Joel Klatt
Lead School Soccer Analyst
Michigan. Ohio State. Now, Penn State?
Following spring soccer, I ranked James Franklin’s Nittany Lions No. 1 in my post-spring prime 25 ballot. Why? As a result of they’re following the identical championship blueprint that led Michigan and Ohio State to nationwide titles up to now two seasons.
That blueprint continues to be in place, however so is my rising fascination with one other contender. As August arrives and fall camp kicks off, it is time to revisit the rankings. Will Penn State keep on prime? Or has another person earned the No. 1 spot?
Here is a have a look at my preseason prime 25.
Utah is bouncing again this yr. That is the precise sort of yr once I love the Utes — as a result of nobody is speaking about them within the offseason, that’s after they’re at their most harmful. Utah is coming off a season the place it was higher than what its 5-7 file indicated. It received snakebitten by accidents after its 4-0 begin, beginning 4 completely different quarterbacks. Utah’s success goes to come back all the way down to QB play. Devon Dampier transferred from New Mexico after incomes first-team All-Mountain West honors a yr in the past. Dampier is a dual-threat signal-caller, and I believe that can assist the Utes threaten to win the Huge 12 title.
I had some hassle filling out the previous couple of groups on this record, so I went with the groups that I belief most. With Oklahoma, I additionally belief its quarterback: Washington State switch John Mateer. I actually like him. He’s received a fantastic arm, is correct and really athletic and will enhance Oklahoma straight away. The offense was a catastrophe final yr, however coach Brent Venables remade the Sooners’ offense over the offseason. Venables is again to calling defensive performs, and that unit was within the prime 20 final yr. That schedule is brutal, although, having six video games towards groups you’ll see afterward this record.
The Bears completed final season on a excessive notice, successful their final six regular-season matchups. They misplaced their bowl sport to LSU, however they discovered one thing with quarterback Sawyer Robertson. He threw for over 3,000 yards, and so they now have Bryson Washington at working again, presumably giving them the perfect QB-RB duo within the Huge 12. The protection ought to enhance, too. I believe we’ll know what we have to find out about Baylor when it takes on Auburn in Week 1.
Persevering with with the theme of groups I belief, Iowa is definitely part of that group. I believe the Hawkeyes may get to eight or 9 wins, if no more, and so they may even be underrated. The offense improved final yr — granted it didn’t must do a lot to enhance from 2023 — however I like new quarterback Mark Gronowski. He can flip the Hawkeyes round, and whereas I perceive that you simply may need heard that earlier than, Gronowski received the FCS model of the Heisman Trophy in 2023 and two nationwide titles. He additionally has 55 begins below his belt.
I believe Ole Miss goes to be good, however I’m not sure about that. Lane Kiffin has to switch loads of final yr’s crew, together with quarterback Jaxson Dart. I consider Austin Simmons is an efficient participant, however I’m not one hundred pc assured in saying that. I believe Kiffin, the primary Ole Miss head coach to win 10 video games in back-to-back years in over 60 seasons, is great. He all the time replenishes the roster and was lively within the portal once more, touchdown 247 Sports activities’ fourth-ranked class.
It seems like whenever you’re not speaking about Iowa State, that’s when this system has its finest seasons. That’s why I get somewhat nervous inserting some expectations on the Cyclones right here. Nonetheless, quarterback Rocco Becht returns after a powerful yr, however they’re changing his prime two targets (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel). I truly spoke with Becht this offseason about his new vast receivers, and he likes the fellows that Iowa State introduced in through the portal. The Cyclones’ protection ought to be good, however I believe the HC-QB duo is what ought to give the Cyclones an edge within the Huge 12.
There’s loads of momentum increase in Lubbock, Texas. I believe the hype is actual, as I bumped the Purple Raiders into my prime 25 after excluding them within the spring. Texas Tech’s offense was wonderful final yr, however the protection was one of many worst within the nation. So, it hit the portal actually arduous, and I believe that might go a great distance within the Huge 12. Texas Tech had 247 Sports activities’ second-best switch class, bringing in guys that ought to make a huge effect straight away. Behren Morton is again for his third yr at quarterback after serving to Texas Tech end within the prime 10 in passing offense final yr.
Ending the run of Huge 12 groups, that is one other rating primarily based on how a lot I just like the HC-QB duo. Some may even have the Solar Devils ranked greater after successful the Huge 12 and giving Texas a powerful run within the 2024 School Soccer Playoff. They carry again quarterback Sam Leavitt and the most effective vast receivers within the nation in Jordyn Tyson. As a lot as I like these two and coach Kenny Dillingham, the lack of star working again Cam Skattebo is hard. He was second within the FBS in touches and scrimmage yards, so I can’t say that they’re going to be simply wonderful with out him. You’ll be able to’t simply exchange your coronary heart and soul with a switch.
A slight step again from final yr, however the Hoosiers are right here to remain. There shouldn’t be a significant drop off. Their schedule is favorable, and coach Curt Cignetti has by no means had a shedding season. He’s 130-37 in his 14 seasons as a head coach. Nonetheless, you want gamers to succeed, however I belief Cignetti’s roster-building abilities, and I favored the choice to switch quarterback Kurtis Rourke with Fernando Mendoza. There are loads of returning gamers there, too, with three All-American candidates on protection (DE Mikail Kamara, LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds).
Texas A&M is a sleeping large. The extra I checked out it over the offseason, the extra I favored A&M. Coach Mike Elko has been working to get this program again on monitor as he enters 12 months 2. I don’t love how final season ended — shedding 4 of its final 5 after getting out to a 7-1 begin. Quarterback Marcel Reed was promising, although. The Aggies’ whole offensive line returns, in addition to a number of working backs (Le’Veon Moss and five-star recruit Roman Owens). Defensively, Elko ought to have the ability to get issues happening that aspect of the ball. Texas A&M does have three actually robust street video games (Notre Dame, LSU, Texas) that damage its rating right here, however I’d wager on them for the lengthy haul.
The Wildcats are my choose to win the Huge 12. Chris Klieman’s squad is essentially the most reliable crew within the convention, with quarterback Avery Johnson headlining the record of returning gamers. For those who have a look at their losses from final season, it was actually a matter of turnovers. They had been minus-eight in these 4 losses, which I believe they need to have the ability to flip round. Defensively, they need to have the most effective fronts within the convention. They’ve received some questions alongside the offensive line, however it is a program that develops very well alongside the offensive line.
Once I first did this, I had the Gators at No. 10, however the current harm information about quarterback DJ Lagway brought about some hesitation. Why does it look like he’s all the time banged up? Florida is superb, if not a borderline nice crew, however this injury-prone offseason for Lagway has me involved for coach Billy Napier. Florida went 8-5 a yr in the past, successful its final 4 video games as Napier fought off scorching seat rumors. If Lagway isn’t wholesome, nevertheless, I don’t love UF. If he’s, Florida is a top-10 crew. The season modified when he turned the Gators’ beginning quarterback, going 6-1 because the one loss got here to Georgia, and he left that sport early attributable to harm. That schedule seems to be extra brutal if Lagway isn’t wholesome.
Just like Florida, I used to be excessive on Illinois within the spring, however I’ve had some considerations not too long ago. Nonetheless, I’m excessive on Illinois as a result of it’s returning 16 starters, together with quarterback Luke Altmyer and its whole offensive line. Coach Bret Bielema established his fashion there, and this yr is a good schedule for Illinois, avoiding Penn State, Oregon and Michigan. If it could actually win its video games towards USC and Indiana early, it ought to make the CFP.
I’m bullish on the Hurricanes. I get it. The harm stuff with quarterback Carson Beck isn’t nice, however I can’t get away from the truth that you may’t recruit and add switch portal expertise on the degree that Miami has and never be higher. It went 10-3 final yr after a 9-0 begin, with that late loss at Syracuse primarily ending its CFP hopes. Coach Mario Cristobal has to recover from that hump. Miami can lean on the run sport and line of scrimmage, so I don’t assume Beck will should be a savior. I like the brand new defensive coordinator, former Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, and Miami hit the portal arduous to repair its protection, notably within the secondary. Rueben Bain is a possible star off the sting.
I is perhaps overrating South Carolina, but it surely has a quarterback (LaNorris Sellers) who I believe is phenomenal and arguably the most effective defensive gamers within the sport (Dylan Stewart). Simply with these two gamers alone, the Gamecocks have one thing going. The defensive position had some losses over the offseason, however coach Shane Beamer has recruited properly. The schedule is backloaded for South Carolina, so it’ll have time to seek out its footing earlier than taking up LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Clemson.
The Wolverines had an amazing finish to final season, and their protection was capable of put all of it collectively even with out their star gamers on the sphere. They will’t be worse on offense than they had been a yr in the past, proper? Due to that, I believe Michigan will likely be again among the many elite within the sport. Michigan beat Ohio State and Alabama with little offensive manufacturing, as the one groups worse at throwing the ball than Michigan had been the service academies. I’m to see how new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey matches in. Will Michigan begin Bryce Underwood or Fresno State switch Mikey Keene at quarterback? Keene missed all of spring follow attributable to harm. I do know Michigan is changing loads of defensive expertise, but it surely was capable of deal with Alabama with out these gamers. Its sport towards Oklahoma in Week 2 may decide if Michigan is a playoff crew or not.
Coach Kalen DeBoer has to bounce again in 12 months 2. Alabama did not win 10 video games for the primary time since 2007 final yr. This isn’t a program that’s going to attend round for DeBoer, however he’s an excellent coach who has received in every single place else he has been. He’s reuniting along with his longtime offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb this season after he was with the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks final yr. That’ll assist out and will assist projected beginning quarterback Ty Simpson. He’s a former five-star who has waited three years for this chance. Alabama may have stars everywhere in the discipline, together with two gamers I not too long ago ranked in my prime 10 for total gamers within the nation. The Crimson Tide protection was within the prime 10 a yr in the past, so it ought to be wonderful on that aspect of the ball. The schedule is hard, however the backside line is that DeBoer has to win at Alabama quickly and this program has to achieve the CFP.
LSU hasn’t completed as a lot as Alabama, however I belief Garrett Nussmeier greater than I belief the Tide’s quarterback state of affairs. The urgency ought to be there for LSU and coach Brian Kelly. Kelly is aware of it as properly, main him to hit the portal arduous and fill some holes with 247 Sports activities’ No. 1 switch class. Notre Dame cannot be enjoying within the title sport whereas LSU’s not within the CFP. That is not why LSU paid Kelly. Linebacker Harold Perkins returns for the Tigers, and hopefully he can get again to the extent he was at as a freshman. This ought to be an excellent crew that makes the CFP.
That is an fascinating crew that is robust to undertaking, however I am giving coach Kirby Sensible the advantage of the doubt. Gunnar Stockton is a query mark at quarterback, however Sensible’s groups have confirmed that they do not want an elite signal-caller to succeed. His groups simply win, and there is by no means a scarcity of expertise there. The Bulldogs additionally received higher at vast receiver, addressing that challenge by including Zachariah Department and Noah Thomas after main the nation in drops final yr. Georgia additionally will get most of its large video games at residence — the place it by no means loses, because it hasn’t fallen at residence since 2019. It is a crew that ought to play for an SEC championship.
Once I made these rankings, I separated the highest 10 into two tiers. Notre Dame is on the prime of Tier 2. The Preventing Irish simply beat up Georgia within the CFP, and their expertise is manner higher than you assume. Coach Marcus Freeman has recruited and signed a participant with a mean ranking of 91.5, up from the common participant ranking (90) of Kelly’s recruits in his remaining years at Notre Dame. That makes a distinction, as they’ve primarily gone from being exterior the highest 10 in recruiting to seventh within the nation. Notre Dame has the gamers to succeed, with working again Jeremiyah Love headlining that group. The schedule is favorable, and it ought to make it to the CFP if it simply splits the Texas A&M/Miami video games. I do not actually have many questions on this crew. Freeman is aware of what this crew is and has embraced it.
Oregon is changing loads from final yr’s crew after shedding 18 starters, however it is a crew that is constructed itself on recruiting properly and has one of the vital gifted rosters within the sport. Coach Dan Lanning has additionally hit the portal properly to assist fill within the gaps over his time in cost. At quarterback, Dante Moore takes over for Dillon Gabriel. He is not skilled, however I believe he is gifted. He received to take a seat behind Gabriel final yr and be taught, transferring in after beginning as a freshman at UCLA in 2023 after being a five-star recruit. I do not love the harm to vast receiver Evan Stewart, nevertheless. 5-star freshman Dakorien Moore goes to have to supply straight away. Nonetheless, Oregon is not going anyplace this yr.
I wished to place Clemson greater, however I will pump the brakes only a bit. I’ve liked Clemson all offseason. Cade Klubnik is my No. 1 quarterback coming into the yr. The Tigers additionally return 16 starters, with 4 of them being offensive linemen. They’ve legit expertise at vast receiver, however their defensive position ought to be stellar. Edge rusher T.J. Parker and defensive sort out Peter Woods joined Klubnik on my record of prime 10 gamers in faculty soccer. Tom Allen is their defensive coordinator after holding the identical place for a powerful Penn State protection final yr. As for Clemson’s schedule, its first and final video games ought to be its hardest. It opens at residence towards LSU earlier than closing the yr at South Carolina. The Tigers keep away from Miami in ACC play, so I believe they may virtually definitely play of their convention title sport. Be careful for Clemson and the victory lap which may come from Dabo Swinney.
I might’ve put the defending champions greater, however they’re changing so many stars. Fourteen gamers from final yr’s crew had been picked within the 2025 NFL Draft. Each coordinators left, with Brian Hartline taking on for Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator and Matt Patricia changing Jim Knowles as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator. I haven’t got many questions on Hartline, however I ponder how lengthy it would take Patricia to acclimate to the faculty sport. OSU made some good pickups within the portal, although, including tight finish Max Klare (Purdue), working again CJ Donaldson (West Virginia) and two potential beginning offensive tackles. At quarterback, we’ll see if Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz is the starter. I believe it is going to be Sayin, however I maintain asking Ryan Day who it is going to be, and he talked about that Kienholz continues to be combating for the job and doing nice in follow. Whoever wins that job will get to throw to Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Can I win that job? My shoulder is toast and I can throw it to Smith. We all know precisely what the usual is for Ohio State, even after successful a nationwide championship.
Ohio State’s Week 1 opponent is available in proper above it. Arch Manning mania has arrived. I believe he’ll be excellent. He jogs my memory of the faculty model of Trevor Lawrence. Because the noise is concentrated on Manning, although, Texas has a fantastic likelihood to have the perfect protection within the nation. 5 of the final eight nationwide champions had the perfect scoring protection within the nation, and I believe Texas has an opportunity to try this. The Longhorns have a star at every degree, with Colin Simmons at edge rusher, Anthony Hill Jr. at linebacker and Michael Taaffe at security. Texas hit the portal to deal with its wants at defensive sort out. Coach Steve Sarkisian has constructed one thing that’s sustainable, but it surely’s now time for him to money in after falling within the CFP semis in every of the previous two years. I believe Texas will win the SEC and presumably steal the mantle of being the face of the convention from Georgia. When it comes to the Week 1 matchup towards Ohio State, I give Texas the sting in that sport attributable to Manning.
The Nittany Lions nonetheless have the No. 1 spot that I gave them in my post-spring rankings. I am big on blueprints, and I believe Penn State finest resembles the blueprints Michigan and Ohio State had after they received the nationwide championship over the previous two years. That blueprint is an skilled crew with an skilled quarterback and loads of guys who return somewhat than changing into an early-round choose within the NFL Draft. Identical to these Michigan and Ohio State groups, these gamers need to rebound from a tricky loss within the earlier season.
Alongside quarterback Drew Allar, working backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, 4 offensive linemen and defensive finish Dani Dennis-Sutton are among the many group of gamers returning. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is in 12 months 2 and would not want to determine an offensive system. Knowles was a fantastic alternative at defensive coordinator after Allen left. PSU introduced in three vast receivers through the portal as properly to deal with its largest gap final yr. USC’s Kyron Hudson, Syracuse’s Trebor Pena (All-ACC slot receiver) and Troy’s Devonte Ross (All-Solar Belt) ought to all be strong go catchers for quarterback Drew Allar. The massive query is that if coach James Franklin can beat a top-five opponent. Penn State has video games towards Ohio State, Oregon and presumably the Huge Ten title sport and the CFP. Whether or not Penn State and Franklin can match up with these groups will proceed to persist till it wins a kind of video games.
Joel Klatt is FOX Sports activities’ lead faculty soccer sport analyst and the host of the podcast “The Joel Klatt Present.” Comply with him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Present” on YouTube.
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