If football recruiting & rankings are only tied to NIL...

Posted on: May 4, 2023 at 07:27:56 CT

..like I believe zounami states time after time.......tough to figure out how some of these teams make their way into a pre-season top 25 poll. Are they all just bankrolling their way to the top 25? I don't think so.



College football post-spring Too Early Top 25: Where do USC, Alabama, Ohio State rank?
Stewart Mandel
May 4, 2023

With spring practice and the spring transfer portal window behind us, it’s time to reevaluate my preseason Top 25 for the first time since Jan. 10.

On many recent occasions, the top of these rankings began with either Alabama No. 1 and Ohio State No. 2, or vice versa. This year, I have more questions than usual about both.

Conversely, I did not go into this expecting to rank LSU behind only Georgia, but Brian Kelly’s team doesn’t appear to have many (any?) question marks.

Many of you will undoubtedly mock me moving Texas squarely into the rankings, but if anything, I may have the ‘Horns too low. I’m trying to temper my enthusiasm.

Finally, there’s only one Group of 5 representative. That’s in part because several of the top programs (Cincinnati, UCF, Houston) are now in the Big 12, but also, a lot of the best G5 players are getting picked off by P5 programs.

1. Georgia (previous: 1)
Carson Beck came out of spring as the clear favorite to succeed Stetson Bennett at quarterback. He and the offense, which brings back star tight end Brock Bowers plus receiver Ladd McConkey and added ex-Missouri WR Dominic Lovett (56 catches for 846 yards in 2022), looked lethal in the spring game. The defense loses stars like Jalen Carter and Kelee Ringo but will be more experienced as a whole, led by safety Javon Bullard and linebackers Jamon-Dumas Johnson and Smael Mondon. Former five-star linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. is poised to break out.

2. LSU (previous: 4)
Simply put, LSU is loaded. QB Jayden Daniels is a Heisman contender, with weapons galore in WRs Malik Nabers and Kyren Lacy and TE Mason Taylor. Five starters are back on the O-line, led by freshman All-American tackle Will Campbell. The Tigers’ front seven is stacked, thanks to defensive tackles Maason Smith and Mekhi Wingo, star linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. and former All-Pac-12 linebacker Omar Speights (Oregon State) and ex-Texas edge rusher Ovie Oghoufo (Texas). Ex-Syracuse CB Duce Chestnut is a likely starter.

3. Michigan (previous: 2)
The two-time Big Ten champs bring back QB J.J. McCarthy and star RBs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards. WRs Cornelius Johnson and Roman Wilson are sure things, and former walk-on Peyton O’Leary shined in the spring game. The O-line is in flux but should get a lift from transfers LaDarius Henderson (Arizona State) and Drake Nugent (Stanford). An experienced defense, led by linebackers Junior Colson and Michael Barrett and safety Mike Sainristil, looks to bounce back from a poor CFP semifinal showing against TCU.

4. USC (previous: 6)
Lincoln Riley loaded up in the portal again. Heisman-winning quarterback Caleb Williams, receivers Mario Williams and Brenden Rice and running back Austin Jones welcome Arizona receiver Dorian Singer — who had 1,105 receiving yards last season — and South Carolina RB MarShawn Lloyd. Jarrett Kingston (Washington State), Michael Tarquin (Florida) and Emmanuel Pregnon (Wyoming) are likely O-line starters. Oklahoma State LB Mason Cobb and D-linemen Anthony Lucas (Texas A&M), Jack Sullivan (Purdue) and Kyon Barrs (Arizona) should help upgrade a woeful D.

5. Ohio State (previous: 3)
The Buckeyes’ backfield (TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, Dallan Hayden) and receivers (Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, freshman Carnell Tate) are ridiculous. Kyle McCord is the likely QB1. Offensive tackle is a concern; Ryan Day added San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons last week. Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau are keys to what could be a dominant D-line, and DC Jim Knowles’ unit will benefit from veterans like LB Tommy Eichenberg, CB Denzel Burke and S Lathan Ransom.

6. Alabama (previous: 5)
Nick Saban bringing in ex-Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner (55.4 percent completion rate, three TDs, five interceptions last season) raises rare concerns about the Tide, which could also have questions at receiver. Running back Jase McClellan returns, and early enrollee Justice Haynes drew raves from Saban. The O-line should be strong. Despite losing star Will Anderson Jr., the defense is still full of proven standouts like OLB Dallas Turner, safety Malachi Moore and CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. Georgia transfer LB Trezmen Marshall emerged as a potential starter.

7. Washington (previous: 9)
Washington won 11 games in Kalen DeBoer’s first season, and star QB Michael Penix Jr. is back, along with top WRs Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan and Ja’Lynn Polk. Fifth-year RB Cam Davis had a strong spring. The O-line lost three starters, but their replacements are all fifth- and sixth-year guys. The Huskies’ recently underperforming defense has first-round talent in edge rushers Zion Tupuola-Fetui and Bralen Trice. Ex-Oklahoma State CB Jabbar Muhammad nailed down a starting job this spring.

8. Penn State (previous: 6)
Penn State already boasted the RB tandem of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen (combined 1,928 yards as true freshmen) before adding Minnesota transfer Trey Potts (1,200 career yards). With a deep O-line led by decorated tackle Olu Fashanu, new quarterback Drew Allar should be well protected. Incoming Kent State transfer Dante Cephas should upgrade the receiving corps. Standout LB Abdul Carter will be the new face of what should be another stingy defense, though defensive tackle remains a modest concern.

9. Florida State (previous: 8)
Mike Norvell has assembled FSU’s most talented roster in years, led on offense by dynamic QB Jordan Travis, RB Trey Benson and WR Johnny Wilson. Transfer tight ends Jaheim Bell (South Carolina) and Kyle Morlock (Division II) and offensive tackle Jeremiah Byers (UTEP) had impressive springs. Preseason All-America DE Jared Verse, DT Fabian Lovett, LB Kalen DeLoach and S Akeem Dent return from last year’s top-15 defense. Coveted transfer DT Braden Fiske (Western Michigan) should have a big impact.

10. Tennessee (previous: 13)
Orange Bowl MVP Joe Milton looks ready to run Josh Heupel’s offense, but keep an eye on five-star freshman Nico Iamaleava. The Vols have weapons in RBs Jaylen Wright and Jabari Small and WRs Bru McCoy and Squirrel White. There are questions up front, though former Miami starting tackle John Campbell was nice add. Linebacker Aaron Beasley leads a defense that needs to cut down on big plays. BYU transfer LB Keenan Pili brings a ton of experience. Freshman Arion Carter could be a quick contributor.

11. Notre Dame (previous: 11)
Wake Forest transfer quarterback Sam Hartman was as advertised in ND’s spring game. While top RB Logan Diggs transferred, the Irish still have Audric Estimé and touted redshirt freshman Jadarian Price. Joe Alt and Blake Fisher may be the best offensive tackle tandem in the country. The defense returns numerous key players like LBs JD Bertrand, Marist Liufau and Jack Kiser and cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Cam Hart. As of now, the D-line lacks a big name like Isaiah Foskey but runs eight deep. Safeties are a concern.

12. Utah (previous: 12)
The big concern is whether veteran quarterback Cam Rising will be ready by the start of the season after tearing his ACL in the Rose Bowl. Key targets TE Brant Kuithe and WR Devaughn Vele return, as do RBs Ja’Quinden Jackson and Micah Bernard. The defense will miss lockdown CB Clark Phillips III, but it should remain strong with All-Pac-12 honorees DT Junior Tafuna, LBs Karene Reid and Lander Barton, and last year’s leading tackler, safety Cole Bishop. Ole Miss transfer CB Miles Battle is a likely starter.

13. Oregon State (previous: 16)
The story of Oregon State’s spring figured to be Clemson transfer QB DJ Uiagalelei, but dazzling early enrollee Aidan Chiles may push him for the starting job. The Beavers should field a powerful rushing attack with Damien Martinez (982 yards as a freshman) and Deshaun Fenwick playing behind four returning O-linemen, led by All-Pac-12 honorees Joshua Gray and Taliese Fuaga. The Beavers’ D-line, led by Isaac Hodgins and James Rawls, was dominant in the spring game. Cornerback is a question mark.

14. Kansas State (previous: 17)
Last year’s Big 12 champs lost superstars RB Deuce Vaughn and DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, but there’s a lot more coming back — including QB Will Howard and the entire starting offensive line. Florida State transfer RB Treshaun Ward is a nice option to go with DJ Giddens. Iowa transfer WR Keagan Johnson should play a big role. Super senior LB Daniel Green leads a defense full of fourth- and fifth-year players like DE Khalid Duke, LB Austin Moore and safety Kobe Savage. The corners could be young.

15. Oregon (previous: 13)
New offensive coordinator Will Stein inherits star QB Bo Nix, a fifth-year career starter, and weapons like RB Bucky Irving and WRs Troy Franklin and Kris Hutson. Troy transfer WR Tez Johnson flashed impressive speed in the spring game. Oregon’s big concern is an offensive line that lost four experienced starters. The Ducks’ defensive front should be better; they added South Carolina transfer Jordan Burch to go with LBs Mase Funa and Jeffrey Bassa. Dan Lanning added several transfers to shore up a depleted secondary.

16. Clemson (previous: 15)
Dabo Swinney’s program remains at or near the top of the ACC, but he’s not stockpiling offensive talent like he used to. New OC Garrett Riley from TCU does inherit quarterback Cade Klubnik and RBs Will Shipley and Phil Mafah, but the Tigers’ receivers were underwhelming in the spring game. The Tigers should field another stingy defense, though, led by All-Americans DT Tyler Davis and LB Jeremiah Trotter and standout S Andrew Mukuba. Five-star freshman DT Peter Woods stole the show throughout spring.

17. TCU (previous: 10)
The national runners-up had eight players drafted last weekend, including their biggest offensive playmakers, but Sonny Dykes did well in the portal. QB Chandler Morris, last year’s Week 1 starter, is a capable successor to Max Duggan. Ex-Oklahoma State WR John Paul Richardson and ex-Alabama RB Trey Sanders shined in the spring game. The defense lost several stars but brings back LB Johnny Hodges, safety Mark Perry and DB Bud Clark. The Frogs will also be counting on Florida transfer CB Avery Helm.

18. Wisconsin (previous: 19)
SMU quarterback transfer Tanner Mordecai looked the part in new offensive coordinator Phil Longo’s Air Raid scheme until he threw four interceptions in the Badgers’ open scrimmage. Longo will lean on RBs Braelon Allen and Chez Mellusi. Transfers C.J. Williams (USC) and Will Pauling (Cincinnati) join Chimere Dike at receiver. The defense may start six fifth- or sixth-year seniors, led by standout linebacker Maema Njongmeta. Impressive sophomore Ricardo Hallman and Boston College transfer Alexander Smith both shined at cornerback.

19. Texas (previous: NR)
After an inconsistent debut season, star quarterback Quinn Ewers looked notably sharper this spring. He’s got a plethora of targets in Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington, Georgia transfer AD Mitchell and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Running backs Jaydon Blue and Savion Red stood out in the spring game, and the entire O-line is back. Texas’ defense, led by linebacker Jaylan Ford, improved from 102nd to 18th in yards per play last season but lacked pass rushers. DE Ethan Burke emerged in spring, and Texas has since added Minnesota defensive tackle Trill Carter.

20. Ole Miss (previous: 22)
Ole Miss added quarterbacks Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) and Walker Howard (LSU), but incumbent Jaxson Dart exited spring as the leader. Star running back Quinshon Judkins is the offense’s focal point, and four O-line starters are back. Memphis transfer tight end Caden Prieskorn (602 yards last season) looks like a big add. New defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s unit struggled in the spring game. He’ll lean on D-linemen Cedric Johnson and Jared Ivey and linebacker Ashanti Cistrunk. Georgia Tech transfer corner Zamari Walton is a likely starter.

21. Iowa (previous: 18)
Brian Ferentz’s quest for 25 points per game will be a season-long storyline. Michigan transfer quarterback Cade McNamara is a clear upgrade, and sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson is a star in the making. Luke Lachey and ex-Wolverine Erick All should carry on the Tight End U brand. But the O-line and WRs remain question marks. Iowa’s recent defensive dominance should continue, led by standout cornerback Cooper DeJean and defensive linemen Deontae Craig, Logan Lee and Joe Evans. Most importantly, All-American punter Tory Taylor is back.

22. North Carolina (previous: 20)
Preseason All-American quarterback Drake Maye, playing for new OC Chip Lindsey, found favorite targets this spring in Kent State transfer Tez Walker and Georgia Tech transfer Nate McCollum. Running back British Brooks, who was injured last year, joins Omarion Hampton and Elijah Green in a crowded backfield. The O-line is mostly set. But the Heels need to improve their defense, which ranked 115th in yards per play a year ago. Ex-Florida State linebacker Amari Gainer should boost the pass rush, and linebacker Tomon Fox, who led UNC in sacks in 2021, is back after missing 2022.

23. Texas Tech (previous: 21)
The Red Raiders have two capable quarterbacks in Tyler Shough and Behren Morton and a deep receiving corps led by Freshman All-American Jerand Bradley. Running back Tahj Brooks looked good in the spring game. The O-line is undergoing several position changes. Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter’s unit must replace top-10 pick Tyree Wilson and leading tackler Krishon Merriweather, but San Diego State transfer CJ Baskerville emerged as a key playmaker this spring. DE Myles Cole and others will be counted on to step up in the pass rush.

24. Tulane (previous: 24)
Fourth-year starting QB Michael Pratt leads the reigning Cotton Bowl champs. Redshirt freshman Chris Brazell and Texas A&M transfer Yulkeith Brown give him new options at receiver. Departed star running back Tyjae Spears will be hard to replace, but early enrollee Arnold Barnes shined in the spring game. LSU transfer OT Cam Wire joins an experienced O-line. Cornerback Jarius Monroe picked off Caleb Williams in the Green Wave’s bowl win. Darius Swanson, a transfer from D-II Nebraska-Kearney, helped fill a need at safety.

25. UCLA (previous: NR)
Five-star early-enrollee quarterback Dante Moore exited spring in close pursuit of veteran Ethan Garbers. Kam Brown, Logan Loya and Cal transfer J.Michael Sturdivant are all capable receivers. Sophomore running back TJ Harden had a good spring, but Ball State transfer Carson Steele, who ran for 1,556 yards last season, could be a game-changer. DE Laiatu Latu (10.5 sacks) emerged as a force last season, and Chip Kelly has been trying to bring in bigger bodies like 6-3, 240-pound Cal transfer LB Oluwafemi Oladejo (91 tackles).