The longest season in college football history has reached its end, which means even Ohio State and Notre Dame now turn their attention to the 2025-26 campaign in an effort to get back to the national championship game again next year.
The fact the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish made it to this point is a testament to the talent on their rosters, including some stars who'll be back next season. Notre Dame has a young offensive line to build around and some terrific talent in the secondary. Ohio State might have the most dynamic wide receiver in the country wrapping up his freshman year in Jeremiah Smith. The Irish and the Buckeyes will enter next season as likely top-10 squads with sights set on the title.
But that doesn't mean there's not a lot of work to do. Many of this season's biggest names -- from Mitchell Evans and Jack Kiser to Emeka Egbuka and Jack Sawyer -- will be moving on to the NFL. Both schools have to figure out what their QB room will look like next season, and both will have assistant coaches in high demand for other jobs. Then there's the issue of a transfer portal window that has been open for business for everyone else for nearly two months but that begins anew for Notre Dame and Ohio State. The college football calendar runs 365 days, and while the ride to a national championship game has been thrilling, it also has put both teams a few weeks behind everyone else when it comes to plotting out the future.
A runner-up campaign for Notre Dame and a national title for Ohio State warrant celebration. But once the last of the confetti is vacuumed off the Caesars Superdome turf, the real work begins. -- David Hale
Jump to a section:
Ohio State | Notre Dame |Texas | Penn State | Georgia | Oregon | ASU
Boise State | Tennessee | Clemson | SMU | Indiana
Ohio State Buckeyes
2024 record: 14-2
Biggest question moving forward: The Buckeyes were loaded with key veteran defenders, both in the front seven and in the secondary. So, replacing the production of Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau at the end positions, Tyleik Williams at tackle, Cody Simon at linebacker, Denzel Burke at cornerback and Lathan Ransom at safety won't be easy, meaning guys who haven't been counted on to play leading roles will need to step up in a hurry. The Buckeyes have recruited well, and there's talent on the roster. But there won't be any grace period. The first game in the 2025 regular season is against Texas at Ohio Stadium. -- Chris Low
Recruiting outlook: Pound-for-pound, the Buckeyes held the nation's most talented recruiting class for a majority of the 2025 cycle, and coach Ryan Day's fifth-ranked class is still plenty impressive. Among the headliners: a pair of five-star signees in cornerback Devin Sanchez (No. 10 in the ESPN 300) and quarterback Tavien St. Clair (No. 17), six more additions among ESPN's top-100 prospects and 15 overall ESPN 300 commits. But November decommitments from top-100 defenders London Merritt and Zahir Mathis hurt, and Ohio State took an even bigger hit when five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord, the nation's No. 1 defender, flipped to conference rival Oregon on signing day. The Buckeyes will be just fine, but a recruiting cycle that began with a roar in Columbus ultimately closed with a relative whimper from Ohio State. -- Eli Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Offensive line was the portal priority for the Buckeyes, and they landed two of the top big men in this cycle. Rice transfer tackle Ethan Onianwa and Minnesota transfer tackle Phillip Daniels are intriguing additions up front. Onianwa was a three-year starter for the Owls, while Daniels is more of a developmental take with only four career starts. Ohio State found a steal in O-lineman Josh Simmons, a redshirt freshman transfer from San Diego State who'll be an early-round draft pick, and the Buckeyes are hoping for similar success this year after they were hit hard by injuries in 2024. They also have landed two coveted playmakers in tight end Max Klare (Purdue) and running back CJ Donaldson Jr. (West Virginia). -- Max Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Not to overstate the obvious, but getting over the Michigan funk. The Buckeyes rebounded from their fourth straight loss to their bitter rivals in the playoff by winning the national championship. But anybody in and around the Ohio State program will tell you that mounting losses to Michigan have a way of working on coaches and players emotionally, and the Buckeyes have to find a way to get past that. -- Low
Prediction for next season: At this point, it looks like Ohio State will have a first-year starter at quarterback -- Julian Sayin is the favorite -- so the Buckeyes will have to grow around the new guy as the season progresses. The nonconference schedule will be more difficult with Texas traveling to Columbus in the opener, but Oregon comes off the league schedule. Anything less than 10 regular-season wins and a second straight playoff appearance would be a huge disappointment. -- Low
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
2024 record: 14-2
Round eliminated: National championship
Biggest question moving forward: After back-to-back years landing a veteran ACC quarterback in the transfer portal, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman insists he's happy with the talent on the roster and won't pursue a big-name transfer again in 2025. That means it'll likely be a while before the Irish have a clear-cut favorite for the job.
Experience would seem to favor QB Steve Angeli, who arrived at Notre Dame in 2022 as one of the top passers in the class but who has seen minimal playing time during his career in South Bend, though he did engineer a scoring drive just before halftime in the Orange Bowl. Freeman has offered ample praise of Angeli's work ethic in practice and limited game reps, and now entering his fourth year in Notre Dame's offense, he figures to have the upper hand.
Don't count out CJ Carr, however. He arrived as a heralded recruit, but a shoulder injury has limited his practice time thus far, and he has yet to see any game reps. A top-50 prospect according to ESPN, Carr's upside is significant, so when he gets his shot this spring to compete for the job, it won't be any surprise if he makes the most of the opportunity.
Then there's Kenny Minchey (three career pass attempts) and incoming freshman Blake Hebert. Both have recruiting pedigree, but neither has any serious experience. They'll be in the mix early, but the question is whether either can showcase enough grasp of the offense to stay in the race for the long haul.
Regardless of who lands the job, one of the keys for any QB will be improving the downfield passing attack. Notre Dame simply didn't stretch the field often in 2024 -- attempting an average of just three passes of 20 yards or more per game, which marked a stark departure from OC Mike Denbrock's 2023 campaign at LSU. A lot will come down to improved receiver play next season, but the QB will need to make the whole engine go. -- Hale
Recruiting outlook: Outside of Julian Lewis and Bryce Underwood, no quarterback enjoyed a more eventful recruiting saga in 2025 than Deuce Knight before his flip from Notre Dame to Auburn on Oct. 2, a move that dealt a heavy blow to Freeman's incoming class. The Irish recovered well, flipping four-star Clemson quarterback pledge Hebert in October and beating USC to top-100 linebacker Madden Faraimo on signing day.
Faraimo stands as the top prospect in the program's latest class, and Notre Dame might have its next great offensive line prospect in 6-foot-7, 290-pound tackle Will Black. Freeman's overall recruiting success across his time with the Irish has now been backed up by a deep playoff run. While a good Notre Dame 2025 class might have been great if the Irish had held onto Knight's commitment, Freeman & Co. should now have even more momentum on the recruiting trail after this season. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Freeman has no intention of taking another transfer quarterback for 2025 and has been strategic with the few needs he does have in the portal. The Irish have upgraded their wide receiver room for 2025 with Malachi Fields (Virginia) and Will Pauling (Wisconsin) and added a tight end in Ty Washington (Arkansas). On defense, Freeman has had great success with quality veteran transfers playing their nickel spot with Thomas Harper and Jordan Clark. The coach is hoping Alabama transfer DeVonta Smith, a Cincinnati native who is moving closer to home for his final season, can be the next great one. The Irish are also bringing in safety Jalen Stroman from Virginia Tech and defensive tackles Jared Dawson (Louisville) and Elijah Hughes (USC). -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: While the QB battle is likely to gain the most attention, Notre Dame is going to have some serious work to do to replace established veterans on defense, too. There will be major losses on the line (Howard Cross) and at linebacker (Jack Kiser), but the secondary might have the biggest holes to fill. Benjamin Morrison missed the second half of the season, so the Irish have gotten a taste of life without him. The likely loss of star safety Xavier Watts, however, will make for a sizable hole in the secondary.
Notre Dame does have young talent to build around. Freshmen Leonard Moore and Adon Shuler and sophomore Christian Gray combined for seven interceptions and 20 pass breakups this season, while a slew of blue-chip recruits arrive for 2025. -- Hale
Prediction for next season: The schedule isn't light in 2025. Notre Dame opens with a road game at Miami, hosts Texas A&M and travels to Arkansas before the midpoint, then gets Boise State, USC and Syracuse in the back half of the slate. The Irish certainly won't be intimidated by any of those teams, but the margin for error -- particularly at QB -- won't be big. There's a relatively high floor here -- it's hard to see more than four losses -- but reaching a ceiling better than 2024's 11-1 mark, and playoff trip, would be a big accomplishment. -- Hale
Texas Longhorns
2024 record: 13-3
Round eliminated: Semifinal
Biggest question moving forward: What will it take for Texas to go all the way? Coach Steve Sarkisian has led the Longhorns to back-to-back 12-plus-win seasons, a massive step forward and a first for the program since 2008-09. Combine those results with elite recruiting classes and expectations get raised to the absolute highest level. The Longhorns loaded up for a national title run in 2024, and an 11-1 run through their first season in the SEC was impressive. After coming up short in the College Football Playoff, it's fair to wonder if Sarkisian is now in the situation that Kirby Smart experienced during his first five years at Georgia: excellent players, excellent coaching, almost ready to win it all. The Arch Manning era begins now, and Texas should have a terrific run game to support him with CJ Baxter coming back from injury. The Longhorns will have All-SEC-caliber talent and real depth returning on defense. Staff and roster continuity will put this program in position to win big again. Could 2025 be Texas' year? -- Olson
Recruiting outlook: Sarkisian and the Longhorns closed strong in the 2025 class, starting with a monster August that included pledges from five-star defender Jonah Williams and top-30 wide receivers Jaime Ffrench and Kaliq Lockett before landing five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry at the end of the early signing period. Terry's signature vaulted Texas to No. 2 in ESPN's 2025 class rankings, knocking on the door of the program's first-ever No. 1 class. Sarkisian had Texas SEC-ready on the field this fall, and his first recruiting class as an official member of the conference offers evidence that the Longhorns can keep it that way, as well. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Sarkisian has done an excellent job of recruiting quality over quantity in the transfer portal during his tenure and is looking for premium talent this offseason, but he's rarely going to take more than five or six transfers in a cycle. So far, the Longhorns have picked up help on defense with defensive tackles Travis Shaw (North Carolina) and Cole Brevard (Purdue) and linebacker Brad Spence (Arkansas) plus arguably the top punter in the portal in Utah's Jack Bouwmeester, a second-team All-Big 12 selection this season. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Texas' offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as one of the best in the country but will feature lots of new faces in 2025. Sarkisian feels good about that unit's future even if potential first-round pick Cameron Williams goes pro along with Kelvin Banks Jr., Jake Majors and Hayden Conner. The continued dominance of that group will depend on backups Trevor Goosby, Jaydon Chatman, Andre Cojoe, Brandon Baker and several others stepping up this offseason. -- Olson
Prediction for next season: Texas should have preseason top-five expectations yet again in 2025, and a season-opening rematch with Ohio State in the Horseshoe will be a terrific tone-setter. Next season's team will face the same SEC opponents but in a slightly tougher arrangement with zero home games in October, and it'll go back on the road to face Georgia in November. But the mission won't be any different for the Manning-led Longhorns. Three SEC teams falling short of the CFP at 9-3 this season makes it clear that Texas will need to win 10 or more games in 2025 to get back here. -- Olson
Penn State Nittany Lions
2024 record: 13-3
Round eliminated: Semifinal
Biggest question moving forward: A lot of the buzz before the game was centered on the idea quarterback Drew Allar could change course and declare for the NFL draft. It would represent a remarkable reversal after he informed the coaching staff in mid-December he would return for his senior year. That decision led to backup Beau Pribula leaving the team before the playoff run began and transferring to Missouri. For now, it's all speculation, but a firm understanding of Allar's intentions needs to happen relatively soon to allow the coaching staff to prepare for the appropriate scenario.
If Allar is back, Penn State will be in a comfortable spot headed into the offseason, despite the normal roster churn. If he's not, things will become hazier. -- Kyle Bonagura
Recruiting outlook: James Franklin was plenty productive on the recruiting trail in 2025, landing signatures from 14 ESPN 300 prospects in ESPN's 12th-ranked class. The early signing period flip of four-star in-state tight end pledge Andrew Olesh from Michigan marked a key recruiting win for the Nittany Lions, and Olesh -- the program's highest-rated signee -- leads an impressive tight end class bound for Penn State in 2025, joined by fellow ESPN 300 tight ends Brian Kortovich (No. 246) and Brady O'Hara (No. 279). Top-300 wide receivers Lyrick Samuel and Jeff Exinor Jr. represent two more exciting newcomers on offense as the Nittany Lions close their fourth straight top-15 class. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Penn State's wide receivers combined for zero catches against Notre Dame. It's clear that was not a position of strength for the Nittany Lions over the course of the season, but they've added two productive playmakers to their wide receiver room in Devonte Ross (Troy) and Kyron Hudson (USC). Ross proved he can play in the Big Ten with his performance against Iowa this season, burning the Hawkeyes for 62- and 63-yard touchdown passes plus a 77-yard punt return score. Penn State also landed Enai White, a former top-50 recruit from Philadelphia who's moving closer to home after three seasons as a reserve at Texas A&M. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: The Nittany Lions got a favorable draw with SMU and Boise State to get to this stage, but they didn't fare as well throughout the season against the sport's heavyweights: Ohio State, Oregon and Notre Dame. They need to be able to dictate the style of game better in those types of games if they want to get over the hump. -- Bonagura
Prediction for next season: There is every reason to believe Penn State will remain in a tier similar to this year's: a Big Ten title contender and playoff hopeful. Anything short of that will be a disappointment, and anything beyond that will be a bonus. -- Bonagura
Georgia Bulldogs
2024 record: 11-3
Round eliminated: Quarterfinal
Biggest question moving forward: Georgia's offense was a mixed bag in 2024. At times, it was brilliant, but just as often, the Dawgs struggled to move the ball. Whether it was Carson Beck's interceptions or a stalled ground game or a bevy of drops by the receivers, there was ample fodder for complaints from fans.
For 2025, the job of revamping the offense is a big one, but no position looms larger over the discussion than quarterback.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl offered a potential glimpse into Georgia's future at QB, with Gunner Stockton getting the start in place of Beck (who underwent right elbow surgery last month). The latter is off to the NFL for 2025. The former showed ample reason for optimism that he could be the foundation of Georgia's offense next season, even if his first start ended with a loss.
Georgia's offense struggled to run the ball as Notre Dame dared Stockton to beat the Irish downfield, but he routinely proved he was capable of doing just that, including on a 67-yard completion to receiver Arian Smith, a 21-yard toss to tight end Oscar Delp and a bullet of a throw to running back Cash Jones for the Dawgs' first touchdown in the third quarter.
Stockton will have some competition for the job in 2025 from Ryan Puglisi, 2025 commit Ryan Montgomery and former blue-chip recruit Jaden Rashada.
Still, Stockton has waited his turn, and his performance against Notre Dame should at least make him the leader in the clubhouse as Georgia looks to start 2025 with a new injection of energy on offense. -- Hale
Recruiting outlook: The Bulldogs' recruiting machine under Smart is still humming as Georgia closes in on its ninth straight top-three signing class, an eye-watering run that dates back to Smart's second cycle with the program in the class of 2017. The Bulldogs whiffed late on five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry, but the flow of elite talent to Athens isn't slowing.
Five-star defensive linemen Elijah Griffin (No. 6 in the ESPN 300) and Isaiah Gibson (No. 19) lead another impressive defensive class headed to Georgia in 2025, while the Bulldogs also hold signatures from four-star quarterback Ryan Montgomery, No. 5 wide receiver Talyn Taylor and the nation's top two tight end prospects in Elyiss Williams and Ethan Barbour. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Georgia doesn't have many needs in the portal and has yet to pick up a commitment from a transfer, but it's heavily involved in the recruitment of USC transfer brothers Zachariah Branch and Zion Branch. Zachariah is one of the more electric all-purpose playmakers in the sport and was an All-America kick returner in 2023. Zion struggled with injuries early in his career but was able to play a career-high 214 snaps at safety this season. The Bulldogs could also look into adding help at backup QB if they can find the right fit for their situation. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: While Clemson's Dabo Swinney wears the badge of being the most portal-averse coach at a major program, Kirby Smart isn't far behind. Georgia has certainly added some talent via the portal, but Smart prefers to build his team through high school talent, and that has largely worked well.
But with success often comes attrition, and that puts lots of pressure on those high school recruits to develop -- and develop quickly. At some of the offensive skill positions -- particularly wide receiver -- that hasn't always happened. Georgia loses two of its most established playmakers in receivers Smith and Dominic Lovett, and so questions remain about who'll be able to fill the void. Will Smart go hard in the portal to add some playmakers on the outside for his new starting QB? Or can some of those recent blue-chip recruits, like Anthony Evans, blossom into reliable options? Odds are, Smart will look for help from inside the program and the portal.
Of course, given all the drops in 2024, Georgia would probably settle for just about anyone who can hold on to the football. -- Hale
Prediction for next season: Smart said the biggest challenge for Georgia in 2024 was the schedule -- and with good reason. The Bulldogs faced five top-15 teams in the regular season. Things don't get markedly easier in 2025 -- such is life in the SEC -- but the Bulldogs do get Alabama and Texas at home, and a road trip to Tennessee looms as their biggest obstacle away from Sanford Stadium. But no matter the schedule toughness, the expectations at Georgia don't change. Anything less than a playoff berth is a disappointment, and even with the setbacks of 2024 fresh in mind, don't expect Dawgs fans to think another 11-win season and an early exit from the postseason will be quite good enough. -- Hale
Oregon Ducks
2024 record: 13-1
Round eliminated: Quarterfinal
Biggest question moving forward: Dillon Gabriel did exactly what Oregon hoped he would do after transferring from Oklahoma. He was a touchdown machine for the Ducks and leaves as the NCAA career leader in touchdowns. He also served as a mentor to Dante Moore, who gets the keys to the Oregon offense next season unless the Ducks go searching in the portal again. Moore played sparingly in 2024 as Gabriel's backup after making nine starts as a true freshman at UCLA in 2023. Moore was ranked by ESPN as the nation's No. 3 overall recruit in the 2023 class, and much will be expected of him next season. His Oregon teammates have raved about the quarterback's ability to make plays, and he'll be put to the test early in 2025. -- Chris Low
Recruiting outlook: The Ducks' on-field ascendency this fall has been mirrored by a dominant recruiting run that has Oregon in line for the program's first No. 1 class following an impressive late push on the trail. The signing day flip of five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord (Ohio State) was the most significant of those late boosts as Offord joined fellow five-stars in No. 1 wide receiver Dakorien Moore (No. 3 in the ESPN 300) and offensive tackle Douglas Utu (No. 15) in a loaded class that includes signatures from 16 ESPN 300 prospects. With Lanning's stock rising and the Ducks soaring, the program has clear recruiting momentum that will allow Oregon to stay competitive at the very top nationally for the foreseeable future. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: The Ducks were one of the big winners of December portal recruiting. They got the premium players they wanted to resolve their needs. Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman, the Big Ten's freshman of the year in 2023, is the No. 1 safety in ESPN's transfer rankings. Nevada transfer Isaiah World is the No. 1 offensive tackle. USC transfer Bear Alexander is a wild card but was certainly one of the most talented defensive linemen available. The six players Oregon has picked up so far should all make a real impact in 2025. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Losing Gabriel is one thing, but the Ducks also have to replenish at the playmaking positions around the quarterback with leading rusher Jordan James and leading receiver Tez Johnson both likely departing. Between them, they accounted for 25 touchdowns in 2024. -- Low
Prediction for next season: Dan Lanning has built a program to last, and the Ducks have the resources to compete with anybody in the NIL world. They avoid Ohio State and Michigan during the regular season in 2025, and their nonconference schedule is more than manageable. Another trip to the Big Ten championship game and a spot in the College Football Playoff would seem to be on the horizon, which means the Ducks could be looking at a third straight season of at least 12 wins. -- Low
Arizona State Sun Devils
2024 record: 11-3
Round eliminated: Quarterfinal
Biggest question moving forward: Can Kenny Dillingham do it again? The head coach believed Arizona State was a sleeping giant when he took over the program in 2023, and he immediately proved he had the blueprint to wake up the giant. Dillingham and his coaches and players achieved something special together in Year 2, pulling off one of the more stunning turnarounds in recent history from 3-9 to 11-3 in 12 months. They're well positioned to remain a contender in 2025 with star QB Sam Leavitt and much of their two-deep set to return. They certainly won't be picked last again in the next Big 12 preseason poll. The teams that win Big 12 titles are the ones who find a way to win close games, and the Sun Devils went 6-1 in games decided by one-score margins this season. Now that Dillingham has activated the Valley -- faster than anybody expected -- the challenge going forward is maintaining and building upon this momentum. -- Olson
Recruiting outlook: Dillingham built a playoff-caliber roster by leaning heavily on the transfer portal, but the Sun Devils have still made high school recruiting an emphasis, and it shows as Arizona State gets set to add its highest-ranked class since 2021. ESPN 300 dual-threat passer Cameron Dyer is one of two quarterbacks in the Sun Devils' incoming class, alongside three-star pocket passer Michael "Butter" Tollefson. On defense, three-star safety Joseph Smith looks like a potential steal who could earn snaps in the secondary as soon as next fall. Dillingham banked some momentum on the trail in 2025, and you'd imagine his recruiting pitch will only ring louder after Arizona State's debut playoff appearance this fall. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Dillingham and his staff got this far by totally flipping their roster with transfer portal additions who helped set a winning culture. He's working to reload in the portal again with several impact additions on offense, including running back Kanye Udoh (Army), receivers Jalen Moss (Fresno State) and Noble Johnson (Clemson), and tight end Khamari Anderson (Kentucky). Udoh, a rare service academy transfer, earned second-team All-AAC honors this season after rushing for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns for the 12-2 Black Knights. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: No single back can replace the more than 2,000 yards of offensive production that running back Cam Skattebo provided for the Sun Devils this season, so developing the corps of Udoh, Kyson Brown, Raleek Brown, Alton McCaskill and others is obviously essential. But Arizona State will also need players to step up around Jordyn Tyson at wide receiver to help replace senior starters Xavier Guillory and Melquan Stovall. -- Olson
Prediction for next season: Among the six other teams that went 6-3 or better in Big 12 play this season, five are on the Sun Devils' schedule for 2025. Their road schedule includes Iowa State, Baylor, Colorado, Utah and a nonconference test at Mississippi State. The path to a repeat Big 12 title looks challenging on paper, but Arizona State should still be viewed as a front-runner to get back to Arlington and compete for a College Football Playoff bid yet again. -- Olson
Boise State Broncos
2024 record: 12-2
Round eliminated: Quarterfinal
Biggest question moving forward: How much of Boise State's success was because of Ashton Jeanty? Perhaps no player in college football was more responsible for his team's offensive success than the Broncos' record-setting running back. Without him -- and likely a new offensive coordinator with Dirk Koetter expected to retire -- the team won't be able to be as reliant on the running game. Much of that will fall on the shoulders of quarterback Maddux Madsen, who quietly put together a strong first full season as Boise State's starter. -- Bonagura
Recruiting outlook: Boise State knows how to uncover and develop underrecruited talent -- see Jeanty -- and the Broncos could have a few hidden performers in the 2025 class. Wide receiver signee Quinton Brown is a skilled target with scorching speed who totaled 3,500 all-purpose yards and 42 touchdowns in his high school career, while two-way standout Bol Bol carries experience on both sides of the line and projects as a promising defensive end with length and quickness. More imminently, three-star center Stewart Taufa and junior college cornerback transfer Jaylen Webb land as a pair of potential early contributors from a class that should continue to bolster Boise State's standing as a perennial Group of 5 playoff contender under coach Spencer Danielson. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: No one player is going to replace the prolific production of Jeanty, but Boise State is hoping Malik Sherrod can play a helpful role. The Fresno State transfer ranked fourth in the Mountain West in rushing yards (966) in 2023 and will be a sixth-year senior next season. Danielson has mostly prioritized defense during this portal cycle and has brought in a trio of veteran defensive linemen in Dion Washington (Hawaii), Malakai Williams (Idaho) and Keanu Mailoto (Arizona). -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Everything is trending in the right direction, but the key in Boise for sustainable long-term success -- at the highest level of the sport -- is probably rooted more in its financial investment. With the cash being thrown around for top talent, the Broncos won't always be able to keep their best players on campus. The best Boise State will be able to hope for is to mitigate those losses. Doing more with less will always be part of Boise State's ethos, but in this era of college football the financial component is more important than ever. -- Bonagura
Prediction for next season: After reaching the College Football Playoff in Danielson's first season, there is every expectation for the Broncos to remain one of the best Group of 5 teams. That designation means it will be relevant in the playoff discussion again, but it's unlikely Boise State will be able to match the success it had this season. -- Bonagura
Tennessee Volunteers
2024 record: 10-3
Round eliminated: First
Biggest question moving forward: The good news is that quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be back for his third year and should be poised for his most productive season yet given his arm talent and experience as a starter. But the Vols have to beef up around him on offense, both in the line and at the skill positions.
Center Cooper Mays has been the heart and soul of that offensive line for a couple of years, and he's gone. So is running back Dylan Sampson, who set the single-season school record for touchdowns. The Vols need to find a way to make more explosive plays in the passing game, which was a problem all season and was a setback for the Vols in their playoff loss to Ohio State.
Rising sophomore Mike Matthews, a five-star recruit, has a chance to develop into a big-play receiver and has huge upside. Either way, Tennessee has to add firepower on offense. Iamaleava passed for more than 200 yards against an FBS team only four times in 13 games this season. -- Low
Recruiting outlook: As the Vols rolled to their first-ever playoff appearance this fall, they also wrapped the highest-ranked class of the Josh Heupel era, anchored by signatures from five-star offensive tackle David Sanders (No. 5 in 2025 ESPN 300) and No. 3 defensive tackle Isaiah Campbell (No. 38).
Tennessee went hard on linebackers in 2025, signing three from inside the ESPN 300, and Heupel & Co. did well to keep the state's top prospect, quarterback George MacIntyre, home in a recruiting win over rival Alabama. If the Vols intend to compete for the playoff on an annual basis, classes at the caliber of the one Tennessee has signed in 2025 will be imperative. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: The Vols have had a decent amount of portal attrition so far, with 10 scholarship players hitting the portal, but have been selective in their December portal recruiting. Arizona transfer offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. was their first pickup, and he's a premium one. The 2023 Freshman All-American is a 26-game starter at left guard and was one of the top interior linemen available. The Vols could lose their top three guards at the end of the season, so Moe addresses a major need. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: The Vols' strength this season was their defensive line. With some of the top performers and leaders from the unit departing, developing some of the younger ones and keeping that same mindset up front defensively will be vital if the Vols are going to make another playoff run.
In particular, maintaining that same depth will be key. Defensive line coach Rodney Garner is one of the best in the business, and he's always going to get the best out of his guys. -- Low
Prediction for next season: The schedule gets a little more difficult with road games at Florida and Alabama, while Georgia comes to Knoxville. The next step for this program is playing better and more consistently on the road against quality teams.
The Vols have lost 22 in a row against top-10 teams on the road. So winning one of two in Gainesville and Tuscaloosa would go a long way toward opening up a pathway to the playoff. But at least nine wins seems realistic, which would be the fourth straight season hitting that mark under Heupel. -- Low
Clemson Tigers
2024 record: 10-4
Round eliminated: First
Biggest question moving forward: Have we seen the last of Clemson as an elite program?
Yes, the 2024 season earned the Tigers another ACC title and returned Dabo Swinney to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020, but it was hardly the emphatic statement anyone hoped for. The Tigers backed into the ACC title game, won it on a last-second field goal and earned its playoff invite via a guaranteed bid despite being ranked 16th by the committee. Clemson lost badly to Georgia, fell at home to Louisville, went down in crushing fashion to rival South Carolina, nearly blew a huge lead to SMU and then struggled in the playoff game against Texas.
Those are the games a program like Clemson is judged by -- the games the Tigers used to win far more often than not. But four seasons have come and gone without Clemson looking like anything close to a national title contender, and that slip from the top of the pyramid has coincided with myriad other changes in the sport. So the Tigers enter another offseason with lingering questions about their place in the larger college football ecosystem, how they'll afford to keep pace with the big boys in the SEC and whether there's still a path for them to win it all. -- Hale
Recruiting outlook: After losing five ESPN 300 commits during the fall, the Tigers' incoming class sits seventh among ACC programs in ESPN's rankings for the cycle, trailing not just Miami but also the likes of Duke and Syracuse. Still, Clemson has exciting talent on the way, headlined by running back Gideon Davidson. ESPN's No. 3 running back prospect in 2025, Davidson lands with the Tigers after logging 2,054 rushing yards (9.2 per carry) and 34 rushing scores in his senior season this fall. Could he break through early in a young running backs room next fall with 1,106-yard rusher Phil Mafah set to depart? -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Clemson is signing transfers this year! Swinney is betting that pass rusher Will Heldt (Purdue) and wide receiver Tristan Smith (Southeast Missouri State) can make the Tigers better in 2025. Heldt was one of the top defensive ends in ESPN's transfer rankings, and Smith is coming off a 900-yard season at the FCS level. Could this historic decision lead to more players in the portal eventually finding their way to Clemson? We shall see, but it's an encouraging sign. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Defensive line. This seems ludicrous given Clemson's long history of producing standout performers up front on defense, along with the fact that former five-star recruits T.J. Parker and Peter Woods are due back for 2025. But after a full year of criticism that he wouldn't delve into the portal, Swinney finally went after a serious impact transfer and it was, of all things, a D-lineman (former Purdue edge rusher Will Heldt). The move was a signal that Clemson's normally stout defense took a step back in 2024, and that can't happen again in 2025.
Woods largely played out of position on the edge, despite his 320-pound frame, and injuries sullied the team's depth. The result was a unit that was good -- occasionally very good -- but inconsistent. For Clemson to rejoin the ranks of the elite, it has to start with dominating in the one area where the Tigers have consistently been elite -- at the line of scrimmage on defense. -- Hale
Prediction for next season: Clemson is still the class of the ACC, and with a number of stars -- Cade Klubnik, Sammy Brown, Parker and Woods among them -- expected back in 2025, that should remain true moving forward. Swinney is finally digging into the portal too, which only benefits the Tigers. This is a team that will be loaded with veterans in 2025 in a conference that is there for the taking. Anything less than 10 wins and another playoff berth would be a disappointment, but hopes will be even higher than that. -- Hale
SMU Mustangs
2024 record: 11-3
Round eliminated: First
Biggest question moving forward: The Mustangs had an incredible first season in the ACC, but they might have actually been a little ahead of schedule. Rhett Lashlee knew he was going to need everything -- more size, more depth, more speed -- in making the jump from the AAC to the ACC. The key now, is being able to turn this proof of concept, that the Mustangs can be a contender at the Power 4 level, into restocking with all of those things on Lashlee's list. SMU ranked 29th on ESPN's early signing day rankings but will likely continue to be active in the portal looking to upgrade. -- Dave Wilson
Recruiting outlook: The Mustangs -- who signed one ESPN 300 recruit over the previous four cycles, backup quarterback Preston Stone -- have three top-300 signees in the program's 2025 class, their first as a member of the ACC. Offensive tackle Dramodd Odoms is the highest rated of the trio at No. 170 in the ESPN 300. TCU quarterback flip Ty Hawkins brings true dual-threat promise for the future.
And the most exciting of them all could be wide receiver Daylon Singleton, who totaled 115 catches for 2,143 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Texas' DeSoto High School. The SMU train has left the station this year, on the field and on the recruiting trail. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: Lashlee and his staff have done a terrific job during their tenure of finding impact portal talent and good fits for SMU. In this cycle, they've already picked up two centers with starting experience in Addison Nichols (Arkansas) and Joshua Bates (Oklahoma) as well as a linebacker Zakye Barker (East Carolina) and promising freshman defensive back Chasen Johnson (UCF). The Mustangs are in the mix for USC transfer defensive tackle Bear Alexander and are looking to add more playmakers on offense as well. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: SMU had to make an early-season quarterback change after a loss to BYU when the offensive line struggled, opting for a more mobile Kevin Jennings to help the offense. Against Penn State, the Mustangs could not capitalize in the red zone, with four trips that ended in three points and Jennings scrambling for his life all day, struggling under the pressure, including two interceptions on pressure plays. Odoms, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound tackle from the Houston area, addresses that need, but it will continue to be a priority. -- Wilson
Prediction for next season: The Mustangs might come back to earth with a rejuvenated Clemson and a Miami program that's going to keep spending and adding key players, with both of them on the SMU schedule next season. They've proven they can draw talent, and Lashlee's offense, alongside an impressive defensive identity, will give them a puncher's shot. Along with early-season tests against improved Baylor and TCU teams, this feels more like an 8-3 regular season, which would still be a success as they continue to build. -- Wilson
Indiana Hoosiers
2024 record: 11-2
Round eliminated: First
Biggest question moving forward: How does Indiana bolster its offensive line and other areas to compete with the nation's very best? Indiana took massive, historic steps in coach Curt Cignetti's first season, but its shortcomings were exposed in the second half against Michigan and during losses to Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Indiana was remarkably healthy overall in 2024, but an injury to starting guard Drew Evans showed up against more talented opponents down the stretch. Cignetti can't bring another talented group of James Madison transfers with him this offseason, so his ability to identify portal upgrades and develop returning players will be huge. -- Adam Rittenberg
Recruiting outlook: Cignetti and the Hoosiers have leaned on defense and wide receiver prospects to build only the program's second top-50 class since 2020. Hanging on to four-star safety Byron Baldwin -- the lone ESPN 300 signee in Indiana's 2025 class -- was key for Cignetti, and the versatile defensive back could crack Indiana's secondary rotation early as one of 12 defensive signees for the Hoosiers in 2025.
On offense, playmaking pass catcher LeBron Bond leads a cast of three talented wide receivers who all rank among Indiana's top six prospects in an impressive class at the end of Cignetti's first full cycle with the Hoosiers. -- Lederman
Biggest portal priority: After hitting the jackpot with his portal imports in Year 1, Cignetti knows the Hoosiers will need to reload with more experienced transfers to remain a Big Ten contender. He's still searching for his next QB but has seven commits on board so far.
UAB transfer running back Lee Beebe Jr. put up more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage this season, and Western Kentucky transfer defensive tackle Hosea Wheeler was a first-team All-Conference USA selection. Cignetti and his staff will keep succeeding with those under-the-radar players with proven production. -- Olson
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Quarterback will be a significant question after Kurtis Rourke's departure, but Cignetti's recent teams at James Madison and Indiana have been fueled by excellent defensive fronts.
Indiana led the nation in rushing defense by a wide margin but will be replacing James Carpenter, who had two tackles for loss, a blocked kick and other notable plays against Notre Dame in his final college game, as well as CJ West in the interior. If top pass rusher Mikail Kamara moves on to the NFL, Indiana will be looking for a hard reset up front. -- Rittenberg
Prediction for next season: Indiana likely will take a mini step backward after some key departures, although the addition of a notable transfer quarterback, such as Cal's Fernando Mendoza, and the retention of key juniors could maintain the trajectory. The 2025 schedule once again features no nonleague matchups against Power 4 opponents, and the home schedule is quite favorable. Road trips to Oregon, Penn State and Iowa will provide tests, but Coach Cig's team can win at least seven to eight games. -- Rittenberg