Getting in position for a College Football Playoff berth is about much more than signing multiple top-10 recruiting classes.
These days it requires a delicate combination of recruiting impact freshmen, retaining as much of those classes as possible (particularly the top players) and making the right decisions in the transfer portal to upgrade your roster and fill in the gaps.
As the 2025 recruiting cycle ends and the 12-team CFP era rolls on, here is a look at four teams that have improved their chances of securing a playoff spot, and, maybe winning it all, as long as their transfers contribute as expected and they get production from some youth in their current class of recruits.
Texas Longhorns
Recruiting class rank: No. 1
For many schools, a change at quarterback is a big concern. But Texas starts the Arch Manning era poised to return to the playoff, thanks to some key defensive players returning and the No. 1 recruiting class coming in.
On defense the Longhorns return pass-rushing demon Colin Simmons and starting edge Trey Moore. Texas also hit the portal to bolster its interior line. While it may seem like five-star Justus Terry will have a hard time getting playing time, we find that hard to believe. A tough, versatile big man with excellent quickness and bend, Terry has the tools to play a role in Year 1. Simmons was never technically a starter in 2024, but he still made an impact. Terry may not jump out on the stat sheet in the way Simmons did (48 tackles, nine sacks), but we expect him to make his presence felt.
Fellow five-star Jonah Williams, a defensive back, will also play baseball at Texas, which could curtail his initial development. But his blend of size (6-foot-3, 204 pounds), speed (4.53 laser-timed 40-yard dash) and positional versatility is hard to ignore. While the Longhorns will lose Andrew Mukuba, they return Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald at safety. Williams' ability to play in space or down in the box will make him a factor, even if it's just in a rotational role.
Offensively, Texas loses some firepower in its passing game, including its top three receivers in Matthew Golden, Isaiah Bond and tight end Gunnar Helm. While the Longhorns used the transfer portal to address this need a year ago, they scored big on the recruiting trail this time, signing several potential receiving targets. ESPN 300 No. 1 athlete Michael Terry is intriguing. Texas could use him at tight end or in the backfield, and that versatility should get him involved in 2025, especially with the loss of Helm.
Jaime Ffrench, Kaliq Lockett and Daylan McCutcheon are all ESPN 300 wide receivers, with Ffrench and Lockett ranked among the top five at the position. In 2024, Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) and Ryan Williams (Alabama) made immediate impacts as freshmen. At least one player from that Longhorns receiver class should break out and help replace the production lost with the departures of Golden and Bond.
The offensive line -- and its ability to help fuel Texas' national title hopes in 2025 -- is the class's only question. The Longhorns lost some key players from an excellent unit and there is no clear plug-and-play option as Kelvin Banks Jr. was in 2022. They did sign several offensive linemen in 2024, but don't expect this class to help address that need.
Kansas State Wildcats
Recruiting class rank: No. 32
With 28 wins over the past three years and quarterback Avery Johnson returning, the Wildcats seem ready to emerge from the Big 12 pack and reach the playoff. This class is a nice blend of high school talent, junior college signings and transfer additions, with players from each area possessing the ability to step in and help K-State take the next step.
Coming off a season when he threw for more than 2,700 yards, Johnson should have plenty of targets. Kansas State returns leading receiver Jayce Brown and top tight end Garrett Oakley. It also brought in multiple receivers via the portal, signed a four-star receiver (Adonis Moise) and landed an ESPN 300 tight end (Linkon Cure).
Moise brings good speed and faced quality competition at IMG Academy in Florida. He may not make an immediate impact, but he strengthens Kansas State's depth. Cure, a four-star prospect, was a key signing. Pairing with Oakley will enhance Cure's ability to make an impact this season. He can lean on his strengths and contribute as a pass catcher while working to develop a more complete game.
The Wildcats lost some key players on defense, including in the secondary, but did a nice job bolstering that group. Keep an eye on their portal additions at defensive back. Amarion Fortenberry is still young but brings some college experience (South Alabama). The versatile and speedy R.J. Collins (a 10.56 100-meter and 21 mph max) is a freshman to watch. We feel he could be an excellent receiver, but he is projected to the secondary and could work his way into the mix this season.
Boise State Broncos
Recruiting class rank: No. 69
Barring unexpected changes to the CFP format, someone will emerge from the Group of 5 to make the playoff in 2025, as the Broncos did this past season. At this point, the best bets seem to be Boise State and Memphis. The Tigers won 11 games in 2024 and signed two ESPN 300 prospects, but they lost a lot of production from upperclassmen. Boise State, however, looks to be in good position to make a return appearance because it brings back several key players and won't have to rely as much on its recruiting class, which does include players that can help address needs.
The Broncos' key question: How will they replace Ashton Jeanty's production after he ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024? Boise State didn't sign a high school running back this cycle, so the answer will come from either within its roster or from the transfer portal, where it landed Malik Sherrod from Fresno State. Losing Jeanty cannot be taken lightly, but the Broncos return starting quarterback Maddux Madsen, their second-leading receiver in tight end Matt Lauter and most of the offensive line.
The 2025 class can help address some of the needs beyond running back. Stewart Taufa is a great example. He's talented and battle-tested -- Taufa played at prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman (Nevada) -- and can help fill an immediate need or, at worst, be a quality depth addition.
The Broncos lose some productive receiving targets, but their class is anchored by two strong wide receiver signings out of Texas -- Quinton Brown and Qumonte Williams -- who should contribute early. Brown is not big -- about 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds -- but he is an elusive route runner who can fly, hitting 21.5 mph in game play. Williams brings better size at roughly 6-4 and was productive as a high school senior with 64 catches for more than 1,200 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Boise State returns key players on defense. Losing safety Seyi Oladipo hurts, but signing two ESPN Junior College 50 safeties in Sam Brooks and Jaylen Webb provides potential quick contributors.
Oregon Ducks
Recruiting class rank: No. 3
While the Ducks won a conference title in their first Big Ten season, questions remain after they flamed out of the playoff and will need to reset at quarterback. A top-five class that features two impact freshmen and a strong transfer group are indicators Oregon can repeat as conference champs and get another shot at the playoff.
Dillon Gabriel's replacement at QB will come from within, and Dante Moore has the inside track. However, we like the signing of Akili Smith Jr. and think he can keep the train on the tracks if the Ducks need to call his number. He is a big body with a strong arm and helped lead his team to a California state title last season.
Five-stars Dakorien Moore and Na'eem Offord highlight the class and are keys to Oregon making this list. The Ducks lost four of their top five pass catchers from 2024, so a ton of production needs to be replaced. Moore could break out as a freshman in much the same way Jeremiah Smith did for Ohio State this season. Evan Stewart returns to provide an experienced counterpart, but Moore is a fierce competitor with big-play speed. We expect him to be among the Ducks' most productive receivers this season.
Oregon loses starting cornerback Jabbar Muhammad but brings in a potential replacement in Offord, who could be a No. 1 corner in short order. He is lengthy with excellent speed, ball skills and the type of confidence required in a corner. Expecting him to step in and play a key role at that tough position is realistic. Both Offord and Moore are already on campus, which is key.
Running back Makhi Hughes and offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon are strong transfer additions, but keep an eye on their prep signings. Running back Jordon Davison, linebacker Gavin Nix and tight end Vander Ploog are solid candidates to play productive roles in 2025.