The top 100 returning college football players for 2025 is a veritable feast of the best student-athletes set to dominate the upcoming college football season.
From quarterbacks to defensive backs, and yes, punters and kickers, the nation’s top players are celebrated here, giving you the chance to familiarize yourself with the names to know before the action gets underway in August.
100) Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
Sam Leavitt’s transition from Michigan State Spartans backup to winning the hearts and minds of Arizona State Sun Devils fans as a Big 12 champion at the first attempt is the stuff of fairy tales.
So is some of the returning quarterback’s tape, showcasing some extraordinary throws and the capability to get the job done on the ground too (443 yards, four yards per carry, five touchdowns).
While some have been quick to anoint him the college football QB1, he’ll need to demonstrate he can operate consistently without Cam Skattebo before skyrocketing up our quarterback rankings.
99) Jake Slaughter, OL, Florida
While DJ Lagway is likely to attract the majority of the attention for the Florida Gators offense this season, his success won’t come without the high-level offensive line play that led Jake Slaughter to CSN Second Team All-American honors in 2024.
The Florida center allowed just one sack a year ago, with a 2.34% pressure rate on all his pass protection snaps. While he’s been stellar as a protector, he does his best work on the move as an athletic, technically refined, but violent mauler in the ground game.
98) Rhys Dakin, P, Iowa
Tory Taylor left significantly sized shoes to fill in the Iowa Hawkeyes special teams room, but Rhys Dakin filled them splendidly in 2024, earning CSN Freshman All-American honors. Dakin housed over half of his 64 attempts inside the 20 during his debut campaign while averaging 44.1 yards per attempt.
For as long as Iowa has a bottom-half of the FBS offense under Kirk Ferentz, Dakin will be as important to the program as a quarterback or wide receiver on any other college football team.
97) Max Klare, TE, Ohio State
Lost in a poor Purdue Boilermakers season was the emergence of tight end Max Klare as one of the top pass catchers in college football. He heads to the Ohio State Buckeyes this fall on the back of a 685-yard, four-touchdown campaign that showcased his incredible pass-catching and route-running capabilities.
Klare ranks second among returning tight ends with 2.40 yards per route run, which is hardly surprising when you flip on the tape and watch him duking defensive backs out of their skin with his sudden movement.
96) Dominic Zvada, K, Michigan
Special teams players are special players, too, and Michigan Wolverines kicker Dominic Zvada is the best there is returning to college football in 2025. The former Arkansas State Red Wolves standout led the Big Ten in field goal percentage last fall (95.5%) and contributed more points than any other Michigan player.
Furthermore, he was the only player with seven or more attempts from 50+ yards to complete 100% of his kicks from that distance. Big-time leg. Big-time accuracy. Big-time player.
95) TJ Bush Jr., EDGE, Liberty
TJ Bush Jr. is one of a small handful of players who returns to the Group of Five level for 2025, and he’ll be looking to bring the Liberty Flames back to the level of success they enjoyed during his freshman season.
MORE: Top 100 CFB Players of 2024
While it was a down year for the Flames, their star defensive end enters his junior campaign on an ever-upward trajectory. A smart, powerful, relentless run defender who increased his pass-rush chops last fall, Bush should significantly bolster his 17 career tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
94) Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
If you’re not aware of who Eli Heidenreich is or are unsure as to his legitimacy on this list of the top 100 returning college football players, go throw on some Navy Midshipmen tape and be prepared to have your world shook. Heidenreich is a 6’0”, 201-pound force of nature with rare athletic capabilities.
An adept rusher with the vision and contact balance to rip of chunk plays, he’s also a dangerous factor in the receiving game who has the spatial awareness and body control to make some highlight-reel catches.
93) Jason Henderson, LB, Old Dominion
During his four seasons with the Old Dominion Monarchs, Jason Henderson has become synonymous with tackling expertise. He’s twice led the nation in assisted tackles (2022 and 2023) and has averaged 109.7 tackles per season, a remarkable feat made even more impressive by the fact he played just one game last fall due to injury.
He doesn’t just bolster statistics with meaningless downfield tackles, however, with Henderson a constant backfield enforcer with 34 tackles for loss. A return to full health should ensure we see one final epic campaign from one of college football’s best.
92) Ted Hurst, WR, Georgia State
Ted Hurst had a brief dalliance with the transfer portal this offseason but instead opted to return to a Georgia State Panthers side that should be on an upward trajectory under Dell McGee.
The former Valdosta State wide receiver averaged an astounding 17.2 yards per catch in his first FBS season, tallying 961 yards and nine touchdowns. Hurst has the size and catch radius to dominate in contested catch situations while possessing body control and some nice agility to make moves after the catch.
91) Corey Rucker, WR, Arkansas State
A sixth-year senior who has spent all but one season with the Arkansas State Red Wolves, Corey Rucker is one of the best big-play threats in all of college football.
If it weren’t for injury, he would have been able to showcase that in the SEC with the South Carolina Gamecocks in 2022, but instead, he’s made a living off the souls of Group of Five defenses. Rucker has never averaged less than 14.0 yards per catch during his career and enters 2025 off the back of his first 1,000-yard campaign.
90) Fred Perry, S, West Virginia
Rich Rodriguez took one of his most talented players from the 2024 Jacksonville State Gamecocks squad to Morgantown as safety Fred Perry looks to make the West Virginia Mountaineers secondary great again.
Perry is no stranger to the Group of Five level, having previously played at Clemson, but he made his money last fall as a defensive playmaker who was everywhere at all times. He tallied 110 tackles, 10 of which were for loss, with three sacks as he routinely speared into the backfield like a laser.
89) Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
A CSN Freshman All-American at left tackle in 2023, Spencer Fano was the full-time starter at right tackle for the Utah Utes in 2024 and continued to demonstrate why he’s one of the top offensive linemen in the country.
Despite having to protect several different quarterbacks with differing play styles, Fano only allowed one sack and pressure on 3.44% of his pass protection snaps, according to TruMedia. Fano is an incredibly smooth mover with exceptional footwork who finishes with a nasty streak.
88) Nyck Harbor, WR, South Carolina
You won’t be blown away by Nyck Harbor’s stats accrued over his first two seasons, but the South Carolina Gamecocks young star wide receiver spent much of that time learning the position and honing his skill set.
Last season, we saw flashes of what that might look like as he led the WR room in the second half of the season, and in 2025, I fully expect Harbor to be unleashed as a bona fide weapon. His ludicrous athletic profile, with his 6’5” and 10.32 100m speed, could prove unstoppable.
87) Rocco Becht, QB, Iowa State
Are there some elements of Rocco Becht’s game that you’d like to see cleaned up? Of course. You’ll have a hard time selling casual fans on a quarterback who completed just 59.4% of his pass attempts in 2024.
However, the Iowa State Cyclones quarterback has hours of film showcasing his potential to be elite with some of the prettiest throws you will see from any quarterback in the sport. He’s a leader who you’d bet your house on with the game on the line in the fourth quarter and should have the Cyclones in position to compete in 2025, starting with a trip to Dublin, Ireland.
86) Suntarine Perkins, LB, Ole Miss
Suntarine Perkins followed up an impressive freshman campaign for the Ole Miss Rebels with a standout sophomore season, setting the scene for a junior year that could establish him as one of the best linebackers in the country.
A former five-star with an elite athletic profile, Perkins has established himself as a do-it-all defensive playmaker who is equally as comfortable using his excellent speed to missile into the backfield as an edge rusher as he is using his coverage skills and patience in a more traditional linebacker role. Of note, he is set to miss spring practice with an injury, and it remains to be seen how that impacts his ability to build on a 14 tackle for loss, 10.5 sack season.
85) Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
If it wasn’t for the performances of All-World pass rusher Abdul Carter, we’d be talking more about Dani Dennis-Sutton and his impact on the Penn State Nittany Lions defense. He tallied 13 tackles for loss with 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception last fall before announcing his return for the 2025 season.
His combination of first-step quickness, power, and pure fury make him a dangerous pass rusher off the edge, but he’s also adept at dropping into coverage (just ask Riley Leonard!).
84) Cayden Green, OG, Missouri
Cayden Green established himself as a CSN Freshman All-American in 2023 with the Oklahoma Sooners before transferring to the Missouri Tigers, where he excelled last fall. Comfortably one of the best offensive linemen in the country, he’s allowed just one sack in two seasons and allowed just a 2.75% pressure rate during his first season in the SEC.
MORE: 2024 College Football Network All-Americans
Green is a vicious mauler in the ground game who will form one of the top interior offensive line combinations with returning teammate Connor Tollison.
83) Luke Hasz, TE, Ole Miss
Despite playing in just five games as a true freshman due to injury, Luke Hasz established himself as one of the up-and-coming tight ends in college football in 2023. While his first full season of action in 2024 didn’t quite match the eye-opening yards per catch production, his 324 yards and four touchdowns were nothing to sniff at.
Listed at 6’3” and 240 pounds, Hasz has impressive quickness and agility for his size and boasts great catch radius and route running ability that should establish him in the Ole Miss Rebels offense following his transfer from the Arkansas Razorbacks.
82) Eddrick Houston, DT, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes are losing a ton of talent (and production) from their defensive front, but that should allow some of their top returning talent to excel in 2025. Eddrick Houston saw some rotational duty last fall, tallying seven total tackles with two pass breakups while playing from several alignments.
A 6’3”, 270-pound bear of a man, Houston is a powerful force who can push the pocket with strength, has the length to create chaos for offensive linemen, and is agile and nimble on his feet.
81) Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU
The SMU Mustangs started the season operating a QB1a and QB1b system, but it quickly became apparent that Kevin Jennings gave them the best chance to win. The dual-threat powered the seventh-ranked scoring offense in the country and was a pivotal piece of the program’s run to the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff.
While his ability to manufacture yardage with his legs is a big part of his game, only four returning quarterbacks averaged more than his 8.5 yards per attempt in 2024.
80) Desmond Reid, RB, Pittsburgh
If you look up the definition of an all-purpose running back in the 2025 college football dictionary, there’s a good chance that you’ll find a picture of Pittsburgh Panthers’ Desmond Reid alongside the description.
When Reid wasn’t rushing for 100+ yards in a game (which he did four times, including the bowl game against the Toledo Rockets), he was registering 100+ yard receiving outings (vs. North Carolina and Clemson) and even hit triple digits for rushing and receiving against the Cincinnati Bearcats.
79) DT Sheffield, WR, Rutgers
After one season dominating the Group of Five level with the North Texas Mean Green, DT Sheffield will take his talents to the Big Ten with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Those talents are considerable.
Only three pass catchers returning to college football in 2025 had more than Sheffield’s 11 receiving touchdowns, while he earned a CSN All-American honorable mention for his 1,192 all-purpose yards, using his lightning speed and agility to make defenders miss wherever he got the ball last fall.
78) A’Marion McCoy, CB, Boise State
A’Marion McCoy received a CSN All-American honorable mention for his contributions toward the Boise State Broncos run to the College Football Playoff and returns for the 2025 season thanks to an eligibility waiver relating to his time at Laney College.
His official position reads cornerback, but his job description should be “professional route jumper,” as he consistently uses his speed and football IQ to get into passing lanes and break up plays, resulting in a Mountain West-high 14 pass breakups in 2024.
77) Sincere Edwards, EDGE, UCF
After earning CSN Freshman All-American recognition with the Pittsburgh Panthers, Sincere Edwards entered the transfer portal and will suit up for the UCF Knights as one of the top 100 returning players in college football this fall.
Edwards’ relentless, missile-esque pursuit of quarterbacks resulted in 17 tackles, six tackles for loss, and three sacks while he also broke up two passes. The 6’1”, 245-pound defensive end should terrorize offenses in the Big 12 this fall.
76) Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee
Heading into his third season with the Tennessee Volunteers and second as the starter, Nico Iamaleava has the opportunity to prove himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country. At 6’6” and 215 pounds, he boasts great size at the position but is also an impressive athlete who creates opportunities out of structure.
Besides his upside as a mobile quarterback, Iamaleava has a cannon for an arm that is capable of producing breathtaking passes. If he can combine consistency with big play ability in 2025, he has the opportunity to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC.
75) Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
Jake Retzlaff commanded a lot of attention last fall as the BYU Cougars embarked on a nine-game winning run that carried them as high as seventh in the AP Poll. Yet, in reality, the program’s success was built on defense, a unit led by do-it-all linebacker Jack Kelly.
A ferocious force coming downhill who deconstructs blocks for fun, Kelly racked up 10 tackles for loss and five sacks while leading the Cougars with two forced fumbles. He’s physical but smart and brings coverage chops, too. His return is huge for BYU in 2025.
74) Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)
A former five-star offensive tackle who lived up to his high school billing with a Freshman All-American campaign in 2023, Francis Mauigoa continued to assert himself as one of the top o-linemen in the country last fall.
A top-tier technician, the 6’6”, 315-pound right tackle is also a dangerous mauler with a penchant for pancakes and violence. When he gets up to the second level he forces defenders into making a business decision with his ability to flatten everyone in his path.
73) Evan Stewart, WR, Oregon
Evan Stewart was a significant addition for the Oregon Ducks out of Texas A&M a year ago. Still, it is in 2025, with Tez Johnson headed to the NFL, where his impact is likely to be made and his place among the top wide receivers in college football secured. He has the throttle control and long speed to put defensive backs in a bind.
While he’s not the biggest pass catcher, he won’t dodge contested catch situations or crumple easily under initial contact, showcasing the ability to extend plays.
72) Isaiah Nwokobia, SAF, SMU
The SMU Mustangs added CSN Third Team All-American Robert Rahimi to their defensive backroom this offseason. However, Isaiah Nwokobia should still rule the roost as one of the top safeties in the country. Nwokobia is an elite ball tracker who routinely positions himself to impact the ball at the catch point.
A stellar athlete tracked just south of 20mph, he isn’t afraid to use his speed like a missile working downhill in run support (he’s also difficult to catch and stop when returning an interception).
71) Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Very rarely have transitions from quarterback to tight end worked, as well as with Eli Stowers. The former New Mexico State Aggie made his way to the Vanderbilt Commodores alongside teammate Diego Pavia, and they have established themselves as one of the nation’s top QB/TE duos.
Stowers snagged 638 yards and five touchdowns last fall (both career highs), earning CSN Second Team All-SEC honors and leading all returning tight ends in yards per route run (2.52), according to data from TruMedia.
70) Blake Horvath, QB, Navy
The Navy Midshipmen might not produce your traditional quarterback archetype, but that shouldn’t detract from the talent that Blake Horvath brings to the table as a college football player. No returning quarterback had more rushing yards last fall (1,254), while only Devon Dampier had more rushing scores among returning QBs. Horvath was also the only player in the country to have two runs of over 90 yards, and his 7.1 yards per carry led the AAC.
However, Horvath wasn’t just a product of a triple-option offense last fall. Offensive coordinator Drew Cronic ensured that the second-year playmaker could show off his arm talent. While there is some nuance to the conversation due to defenses selling out to stop the Navy ground game, Horvath had a greater touchdown percentage per pass attempt than some of the top 2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospects. He’s a legitimate talent.
69) Skyler Gill-Howard, DT, Texas Tech
The Texas Tech Red Raiders looted the transfer portal this winter, putting together one of the most impressive classes of that window. Skyler Gill-Howard might not make the headlines among some bigger names, but the former Northern Illinois Huskie should be considered one of the top defensive tackles in the country this fall.
His eight tackles for loss and five sacks are impressive from the interior, but he also put up a staggering pressure rate up there with the best. His first step and quickness to the ball at 6’1”, 285 is eye-catching, but he’s relentless and powerful too.
68) Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
After establishing himself as one of the most explosive return men in college football in 2023, much was expected of Zachariah Branch as a pass catcher for the USC Trojans last fall. While he had a career year in terms of yards (503), the program’s worst offense under Lincoln Riley didn’t help showcase his talent.
He transfers to the Georgia Bulldogs for 2025, where he should emerge as a pivotal part of their offense (in the Arian Smith role) with his explosive speed, physics-defying agility, and body control.
67) Jermaine Matthews Jr., CB, Ohio State
After earning CSN Freshman All-American honors in 2023, Jermaine Matthews Jr. had a somewhat situational role in the Ohio State Buckeyes run to the national championship. A big-time player when called upon, he made his presence known in the opposition backfield in 2024 and is set to be a starting cornerback for the defending champions this fall.
It’s a testament to his talent that many in and around the program believe he was the best cornerback on the roster this year despite his usage.
66) Darius Taylor, RB, Minnesota
When healthy, Darius Taylor is one of the top running backs in college football. He missed half of what should have been a 1,000+ yard freshman campaign and followed up last year with five 100+ yard outings and was just 14 yards shy of the elusive 1,000 yards.
He’s a big-play threat who eats up ground without being the fastest back in the country while being able to lower the shoulder and break tackles to grind out extra yardage after contact. Last year, he demonstrated his receiving ability, too.
65) Kyran Duhon, EDGE, Oklahoma State
After impressing for the UTEP Miners as a true freshman in CUSA, Kyran Duhon is moving on up with a transfer to an Oklahoma State Cowboys defense that has produced its fair share of impactful edge rushers. Duhon earned CSN Freshman All-American honors after finishing with seven sacks last fall (tied for second among first-year players).
Take a look at which true freshmen made it on our Freshman All-America Team.
The 6’2”, 250-pound pass rusher is relentless in getting after the quarterback, already has some eye-opening pass rush tools, and flashes some power to push the pocket. He’s a name that should appear on the national radar this fall.
64) Caleb Weaver, SAF, Duke
Caleb Weaver was one of the top defensive players at the Group of Five level in 2024 and a key component of the Sam Houston Bearkats defensive success. After leading CUSA with 69 solo tackles and four interceptions, he makes the leap to the ACC with a Duke Blue Devils defense that should allow him to shine.
At 5’11”, 190, he isn’t the biggest defensive back in the world, but his sideline-to-sideline speed, spring elasticity, and nose for the ball make him a valuable asset in all phases of the game.
63) Red Murdock, LB, Buffalo
The Buffalo Bulls boasted CSN’s 2024 Linebacker of the Year, Shaun Dolac, who masked the accomplishments of teammate Red Murdock, who is primed to receive more national attention in 2025. Murdock tallied 156 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown.
No player in the country had more forced fumbles (7) than the Buffalo linebacker, who hits with ferocity while demonstrating the ability to read the game at a high level.
62) Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor’s journey to Tuscaloosa might have been a highly publicized one, but there wasn’t an offensive tackle who made a more significant one-year leap in development.
He enters 2025 as one of the top left tackles in the country, boasting the lower body and play strength to be a force in pass protection while flashing the athleticism to get out to the second level in the ground game. There aren’t many players who play with the same level of disdain for his opponent as the Alabama star.
61) Cam Coleman, WR, Auburn
The 2024 Auburn Tigers quarterback situation was suboptimal, but that didn’t prevent Cam Coleman from showcasing his talents as one of the top wide receivers in the country.
After snagging 598 yards at an impressive 16.2 yards per catch with eight touchdowns, Coleman earned CSN Freshman All-American honors in 2024 and should benefit from what looks like an improved Tigers QB room this fall. With incredible agility in a 6’3”, 200-pound frame, he can (and did) embarrass even the best defenses.
60) Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt
Some players have all the physical tools. Some players have a high level of football IQ and commitment to film study that elevate them into the upper echelons of the sport.
Then, there are those players who transcend everything you think you know about player evaluation. Those players have that little something extra, that “dawg” in them if you like. Then, there’s Diego Pavia.
MORE: Diego Pavia Wins Landmark Injunction Against NCAA
The Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback might never lead the country in passing yards or efficiency, and might not wow NFL scouts with otherworldly arm talent, but if you think Pavia doesn’t deserve a place among the top 100 returning players in college football, you’re damn wrong.
With his ability to grind through a defense with relentless physicality and determination by air or by land, the former New Mexico State Aggie has proven that he has what it takes to make the ‘Dores relevant at the national level.
59) Jonah Coleman, RB, Washington
Consistently one of the most underrated running backs in the country, Jonah Coleman had a stellar season amongst a difficult first season in the Big Ten for the Washington Huskies.
The former Arizona running back tallied a career-high 1,053 rushing yards and surpassed his career touchdown total in just one season with 10 rushing scores. He’s never averaged less than five yards per carry and is a monster who breaks tackles and adds yardage after contact for fun.
58) Kevin Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
A CSN Freshman All-American in 2023, Kevin Concepcion had something of a down year as part of a relatively anemic NC State Wolfpack offense last fall.
However, his transfer to the Texas A&M Aggies should reignite one of the most talented and versatile pass catchers in all of college football. An electric playmaker with the ball in his hands, Concepcion’s slippery agility and explosion allow him to easily contribute after the catch and as a ball carrier out of the backfield.
57) Tyler Onyedim, DT, Texas A&M
Although his pure numbers don’t scream top-100 talent (13 tackles for loss and three sacks in four seasons with the Iowa State Cyclones), the Texas A&M Aggies snagged one of the most important defensive linemen in the winter transfer portal window.
Tyler Onyedim was commanding early-round NFL Draft capital before opting to return to college football for another go around, and he will be a pivotal force on the Aggies front.
56) Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Avieon Terrell is set to follow in the family’s footsteps as a Sunday starter (his brother is Atlanta Falcons standout AJ Terrell), but he graces the college football scene for one last time with his return for the 2025 campaign.
A high-level producer who tallied 12 pass breakups and two interceptions for the Clemson Tigers in 2024, Terrell is a game-changer in every facet of the game, showcasing astonishing coverage capability while having the athleticism and physicality to impact the ground game.
55) Michael Taaffe, SAF, Texas
A villain in Tempe, Texas, Longhorns safety Michael Taaffe nevertheless had a remarkable campaign leading the secondary for the first-time SEC outfit.
A force in all phases with his gung-ho hitting style coming downhill paired with impressive coverage ability, he tallied six tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and 10 pass breakups on the way to earning CSN First Team All-American honors this fall. His return for 2025 is a major bonus for the Longhorns’ chances of returning to the playoffs.
54) Jaden Greathouse, WR, Notre Dame
Jaden Greathouse hasn’t been a statistical standout by any stretch of the imagination during his two seasons in South Bend, but that’s a product of the system rather than his skill set.
The true junior receiver showcased during the Notre Dame Fighting Irish run to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game that he has the ability to contest at the catch point and the agility, suddenness, and speed to add value after the catch. It’s unclear what the offense will look like this fall, but it should be tailored to Greathouse.
53) Kanye Udoh, RB, Arizona State
You don’t simply replace an impact player like Cam Skattebo, but the Arizona State Sun Devils dipped into the transfer portal and pulled out a rare commodity in Kanye Udoh. The former Army Black Knight back is a 6’0”, 215-pound ball of fury who is coming off the first 1,000+ yard season of his career.
He’s a bruiser with the speed and contact balance to rip off big plays, and half of his 2024 production came after contact. He will also prove valuable as a blocker for quarterback Sam Leavitt. Don’t sleep on his impact.
52) Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana
One of the top linebackers in the country, Aiden Fisher earned a CSN All-American honorable mention after making the transition from the Sun Belt to the Big Ten alongside former James Madison Dukes head coach Curt Cignetti.
Fisher was unfazed by the jump from the Group of Five level to the Power Four, putting together another six tackles for loss and a 1.5-sacks campaign while notching over 100 tackles for the second successive season. You don’t want to meet him in the alley this fall.
51) Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois
The honors started piling up for Gabe Jacas in 2022 as the first-ever true freshman from the Illinois Fighting Illini to receive FWAA Freshman All-American recognition, and he’s only been on an upward trajectory ever since.
He returns in 2025 as the second-most productive pass rusher in the Big Ten behind Matayo Uiagalelei after logging eight sacks and 13 tackles for loss. No other player in the Big Ten forced more fumbles last fall than the Illinois outside linebacker.
50) Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
Cade Klubnik’s return to the Clemson Tigers and Garrett Riley’s offense is huge for the program’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. At times, the fourth-year quarterback looked like one of the best in the nation, leading all returning passers with 36 touchdowns (17 more than in 2023 with just 32 more passing attempts) while finishing in the top 10 with 3,639 passing yards.
MORE: Cade Klubnik Reveals What Made Him Stay At Clemson
He also showcased the ability to take a game by the horns on the ground, doubling his career rushing yards and touchdowns in one season. However, his EPA was lower than that of many returning quarterbacks, and there were games last fall (notably Georgia, Louisville, and South Carolina) that demonstrated he’s yet to realize his full potential.
49) Devonte Ross, WR, Penn State
Former Troy Trojan Devonte Ross was one of the most productive wide receivers at the Group of Five level last season, logging 1,043 yards (20th in the FBS) while snagging 11 touchdowns.
Detractors will point to 229 yards and three touchdowns against FCS opposition as a stat-filler, but he also tore up the Iowa Hawkeyes to the tune of 142 yards and two scores. His speed will significantly affect the Penn State Nittany Lions offense.
48) Jordan White, OL, Vanderbilt
While 2024 might have failed to match 2023 for the Liberty Flames, offensive lineman Jordan White continued to showcase his talents as one of the best in the business.
With White leading the way, Liberty finished as a top 40 unit for tackles for loss allowed last fall, and he was the architect of a unit that allowed the second-fewest sacks per game allowed in 2023. The 6’2”, 300-pound interior lineman should be a key blocker for the Vanderbilt Commodores in 2025.
47) Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Kyle Louis experienced a breakout campaign at the heart of the Pittsburgh Panthers defense last season, finishing second on the team with 101 tackles in his third ACC campaign.
After registering 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions, he earned CSN Third Team All-American honors while being named CSN’s ACC Linebacker of the Year. His all-encompassing skill set even extends to being an impact maker on special teams, blocking a kick and returning it for a score against the Toledo Rockets.
46) Malik Muhammad, CB, Texas
The Texas Longhorns had an elite secondary in 2024. While several of the players making up that unit are off to the NFL, an underrated element returns to Austin for the 2025 college football season.
Malik Muhammad tallied eight pass breakups in his second season with the program and should be one of the lockdown cornerbacks to know this fall. A disappointing showing in the playoff shouldn’t define his ceiling.
45) Caden Durham, RB, LSU
LSU Tigers running back Caden Durham was a top 10 fastest prospect in the 2024 recruiting class and immediately set about showcasing that speed on Saturdays. He’s much more than just a pace back, however, with the ability to break tackles with impressive strength and contact balance.
He’s equally adept at receiving back, adding further to his value. If LSU runs the ball more in 2025, his production should rocket.
44) Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado
A good chunk of the top offensive tackle talent in college football decided to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, paving the way for the rise of a new bunch of impact makers.
MORE: 2025 Way-Too-Early College Football Top 25 Power Rankings
Jordan Seaton was a big-time get for the Colorado Buffaloes in the 2024 recruiting class and heads into his sophomore season as one of the best in the country after earning CSN Freshman All-American honors for his performances protecting Shedeur Sanders.
43) O’Mega Blake, WR, Arkansas
O’Mega Blake just spent a year with the Charlotte 49ers dominating AAC competition, but he’s returning to the SEC spotlight after a year away honing his craft. The former South Carolina Gamecock receiver transferred to the Arkansas Razorbacks after snagging 795 yards and nine touchdowns. The headline number to know is 24.84.
That’s his yards per catch from last fall, more than any returning college football receiver in 2025. He’s dominant at the catch point and set to prove himself this year.
42) Isaac Brown, RB, Louisville
The 2025 college football season will be stacked at the running back position, and Isaac Brown is a name that should be heard a lot during the fall. He’s fresh off a commanding freshman campaign where he paced the Louisville Cardinals offense with 1,173 rushing yards at 7.11 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns.
A true pace back, Brown earned CSN Freshman All-American honors for his performances and is on an upward trajectory.
41) Eric O’Neill, EDGE, Rutgers
A CSN First Team All-American after registering 19 tackles for loss and 13 sacks for the James Madison Dukes in 2024, Eric O’Neill is set to prove himself at the Big Ten level as part of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights’ transfer portal class.
The 6’3”, 250-pound pass rusher is a furious ball of energy who has impressive power for his size to go with decent speed off the edge. He’s a relentless competitor who should thrive on the big stage.
40) K.J. Bolden, S, Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs safety K.J. Bolden received honorable mention CSN Freshman All-American recognition after an impressive first season in Athens. He snagged an interception and registered 59 tackles with two tackles for loss while playing in 14 games for the SEC champions.
Bolden played above the level usually seen by an inexperienced safety, proving infallible in both coverage and run support, teeing up high expectations for his sophomore campaign.
39) Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
After transferring from the Oregon State Beavers ahead of the 2024 campaign, Joermod McCoy had a season for the ages with the Tennessee Volunteers, earning CSN Third Team All-American honors alongside CSN First Team All-SEC recognition.
A physical ball hawk whose tape is littered with highlight reel plays, McCoy snagged four interceptions and nine breakups last season. His ceiling in our top 100 returning college football players is only restricted by an ACL tear sustained in offseason training.
38) Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Matayo Uiagalelei exploded onto the scene in his second college football campaign as a cornerstone of an Oregon Ducks defensive front that oftentimes looked dominant. He led the team with 13 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous pass rushers in the country.
A technically refined pass rusher with eye-popping athletic traits, he should be a frontrunner for multiple defensive awards.
37) John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
John Mateer’s swashbuckling skills for the Washington State Cougars captured the public imagination last fall and turned him into something of a college football rockstar. He tallied 44 total touchdowns, showcasing impressive arm talent and the creativity outside of structure that makes for a top-tier college quarterback.
The production was incredible and his leadership equally as impressive, but he’ll face increased scrutiny (and some better defenses) after following his offensive coordinator to Oklahoma.
36) Tanner Koziol, TE, Wisconsin
It’s crazy to think that the Mid-American Conference had two of the best tight ends in the country last fall and one of them returns to college football for another go around. Tanner Koziol leads all returning tight ends with 839 receiving yards in 2024.
He added eight touchdowns last fall as a dangerous scoring threat, and that single-year production is more than the total of all Wisconsin tight ends from 2022-2024.
35) Sammy Brown, LB, Clemson
The Clemson Tigers have had a string of elite linebackers in recent years, and after his performances as a true freshman for Dabo Swinney’s team a year ago, Sammy Brown is set to earn his place among the best in the country.
He was named the CSN Freshman Linebacker of the Year and tallied 80 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and five sacks in 2024, more than any other Clemson linebacker. He should be even better in 2025.
34) John Walker, DT, UCF
You might want to call off your search if you’re looking for a Defensive Comeback Player of the Year contender in mid-February. John Walker was a highly sought-after high school prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, choosing the UCF Knights over a bunch of high-power Five offers.
He earned CSN Freshman All-American honors with a dynamic five-tackle-for-loss campaign but missed all of 2024 with an injury. He’ll be one of the top defensive tackles in the country if he returns to form.
33) Fernando Carmona Jr., OT, Arkansas
Fernando Carmona Jr. is a household name for all the wrong reasons following an incident in the Liberty Bowl. Still, his return to the Arkansas Razorbacks for the 2025 college football season gives the 6’5”, 322 pounds offensive tackle an opportunity to remind fans (and NFL teams) why he was considered a potential first-round draft pick this year.
He’s a frightening force in the ground game and possesses an anchor that stonewalls pass rushers.
32) Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU
The return of Garrett Nussmeier for the 2025 college football season is a major coup for Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers, who were staring down the barrel of replacing the most passing attempts in the SEC a year ago.
KEEP READING: Garett Nussmeier 2025 Heisman Odds
While he has some areas of his game to clean up (he threw the most interceptions in the conference in 2024), Nussmeier has the arm strength to open up the entire field for a restocked wide receiver room. There are some exciting examples of pass placement in his film, but that needs to become commonplace if he’s to realize his true potential.
31) Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
It says Nicholas Singleton in the header here, but really it should be a hybrid between Singleton and teammate Kaytron Allen. The two Penn State Nittany Lions running backs combined for over 2,200 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall as a legitimate thunder and lightning backfield.
While Allen is favored by some Penn State fans, Singleton is clearly the more talented of the two, with his receiving prowess set to be more important than ever to quarterback Drew Allar’s success this fall.
30) Elijah Sarratt, WR, Indiana
Elijah Sarratt returns to the Indiana Hoosiers for the 2025 season, marking the first time in his college football career that he’s played for the same program in successive seasons. He’s adapted effortlessly at every turn on that journey, moving up from non-FBS to Group of Five to the Power Four and impressing accordingly.
He’s averaged over 1,000 yards and eight scores over the last two seasons, and a career year as the go-to guy for new quarterback Fernando Mendoza shouldn’t be a surprise.
29) Xavier Scott, CB, Illinois
The Illinois Fighting Illini received several pieces of good news this offseason, but none were much more significant than the return of cornerback Xavier Scott. A CSN Third Team All-American for his efforts in 2024, he often looked like the best defensive back on the field and takes his rightful place at the sharp end of our top 100 returning players.
A stick coverage man with an eye for the ball, he snagged four interceptions and a pick-six in 2024 and is set for even bigger things this fall.
28) Darian Mensah, QB, Duke
What a difference one season can make. Darian Mensah wasn’t even assured of a starting role with the Tulane Green Wave this time last year. Now, he’s one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the NIL era with the Duke Blue Devils. Some have raised their eyebrows at his value, but for my money, Mensah has earned it.
His 9.5 yards per attempt last season rank second among returning quarterbacks, his 166.67 passer rating is the highest, and a top five quarterback for average EPA among returners.
27) Makhi Hughes, RB, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks offense lost playmakers at every position, but their ground game shouldn’t skip a beat after luring former Tulane Green Wave running back Makhi Hughes to Eugene. Hughes earned a CSN All-American honorable mention after rushing for 1,401 yards (10th nationally) and 15 touchdowns.
One of the fastest running backs in college football (verified by Reel Analytics) he has the vision and drive to get the job done anywhere on the field.
26) Fluff Bothwell, RB, Mississippi State
There are a number of elite Group of Five running backs making the jump to the Power Four level, and Fluff Bothwell is one of the best of them. He came up just shy of 1,000 yards for the South Alabama Jaguars but averaged 7.5 yards per carry while leading the Sun Belt with 13 rushing touchdowns and earning CSN Freshman All-American honors.
His speed makes him difficult to track down in the open field, and his contact balance ensures broken tackles are commonplace. The Mississippi State Bulldogs’ offense got a lot more exciting with his offseason acquisition.
25) T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
No returning edge players tallied more tackles for loss (19.5) than Clemson Tigers defensive end T.J. Parker in 2024, who also tallied the ninth-most sacks in the nation as a dominant force on a historically elite unit.
He was the only player in college football to rank in the top 10 for tackles for loss, sacks, and forced fumbles. He’s fast, agile, and physical, and downright frightening to face if you’re an offensive lineman.
24) Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets lost some receiving talent to the transfer portal but landed one of the top playmakers in the country in Eric Rivers.
The former FIU Golden Panther wins with an incredible release package, adds value after the catch, and is one of the most productive returning receivers in college football (97.7 yards per game, 12 touchdowns, 136.5 EPA), giving Haynes King an elite target.
23) Trey White, EDGE, San Diego State
The best Group of Five entry among the top 100 returning college football players in 2025, Trey White is a different beast in more ways than one. He’s sticking with the San Diego State Aztecs when most leading Group of Five players have hopped into the transfer portal which is to be commended, but his production off the edge makes him a dangerous force for any opponent this fall.
No returning player had more sacks per game (1.04) than White last fall, who has a nose for the ball and violence in his blood.
22) Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame
The loss of Benjamin Morrison to injury could have derailed the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s path to the playoff last year. Still, true freshman cornerback Leonard Moore rose to the occasion in a euphoric fashion.
While Xavier Watts led the team in interceptions, Moore snagged two picks and led the team with 11 pass breakups. Teams trying to target their top receiver were stymied repeatedly by his top-tier skill set.
21) Parker Brailsford, OC, Alabama
The 2024 Alabama Crimson Tide offensive line wasn’t quite at the same level we’ve come to expect, but that’s not a reflection of the play of Parker Brailsford. The former Washington Husky returns to college football in 2025 as the best offensive lineman in the country, blending impressive play strength with an elite athletic profile and high football IQ to be a force in all phases.
20) Koi Perich, S, Minnesota
Koi Perich was one of the best defensive playmakers in the Big Ten last fall, and he was just a true freshman. His five interceptions led the conference, and he picked off more passes than he allowed touchdowns.
He also forced a fumble and had three tackles for loss while making contributions on special teams. He’s set to play more offensive snaps in 2025, making him a potential Travis Hunter MK. II.
19) D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
A CSN Freshman All-American in 2023 with the James Madison Dukes, D’Angelo Ponds transferred to the Indiana Hoosiers and somehow upped his game with the transition to the Big Ten.
With 22 pass breakups and five interceptions over two seasons, throwing toward Ponds will sink your offense while he’s capable of flooding the box and impacting the game behind the line of scrimmage.
18) Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks made one of the biggest splashes in the transfer portal this offseason, landing an impact-making playmaker that will shore up a defense that was savaged by the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl.
Dillon Thieneman is an elite sideline-to-sideline safety who can come downhill and lay the boom with the best of them. His sophomore campaign lacked some of the sizzle of a freshman season laden with honors, but Thieneman is a sensational, special talent regardless.
17) DJ Lagway, QB, Florida
DJ Lagway played more football than Billy Napier and the Florida Gators initially intended last fall, but all that did was raise expectations and excitement for what comes this fall. There were some ups and downs and inconsistencies from the young passer in 2024, but the upside is undeniable.
No quarterback returning to college football in 2025 threw for more yards per attempt last year than Lagway (10.0), who has an incredible receiving room to work with.
16) Arch Manning, QB, Texas
It’s easy to put Arch Manning’s positioning on this list of the top returning college football players for 2025 down to the legacy of his surname, but there’s much more to it than that. There’s a reason why Texas fans were clamoring for him to take the reins of the Longhorns offense at several points during last season.
MORE: Arch Manning The Offseason Favorite To Win The Heisman
He offers an athletic threat at the quarterback position that the program lacked with Quinn Ewers and there’s no doubting his arm talent should make him one of the top passers in the 2025 season.
15) Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
A CSN Second Team All-American in 2024, Anthony Hill Jr. enters the 2025 college football season as one of the top linebackers in the country.
He’s been a high-level contributor for the Texas Longhorns since making his debut as a true freshman and enters his junior campaign on the back of a season where he led the SEC in tackles for loss (17) and forced fumbles. A force coming downhill, he also impacts the passing game both with pressure and coverage capability.
14) Ahmad Hardy, RB, Missouri
Ahmad Hardy led all freshmen running backs with 1,351 rushing yards for the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks last fall, and he returns to college football in 2025 with the Missouri Tigers, looking to prove himself at the SEC level.
He’s one of the most elusive players you’ll see this coming season while having the strength to stiff-arm the best defensive players attempting to stop him. He’s easily one of the top running backs in the country, and his impact is being felt in recruiting for the team he departs.
13) Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State
A collarbone injury sustained in the regular season finale deprived the Arizona State Sun Devils of one of their greatest playmakers to end the 2024 season. Still, it appears like Jordyn Tyson will be fully healthy by the spring and ready to dominate as one of the best receivers in the country by the start of the 2025 campaign.
He finished the year with three consecutive 100+ yard games, showcasing his reliable hands and unbelievable body control throughout the year.
12) Mikail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
Following his transfer from the James Madison Dukes to the Indiana Hoosiers, Mikail Kamara established himself as one of the top pass rushers in the country.
The first-year Hoosier earned CSN First Team All-American honors after tallying 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks with two forced fumbles, using his pass rush toolbox to lead Indiana to one of the greatest seasons in program history. He’s set to dominate again in 2025.
11) LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
LaNorris Sellers is one of the most exciting players at any position that you’ll see in college football this season. He could comfortably end up as the best quarterback in the country by the year is out.
He’s a dangerous dual threat with the physical tools to dominate for the Gamecocks this fall. If he plays more consistently, the most productive season of his career should lead to team success and individual accolades.
10) Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Name a better duo than elite defensive tackles and the Clemson Tigers…I’ll wait. Peter Woods is the latest monster on the ACC frontrunner’s defensive front, and he’s back to terrorize the college football world in 2025. The 6’3”, 315-pound behemoth was a top-10 prospect coming out of high school, and he entered his junior season as a top-10 player in college football.
After being named the CSN Freshman Interior Defender of the Year in 2023, Woods continued to elevate his game last fall, logging nine tackles for loss, three sacks, and one forced fumble. Combining an impressive first step with devastating play strength and a motor as hot as the surface of the sun, the Clemson defensive tackle is as adept at getting after the passer as he is stopping the run.
9) Raion Strader, CB, Auburn
Suppose you’re not familiar with Raion Strader’s game from his two seasons with the Miami RedHawks. In that case, you might be confused as to why the new Auburn Tigers cornerback is ranked this highly among the top 100 returning college football players for 2025. You should acquaint yourself with the junior defensive back’s talents because he’s about to emerge into the national consciousness in the SEC after two years of domination in the MAC.
Strader was a CSN First Team All-American in 2024, following on from a 2023 campaign that earned him Freshman All-American honors. The former RedHawk led the nation with 18 pass breakups last fall, snagging two interceptions along the way.
He already has experience against Power Four opposition (Miami Hurricanes, 2023; Cincinnati Bearcats, 2023 and 2024; Northwestern Wildcats, 2024; Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 2024), so the transition to the SEC shouldn’t be an issue.
8) Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
The 2025 college football quarterback class is a complex beast with plenty of room for movement as the year progresses and a multitude of opinions as to who will emerge as the best.
That complexity is created by the inconsistency of performances from some of those at the very top, including Penn State Nittany Lions passer Drew Allar, who has his fair share of detractors due to some head-scratching decision-making last fall.
However, when he’s at his very best, there is no better-returning quarterback in college football than Allar. He can throw the ball into tight windows with impressive velocity, possesses exceptional accuracy, can manipulate and maneuver expertly in the pocket, and showcased the ability to put the ball on a dime deep downfield in several big moments last fall.
7) Whit Weeks, LB, LSU
Expectations heading into the 2024 college football season centered around the LSU Tigers having one of the best linebackers in the country. While that ultimately came to pass, Whit Weeks and not Harold Perkins Jr. asserted themselves as the very best at the position as the season unfurled. The true junior returns to Baton Rouge among the very best of the top 100 college football players for 2025.
Weeks’ season ended in tragedy with a dislocated ankle suffered in the Texas Bowl win over the Baylor Bears. Yet that shouldn’t overshadow a sensational sophomore campaign. He led the SEC with 61 solo tackles, tallied 10 tackles for loss with 3.5 sacks, snagged an interception, and forced two fumbles. His injury also shouldn’t prevent him from becoming the best linebacker in the country, fuelled by his hair-on-fire energy.
6) Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
No returning running back in the 2025 college football season had more rushing touchdowns last fall than Notre Dame Fighting Irish star Jeremiyah Love. Meanwhile, only one other back who carried the ball over 150 times in 2024 averaged more than his 6.9 yards per carry. Furthermore, no other returning back registered more than the Notre Dame running back’s four rushes of over 60 yards last fall.
The most impressive thing amongst the statistical accolades Love amassed last season is that they don’t define his contributions to the sport. The Notre Dame back has explosive, home-hitting capability, but his lower body strength and contact balance make him a dangerous short-yardage threat. He’s also an adept pass catcher, making him a practically unstoppable offensive weapon.
5) Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama
Did you know that Ryan Williams was 17 last season?! It became a standing joke (and I’m fairly sure a challenge among commentary teams) to discuss the Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver’s young age last season. Still, the fact that he produced one of the most mesmerizing freshman-receiving campaigns in program history at such a tender age was truly impressive.
MORE: Ryan Williams’ New NIL Deal Turns Heads
Williams’ feats last fall were a highlight in a season that didn’t live up to Crimson Tide expectations as a whole. Quarterback play was inconsistent, and the ground game was far from Alabama-esque, but the young receiver grabbed the team by the horns with some eye-opening performances.
He led all freshman wide receivers in the SEC with 865 yards, 18.02 yards per catch, and eight touchdowns with his incredible agility and after-the-catch ability.
4) Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas
There were times in 2024 when Colin Simmons looked like a seasoned veteran pass rusher, showcasing incredible power you’d expect to see from a junior with multiple years in a college football weight room.
Furthermore, he demonstrated the maturity of an older player by playing his best football when the lights were brightest, fuelling the Texas Longhorns’ progress to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Simmons finished the year with the fifth-most sacks in the SEC (9) and tied for third in the conference with 14 tackles for loss. Texas has been a high-level producer of defensive line talent in recent years, and the former five-star high school prospect might end up being the very best they’ve ever had.
3) Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State
Caleb Downs established himself as one of the top defensive playmakers in the country during a breakout freshman season with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2023. One year later, he’s one of the best and most recognizable faces in the sport.
A transfer to the Ohio State Buckeyes was mutually beneficial, with Downs developing an already impressive skill set under Jim Knowles and using his talent to drive the best defense in the country to the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
For the second consecutive season, he tallied two interceptions while flashing his ability to impact the game in all phases with eight tackles for loss. A true force.
2) Dylan Stewart, EDGE, South Carolina
The CSN Defensive Freshman of the Year, Dylan Stewart, put together one of the most dominant performances off the edge by a freshman that we’ve seen in recent history. While some consider Texas’ Simmons as the standout pass rusher heading into the 2025 campaign, the South Carolina Gamecocks standout had six more quarterback pressures than the illustrious Longhorn last season.
Stewart finished top 20 in the SEC with 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks as South Carolina wheeled out a phenomenal one-two punch off the edge. With teammate Kyle Kennard headed to the NFL, it’s the talented young Gamecocks’ time to lead the defense of a team that could be one of the best in the country in the upcoming season.
1) Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
Jeremiah Smith looked like a man amongst boys during the 2024 college football season, a remarkable feat as a true freshman establishing himself in an Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver room that is consistently the best in the country. Smith earned Freshman All-American and Third-Team All-American honors from CSN.
KEEP READING: Jeremiah Smith’s NIL Valuation
That Smith finished the season with the fourth-most receiving yards (1,315) and second-most receiving touchdowns (15) in the country is a testament to his talent as the very best player returning to college football in 2025. No player in the country had more than 50+ receiving yard plays last fall, despite attempts to try and shut him down by any means possible.
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