 2025 – which is always a risky proposition. Stanford defensive end David Bailey had 7.5 sacks last season, and Miami, Ohio receiver Reggie Virgil averaged 19.9 yards per catch with nine TDs. That is good news for quarterback Behren Morton – who has 42 TDs and 16 interceptions the last two seasons. Joey McGuire is 23-16 the last three seasons, and the Red Raiders have had sleeper vibes before. The schedule does feature trips to Utah (Sept. 20), Arizona (Oct. 18) and Kansas State (Nov. 1).
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