The Ducks consistently compete for and land elite recruits and....

ESPN shakes up Top 25 rankings based on trajectory of college programs over next 2 football seasons

ESPN shook up its top 25 college football rankings based on the trajectory of each program over the course of the next two years. Key things were quarterback continuity, coaching staff and the trenches being intact.

Of course, recruiting classes and the transfer portal play a major factor in turnaround or dips in quality of play season to season. But the way ESPN looks at it, especially in the top 10, the programs at the top are familiar to the casual viewer as well.

Without further ado, let’s dive into ESPN’s latest top 25 rankings. We’ll start with some national title contenders.

1. Texas

Texas is the top ranked team over the course of the next couple of seasons. It might bank more on Arch Manning sticking around for the 2026 season in addition to this fall. It’s possible.

It helps that Steve Sarkisian has killed it on the recruiting trail, especially beefing up the offense line. Texas will also be an attractive transfer spot for players with some time under the belt. National title contender right here.

2. Ohio State

Ohio State pretty much just reloads every year and Ryan Day finally got his national championship. With the way he develops QBs, Day should get a multiyear starter with whoever wins the competition for 2025. Consistency is key.

The Buckeyes also addressed the offensive and defensive lines in the transfer portal to offset NFL Draft loss. They’ll also have Jeremiah Smith for 2025 and ‘26, arguably the game’s top wide receiver. Caleb Downs is one of the best defenders in football and likely is a top 10 pick in next year’s draft.

3. Georgia

Gunner Stockton is the guy under center and could be back in 2026, but the quarterback position will be one to watch for following this fall. The defensive line brings back some starters unlike the offensive side, which is just Earnest Greene III as the rest needs to develop.

Kirby Smart can reel in transfer talent in addition to the recruiting trail. At their current rate, Georgia is generally one of the programs in the country and that shouldn’t change for future rankings.

4. Oregon

As ESPN breaks down these future rankings, a big factor is the possibility of a multi-year starter at quarterback. Dante Moore might have two years in him after spending a year as a backup following his UCLA transfer.

Dan Lanning’s group lost talent on both lines so he’ll have to rebuild those areas, but that’s been his speciality. The Ducks consistently compete for and land elite recruits and transfers, so expect them to hover in the top five of whatever rankings list you’re looking at. They’ll be contending for titles.

5. Notre Dame

If Lanning is pushing all of the right buttons, then you have to pay attention to what Marcus Freeman is doing at Notre Dame. The Irish could be back, consistently anyway, among the elite college football programs.

Fresh off a national title game appearance, Freeman and crew have done a great job of developing long term talent. Now it’s a matter of finding out if top prospect CJ Carr is the right guy, or even Kenny Minchey, at quarterback.

6. Penn State

Drew Allar is back, so that helps Penn State in the immediacy, as far as the ESPN top 25. As do Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. But, it’s all or nothing this year for the Nittany Lions as they try to duplicate Ohio State from last year.

James Franklin and company were light in the portal this window but can still nail down top recruits. The hope is the momentum keeps moving in a positive direction after this season, but it could have boom or bust potential this fall.

7. Clemson

Cade Klubnik is back for his third season as the starter and it’s likely his last. He’s improved year to year and got Clemson an ACC title and CFP appearance last year. It seems like the Tigers are back in the national championship conversation.

The Tigers have All-American candidates on the defensive line with TJ Parker and Peter Woods, but are projected first round picks in 2026. Dabo Swinney could always recruit, but his newfound willingness to go into the transfer portal will be key in future seasons.

8. LSU

The Tigers return Garrett Nussmeier at QB in what could be a Heisman winning campaign. But he won’t be back in 2026, barring something unforeseen. Brian Kelly hopes that this is the season to finally get to the College Football Playoff with LSU.

Despite losing Will Campnbell to the NFL, DJ Chester is back as a returning starter. But you have to hope for strides in development,, There aren’t many seniors, so this could be a strong suit long term. Maybe a few more portal additions to go along with a strong 2026 recruiting class will keep LSU in the top 10 moving forward.

9. Tennessee

The stunning departure of Nico Iamaleavea ran the offseason storylines for Tennessee. The Vols added UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, originally from App State, but he won’t be around in 2026 most likely.

There will be a new offensive line this season, but that could be good for future development. The Vols are seemingly replacing a lot from last year’s playoff team, but there’s a lot of hope in head coach Josh Heupel. His staff is largely the same, so expect some consistency here.

10. Alabama

Kalen DeBoer has to get the quarterback right in a three-way battle taking place as we speak. The Crimson Tide might have a multiyear starter regardless of the winner.

A good core of starters are back on the offensive line, such as Kadyn Proctor, Parker Brailsford and Jaeden Roberts. DeBoer also hit the portal to fill some holes and they do have some star power, such as WR Ryan Williams. There were highs and lows in 2024 and if DeBoer tightens things up, Alabama likely will be a mainstay near the top as they were under Nick Saban.