Post-Spring Top 25: Our first preseason ranking heading into the summer
Week zero is less than four months away, but we’ve reached an important checkpoint of the college football calendar. The start of May equals the end of spring football and that means talking season is right around the corner.
There is still the last batch of transfers to get through, but we have a pretty good idea about how every team will look. The coaching carousel is over, most quarterback battles have a clear picture, and deep dives into two-deep depth charts have been completed.
It’s post-spring top 25 season throughout the college football landscape, and KSR has decided to jump into the party this season. Unsurprisingly, there are four common names at the top, but things are very close from 8 to 25.
1.) Alabama Crimson Tide
- Bryce Young will be supported by transfers but the OL is a cause for concern
- Will Anderson will pace what should be the best defense in college football
Bryce Young (66.9% completion rate, 8.9 yards per attempt, 47 touchdowns, 51.5% success rate) brought home the Heisman Trophy last season, but the star quarterback might not have been the best player on the Alabama roster. EDGE Will Anderson was absurd (101 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 16 non-sack tackles for loss) last year, and the Georgia native will give the Tide a great shot at being downright scary on defense in 2022. Jermaine Burton (WR, Georgia), Jahmyr Gibbs (RB, Georgia Tech), and Tyler Harrell (WR, Louisville) were each big adds from the transfer portal. Alabama should be the preseason favorite.
2.) Ohio State Buckeyes
- C.J. Stroud has QB1 potential and Jaxson Smith-Njigba is WR1
- New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles could lead a resurgence on defense
C.J. Stroud (71.9% completion rate, 10.1 yards per attempt, 44 touchdowns, 59.6% success rate) was absurd last year as the Buckeyes led the country in yards per play (7.96) and scoring offense (45.7). That could remain the same with Jaxon Smith-Njigba (95-1,606-9) getting a high volume of targets this year. Yet, Ryan Day’s team could not compete for a national championship due to an awful year on defense. Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles steps in after building a top-five defense in Stillwater. Ohio State has all the pieces if Knowles can put something together with the blue-chip talent on defense.
3.) Georgia Bulldogs
- Tight end heavy offense
- Replacing star power with star recruits
Kirby Smart has built this Georgia program to last thanks to dominant recruiting. Stetson Bennett (64.5% completion rate, 10 yards per attempt, 29 touchdowns, 53.3% success rate) returns as a super senior, and it is his show. However, this year the Bulldogs will be leaning heavily on tight ends with Brock Bowers (56-882-13, 68.3% success rate) Arik Gilbert (did not play in 2021), and Darnell Washington (10-154-1) all expected to have big roles in the offense.
That should help make Georgia very efficient, but there will be explosiveness concerns. On defense, there are some building blocks — Jalen Carter, Kelee Ringo, and Nolan Smith — but a lot must be replaced with blue-chippers waiting in the wings.
4.) Clemson Tigers
- Can D.J. Uiagalelei regain his five-star form?
- The defense could be stupid good
Despite having a legitimately bad offense, Clemson still won 10 games in 2021 and enters the season with a six-game winning streak. Dabo Swinney had a busy offseason replacing both coordinators with in-house promotions but resisted the urge to enhance his roster in the transfer portal. Expectations are sky-high for the defense with at least three All-American candidates on the defensive line — Bryan Bresee, Myles Murphy, and Xavier Thomas — surrounded by NFL talent in the back seven. However, the elephant in the room is on offense. If DJ Uiagalelei (55.6% completion rate, 6.0 yards per attempt, 9 touchdowns, 10 interceptions) cannot put it together, how long does it take Swinney and offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter to go with true freshman Cade Klubnik? The offensive line is still a work in progress, and there are some skill talent questions. Will the offense hold Clemson back again or will the three consecutive top-five recruiting classes overwhelm opponents? I’m betting on the latter.
5.) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Does coaching change with stability keep the train rolling?
- Top-15 recruiting success gives Irish a high floor
After dropping the Fiesta Bowl to Oklahoma State, Marcus Freeman’s tenure at Notre Dame officially starts in 2022. The new head coach retained offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and must fix the rushing attack. Michael Mayer (71-840-7) is quite a weapon at tight end. On defense, the Irish have recruited well and should have the pieces in place for a top-10 ceiling. Brian Kelly had Notre Dame humming, and now Freeman will look to continue that success. Tyler Buchner turning into an impact quarterback would be a great start.
6.) Texas A&M Aggies
- What happens at QB?
- Lost DC should not hurt much
Texas A&M will have a big quarterback battle, but most everything else on offense will be set. Devon Achane (130-910-9) can be a star tailback, Ainias Smith (47-509-6) is a dependable receiving option, and the offensive line has a potential All-American in Layden Robinson. On defense, D.J. Durkin takes over for new Duke head coach Mike Elko and inherits a ton of young talent. The Aggies are unproven on the defensive line, but their depth could overwhelm teams. There are unknowns with Jimbo Fisher’s fifth team at A&M, but the talent is obvious — four consecutive top-10 recruiting classes — and this could be a huge catapult year into consistent national title contention if the Aggies can figure out QB between Max Johnson, Haynes King, and Conner Weigman.
7.) Michigan Wolverines
- Replacing both coordinators could be difficult
- Cade McNamara vs. J.J. McCarthy
There was a time when Jim Harbaugh looked like the next head coach for the Minnesota Vikings, but the famous alum will return to Michigan for an eighth season and has replaced both coordinators. The offense gets most everyone back and should be dominant on the ground. However, a huge QB battle is brewing. Does high ceiling sophomore J.J. McCarthy eventually replace steady redshirt junior Cade McNamara (64.2% completion rate, 7.9 yards per attempt, 15 touchdowns)? The defense should be really good in the secondary as new play-caller Jesse Minter rebuilds the front.
8.) Utah Utes
- Kyle Whittingham might have the most consistent program in college football
- Cameron Rising raises the ceiling
The Utes finally shattered the glass ceiling in 2021 and brought home a Pac-12 title. At the Rose Bowl, Utah pushed Ohio State to the brink. Under Kyle Whittingham, this team consistently reloads on both sides of the line of scrimmage and puts top-15 defenses on the field. With Cameron Rising returning behind center (63.8% completion rate, 7.8 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns) combined with a physical running game and good defense, Utah has legitimate College Football Playoff hopes in 2022.
9.) NC State Wolfpack
- Can this program succeed with high expectations?
- A step forward from Devin Leary could lead to a conference title
After a losing season in 2019, Dave Doeren was facing some job pressure after seven years at NC State. Now he may have the top team in the ACC in 2022. The Wolfpack have switched to a 3-3-5 defense under Tony Gibson and that has made a huge impact on this program. The pieces are there to be a top-10 unit for Gibson. The offense has been inefficient and explosive, but Devin Leary (65.7% completion rate, 8.0 yards per attempt, 35 touchdowns, 44.8% success rate) is back at quarterback. If the redshirt senior out of New Jersey makes a leap the ceiling will be very high for the Pack. Can this program succeed with expectations? That is something NC State has struggled with in the past.
10.) Tennessee Volunteers
- Hendon Hooker has a legitimate shot at a Heisman run
- We still have questions about pairing a defense with Josh Heupel’s offensive tempo
Tennessee was perhaps the biggest surprise in the SEC. New head coach Josh Heupel installed his version of the Art Briles spread and Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker was unlocked (68% completion rate, 9.7 yards per attempt, 52.6% passing success rate 36 total touchdowns, 613 rushing yards, 50% rushing success rate). Yet, the defense faded as the season progressed. The Vols will score points in bunches, and if the defense can get some stops consistently UT could be due for a special season. However, there is a lack of star power on that side of the ball, and defensive coordinator Tim Banks must replace some departing leaders.
11.) Pittsburgh Panthers
- Turnover at OC, QB, and WR is a concern
- Pat Narduzzi has built another strong defense
Kenny Pickett posted big numbers under offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, but both have moved on. In a late twist, Pitt lost its best player with Jordan Addison departing right before the transfer portal deadline. However, Pat Narduzzi has built a football program at Pitt, and the Panthers could field a top-15 defense at Heinz Field this season. Just last year, Pitt put a third consecutive top-30 defense on the field, and they’ll have a chance to have their best unit under Narduzzi in 2022 with a ton of havoc production returning on the line of scrimmage. The Panthers just need USC transfer Kedon Slovis to play at a high level behind center to make another run at an ACC crown.
12.) BYU Cougars
- Kalani Sitake has built a winning program
- Jaren Hall could be a star
BYU is 21-4 over the last two seasons? I bet you didn’t know that. A year after losing Zach Wilson to the NFL, Jaren Hall (63.9% completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt, 20 touchdowns) stepped in at quarterback and looked like the program’s next star. Kalani Sitake has built things from the inside out, and the Cougars beat teams up on the west coast. BYU could have one of the best offensive lines in college football, has experience returning at wideout, and key pieces back at all three levels of the defense. The roster situation is great in Provo. BYU could make a run at an undefeated season and potential playoff push.
13.) Michigan State Spartans
- Growth from Payton Thorne
- Double-dip in the transfer portal
Michigan State was one of the biggest surprise teams in college football last season, and the Spartans should be ready to contend again in the Big Ten. Payton Thorne (60.4% completion rate, 8.3 yards per attempt, 27 touchdowns) returns at quarterback and could develop into a pro prospect as a redshirt junior. Jayden Reed could make an All-American push at wide receiver. Mel Tucker went transfer-heavy with eight Power Five additions to replace holes at running back and on defense. The defensive front in East Lansing has a chance to be very good.
14.) USC Trojans
- Can transfers adjust quickly?
- Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams will make a quick splash
Lincoln Riley is entering his first season as the head coach at USC, and the 38-year-old is using the transfer portal to flip the roster immediately. USC landed 14 Power Five transfers this offseason and is in the running for Jordan Addison. Travis Dye (RB, Oregon), Shane Lee (LB, Alabama), and Mario Williams (WR, Oklahoma) will all make immediate contributions. However, the cornerstone of the program is now Caleb Williams (64.5% completion rate, 9.1 yards per attempt, 50.2% passing success rate, 27 total touchdowns, and 42.6% rushing success rate). The former top-10 recruit could turn into a Heisman contender as a sophomore. On the line of scrimmage, Riley inherited some good pieces and the offensive line is led by a solid interior. The roster is at a place for this to be a top-five offense, and that could make the Trojans a College Football Playoff contender in the Pac-12.
15.) Oklahoma Sooners
- Can the culture of winning continue?
- Will transition to Jeff Lebby’s version of the Art Briles spread be an easy transition?
Brent Venables makes his return to Oklahoma, and folks are excited about the new regime. After many transfers, the Sooners went to the portal to replenish the roster and reunited former UCF offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby and quarterback Dillon Gabriel in Norman. The offense has good skill talent, and the defense is re-tooling, but many former blue-chip recruits are available. The program recruited at a top-10 level under Lincoln Riley and should not be far off from winning big in the Big 12 again.
16.) Ole Miss Rebels
- Roster and coaching churn creates a large window of outcomes
- QB still needs to be figured out
Similar to what USC did, Lane Kiffin dove into the transfer portal and landed 13 new players for year three at Ole Miss. Zach Evans (RB, TCU), Troy Brown (LB, Central Michigan), and Isheem Young (S, Iowa State) were the big finds. Most of those additions will be starters this season. Elsewhere, Ole Miss lost both coordinators to Oklahoma and Texas A&M. Kiffin is rebuilding but could have a top-25 defense if everything comes together. USC transfer Jaxson Dart and sophomore Luke Altmyer both had an up-and-down spring with the quarterback battle still ongoing. Ole Miss might have to show some evolution, but the pieces are there to gobble up wins in the SEC West if the roster and coaching staff meshes.
17.) Texas Longhorns
- Believe in the overall talent
- Quinn Ewers should make a significant impact
Year one was brutal for Steve Sarkisian at Texas. However, a top-10 recruiting class followed by some key transfer adds will have the Longhorns pointed in the right direction. Quinn Ewers returns home from Ohio State, and the former No. 1 overall recruit has a chance to give this program its best QB play since Colt McCoy. Isaiah Neyor (44-878-12 at Wyoming), Jordan Whittington (26-377-3), and Xavier Worthy (62-981-12, 52.1% success rate) could create the best wide receiver group in college football balancing out a strong rushing attack paced by Bijan Robinson (195-1,127-11, 45.6% success rate). The offensive line has major questions, and the defense must get better, but the offense is loaded and has an ace play-caller. A Big 12 title should be the goal in Austin.
18.) Kentucky Wildcats
- Can Will Levis turn into a superstar?
- Is there star power on defense?
Mark Stoops is in year 10 at Kentucky, and this program is fresh off another double-digit win season. The Wildcats are on their third offensive coordinator in three years, but the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan blueprint has been installed and there is personnel available to score points in bunches. The Will Levis buzz (66% completion rate, 8.0 yards per attempt, 49.6% passing success rate, 33 total touchdowns, 65.9% rushing success rate) is real as the redshirt senior looks to become a first-round prospect.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (225-1,379-9, 55.1% success rate) is one of the best running backs in college football, and there is real pass-catching depth with an identity established along the offensive line. The concern is on defense where the Wildcats struggled to stop the pass last season and lose top havoc creator Josh Paschal. Kentucky will start five super seniors on defense but must stay healthy and find some difference-makers to truly compete for an SEC East crown.
19.) Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Trust P.J. Fleck
- Minnesota might have the best roster in the Big Ten West
Take out the COVID-19 year, and Minnesota is 20-6 over its last two regular seasons with a 13-5 mark in Big Ten play. In 2022, offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca returns to Minneapolis and will be reunited with quarterback Tanner Morgan who had a career year in 2019 (66% completion rate, 10.2 yards per attempt, 30 touchdowns) with Ciarrocca. At center, John Michael Schmitz is a contender to win the Rimington Trophy, and there are multiple draftable prospects on defense. Mohamed Ibrahim is back healthy and should pace a dynamite rushing attack. The Golden Gophers are a sneaky pick to make it to the Big Ten Championship.
20.) Iowa Hawkeyes
- Can the offense not be awful?
- Phil Parker could have another top-10 defense
Kirk Ferentz enters year 24 at Iowa and is currently having his best run in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are on a 35-13 run with four consecutive top 25 finishes. However, the offense has fallen apart with Brian Ferentz, Kirk’s son, running the show. Iowa is attempting to run it back one more time, but once again the defense will lead the way. Linebacker Jack Campbell (143 tackles, 6 pass breakups) and cornerback Riley Moss (5 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 3 non-sack tackles for loss) are potential All-Americans and there is quality depth at every spot on the defense. Iowa will contend for another division title even if the offense is putrid again. Defensive coordinator Phil Parker is vastly underrated.
21.) Arkansas Razorbacks
- Will someone step up at wide receiver?
- Can transfers quickly impact the defense?
Sam Pittman enters year three, and the Arkansas program is way ahead of schedule. KJ Jefferson (67.3% completion rate, 9.1 yards per attempt, 21 touchdowns, 46.9% passing success rate, 664 rushing yards) is a true dual-threat and will pace this Kendal Briles spread offense. The Hogs have size on the offensive line and good options at tailback, but wideout appears to be a big weakness. On defense, Barry Odom has transitioned Arkansas to a three safety unit, and this group will be reliant on transfers. Landon Jackson (DL, LSU), Drew Sanders (EDGE, Alabama), Latavious Brini (Nickel, Georgia), and Dwight McGlothern (CB, LSU) were all big adds for the Razorbacks, and each must play a significant role this season.
22.) Houston Cougars
- The Group of Five favorite again
- Get to know Clayton Tune
It took some time, but Dana Holgorsen finally busted through in year three at Houston. The Cougars ran the table in the American before losing to Cincinnati in the conference title game. Clayton Tune returns as a super senior (68.3% completion rate, 8.4 yards per attempt, 30 touchdowns) and has a chance to lead Houston to a big season. Wideout Nathaniel Dell (90-1,329-12) could be special and there are some real dudes on defense as coordinator Doug Belk is a rising star. The Cougars could be a betting favorite in all 12 games as the American might produce another 13-0 team.
23.) Miami Hurricanes
- Is the Tyler Van Dyke hype real?
- Will the culture shift take adjusting?
Mario Cristobal has returned home, and expectations are high in South Florida. New offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is inheriting Tyler Van Dyke at quarterback (62.3% completion rate, 9.0 yards per attempt, 25 touchdowns, 46.3% success rate), and there is talent at the skill positions. Meanwhile, the defense has its fair share of former blue-chip recruits. The line of scrimmage is where rebuilding must take place, and Cristobal needs time. However, Van Dyke has NFL potential and could take the new regime farther than expected early.
24.) Wisconsin Badgers
- Any passing game could take Wisconsin into the top-10
- The defense will be stellar again under Jim Leonhard
Wisconsin finished the 2021 season with an 8-1 run, but last year was a clear step backward for the Badgers. New offensive coordinator Bobby Engram was brought in from the NFL to fix the passing game, but we know the ground attack will deliver. Jim Leonhard is one of the elite coordinators in college football and should have Wisconsin playing near a top-10 level again. If the passing game comes on the Badgers could contend.
25.) Mississippi State Bulldogs
- Get ready for Will Rogers to post video-game numbers
- The defense will determine the team’s ceiling
Mike Leach is in year three at Mississippi State, and the Bulldogs are off of a 7-5 regular season that easily could have been 10-2. Will Rogers (73.9% completion rate, 6.9 yards per attempt, 36 touchdowns, 53.5% success rate) is back for his third year starting in Leach’s Air Raid scheme and could be ready to become a star. The passing game brings back 5 of its top 7 targets and should be solid on the offensive line. However, the defense will tell the story. Play-caller Zach Arnett and his 3-3-5 scheme must find some star power, but if things come together, the Bulldogs could become the second-best team in the SEC West.
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