- Oregon leads the way: The Ducks return most of the talent that brought them to the College Football Playoff semifinals this past season.
- Texas comes in second: The Longhorns loaded up in the transfer portal and still have Arch Manning at quarterback.
- 2026 NFL Draft season is here: Try the best-in-class PFF Mock Draft Simulator and learn about 2026’s top prospects while trading and drafting for your favorite NFL team.
Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
Yes, the 2025 season just ended.
No, it’s not too early to look ahead to next year.
Here’s a look at PFF’s way-too-early top-25 heading into the 2026 college football season.
1. Oregon Ducks (2025 Record: 13-2, Lost CFP Semifinal)
After making a run all the way to the College Football Playoff semifinals this season, Oregon is pretty much running it back in 2026.
It starts with the massive return of quarterback Dante Moore, who would’ve likely been a top-three pick in the 2026 NFL Draft if he declared. The Ducks also return their entire defensive line, a unit that looks like it may be the best in the country entering 2026. Oregon also has plenty of skill-position players returning on offense, and the secondary features a couple stars in cornerback Brandon Finney Jr. and transfer safety Koi Perich (Minnesota).
Even with two new coordinators, head coach Dan Lanning has a roster that seems to be capable of capturing the program’s first national championship.
2. Texas Longhorns (2025 Record: 10-3, Won Citrus Bowl)
It was the first time in three years that Texas didn’t make it to the College Football Playoff semifinals, and the Longhorns missed out on the playoff altogether. Head coach Steve Sarkisian was busy this offseason to ensure that it won’t happen again.
Texas returns quarterback Arch Manning, who bounced back from a slow start to the season and enters 2026 as one of the top signal-callers in the sport. He’ll have the pleasure of throwing to a loaded receiving corps, headlined by Auburn-transfer Cam Coleman and junior Ryan Wingo. The Longhorns should also have a great ground game thanks to incoming transfers in Raleek Brown (Arizona State) and Hollywood Smothers (NC State). Trevor Goosby is back at left tackle and projects as a first-round pick in 2027.
The defense has a new coordinator with Sarkisian hiring Will Muschamp. The former Florida head coach will have plenty of talent on that side of the ball, namely edge defender Colin Simmons, linebacker Rasheem Biles (Pittsburgh) and cornerback Bo Mascoe (Rutgers).
3. Indiana Hoosiers (2025 Record: 16-0, Won CFP National Championship)
Two years ago, Indiana had the worst all-time win percentage of any Power Four program. Thanks to the miracle worker that is head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers are now national champions, completing arguably the greatest turnaround in college football history.
He and Indiana are here to stay. Even though the Hoosiers are losing plenty of talent to the NFL draft, they were still one of the best teams in the transfer portal. Josh Hoover (TCU) will take over from Fernando Mendoza at quarterback and will try to reach similar heights that his predecessor did.
4. Ohio State Buckeyes (2025 Record: 12-2, Lost CFP Quarterfinal)
Ohio State wasn’t able to defend its 2024 national championship, but the Buckeyes still had a successful year by winning 12 games for just the second time in the last six seasons.
Ryan Day’s squad is well-positioned to compete for a national title once again. Ohio State brings back quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who may be the two best players in the sport. The Buckeyes also return running back Bo Jackson after a tremendous true freshman campaign, and their three best starters from their offensive line. The defense lost plenty of pieces, but the same could be said for this past year’s unit, which performed at an elite level.
5. Texas Tech Red Raiders (2025 Record: 12-2, Lost CFP Quarterfinal)
Texas Tech exploded onto the scene in 2025, winning its first Big 12 championship while setting the new program record for wins in a season.
It doesn’t appear to be a one-hit wonder either. The Red Raiders once again killed it in the transfer portal. Their biggest addition was Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby, whose 90.5 PFF grade this past season stood fifth among all quarterbacks in America. Texas Tech also brought back many of its skill-position players and should still have an elite defense with some big-time transfers coming in on that side of the ball.
6. Georgia Bulldogs (2025 Record: 12-2, Lost CFP Quarterfinal)
Georgia is coming off its third SEC championship in the last four years and has won at least 11 games in eight consecutive seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, where the Bulldogs finished with an 8-2 record.
It’s safe to assume that Kirby Smart’s squad will continue that trend in 2026. Georgia brings back quarterback Gunner Stockton, who posted an impressive 81.3 PFF grade in his first season as a starter. Star running back Nate Frazier returns, as well as a very talented defense with perhaps the best returning safety in KJ Bolden.
7. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2025 Record: 10-2)
Even though Notre Dame missed the College Football Playoff, the Fighting Irish still finished with double-digit wins for the eighth time in the last nine years.
Notre Dame has a great chance at making it back to the 12-team field in 2026. It starts with a loaded defense, featuring the best cornerback in college football in Leonard Moore and arguably the best linebacker in Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are gone from the backfield, but quarterback CJ Carr enters 2026 as the Heisman Trophy favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
8. Miami (FL) Hurricanes (2025 Record: 13-3, Lost CFP National Championship)
Miami didn’t even know if it would make the College Football Playoff on Selection Sunday, but the Hurricanes still made a run all the way to the National Championship Game before falling just short to Indiana.
Even after losing a lot of talent to the NFL, especially in the trenches, Miami is still the clear favorite to win the ACC. It’s heavily rumored that the Hurricanes will ultimately land Duke quarterback Darian Mensah in the transfer portal, who led the Power Four in passing yards this past season. Malachi Toney enters his sophomore year as the best wide receiver not named Jeremiah Smith, and Miami should return Mark Fletcher Jr. at running back as well.
9. Ole Miss Rebels (2025 Record: 13-2, Lost CFP Semifinal)
Ole Miss’ placement on this list is contingent on the result of quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ lawsuit against the NCAA for a sixth season of eligibility. If he loses, the Rebels will drop a few spots on this list, though incoming transfer Deuce Knight helps soften that blow. If he wins, Ole Miss could make a deep playoff run once again.
Regardless, the Rebels are bringing back a superstar running back in Kewan Lacy and have added several defensive transfers that may improve that side of the ball. Following its best season in over 60 years, Ole Miss should continue to have high hopes as Pete Golding enters his first full season as the head coach.
10. BYU Cougars (2025 Record: 12-2, Won Pop-Tarts Bowl)
BYU is coming off its best two-year stretch in 40 years, finishing with a 23-4 record since 2024. The Cougars have a chance to crash the College Football Playoff for the first time next season.
Bear Bachmeier is back at quarterback following an impressive 78.5 PFF grade as a true freshman. LJ Martin is one of the best returning running backs in America after running for 1,299 yards this past season (sixth in the Power Four). The defense returns plenty of key pieces like cornerback Evan Johnson and safety Faletau Satuala.
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11. LSU Tigers (2025 Record: 7-6, Lost Texas Bowl)
Let the Lane Kiffin era begin. LSU poached the former Ole Miss coach right before the Rebels’ playoff run in the biggest hire of the coaching carousel. He immediately got to work building up the Tigers’ roster, signing one of the nation’s best transfer portal classes. The star of it is quarterback Sam Leavitt, who’s a top-10 signal-caller in the sport.
12. Texas A&M Aggies (2025 Record: 11-2, Lost CFP First Round)
Texas A&M made its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this past season before losing in the first round to Miami (FL). Mario Craver enters his junior year as one of the best wide receivers in college football. He’ll be catching passes from Marcel Reed, who’s back for another year at quarterback after a rollercoaster redshirt sophomore campaign. If he can be more consistent, the Aggies can make the playoff once again.
13. Oklahoma Sooners (2025 Record: 10-3, Lost CFP First Round)
Like Texas A&M, Oklahoma also lost in the first round of the playoff and brought back a quarterback who had his share of highs and lows in John Mateer. He should have an improved receiving corps to throw to with Isaiah Sategna III returning and the additions of Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone from the transfer portal. Brent Venables’ defense should once again be an elite unit with the return of many key pieces.
14. Michigan Wolverines (2025 Record: 9-4, Lost Citrus Bowl)
Michigan introduces a new head coach after hiring former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. He brings over a few of his former players, namely edge defender John Henry Daley. His 92.3 PFF pass-rush grade trailed only David Bailey among FBS edge defenders.
Bryce Underwood enters his true sophomore season at quarterback with immense expectations. He’ll have running back Jordan Marshall and wide receiver Andrew Marsh to help him hit his sky-high ceiling.
15. USC Trojans (2025 Record: 9-4, Lost Alamo Bowl)
Lincoln Riley enters a pivotal Year 5 as USC’s head coach, as the Trojans have won fewer than 10 games in three-straight seasons. He’ll have quarterback Jayden Maiava to help him buck that trend, who was fourth in the FBS in passing yards this past season. Riley also signed the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class to hopefully set the foundation for a bright future in Los Angeles.
16. Alabama Crimson Tide (2025 Record: 11-4, Lost CFP Quarterfinal)
After missing the College Football Playoff during his first season as head coach, Kalen DeBoer led Alabama to the quarterfinals this year before losing to Indiana. The Crimson Tide enter 2026 with plenty of questions, though. They’ll have a new quarterback in either Austin Mack or Keelon Russell with Ty Simpson leaving for the NFL. They also lost two of their top-three receivers, four starters from the offensive line and six starters on defense.
17. Houston Cougars (2025 Record: 10-3, Won Texas Bowl)
Following back-to-back 4-8 campaigns, Houston rebounded nicely in its second season under head coach Willie Fritz by winning 10 games for the first time in four years. The Cougars could once again be a threat in the Big 12 next season. Conner Weigman is back at quarterback and has his top weapon returning in Amare Thomas. The transfer portal was good to Houston, especially in improving the team’s biggest weakness in the offensive line.
18. Louisville Cardinals (2025 Record: 9-4, Won Boca Raton Bowl)
Louisville has won at least nine games in all three seasons under head coach Jeff Brohm and should have similar expectations in 2026. The Cardinals have plenty of stars returning, including edge defender Clev Lubin and running backs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown. Brohm once again signed one of the nation’s best transfer portal classes and will have to break in a new quarterback in Ohio State transfer Lincoln Kienholz.
19. Tennessee Volunteers (2025 Record: 8-5, Lost Music City Bowl)
This ranking is dependent on the result of quarterback Joey Aguilar’s lawsuit against the NCAA, as he’s seeking an eighth season of eligibility. He’s a top-10 quarterback in the country if he wins his case after posting an elite 90.5 PFF grade this year. DeSean Bishop is back at running back after running for 1,076 yards. The defense added numerous pieces from the transfer portal, including four from Penn State, with edge defender Chaz Coleman as the standout.
20. Missouri Tigers (2025 Record: 8-5, Lost Gator Bowl)
Missouri failed to have a double-digit win season for the first time in three years, but the Tigers still had a solid year overall. Mizzou returns the best running back in the country in Ahmad Hardy, whose 1,181 yards after contact led all backs in the nation. Either sophomore Matt Zollers or Ole Miss transfer Austin Simmons will be the one handing him the ball next season. The defense lost some stars, but brought in a talented linebacker in Robert Woodyard Jr. from Auburn.
21. California Golden Bears (2025 Record: 7-6, Lost Hawaii Bowl)
California won seven games in a season for the first time in six years, but the Golden Bears still made a change at head coach by firing Justin Wilcox and hiring Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi. The former defensive lineman for the Golden Bears has plenty of offensive talent to work with, namely the return of quarterback Jaron Keawe-Sagapolutele. He led all true freshmen with a 79.4 passing grade this year. Cal also added plenty of weapons for JKS to play with from the portal.
22. SMU Mustangs (2025 Record: 9-4, Won Holiday Bowl)
SMU failed to win 11 games for the first time in three years, but the Mustangs still had a good year overall at 9-4. The Mustangs could once again be a contender in a wide-open ACC next year thanks to the return of quarterback Kevin Jennings, who has an 85.5 PFF grade over the last two seasons.
23. Arizona Wildcats (2025 Record: 9-4, Lost Holiday Bowl)
Arizona bounced back from a disappointing 4-8 record in 2024 with a 9-4 record this past season. And the Wildcats should expect similar results in 2026 with quarterback Noah Fifita back for his fourth season as the starter. He has an impressive 88.0 PFF grade in his career.
24. Penn State Nittany Lions (2025 Record: 7-6, Won Pinstripe Bowl)
Penn State had national championship hopes in 2025, but came crashing back down to Earth with just a 7-6 record. The Nittany Lions moved on from head coach James Franklin after 12 years on the job and hired Matt Campbell away from Iowa State. He was busy in the transfer portal, bringing in 36 players with 23 coming from the Cyclones. It may take some time to rebuild the program, but Campbell has proven to be capable of turning programs around before.
25. Oklahoma State Cowboys (2025 Record: 1-11)
This one is admittedly us calling our shot, considering Oklahoma State had the worst record of any Power Four program this past season. The Cowboys should be the most improved team in college football this upcoming season, thanks to work that new head coach Eric Morris has done in the transfer portal.
Oklahoma State signed 48 players, including 16 from Morris’ previous school in North Texas. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker, running back Caleb Hawkins, wide receiver Wyatt Young and linebacker Ethan Wesloski are all among the best in the country at their respective positions going into next season.
