The NFL draft is over but the projections for college football players and teams never stop. The future power rankings series returns with the third of four installments, which flips back to the offensive side of the ball.
After examining outlooks for quarterbacks and defenses, these rankings focus on the top 25 offenses for the next three seasons. As in past versions, the offense rankings and quarterback rankings have ample overlap, but they're not carbon copies.
These rankings cover the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons, and consider current rosters, future recruiting, potential NFL departures, non-senior depth and unit trajectory. Coaching is also a factor, especially for those who have proven they can lose great players but maintain production. Don't expect Oklahoma to leave the top 5 as long as Lincoln Riley is wearing a crimson visor.
Let's look ahead to the top 25 offenses through the 2022 season.
1. Clemson Tigers
2020 future QB ranking: 1
2019 future offense ranking: 1
Scouting the Tigers: Don't expect Clemson's offense to budge from the top spot any time soon. The Tigers boast the nation's most exciting triple threat in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne and wide receiver Justyn Ross. Although all three should be gone in 2021, Clemson's long-term record of recruitment and development -- not to mention staff continuity -- solidifies its poll position.
A likely 2021 backfield of quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei and running back Lyn-J Dixon could be scary, and Clemson's young receiver crop (Joseph Ngata, Frank Ladson Jr.) should sustain the "WRU" standard. The line must replace four starters in 2020 but will be in good shape for the next two seasons. Clemson signed Mitchell Mayes, ESPN's top-rated guard in the 2020 class. Primary playcaller Tony Elliott remains for at least one more season, and his loyalty to Dabo Swinney could keep him there longer, despite head-coaching overtures.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
2020 future QB ranking: 2
2019 future offense ranking: 5
Scouting the Buckeyes: The combination of quarterback Justin Fields' emergence (short term) and Ryan Day's talent for developing record-setting QBs (long term) elevates Ohio State's offense through 2022. Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon addresses a short-term depth problem at running back, and young ball carriers like Master Teague, Marcus Crowley and 2021 recruit TreVeyon Henderson will carry the load through 2022.
The Buckeyes lose a lot at receiver but get at least another year from Chris Olave, at least two more years from Garrett Wilson and add Julian Fleming, ESPN's No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 class. The Buckeyes are seasoned at tight end (senior Luke Farrell, junior Jeremy Ruckert) and project extremely well along the line, as guard Wyatt Davis and center Josh Myers turned down the NFL draft.
Ohio State's offensive line recruiting has been excellent with tackles Nicholas Petit-Frere and Paris Johnson, among others.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
2020 future QB ranking: 5
2019 future offense ranking: 2
Scouting the Sooners: There's short-term intrigue at quarterback as Lincoln Riley finally goes with a player he actually recruited from high school (likely Spencer Rattler for multiple seasons). But Oklahoma has led the FBS in almost every meaningful offensive category the past three years and shows no sign of slowing down. The Sooners get running back Kennedy Brooks for at least one more season and four-star recruits Marcus Major and Seth McGowan for the long term.
OU's receiving corps will feature junior Charleston Rambo and sophomores Jadon Haselwood and Theo Wease. Sophomore Austin Stogner is an intriguing target at tight end. Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is one of the nation's best and oversees a group that returns four starters, including national awards candidate Creed Humphrey at center, but no seniors. Bedenbaugh's recruiting and development have OU's line set up well through 2022.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
2020 future QB ranking: 3
2019 future offense ranking: 4
Scouting the Crimson Tide: Alabama loses a generational talent in quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, but it shouldn't fall too far with junior Mac Jones or incoming freshman Bryce Young, ESPN's top-rated QB recruit (No. 5 nationally).
The Tide's track record at wide receiver rivals those of Clemson and Oklahoma, and the group gets proven targets DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle for one more year, before turning to players like Slade Bolden in 2021. Running back projects very well with Najee Harris' return for 2020 and a talented pipeline behind him, including redshirt freshman Trey Sanders and true freshmen Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, both of whom ranked among ESPN's top 10 running backs in the 2020 class.
Alabama returns a talented, veteran line led by senior left tackle Alex Leatherwood, who surprisingly turned down the NFL. There will be turnover in 2021, so the immediate development of younger linemen like sophomores Evan Neal and Darrian Dalcourt is vital.
5. LSU Tigers
2020 future QB ranking: 15
2019 future offense ranking: 14
Scouting the Tigers: Joe Burrow and Joe Brady have both left the Bayou, but they proved LSU is capable of translating its immense offensive talent into championships. There are short-term questions at quarterback and playcaller as junior Myles Brennan and Scott Linehan enter those roles, respectively, but there's no doubt about the unit's talent and depth. The Tigers also landed a commitment from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, ESPN's No. 62 junior. LSU gets Biletnikoff Award winner Ja'Marr Chase for another season, alongside fellow junior Terrace Marshall (671 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns in 2019) and a parade of talented young wideouts, including Kayshon Boutte, ESPN's No. 3 receiver and No. 33 overall player for 2020.
Running backs Tyrion Davis-Price, John Emery and Chris Curry all have multiple seasons of eligibility left. LSU signed Arik Gilbert, a generational tight end recruit rated by ESPN as the No. 6 prospect in the 2020 class.
The line is a short-term concern, but LSU boasts some intriguing non-seniors (Dare Rosenthal, Anthony Bradford) and signed Marcus Dumervil, ESPN's No. 6 tackle prospect and No. 59 overall player.
6. Georgia Bulldogs
2020 future QB ranking: 11
2019 future offense ranking: 3
Scouting the Bulldogs: There are parallels between Georgia and pre-Burrow/Brady LSU. Like LSU before 2019, Georgia boasts enough talent to be an elite offense. The Bulldogs just need the right playcaller -- and perhaps quarterback -- to get over the hump. New coordinator Todd Monken arrives with excitement, as does graduate transfer quarterback Jamie Newman. Monken's ability to maximize Newman in the short term, and Georgia's gifted non-seniors in 2021 and possibly beyond -- sophomore receiver George Pickens, sophomore running back Zamir White, sophomore receiver Dominick Blaylock -- could determine whether the national title drought finally ends.
Georgia's line will feature new faces in leading roles, but the recruiting has been exceptional. Since 2017, Georgia has signed seven offensive linemen with an ESPN scout grade of 87 or better. Young players like Trey Hill, Clay Webb and Xavier Truss should have bigger roles. Georgia also adds Broderick Jones, ESPN's top-rated 2020 tackle, and gets Ben Cleveland for one more year.
7. USC Trojans
2020 future QB ranking: 3
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Trojans: Kedon Slovis' emergence at quarterback fuels USC's return to (and rise up) these rankings. After a record-setting debut, he could lead the offense through 2022, and might need to, as there isn't much depth with JT Daniels in the transfer portal. Wide receiver will remain strong as long as Graham Harrell is calling plays, as USC regains Amon-Ra St. Brown and Tyler Vaughns, who combined for 151 catches and nearly 2,000 yards in 2019. Drake London (39 receptions, 567 yards) will play at least two more seasons, and if Bru McCoy and Kyle Ford blossom, USC's receiver pipeline will rival the nation's best.
Veteran backs Vavae Malepeai and Stephen Carr play one more year, although sophomores Markese Stepp and Kenan Christon look like the long-term answers. The line has short-term questions at tackle, and USC needs four-star recruits like Jason Rodriguez (2019) and Jonah Monheim (2020) to develop rather quickly. Coach Clay Helton's future is the big question, but USC's talent on offense is in place.
8. Florida Gators
2020 future QB ranking: 8
2019 future offense ranking: 9
Scouting the Gators: Dan Mullen's effect on Florida's outlook, both at quarterback and with the entire offense, has been profound. A former offensive coordinator for two Gators national championship teams, Mullen should soon have his team competing for the CFP. Florida gets Kyle Trask back at quarterback for one more year before turning over the reins to Emory Jones for 2021 (and possibly 2022). Trask loses top wideouts Van Jefferson and Freddie Swain but regains Mackey Award candidate Kyle Pitts (team-high 54 receptions in 2019), plus senior Trevon Grimes, sophomore Jacob Copeland and a talented group of receiver prospects, including ESPN 300 selection Xzavier Henderson.
Running back Dameon Pierce moves into a featured role for at least one year and possibly two. Line play has been an issue for some time and there are some immediate question marks at center and tackle. The progress of underclassmen like sophomores Richard Gouraige and Ethan White is worth watching.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2020 future QB ranking: 7
2019 future offense ranking: 6
Scouting the Irish: Notre Dame has shown it can recruit elite prospects along the line and at tight end, which should continue through 2022. The 2020 recruiting class includes two ESPN 300 tight ends and two ESPN 300 tackles. But new playcaller Tommy Rees needs more playmakers, and could have some on the way with Chris Tyree (ESPN's No. 5 running back in 2020) and Jordan Johnson (ESPN's No. 5 wide receiver).
The Irish get quarterback Ian Book for one more year, and potential long-term answer Tyler Buchner arrives in 2021. A short-term key is for non-senior receivers Kevin Austin, Lawrence Keys III and Braden Lenzy to develop more consistency (Northwestern graduate transfer Bennett Skowronek should help, too). Notre Dame's offensive line projects as its best since 2017, and there's plenty of depth to sustain through 2022.
10. Penn State Nittany Lions
2020 future QB ranking: 12
2019 future offense ranking: 17
Scouting the Nittany Lions: Penn State has recruited well enough to produce top-10 offenses annually and top-5 offenses in some seasons. The key is whether new playcaller Kirk Ciarrocca, who revitalized Minnesota's offense, can get PSU clicking the way it was under Joe Moorhead. Ciarrocca will have Sean Clifford (2,654 pass yards, 23 touchdowns in 2019) for at least one more year, and the quarterback outlook is strong with Will Levis and others.
Running back also projects well with junior Journey Brown and sophomores Devyn Ford and Noah Cain. PSU gets Mackey Award candidate Pat Freiermuth for likely one more season but boasts other options at tight end, including Theo Johnson, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2020. There are questions at receiver after KJ Hamler's NFL departure, as PSU must find options around junior Jahan Dotson. The line has a nice mix of veterans (Michal Menet, Will Fries) and promising younger players like sophomore left tackle Rasheed Walker.
11. Oklahoma State Cowboys
2020 future QB ranking: 10
2019 future offense ranking: 18
Scouting the Cowboys: While Clemson has the best triple threat in the country right now, Oklahoma State isn't far behind. Good luck stopping running back Chuba Hubbard, quarterback Spencer Sanders or wide receiver Tylan Wallace, a 2018 Biletnikoff Award finalist who comes off of an ACL injury. Hubbard led the nation in rushing last fall and showed incredible durability with 328 carries. Although Sanders is the lone star likely to remain in Stillwater in 2021, Oklahoma State should have enough playmakers, especially in the passing game with junior Braydon Johnson and others.
Deondrick Glass, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2019, could be ready to replace Hubbard in 2021. The offensive line returns senior tackles Dylan Galloway and Teven Jenkins, as well as guard Bryce Bray, who is just a redshirt sophomore. Oklahoma State adds guard transfer Josh Sills, who earned All-Big 12 honors in 2018 at West Virginia and has two years of eligibility left. Two of the team's top three 2020 recruits are guards (Trent Pullen, Eli Russ).
12. Texas Longhorns
2020 future QB ranking: 6
2019 future offense ranking: 8
Scouting the Longhorns: Tom Herman's decision to back away from the offense and hire playcaller Mike Yurcich from Ohio State -- and pay him $1.7 million annually -- likely will shape the coach's tenure in Austin. Yurcich inherits a good situation with quarterback Sam Ehlinger (8,870 career passing yards, 68 touchdowns), a promising group of running backs and an offensive line anchor in left tackle Samuel Cosmi.
There's uncertainty for 2021 and 2022, but Texas has recruited well at quarterback (Hudson Card, Ja'Quinden Jackson), running back (Bijan Robinson), offensive line (Tyler Johnson) and elsewhere. Texas should get multiple years out of wideouts Brennan Eagles and Jake Smith (12 combined touchdown catches in 2020). The running back group -- Keaontay Ingram, Jordan Whittington, Robinson -- is young and talented. Long-term line development is significant, especially after Ehlinger moves on.
13. Oregon Ducks
2020 future QB ranking: 19
2019 future offense ranking: 6
Scouting the Ducks: There are short-term questions, namely at quarterback after the departure of four-year starter and record-holder Justin Herbert. But there's also excitement after Oregon made a splash coordinator hire with Moorhead, who was surprisingly available. Moorhead's ability to develop quarterback Tyler Shough -- or Boston College graduate transfer Anthony Brown -- could shape whether Oregon repeats as Pac-12 champion and reaches its first CFP since 2014.
The Ducks get back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher CJ Verdell for at least one more season. The receiving corps has a nice mix of experience (Johnny Johnson III, Jaylon Redd) and a strong sophomore group -- Mycah Pittman, Bryan Addison, Josh Delgado, USC transfer Devon Williams -- to sustain the offense beyond 2020. The offensive line goes through significant short-term turnover, but returns Outland Trophy winner Penei Sewell for one more year. Most of Oregon's projected line starters should stick around for another year, including tackle Steven Jones.
14. UCF Knights
2020 future QB ranking: 18
2019 future offense ranking: 19
Scouting the Knights: Since 2017, UCF trails only Oklahoma in both scoring offense (44.95 PPG) and total offense (531.2 YPG). Even quarterback injuries haven't derailed the Knights, who saw freshman Dillon Gabriel pass for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns last fall. Gabriel could lead the offense through 2022, although Darriel Mack Jr. also has two seasons of eligibility left. UCF will get one more year out of the versatile Otis Anderson (107 all-purpose yards per game in 2019), and at least one more from Bentavious Thompson, who led the team with eight rushing touchdowns in 2019.
A veteran receiver group of Tre Nixon, Marlon Williams and Jacob Harris all depart in 2021, although it's hard to ever envision a big drop-off there. Junior guard Cole Schneider, a second-team All-AAC selection in 2019, and junior tackle Samuel Jackson lead the line, which loses standouts Jordan Johnson and Jake Brown. Tennessee graduate transfer Marcus Tatum should help, and the long-term development of redshirt freshman center Matthew Lee is key.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels
2020 future QB ranking: 9
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Tar Heels: Momentum is surging for coach Mack Brown, who has made significant recruiting gains and will have an offensive centerpiece in quarterback Sam Howell for at least two more seasons. Last season, Howell set an FBS true freshman record with 38 touchdown passes and finished 10th nationally in pass efficiency (160.3). He's surrounded by playmakers, some with multiple seasons of eligibility left. UNC running backs Michael Carter (senior) and Javonte Williams (junior) combined for 1,936 rush yards in 2019, and wide receivers Dyami Brown (junior) and Dazz Newsome (senior) both eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards and combined for 22 touchdown receptions.
The line is iffy short-term, other than returning starters Marcus McKethan and Jordan Tucker, both juniors. Young linemen like William Barnes, ESPN's No. 4 guard in the 2018 class, are worth watching. UNC's strong start to 2021 recruiting includes top-80 recruits in quarterback Drake Maye and wide receiver Gavin Blackwell.
16. Texas A&M Aggies
2020 future QB ranking: 13
2019 future offense ranking: 11
Scouting the Aggies: Year 3 is pivotal for Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher and his offense, which had mixed results in 2019. Quarterback Kellen Mond returns for his final season, and Texas A&M should be well-covered for 2021 and 2022 with redshirt freshman Zach Calzada, redshirt sophomore James Foster and incoming freshman Haynes King, an ESPN top-50 national recruit. Running back Isaiah Spiller nearly reached 1,000 rushing yards as a true freshman and might lead the ground attack for at least two more seasons. Another dynamic sophomore, Ainias Smith, could factor in both at running back and wide receiver.
Tight end projects extremely well with Jalen Wydermyer (32 receptions, six touchdowns in 2019) and Baylor Cupp back from injury. Top receiver Jhamon Ausbon returns for one more season, but the long-term outlook is really exciting with players like redshirt freshmen Dylan Wright and Kam Brown, and incoming freshman Demond Demas, ESPN's No. 5 wideout in the 2020 class. Senior tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Carson Green bolster a veteran line, which also features a budding star in sophomore Kenyon Green.
17. Louisville Cardinals
2020 future QB ranking: 21
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Cardinals: Offense fueled Louisville's jump in Year 1 under Scott Satterfield, whose track record suggests more improvement is coming. Louisville projects well at quarterback with junior Micale Cunningham (2,065 yards, 22 touchdowns in 2019) and sophomore Evan Conley. Dynamic receiver Tutu Atwell has two years of eligibility left after recording 1,272 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last fall. Atwell and senior Dez Fitzpatrick both averaged more than 18 yards per reception in 2019. Top tight end Marshon Ford (14.6 YPR, seven touchdowns in 2019) will play at least another year. Top rusher Javian Hawkins has two seasons of eligibility left after gaining 1,525 yards, and his primary backup Hassan Hall (501 rush yards) is just a junior.
Louisville will miss left tackle Mekhi Becton and turns to junior tackle Adonis Boone, senior guard Robbie Bell and redshirt freshman tackle Renato Brown. It also picked up junior college tackle Trevor Reid and graduate transfer Cam DeGeorge, a three-year starter at UConn.
18. Minnesota Golden Gophers
2020 future QB ranking: 17
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Gophers: After a historic 2019 season, Minnesota is positioned well for an encore, especially on offense. Quarterback Tanner Morgan has two more years of eligibility left after the greatest passing season in team history (3,253 yards, 30 touchdowns, 66% completions, 178.7 passer rating). He will again target Rashod Bateman, the 2019 Big Ten wide receiver of the year, for at least one more season and possibly two. Minnesota also could get two more years from running back Mohamed Ibrahim, who has 1,764 rushing yards in just 21 games the past two seasons. Redshirt freshman back Cam Wiley looks like a strong option for 2021 and 2022.
Although Tyler Johnson will be missed at receiver, juniors Chris Autman-Bell and Demetrius Douglas will complement Bateman. Coach P.J. Fleck always will recruit and develop well here. Minnesota returns all five starting linemen, four of whom earned All-Big Ten recognition in 2019. The line will lose mainstays at tackle (Sam Schlueter) and center (Conner Olson) in 2021. New playcaller Mike Sanford comes with some uncertainty, as Utah State's offense fell off under his watch last fall.
19. Auburn Tigers
2020 future QB ranking: Not ranked
2019 future offense ranking: 20
Scouting the Tigers: The upcoming season will be pivotal for coach Gus Malzahn and his offense, which some coaches felt cost Auburn a CFP appearance in 2019. Auburn annually produces elite-level defenses under Kevin Steele, and it's time for the offense to catch up. The Tigers just missed the quarterback rundown but could see a jump from Bo Nix, a gifted dual-threat sophomore who needs greater accuracy (57.6% completions). Nix gets top receiver Seth Williams back for at least one more season, alongside speedster Anthony Schwartz (also a junior) and senior Eli Stove.
Sophomore D.J. Williams likely becomes Auburn's featured back after Boobie Whitlow's departure, although competition will come from junior Shaun Shivers, redshirt freshman Mark-Antony Richards and Tank Bigsby, ESPN's No. 2 running back recruit (No. 20 overall player) in the 2020 class. Auburn's line has questions on the interior, but the group, almost all non-seniors, could be intact for the next two seasons. New coordinator Chad Morris inherits enough to generate improvement.
20. Memphis Tigers
2020 future QB ranking: Not ranked
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Tigers: Memphis should have been here sooner, and that's on me. I didn't give enough credit to an offense that since 2017 ranks fourth nationally in yards per game (513) and sixth in touchdowns scored (230). Even though coach Mike Norvell has left for Florida State, Memphis is set up to continue its success under Ryan Silverfield and a mostly similar offensive staff. The Tigers boast the top triple threat in the Group of 5 with quarterback Brady White, wide receiver Damonte Coxie and running back Kenneth Gainwell. Although White and Coxie depart after 2020, the versatile Gainwell (1,459 rush yards, 51 receptions, 16 total touchdowns) has three seasons of eligibility left.
Players like wide receivers Calvin Austin III and Kundarrius Taylor and running back Kylan Watkins should help Memphis in 2021. Memphis returns three starters up front and might only lose one lineman, fifth-year senior guard Manuel Orona-Lopez, in 2021.
21. Baylor Bears
2020 future QB ranking: 14
2019 future offense ranking: 24
Scouting the Bears: Baylor's defense fueled an 11-win season in 2019, and the team's formula shouldn't change under new coach Dave Aranda. But Aranda also wants to score points in bunches and hired proven playcaller Larry Fedora as offensive coordinator. Fedora inherits a strong quarterback room, led by senior Charlie Brewer (7,742 career passing yards, 51 touchdowns, 30 starts) and also featuring sophomore Gerry Bohanon and redshirt freshman Jacob Zeno, both ESPN 300 recruits. Baylor is set at running back for one year with seniors John Lovett and Trestan Ebner. The key will be building long-term depth with sophomore Qualan Jones and others.
Baylor will miss Denzel Mims at receiver but returns Tyquan Thornton (17.4 YPR in 2019) for at least one more year, as well as fellow juniors R.J. Sneed and Josh Fleeks. Baylor needs to improve the most up front, but returns a lot of players with starting experience, several of whom -- tackles Connor Galvin and Casey Phillips, guard Khalil Keith -- have multiple years of experience left.
22. Wisconsin Badgers
2020 future QB ranking: 22
2019 future offense ranking: 23
Scouting the Badgers: Wisconsin is at a crossroads with an offense that can control games but must produce more against elite competition, especially through the air. The Badgers lose Doak Walker Award winner Jonathan Taylor, Rimington Trophy winner Tyler Biadasz and top receiver Quintez Cephus. Wisconsin gets the accurate Jack Coan (69.6% completions) for another year, but redshirt freshman Graham Mertz, ESPN's top pocket passer in the 2019 class, will lead the offense in 2021 and 2022, if not sooner. Sophomore Nakia Watson (331 rushing yards in 2019) is in line to replace Taylor. Isaac Guerendo, another sophomore, will also be in the mix, and Wisconsin signed Jalen Berger, ESPN's No. 12 athlete in the 2020 class.
Wisconsin needs receiver depth behind seniors Danny Davis and Kendric Pryor. Junior tight end Jake Ferguson (69 receptions the past two seasons) will continue to be featured. Wisconsin boasts a solid group of linemen with starting experience, and only left tackle Cole Van Lanen is a senior. Recent recruiting prizes like Logan Brown, Trey Wedig and Jack Nelson should solidify the line in the long term.
23. Michigan Wolverines
2020 future QB ranking: 24
2019 future offense ranking: 13
Scouting the Wolverines: After a choppy start under new coordinator Josh Gattis, Michigan's offense showed some promise last fall. Shea Patterson produced well at times but wasn't the quarterback to get U-M over the hump, so Gattis now turns to Dylan McCaffrey or Joe Milton, both of whom have multiple seasons of eligibility left. Like LSU with Burrow, Michigan desperately needs an elite quarterback to emerge.
The Wolverines project well at running back with Zach Charbonnet and Hassan Haskins, who combined for 1,348 rush yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019. Both should play at least two more seasons. Michigan also returns its top receivers in junior Ronnie Bell and senior Nico Collins. Gattis is a career receivers coach and an excellent recruiter, and Michigan has a nice young group of wideouts (Giles Jackson, Mike Sainristil, incoming freshman A.J. Henning).
The line is a significant short-term question, as Michigan must build around sophomore tackle Jalen Mayfield. Redshirt sophomore tackle Ryan Hayes is a key player to watch, but Michigan's 2019 and 2021 line recruiting should help the group sustain.
24. Appalachian State Mountaineers
2020 future QB ranking: Not ranked
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Mountaineers: Like Memphis, Appalachian State should have appeared in these rankings sooner. Since 2017, App ranks 12th nationally in scoring and 16th in both yards per play and expected points added. The offensive surge spanned two coaches and should continue under a third, Shawn Clark, who has coached the team's offensive line since 2016. The unit returns senior quarterback Zac Thomas, the 2018 Sun Belt Player of the Year, who has 4,790 career pass yards and 49 touchdowns. Thomas will play behind an offensive line with four returning starters, including first-team All-Sun Belt center Noah Hannon. He also gets his top four receivers back, including second-team all-league selections Thomas Hennigan and Corey Sutton.
App State loses a lot in 2021 -- Thomas, the top receivers, three of its top linemen -- so developing non-seniors is a priority. Sophomore tackle Cooper Hodges is a priority player, along with younger running backs Daetrich Harrington, Raykwon Anderson and Camerun Peoples.
25. Mississippi State Bulldogs
2020 future QB ranking: 25
2019 future offense ranking: Not ranked
Scouting the Bulldogs: I considered several offenses for the final spot -- Louisiana, Washington, Nebraska, Washington, SMU -- but couldn't ignore what Mike Leach has done throughout his career. Mississippi State and the SEC West pose a tough challenge, but Leach always finds ways to tally points and yards. From 2016 to 2019, his Washington State offenses ranked 10th nationally both in efficiency and scoring average. Leach must capitalize on his Year 1 talent, which includes quarterback K.J. Costello, a graduate transfer from Stanford with 6,151 career passing yards, and first-team All-SEC running back Kylin Hill. The Bulldogs project well at running back with Hill and incoming freshman Jo'Quavious Marks, an ESPN 300 selection. But Leach's offense prioritizes wide receivers. Top wideout Osirus Mitchell returns for a final season, as does JaVonta Payton, but there's work to do with the group, which adds top junior college prospect Malik Heath.
The line has decent experience with seniors Stewart Reese, Greg Eiland and Dareuan Parker, but needs long-term development from redshirt freshman tackle Charles Cross, an ESPN 300 recruit in 2019, LSU transfer Cole Smith and others. Leach must prove he can recruit in SEC country, but he started strong by adding QB Sawyer Robertson, ESPN's No. 51 junior prospect.