Analyzing the Big Ten, Maryland ahead of the 2025 season

diggsreport
3 days ago
23 min read

Nearly two weeks away from kicking off the 2025 college football season, I dive into the preseason Big Ten power rankings:

Penn State:

Following a final-four run in the playoffs last year, the Nittany Lions might have gotten the biggest returns for 2025. Quarterback Drew Allar returns for his senior year, as he looks to solidify his status as a top pick in the draft. Also returning is the two-headed monster at tailback in Kaytron Allen and Nocholas Singleton. Both players rushed for over 1000 yards and a combined double-digit touchdowns in 2024. Wide receivers and tight ends are a different story, though. Now, Indianapolis Colts Tyler Warren led the Big Ten in catches last year and will be replaced by Senior Khalil Dinkins. Also gone are Harrison Wallace and Omari Evans, who were second and third in receiving yards, respectively. Slot receiver Liam Clifford returns, though, with transfers Kyron Hudson and Trebor Pena joining him. On the offensive line, guard Olaivavega Ioane was named a second-team All-Big Ten last year, as the team returns four of five starters.

Defensively, Penn State lost the number three overall pick in the draft with Abdul Carter, along with their top two leading tacklers in Jaylen Reed and Kobe King. While Carter led the team with 11.5 sacks, defensive tackle Zane Durant was second with eight and returns for his senior year. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton is also back after tying with Carter for the team lead in QB hits, while posting second in tackles for loss. Senior Alonzo Ford hopes to fill the void with the departures of Dvon J-Thomas and Coziah Izzard. Fifth-leading tackler Tony Rojas and Dominic DeLuca are back in the linebacking core. Senior Zakee Wheatley was third on the team in tackles and one of three players to have three interceptions. He is joined at safety by Alabama transfer King Mack. AJ Harris is back as one of the starting corners, while Elliot Washington steps into the other. Taking over Reed’s spot at nickel is Junior Zion Tracy.

Ohio State:

The defending National Champions have plenty of reloading to do on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Will Howard, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, tight end Gee Scott, and running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are gone. Replacing Howard at quarterback will more than likely be redshirt freshman Julian Sayin, but keep an eye on Lincoln Kienholz and blue-chip Ohio native Tavien St Clair. James Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson have big shoes to fill, replacing Judkins and Henderson at running back. Last year’s Big Ten Receiver of the Year, Jeremiah Smith, helps soften the blow of Egbuka, with Carnell Tate also returning after finishing third on the team in catches and receiving yards. On the offensive line, Josh Simmons, Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson, and Seth McLaughlin left for the NFL. Simmons and McLaughlin had their seasons end early due to injury. Tegra Tshabola started every game for the team last year, while Carson Hinzman has 21 starts to his name. Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa will take over Simmons’ spot at left tackle. The Buckeyes are replacing an entire defensive line that played a big role in their winning the National Championship. North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson will start on one defensive end spot, while senior Caden Curry will finally get his shot. At defensive tackle, sophomore Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston are the presumed starters. Linebacker Sonny Styles is back, but Cody Simon, who led the team in tackles, isn’t. Third-leading tackler and All-American safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Davidson Igbinosun are back to lead a secondary replacing Denzel Burke and Lathan Ransom. Lorenzo Styles looks to take over Jordan Hancock’s spot at nickel.

Oregon:

Last year’s Big Ten Champions are looking to replace their quarterback (Dillon Gabriel), top rusher (Jordan James), two best receivers (Tez Johnson, Traeshon Holden), and starting tight end (Terrance Ferguson). As if that wasn’t enough, Evan Stewart, the presumed top receiver in 2025, looks to be out long-term with a serious injury. Alabama transfer Malik Benson and 2025 signee Dakorien Moore are now the top guys in the receiving corps. Kenyon Sadiq is the projected starter at tight end. Noah Whittington was second on the team in rushing, but can he handle the full load as the starter? At quarterback, former UCLA transfer Dante Moore hopes to fill the shoes of Gabriel. Center Iapani Laloulureturns to an offensive line unit that is going to look very different from last year. Tackles Josh Conerly and Ajani Cornelius are gone, replaced by transfers Alex Harkey (Colorado) and Isaiah World (Nevada). Two transfers also take over the guard spots in former Indiana Hoosier Matthew Bedford and former USC Trojan Emmanuel Prognon.

The Ducks also lost three pieces on the defensive line, with end Jordan Burch and tackles Derrick Harmon and Jamaree Caldwell. Defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei is back after leading the team in sacks, while Teitum Tuioti was third. USC transfer Bear Alexander will man one defensive tackle spot with A’Mauri Washington holding down the other. Last year’s Burlsworth Award winner and second-team All-Big Ten linebacker, Bryce Boettcher’s return was huge for Oregon, as was the return of his partner Devon Jackson. Ole Miss transfer Jaden Canady will hold down the Star spot in a secondary that is replacing everyone. Purdue transfer Dillon Thieneman was a second-team All-Big Ten selection last year and will man one safety spot. Both corner spots are up in the air with multiple players looking to take them.

Illinois:

One of the surprise teams from last year, the Fighting Illini won 10 games and beat South Carolina in the Citrus Bowl. Quarterback Luke Altmyer returns for his senior year following a 22 TD- 6 INT season in 2024. Top rusher Josh McCray transferred to Georgia, but Aiden Laughery and Kaden Feagin return. Illinois also lost leading receivers Pat Bryant and Zakhari Franklin. They will be counting on Hank Beatty, Collin Dixon, Malik Elzy, and West Virginia transfer Hudson Clement to step up. Starting tight end Tanner Arkin is back. Illinois does return all five starters on the offensive line, with JC Davis named on the All-Big Ten Third-Team last year.

Illinois’ defense sees the return of its top five tacklers from 2024. The secondary returns every starter, including leading tackler Matthew Bailey and Xavier Scott, who led in interceptions. Torrie Cox and Kaleb Patterson will man the corners. Sophomore Angelo McCullom has a big hole to fill at nose tackle, where TeRah Edwards lined up last year. Outside Linebacker Gade Jacas led the team in sacks and tackles for loss and was second in total tackles. Defensive linemen James Thompson and Curt Neal, and linebacker Leon Lowery come over from Wisconsin. Linebackers Dylan Rosiek and James Kreutz were third and fourth in tackles, respectively.

Michigan:

After winning the National Championship the previous year, Michigan won just eight games in 2024. The offense scored over 30 points in just one game, which led to a major overhaul on that side of the ball. At quarterback, number one overall recruit Bryce Underwood is expected to take over the starting role from Davis Warren. Michigan’s top three rushers are gone, with Alabama transfer Justine Haynes and sophomore Jordan Marshall taking over in 2025. The leader in receptions and yards was tight end Colston Loveland, who became the tenth overall pick in the draft. Tyler Morris, who ranked second in those categories, also left. Max Bredeson and Marlin Klein are the presumed top tight ends, with Samaj Morgan, Fredrick Moore, and Indiana transfer Donovan McCulley. Sophomore Evan Link moves from right to left tackle, taking over from Myles Hinton with redshirt freshman Andrew Sprague projected to start there.

Leading tacklers Jaishawn Barham and Ernest Hausmann are back to lead the linebacking core. The defensive line lost two first-round picks in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and another starter with defensive end Josiah Stewart. Senior Derrick Moore is the lone returnee along the line, with fellow senior TJ Guy joining him. At defensive tackle, Alabama transfer Damon Payne and junior Rayshaun Benny will look to step up. Arkansas transfer TJ Metcalf mans the nickel spot in the secondary, while safety Rod Moore returns from a torn ACL suffered last spring. Junior Zeke Berry is the lone starter from last year’s team who returned.

Indiana:

The Hoosiers were the biggest surprise team in 2024, losing one game in the regular season, which came against the National Champs, Ohio State. Leading receivers Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper return. Joining them are true freshman LeBron Bond and Clemson transfer EJ Williams. Maryland transfer Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black hope to fill the void left by Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton. Starting quarterback Kurtis Rourke is in the NFL, with Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza getting first crack at replacing him. Left tackle Carter Smith has started 25 games over the last two years. Colorado transfer Kahlil Benson takes the right tackle spot. Center Mike Katic’s 50 career college starts will be hard to replace, but Notre Dame transfer Pat Coogan looks up to the challenge after starting 26 games there. Starting guards Drew Evans and Bray Lynch are back.

Linebacker Aiden Fisher led the Hoosiers in tackles last year and received an All-Big Ten First-Team selection for his stellar play. Lead sacker and first-team All-Big Ten Mikail Kamara is also back and is joined on the edge by Maryland transfer Kellen Wyatt. Rolijah Hardy replaces Jailin Walker, the leader in tackles for loss, at the other linebacker spot. D’Angelo Ponds remains the team’s top corner, while Jamari Sharper has started 12 games the last two years. Two transfers join them in Northern Illinois’ Amariyun Knighten and Pitt’s Ryland Gandy. Another transfer, Devan Boykin from NC State, is expected to make an impact. Louis Moore returns to Indiana after spending a year at Ole Miss. He will team with Amare Ferrell at the safety spots. On the defensive line, Indiana picked up a big transfer in two-time second-team All-CUSA Hosea Wheeler.

Nebraska:

Nebraska returned to a bowl game for the first time since 2016 last year and is looking to do more in 2025. Quarterback Dylan Raiola had a solid freshman season, passing for over 2800 yards, completing 67% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He and the Cornhusker coaches hope he takes the next step. Dante Dowdell is gone, but Emmett Johnson, who had 528 rushing yards in the last four games, is back to lead the ground game. Johnson and Jacory Barney are the only ones of the top eight targets to return this year. Dane Key was brought in from Kentucky to man one spot at receiver, being one of only two underclassmen at the position. Sophomores Nyziah Hunter and Demitrius Bell are names to watch. Sophomore tight ends Luke Lindenmeyer and Carter Nelson are the top two there. The offensive line has many questions. Left tackle is a battle between senior Turner Corcoran and Alabama transfer Elijah Pritchett. Right tackle will be a challenge to fill, as last year’s starter, Bryce Benhart, had 54 career starts. Junior Tyler Knaak will be the first to step up. Center Justin Evans has started 17 games in two years. The guard spots will be manned by Notre Dame transfer Rocco Spindler and Junior Henry Lutovsky.

Nickel back Isaac Gilford, and linebackers John Bullock and Mikai Gbayor were first, third, and fourth in tackles last year, and all three are gone. Sophomore Vincent Shavers and senior Javin Wright take over the starting spots at linebacker, while senior Malcolm Hartzog is the new nickel. Georgia Southern transfer Marques Watson-Trent adds depth at linebacker. DeShon Singleton is back after finishing second in tackles, while corner Ceyair Wright led the team in pass breakups. Andrew Marshall transferred from Idaho to take the corner spot across from Wright, and Marques Buford is back as the other safety. The whole defensive line will look different in 2025. Two transfers were brought in to take starting roles. Texas A&M transfer Elijah Jeudy is at defensive tackle, while Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough is at the Jack position. Junior Riley Van Poppel and Sophomore Cameron Lenhardt hope to get the other two starting spots. Missouri transfer Williams Nwaneri will help provide depth.

Iowa:

In terms of losses, few were bigger in the Big Ten than Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Sophomore Kamari Moulton will do everything he can to replace Johnson’s 1500 yards and 21 touchdowns from 2024. South Dakota State transfer Mark Gronowski passed for over 10000 yards in 55 states as a Jackrabbit. Now he comes to Iowa to provide stability to a position that has needed it in the last few years. Leading receiver Jacob Gill is back, but top tight end Luke Lachey is gone. Gill was the only receiver to have over 300 yards last year, but with better quarterback play, those numbers shuold go up. Senior Kaden Wetjen was a first-team All-Big Ten kick returner last year, while Reece Vander Zee was fourth on the team in receiving. Juniors Addison Ostrenga and Zach Ortwerth man the tight end spots. Iowa is known for its physical offensive lines, and this year should be no different. Center Logan Jones has started 38 games in his college career, while left guard Beau Stephens and right tackle Gennings Dunker have over 20 each. Left tackle lost 52 starts from Mason Richman, with junior Jack Dotzler penciled in to take over. Right guard looks to be handled by Kade Pieper.

Starting linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson are gone from last year, but seniors Karson Sharar and Jaden Harrell have seen the field often during their time at Iowa. Senior defensive linemen Ethan Hurkett, Aaron Graves, and Max Llewellyn were in the top three in sacks and all return. Jeremiah Pittman and Central Michigan transfer Jonah Pace fill out the rest of the defensive line. The secondary lost nickel Sebastian Castro, safety Quinn Schulte, and corner Jermani Harris. TJ Hall is back at the corner after missing some time last year. Zach Lutmer is in a nickel, while Deshaun Lee looks to have the other corner spot. Xavier Nwankpa is back at one safety spot, with the other starter projected to be Koen Entringer.

USC:

After a rough first season in the Big 10, the Trojans hope to make some noise in 2025. They will have do it without their top two running backs, Woody Marks and Quinten Joyner. At running back, the trio of Iowa State transfer Eli Sanders, Junior College transfer Waymond Jordan, and sophomore Bryan Jackson has a tough task ahead of them. At quarterback, UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava started four games after Miller Moss was benched and won three of those games. He’ll go into this year as the unquestionable starter. The Trojans also return their two best receivers, Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, and top tight end, Lake McCree. The depth behind Lemon and Lane from 2024 is gone, but USC did in Boise State transfer Prince Strachan and Utah transfer Zacharyus Williams. Senior Jay Fair is another receiver name to know. The offensive line is replacing three of five starters, with the two returnees being left tackle Elijah Page and right guard Alani Noa. Purdue transfer DJ Wingfield replaces 2^nd-team All-Big Ten Emmanuel Pregnon at left guard. Another transfer, Syracuse’s J’Onre Reed, takes over at center. Two redshirt freshmen, Justin Tauanuu and Tobias Raymond, are competing at right tackle.

Defensive lineman Anthony Lucas is back after only playing in six games last year. Two SEC transfers, Jamaal Jarrett and Keeshawn Silver, help out at nose tackle. Bear Alexander left the team after four games in 2024, and Gavin Meyer graduated, so third-year player Devan Thompkins takes over at defensive tackle. The linebacking core lost the top two tacklers, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and Mason Cobb, and another key piece, Greedy Vance, from last year, but returns the leader in tackles for loss, Eric Gentry. Kameryn Fountain started four games at the RUSH spot, while Desman Stephans played in all 13 games and should be the new middle linebacker. Kamari Ramsey is the only starting piece from the secondary returning in 2025. NC State transfer Bishop Fitzgerald will be the other starter at safety with Ramsey, while Jaylin Smith’s nickel spot will be manned by San Jose State transfer DJ Harvey. At corner, seniors DeCarlos Nicholson and Prophet Brown are the projected starters.

Minnesota:

After winning eight games and going to their fourth straight bowl game in 2024, the Golden Gophers have a big decision to make for this season. Last year’s starting quarterback, Mox Brosmer, is gone, and a battle was in place between redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey and Georgia Tech transfer Zach Pyron. Pyron reentered the portal in April, indicating that Lindsey will be the starter. Emmett Morehead, an Old Dominion transfer, looks to be the primary backup. Leading receivers Daniel Jackson and Elijah Spencer graduated in 2024, but starting tight end Jameson Geers is back. Transfers Javon Tracy and Logan Loya hope to reload the receiving corps with the help of redshirt freshman Jalen Smith and senior Le’Meke Brockington. Sophomore Donielle Hayes and junior Christian Driver round things out, while Prudue transfer Drew Bider will back up Geers. Darius Taylor is back to lead the run game, with the help of Marshall transfer AJ Turner. The offensive line has to replace both tackle spots in 2025, first-team All-Big Ten Aireontae Ersery and Quinn Carroll, plus guard Tyler Cooper. Sophomore Greg Johnson started 13 games last year, and junior Ashton Beers had nine. The right side of the line could be held down by transfers Marcellus Marshall and Dylan Ray. Left tackle looks to be a contest between Washington transfer Kahlee Tafai and redshirt freshman Nathan Roy.

Minnesota’s defense will be replacing leading tackler Cory Lindenberg, with the torch being passed to junior Maverick Baranowski. Junior Devon Williams was second on the team in tackles and will be joined by Oklahoma State transfer Jeff Roberson. Junior Anthony Smith was the leader in tackles for loss and tied for the lead in sacks. Defensive tackles Jalen Logan-Redding and Deven Eastern have a combined 51 starts on the Minnesota defense. Sophomore Jaxon Howard and senior Lucas Finnessy have the other end spot. Nickelback Jack Henderson was tied with Smith for the lead in sacks. Junior Aidan Gousby takes over his spot. The top three safeties return in sophomores Kerry Brown and Koi Perich, and Senior Darius Green. Starting corners Justin Walley and Ethan Robinson both left, and NC Central transfer Jaylen Bowden was brought in. Sophomore Za’Quan Bryan and Iowa transfer John Nestor hope to stand out.

Washington:

Sophomore Demond Williams has a lot of pressure on him to produce after being called the face of the program last year. He played in every game and started the final two, tossing eight touchdowns and a single interception, while completing 78% of his passes. While 2024 leading receiver Giles Jackson will be missed, Denzel Boston will take the top spot, and leading rusher Jonah Coleman returns. Omari Evans comes over from Penn State, and sophomore Rashid Williams looks to step up. Keleki Latu stepped up at tight end when Quentin Moore was lost with an injury. Now, Latu is gone, Moore returns with Decker DeGraaf. After replacing all five offensive linemen in 2024, right tackle Drew Azzopardi is the only one back this year. Geiran Hatchett returned to the Huskies after a year at Oklahoma. He will be at right guard, while his brother Landen takes over at center. Kansas State transfer Carver Willis will be at left tackle. Left guard is question mark, with young players Paki Finau and John Mills looking to claim it.

Linebacker is undergoing a major fix in 2025. All three starters are gone, plus Khmori House. Washington did bring in four transfers, Taari Al-Uqdah, Jacob Manu, Hayden Moore, and Xe’Ree Alexander, to help rebuild the unit. Two redshirt freshmen, Rahshawn Clark and Rahim Wright, are the top two candidates to take over the HUSKY position. Ephesians Prysock is the only name back in the secondary. The senior corner is joined by Arizona transfer Tacario Davis. FIU transfer CJ Christian will man one safety spot, with senior Makell Esteen projected at the other. Senior Zach Durfee missed half of the season with an injury but is back on the defensive line. Russell Davis took a redshirt year after only playing in three games last year, but won the Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against UCLA. Multiple transfers, Anterio Thompson, Logan Sagapoulu, Ta’Ita Uiagalelei, and Simote Pepa, were brought in at defensive tackle. Junior Isaiah Ward will line up on the other side of Durfee at the end.

Wisconsin:

If there’s one team that has been the definition of ground and pound over the years, it’s Wisconsin. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards Jr takes over under center, and his legs will need to be watched. Leading rusher Tawee Walker is gone, but Darrion Dupree, Cade Yacamelli, and Dillin Jones return. Jones is one to keep an eye on following a redshirt year. Tucker Ashcraft replaces Will Pauling at tight end. Vinny Anthony and Trech Kekahuna were the leaders in catches and yards among the receivers last year. Both are back. Behind them is another story, as the unit lost CJ Williams and Bryson Green. Junior Chris Brooks moves into a bigger role, while transfers Tyrell Henry, Joseph Griffin, and Jayden Ballard could help this unit take the pressure off the running game. The offensive line only lost two starters from last year and brought in Davis Heinzen, who started 36 games for Central Michigan. He’ll be at left tackle, while the right side has 31 starts from Riley Mahlman. Senior Jake Renfro and junior Joe Brunner are back at center and right guard, respectively. Senior JP Benzchawel has played in 26 games during his time at Wisconsin and looks to take over the left guard spot.

The linebacking unit lost three key pieces in Jake Chaney, Jahiem Thomas, and Leon Lowery. Christian Allegro finished second in tackles last year and will lead the linebackers with the help of former North Carolina transfer Sebastian Cheeks and junior Tackett Curtis. In the secondary, leading tackler Hunter Wohler left, but safeties Austin Brown and Preston Zachman are back. The starting corners remain the same as 2024 Third-Team All-Big Ten Ricardo Hallman bypassed the NFL, and Nyzier Fourqurean was granted another year. Jacksonville State transfer Geimere Latimer will help in the slot. Wisconsin recorded the fewest sacks by the school since 1983 with 17 in 2024. This year, they hope to change after bringing in multiple transfers on the defensive line. Darryl Peterson and Ben Barten are back, with LSU transfer Jay’Vier Suggs projected to be a starter at end.

Michigan State:

Last year was a growing year for the Spartans in more ways than one. Quarterback Aidan Chiles struggled with turnovers early on but made just as many great throws. Except for major strides made in his second year at starting. Chiles is the only player returning who rushed for over 100 yards in 2024. Sacramento State transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver is RB1, and hopefully, Brandon Tullis or Mahki Frazier step up. Nick Marsh and Jack Velling make a nice wide receiver-tight end combo, but they are the only receivers back who had over 63 yards receiving. Omari Kelly was named a first-team All-CUSA at Middle Tennessee State last year, and was not the only transfer at receiver. Chrishon McCray comes from Kent State, and Rodney Bullard was a first-team All-Gulf South selection from Division II Valdosta State. The offensive line was not great in the run game last year and lost Tanner Miller and Luke Newman after the season. Kristian Phillips and Gavin Broscious are back from injury. Matt Gulbin joins the program following 24 starts at Wake Forest, and Conner Moore was a two-time FCS All-American at Montana State. Stanton Ramil started eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2024 and will man left tackle.

The linebacking unit has to deal with the loss of starters Cal Haladay and Jordan Turner. Thankfully, Wayne Matthews and Jordan Hall are back after being the top backups. Darius Snow was granted a sixth-year and is one of the leaders on this team. Ade Willie has a tough task replacing nickelback Angelo Grose, while starting corners Ed Woods and Charles Brantley are also gone. Cornerbacks Joahua Eaton and Malcolm Bell come in after at least 20 starts at their previous schools. Chance Rucker has had nine starts in two years at Michigan State. Starting safeties Malik Spencer and Nikai Martinez return. The defensive line is without sack leader Khris Bogle, top defensive tackle D’Quan Douse, and Maverick Hansen. Transfers were brought in to fill the depth, with the top ones being Issac Smith from Texas Tech and Grady Kelly from Florida State. Jalen Thompson and Quindarius Dunnigan are back at defensive end, while Alex VanSumeren is up for a full-time starting spot at defensive tackle.

Rutgers:

After making their third bowl game in four games, the Scarlet Knights now have to deal with life without Kyle Monangai. The running back finished second all-time in school history in rushing and was one of the best players in the conference last year. Rising sophomore Antwan Raymond played well in his limited time, and FAU transfer CJ Campbell rushed for over 800 yards in 2024. This could be a two-headed monster in the backfield. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis returns after a solid first season following a transfer from Minnesota. Leading receiver Dymere Miller is gone after one year, with Ian Strong and KJ Duff back, joined by North Texas transfer DT Sheffield. Left tackle Hollin Pierce is gone after 50 career starts at Rutgers, with his spot up for grabs. Senior Tyler Needham has the inside track, but don’t count out junior Taj White. Justin Cesaire comes in having been named a Division II All-American at New Haven last year. Center and right guard will have Gus Zilinskas and Kwabena Asamoah there again, with left guard most likely held by Bryan Felter.

Even after losing five players, the defensive line is full of upperclassmen with a potential all-senior starting lineup. Doug Blue-Eli, Bradley Weaver, Oliver Bilotte, and Eric O’Neill are four of them, all coming via the transfer portal. Keshon Griffin, Zaire Angoy, and Jordan Thompson have only played their college ball at Rutgers. Junior Jordan Walker was tied for the team lead in sacks last year. DJ Djabome is back at middle linebacker after leading the team in tackles. Tyreem Powell and STAR Desmond Igbinosun are gone, replaced by junior Moses Walker and Penn State transfer Cam Miller. The secondary is a work in progress after losing all four starters from last year. Marshall transfer Jacobie Henderson takes one corner spot, while Ohio transfer Jett Elad has free safety. Kaj Sanders started six games at safety last year and is now the full-time starter at box. Bo Mascoe has started four games in two seasons and should be the other starting corner.

UCLA:

A 4-2 finish wasn’t enough to overcome a horrible start last year, and the Bruins missed a bowl game for the first time since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. UCLA got the biggest name in the portal after spring practices when Nico Iamaleava left Tennessee and signed with them. He’s a proven starter at the college level, but does the team have enough to support him? The running game was bad, averaging 87 yards a game, and only one rusher, TJ Harden, gained at least 200 yards. Harden is gone with transfers Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Frias joining Jalen Berger. The offensive line will have to perform better after giving up 34 sacks last year. Left guard Garrett Digiorgio has started 38 games for UCLA but is the only one to have over 10 for the team. Center Sam Yoon has started eight, and tackle Reuben Unije started four last year, but had 19 at Houston before transferring over. Tackle Courtland Ford got 19 starts between USC and Kentucky, while guard Julian Armella never started in his 17 games played at Florida State. Tight end Jack Pederson has big shoes to fill, as Moliki Matavao led the team in receiving. Sophomore Kwazi Gilmer and senior Titus Mokiao-Atimalala are the leaders at wide receiver. Slot guy Mikey Matthews comes in from Cal.

The defense lost too many players to name from last year, including top tackler Carson Schwesinger, his wingman Kain Medrano, top sacker Oluwafemi Oladejo, and every starter in the secondary. The Bruins went hard on the transfer portal, looking for guys on the defensive side of the ball. Ole Miss transfer Key Lawrence and Cincinnati transfer Bryon Threats will team with junior Croix Stewart at safety. Andre Jordan was brought in from Oregon State, and Robert Stafford originally played at Miami. Devin Aupiu and Siale Taupaki are the only two on the defensive line who got decent run last year. Keanu Williams and Gary Smith step into bigger roles at nose guard. Anthony Jones, Kechaun Bennett, and Nico Davillier are transfers that will be expected to make an immediate impact at end. Jalen Woods and JonJon Vaughns take over the linebacker spots with help from two more transfers, Ben Perry and Isaiah Chisom. Cole Martin is another transfer that will hold the nickel spot.

Maryland:

Things did not go well for the Terps in their first year without Taulia Tagovailoa at quarterback. The team missed a bowl game for the first time since 2020, giving up over 30 points a game and only scoring 23. Starting quarterback Billy Edwards transferred to Wisconsin, and a quarterback battle has been taking place between UCLA transfer Justyn Martin and four-star 2025 signee Malik Washington. As of right now, it might be Washington’s spot to lose. Running back Roman Hemby transferred to Indiana after many game-changing plays, but Nolan Ray impressed in his limited carries. First-team All-Big Ten receiver Tai Felton left for the NFL, as did Kaden Prather, while tight ends Preston Howard and Dylan Wade transferred. Transfers Jalil Farooq and Kaleb Webb join Octavian Smith and Ryan Manning at receiver. Georgia State Dorian Fleming has done nothing but impress the team since getting to College Park, and is in line to start at tight end. Michael Hershey is expected to take over the starting center job after seeing significant play as a true freshman last year. Alan Herron and Aliou Bah return to hold down the right side again, and Isaiah Wright returns after an injury knocked him out all of 2024. Central Conn. transfer Rahtrel Perry looks to show he can handle Big Ten defensive ends after being named a first-team All-NEC last year.

The defensive line is undergoing major changes after losing four guys from last year, including two draft picks. Dillan Fontus has spent the last two years building his body and is ready to take over with transfers Cam Rice and Eyan Thomas. Neeo Avery looks healthy and ready to make life difficult for offenses. Florida State transfer DD Holmes, sophomore Trey Reddick, and true freshman Sidney Stewart round out the rotation at edge. Top linebacker Ruben Hyypolite and Caleb Wheatland are gone, but Michael Harris and Daniel Wingate are ready to step up. Jalen Huskey struggled at corner but found a home at safety and is the only starter remaining from 2024. Lavain Scruggs and Messiah Delhomme are competing for the other safety spot. Two transfers are projected to fill in the starting spots at corner in Dontay Joyner and Jamare Glasker.

Northwestern:

Northwestern decided to change things up on offense after missing a bowl game for the third time in four years. The Wildcats are the only team in the Big Ten to return their starting quarterback from last year, who won’t be the starter. That honor goes to former SMU starter Preston Stone, who in 2023 passed for 3,197 yards with 28 touchdowns to just 8 interceptions. He’s hoping to improve an offense that scored under 18 points per game last year. The running game was held to under 100 yards per game, but it does return the top three backs in Cam Porter, Joseph Himon, and Caleb Komolafe. Unfortunately, the same can not be said for the receiving core. Receivers AJ Henning and Bryce Kirtz, and tight end Thomas Gordon are gone after finishing as the top three targets in 2024. New Mexico State transfer Alex Lines takes over as the top tight end, while Griffin Wilde had over 1,000 yards at South Dakota State last year. Sophomores Hayden Eligon and Frank Covey will be asked to step up. Another Jackrabbit transfer, right guard Evan Beernsten, was a second-team FCS All-American last year. He’s joined on the right side by Liberty transfer Xavior Gray. Jack Bailey has started 34 games in college, while Jackson Carsello started the final eight games at center. Left guard should be between redshirt freshman Ezomo Oratokhai and Minnesota transfer Martes Lewis. Left tackle Caleb Tiernan has started every game for the last two years.

Linebacker Mac Uihlein and safety Robert Fitzgerald are the only two of the top five tacklers left over from last year. Uilein’s partner, Xander Mueller, is gone, but Braydon Brus is ready to step up, and the team added Yanni Karlafitis from Purdue. Sophomore Josh Fussell and Jacksonville State transfer Fred Davis take over at corner following the departure of Devin Turner and Theran Johnson. Damon Walters will line up across Fitzgerald at safety. Anto Saka, Aidan Hubbard, and Michael Kilbane are all back at defensive end, as is defensive tackle Najee Story, who has started 22 games for the Wildcats. The other defensive tackle spot will be held by Carmine Bastone, while Utah State transfer Miguel Jackson should see the field often.

Purdue:

Not many teams had a worse year than Purdue, which won its first game and then lost the remaining 11 in 2024. Only three of those games did they lose by fewer than 10 points, and it led to a head coaching change. Barry Odom took over from UNLV and is hoping to make a quick turnaround. Hudson Card and Ryan Browne both left after splitting time at quarterback last year, before Browne came back from North Carolina. The team also added Arkansas transfer Malachi Singleton. The offensive line added a Canadian to the unit with Giordano Vaccaro taking over at center. He was a two-time All-Canada selection at Manitoda and is one of five new starters on the line. The Boilermakers took no chances and added 11 transfers to rebuild the unit. Some of the standout names are Auburn’s Bradyn Joyner, Georgia’s Marques Easley, UNLV’s Jalen St John and Hank Purvis, and Eastern Kentucky’s Tyrell Green. Joey Tanona is one of the few returning players from last year. Running back Devin Mockobee is back and joined by Virginia Tech transfer Malachi Thomas. Mockobee is the only top-six receiver returning in 2025. Once again, the team went heavy on the portal to fill out the position. Former USC Trojan Charles Ross is one name to know, as is Georgia’s Nitro Tuggle. De’Nylon Morrissette finished seventh in receiving last year. George Burhenn and UNLV transfer Christian Moore look to be the top two tight ends.

The entire defense is changing from 2024 very little returning experience returning. Odom brought over two projected starters from UNLV in corner Tony Grimes and linebacker Mani Powell. Grimes has started over 40 games in college. He’s joined in the secondary by former BYU starter Crew Wakley, and two Memphis transfers, Tahj Ra-El and An’Darius Coffey, at safety. Ryan Turner from Boston College and Nevada’s Chad Brown team up with Grimes at corner. Smiley Bradford is back after 17 tackles in 2024, and Sterling Smith looks to make an impact in his second year with the program. CJ Madden hopes to do the same thing with Tennessee State transfer Sanders Ellis, rounding out the linebacking core. The defensive line has a few returning faces, but none were starters. Sophomores Trey Smith, Jamarius Dinkins, and Jamarrion Harkless were here last year and will be fighting for snaps. Despite being a redshirt freshman, TJ Lindsey could see the field often. Ian Jefferies and Marcus Moore each started eight games at their previous schools. Breylon Charles started four at North Texas. Breeon Ismail comes from Big Ten rival Michigan.

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